Whenpeople talk about dark fantasy, many gruesome and mature things come to mind. Combining the tropes of high fantasy with the grittiness one comes to expect from a lawless world makes for some tantalizing combinations, with some of the most reputed and beloved fantasy series around utilizing mature themes to great effect.
One area where dark fantasy can excel if done correctly is the strategy genre. Given that these games require decision-making during critical moments, it’s easy to see why so many people would get immersed in a setting that explores the worst aspects of the human condition and how brutal monsters would be if they could rip apart people in no time flat.
Fear & Hungerhas become viral in recent times, with many players loving the rough and brutal nature of a title where players are bound to lose their lives over and over again before they manage to circumvent the game’s many frustrating obstacles. It’s only after a few deaths that players understand how to go through this game, hacking and slashing at enemy limbs to take them out of commission.
Fear & Hungeris not for the faint of heart, in no small part because of the mature content in this game that can be genuinely disturbing at times. However, players who decide to bear the steep learning curve and understand the best way to get through this dungeon will find themselves loving the satisfaction of beating down a tough foe and getting to the end of this game after a rough experience.
Inscryptionuses the gameplay systems of a roguelike deck-building game to rope players intoa magical and horrifying experiencethat serves as a wonderful display of what indie gaming is all about. The less people know about this game, the better. Once players are invested in what Inscryption aims to achieve, the game becomes something truly magical that fans can’t get enough of.
The mystery surrounding this game is the most riveting part of the entire experience, with the gothic influences inInscryptionclear for everyone to see. There’s a reason why players go gaga over this game, and it wouldn’t take long for players to finish Inscryption and have their minds blown by the one-of-a-kind experience this masterful video game conveys.
It’s a testament to how legendarythe dungeon crawling ofDarkest Dungeonisthat most people find its sequel to be inferior to the first game despite the wealth of improvements it brings to the table.Darkest Dungeonis a hard-as-nails RPG where players must slowly come to grips with the dungeon crawling in the game and why it’s the best part of a grueling and rewarding experience.
Players need to amass a band of adventurers and explore the depths of nightmarish dungeons where death awaits the player at every step. It has a steep learning curve, but players who giveDarkest Dungeona chance will be more than pleased by what this title brings to the table. Finally overcoming a dungeon that’s been giving players no end of problems is a magical feeling that makes it clear why fans of Darkest Dungeon love this game to bits.
The marketing forThronebreaker: The Witcher Taleswas one of the messiest things that players could witness. Sure, Gwent was a pretty great card game, but players doubted whether this would be enough to carry an entire video game. However,Thronebreakeris so much more than a strategic card game, letting players assume the role of a powerful figure in the Witcher universe during a time of war and turmoil.
The choices and decisions that players need to make in this game are tough and have a ton of weight. Players who loved how different quests could be inThe Witcher 3based on their actions will love the writing in this game, making it a worthy addition to theWitcheruniverse. It’s hard to believe that the sales of this game weren’t all that high, but that’s perhaps the price that is paid for a risky video game with a focus on both strategic gameplay and a story-heavy approach.
TheTotal Warseries has been through its fair share of ups and downs, so fans were more than glad to see that the franchise’s first foray into a fantasy world was a massive success.Total War: Warhammerwas a brilliant game that made it clear just how much potential there was in a grand strategy game set in a well-realized dark fantasy world.
There aren’t many greatWarhammergames out there, so fans were glad to see a game that made the most of this universe and its world-building. Role-playing as a leader in numerous varied factions and engaging in battles of a grand scale make for a great time that fans adore. If players weren’t invested in the lore of theWarhammerseries, then it’s possible that this game will turn them into fans.
