The Most Controversial Horror Video Games

It’s only a given that horror games are going to generate their fair share of controversy. The disturbing content these games tackle can be hard to stomach for some, especially if said content isn’t subtle about depicting these more taboo or off-putting themes.

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While some horror games revel in their nuance, others have no problem with their in-your-face content, which has become the source of much controversy. Some of these horror titles are legendary for the ripples caused by their controversies, which fans are still experiencing to this day.

8

Harvester

The Game Became A Topic Of Controversy Because Of Its Violence

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Point-and-click

Horror

Adventure

Systems

Fans of classic point-and-click adventure games should give Harvester a shot. It features one of the most bizarre plotlines around, one that almost feels like a fever dream and still justifies the moon logic surrounding most of its puzzles.

The game is also loaded with a ton of violence and gore, coupled with its fair share of obscene content, which saw it generate a lot of controversy in its day. As long as players know what they’re signing up for, they’ll find Harvester to be an odd gem that is certainly iconic, even if the gameplay itself is pretty by the numbers.

7

Agony

This Depiction Of Hell Is A Bit Too Gratuitous For Some

From the very moment Agony was announced, fans were wowed by its grotesque depiction of Hell. It was clear that the game nailed the art design, but players wondered if the gameplay would justify its heavy-handed themes.

In this regard, Agony was a royal disappointment. Players wanted a scintillating experience that let them explore the deepest recesses of Hell, but what they got instead was a title that relied on shock value while frustrating players with its grating stealth gameplay. Some of Agony‘s scenes are unjustifiable in their depictions—particularly their depictions of women—and combined with the poor gameplay, they make it one of the few video games where the controversy was entirely justified.

6

Resident Evil 5

Accusations Of Racism And The Shift To Action-Focused Gameplay Plagued RE5’s Release

With Resident Evil 4 turning into an overnight phenomenon that revolutionized the third-person shooter and survival horror landscapes alike, it was clear why Resident Evil 5 decided to adopt the same action-focused gameplay. However, the game’s African setting generated a ton of controversy when the title was revealed.

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Many people were uncomfortable with the idea of killing so many African natives, causing the game to be accused of racism. After release, players slowly realized that the existence of these enemies was largely justified given the virus that drove them insane, although the lack of pure horror elements didn’t sit right with Resident Evil fans who were worried about the direction this game—and the series—was going.

5

Rule Of Rose

The Disturbing Imagery Of This Title Is Hard To Digest

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Rule Of Rose

Survival Horror

Adventure

Systems

Released

January 19, 2006

Rule of Rose is one of the most underrated horror titles players can check out. The disturbing imagery of this game, which many people saw even before its release, caused a huge outcry, with the game being accused of showing child abuse and other distasteful themes just to generate sales.

It wasn’t until players got their hands on Rule of Rose that they understood why these themes were important to the game’s story. Unfortunately, players had to deal with some of the worst combat seen in a horror game to experience it, which prevented a lot of them from enjoying the deep and engaging narrative.

4

Manhunt

The Sadistic Violence Of This Title Generated A Ton Of Controversy

Manhunt is one of the most controversial video games of all time. The game’s stealth executions could get more brutal based on how long players held on to the button before carrying out the kill, which didn’t sit right with many people.

With Rockstar being the source of major controversy for its Grand Theft Auto titles, it’s easy to see why Manhunt faced a witch hunt and was banned in many countries. While the violence was quite sadistic at times, the game’s tense atmosphere and scintillating stealth gameplay made it worth checking out for fans of stealth horror games.

3

Phantasmagoria

One Particular Scene Didn’t Sit Right With Many

• Platforms: PC, Sega Saturn
• Release Date: August 24, 1995
• Developer: Sierra On-Line

An FMV adventure game with a supernatural plot, Phantasmagoria is a mature title where players can enjoy a fun story with some frustrating puzzles here and there. The game had its fair share of violence, but one particular scene shocked and disgusted many people.

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At one point in the story, the main character is forced into a terrifying sexual assault situation that is hard to digest for players. It single-handedly turned Phantasmagoria into what is possibly the most controversial point-and-click adventure title ever made.

2

Devotion

An Amazing Psychological Horror Game That Became Controversial For Political Reasons

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Released

February 19, 2019

Developer(s)

RedCandleGames

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

It’s clear that Red Candle Games is a team full of talented developers, with Devotion letting players enjoy one of the most captivating and disturbing stories ever told in a psychological horror game. Therefore, it’s a shame that this title isn’t available on any platform because of external influences.

While not present in the main game, players who went through the game’s assets found a file deriding Xi Jinping, the current President of China. It became a massive source of controversy—particularly because Red Candle Games are a Taiwanese developer—as Chinese players review-bombed the game before Steam eventually delisted it from their platform. Thankfully, players can purchase this game from Red Candle Games’ digital store, which is highly recommended, since they’ll get to enjoy one of the best horror video games of the modern generation.

1

Night Trap

Responsible For The Creation Of The ESRB (Alongside Mortal Kombat)

Night Trap embodies the spirit of campy teen horror films, but the gameplay loop is so frustrating and one-note that the simple act of playing this game will make for a grueling affair. So, it’s surprising that a game of such poor quality quickly became one of the most controversial video games ever made.

The sexual undertones of Night Trap made it a source of massive controversy, with many people using the content of this game, along with Mortal Kombat‘s brutal fatalities, to put pressure on the video game industry. Eventually, the ESRB was formed, and games started getting ratings to let uninformed parents know if a certain title was appropriate for their children.

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