10 of the goriest video games
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Gory video games have been one of the most talked-about controversies within the arts. Since gaming’s early years of depicting violence, everyone from teachers to flabby old politicians have whined and complained, blaming video games for all the violence that goes on in the real world. The logic of said politicians gets tossed out the window when their own actions lead us to war, and we don’t have the proper facilities for those who need psychiatric help, but I’m a maniac because I shoot a fictional alien’s limbs off… gotcha. Many psychiatrists have gone on to say that gory video games (like action movies or aggressive music) can act as a catharsis to help lift some stress, hence why some of us have easily dropped more than 100 hours into Grand Theft Auto. So without further ado, let’s look into some of our favorite gory video games, and what makes them special (in all their little bloody chunks and pieces).
Also, we should note for obvious reasons… WARNING: The following content is very violent, and if you are squeamish then you should take a few seconds before watching said content and prepare for the brutality.
The Evil Within
This title was a breath of fresh air when we thought that survival horror games were a thing of the past. Sure. we had Amnesia at the time, but nothing that really sparked that love and nostalgia for all of us who grew up with titles like Resident Evil. The Evil Within felt like a trip down memory lane but with all the right spins: a mental asylum, a castle, creepy woods, all filled with mind-possessed demons and creatures trying to hunt you down. The following video should give you an idea as to what they may have had planned for you.
Manhunt
Do not mistake the old style graphics for taking away any of the realism in this game. Manhunt is one of the most controversial titles in all of gaming for the way it portrayed its over-the-top violent attacking and torture. Manhunt and its sequel have two things in common: The stories revolve around the main characters killing their way to survival, and both games have been immense targets for censorship (even outright banning) in many countries. The clip below may give you just a little idea why many parents and politicians were outraged by the game.
The Punisher
This is another title from the days of PlayStation 2 and Xbox. If you don’t know who the Punisher is (even from watching Marvel’s Daredevil), then you’ve been living under one hell of a rock. Getting to the point: Punisher doesn’t like bad guys, and in his means to, er… punish them, deals out some pretty brutal tortures. Check out the clip just to get an idea of how ridiculously intense this game was.
Postal 2
If anyone is even aware of this game in 2016, I have to applaud you. Postal 2 is easily one of the weirdest and violent video games to date. It is just pure “going from point A to point B and creating chaos along the way” gameplay. There isn’t any real point to it other than being one of the most lowbrow and offensive gaming moments in history. You have to see it to believe.
Gears Of War
Gamers will forever remember this title as two things: One of the best things to come for the Xbox 360, and… chainsaw gun. . Popping a couple rounds into one of the Locust Horde coming up from the ground, just to run up and shove a saw through them, was one of the most gratifying moments in every gamer’s teenage years. And it didn’t stop there: Every weapon in this game had such an impact, chunks of your opponent would fly across the screen.
God Of War 3
With all the entries depicting such Olympic-god brutality, it is the first title to make it onto the PlayStation 3 we have to give it to. With the graphics of the PS3, the bloodshed and rampage of Kratos was some of the most stylish (also some of the most stomach- turning) to be found in gaming at that time. Many of us will never forget the cinematic sequence where Kratos kills the Greek god Poseidon.
Mortal Kombat X
You knew this was absolutely going to be on this list. And similar to the title previously mentioned, the graphic power found in the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have helped to make Mortal Kombat X one of the most over-the-top, raunchy and gory games in history. Just taking two minutes to watch some of the fatalities below is enough to make a jaw drop.
MadWorld
This is one of the most unique titles on this list because of the specific console you have to play it on: MadWorld is only available on the Nintendo Wii. That’s right, your friends who make all those kid games, along with those awesome as hell Zelda titles, hooked up with their friends from Sega to host this murder game joyride. Not only was it a treat to get it on a Nintendo console, but it still stands out as one of the most unique and experimental games to have come out in the past decade. Now if they could just make the damn sequel.
Friday the 13th
No, I’m not talking about the old school 8-bit version, but the one that hasn’t come out yet. After seeing a majorly successful Kickstarter campaign, the new Friday the 13th is underway for release on current-gen consoles. Not only does early footage demonstrate how it’s an excellent homage to the films, but it shows off some seriously nasty death scenes, as well! Make sure to keep an eye out for when it’s released.
Dead Space
I’m hoping for your sake as a gamer who enjoys polished survival horror video games, you’ve played at least one Dead Space game. For those of you who have somehow never heard of it, think of it as the Alien film franchise but on speed (and if you’ve never heard of Alien as well, then you are lost). Dead Space didn’t just have an incredible, uneasy atmosphere to lay on the horror, but had creatures crawling through the ventilation and waiting in the dark that were truly grotesque and terrifying. And if that didn’t get you, just look at how easily they could take apart your character’s limbs.
