Despite being like completely distinct genres, fantasy and horror are more similar than they seem. Both offer escapism by evoking a strong emotion. In the case of fantasy, it’s wonder;with horror, it’s dread. Both genres have garnered incredibly loyal audiences. Both have long been perceived as low art, yet have been driving forces in literature, film, and video games.
Dark fantasy combines elements of the two but often stops short of true horror. For something better suited to a Halloween gaming night, read on: these games portray horror in all its grisly glory while effectively throwing fantasy into the mix.
A GameCube exclusivethat’s still lauded today, Eternal Darkness is a love letter to Lovecraft; the ancient gods you battle show a clear influence from his writings. Across its varied locales, both ancient and modern, the game messes with you in real life, from simulating crawling insects on your screen to threatening your save file.
For all its repute as a fourth-wall-breaking menace, the game is pretty fantastical. Your characters can use ancient spells to solve puzzles and ward off monsters, and by the time you’re done, their chants will be ringing in your ears.
The Darkness 2 blends fantasy and horror while throwing in some crime drama for good measure. In this game,you’rethe horror: as Jackie Estacado, you can use a pair of Demon Arms to relieve gangsters of their entrails and vertebrae in ways that wouldmake Sub-Zero wince. There’s also a little goblin creature to lead you around.
Despite its fresh concept and fun, grotesque gameplay, The Darkness 2 ends on a frustrating cliffhanger that will probably never be resolved. At least it’s available on PC, unlike its console-exclusive predecessor.
Amnesia’s influence on horror gameplay will always remain its biggest accomplishment. The game discarded the action elements of previous survival horror titles and made you truly helpless. Low ammo? Trynoammo. You’ve got two methods of dealing with enemies: running and hiding. Indie horror wouldfollow in Amnesia’s footstepsfor years to come.
Because the discourse around Amnesia revolves around its gameplay so much, it rarely gets appreciated for its fantastical plot. Daniel’s nemesis is an interdimensional being, manipulating him into harvesting the life force of humans.
Fear And Hunger wasan itch.io success storythat proved RPGs could work without you being the chosen one. The world of Fear And Hunger is dark and oppressive; the mixture of medieval fantasy environments and survival horror-inspired resource management keeps it fresh.
Choosing one of four character classes, you’ll embark on a twisted trip to find a mercenary leader. This is a game so merciless in its mechanisms that even saving is determined by a coin flip. If you have a strong stomach and patience to spare, you’ll love Fear And Hunger.
Much like Undertale, Omori’s horror elements are all the more effective because it looks like a rather cutesy RPG otherwise. Most of the exploration is done in fantasy dreamscapes with quirky bosses and humorous dialogue. Just like its protagonist, though, Omori hides a dark secret.
When the game dips into horror, it’s shocking and profound in equal measure. Omori’s protagonist verges on unforgivable, and that’s why the plot is so enduring. There are no straight answers, no easy resolutions. What happens beyond the end credits is up to you to decide.
Alice was leagues ahead of survival horror games when it came tothe psychological aspect. Before Silent Hill 2 pushed the entire genre into the metaphysical realm, Alice was out here decapitating card guards and dealing with her trauma.
Reimagining Lewis Carroll’s whimsical heroine as a girl scarred by bereavement and house fires, Alice’s environments evoke a journey through the protagonist’s own mind and body. While the sequel has its fair share of violence, the ruinous depiction of Wonderland in the original is far more disturbing.
The PS2 was a treasure trove ofunderrated horror games; nestled between Rule of Rose and Haunting Ground was another female-led horror title called Clock Tower 3. This game features a young girl who’s stalked by ruthless killers in a variety of settings. The hub world is a boarding school, but you’ll visit a castle, an abandoned hospital, and World War 2-era London before your adventure is over.
The fantasy part comes in the boss fights. Alyssa is heir to a lineage of Rooders - women with special powers. Once she’s had enough of being chased around, she can pull a bow out of thin air and shoot entities full of arrows. Unfortunately, there was no Clock Tower 4.
Koudelka was a unique fusion of survival horror and JRPG; its sequel, Shadow Hearts, is even better. Despite its unfortunate release date - a mere week before Final Fantasy 10 - relegating it to obscurity, Shadow Hearts is one of the best examples of a horror-themed RPG. The fantasy elements are no less pronounced: the protagonist Yuri is capable of transformation, and there’s folklore galore.
There is so much to praise about Shadow Hearts: the intriguing combat system, the historical setting, and the poignant love story. The sequels excised much of the horror elements present in the first Shadow Hearts, but don’t be dissuaded: this entire trilogy is worth your time.
