GAMERS DECIDE - blasphemous

[Top 25] Best Dark Fantasy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun)

Alina Lazarte — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 04:01:56 +0000

25. Weird West (PC / PS4 / PS5 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch)

Experience the Wild West like never before in Weird West. One of the greatest immersive sim RPG games. It offers an impressive open world. Discover the well-made narrative and the intertwined stories that will keep you entertained for several hours.

This one is a unique game that mixes the Wild West with dark fantasy from an isometric perspective.

Choices matter in Weird West's world, making it highly replayable. It is a truly interesting game with an original proposal that you should try. If you love RPG games this one is a must!

24. Cult of the Lamb (PC / PS4 / PS5 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch / macOS)

The cutest building and dungeon-based game you’ll ever play.

Cult of the Lamb is an adorable roguelike game unlike any other. Create your cult to pay tribute to a mysterious deity. You’re a lamb, a possessed lamb whose mission in this world is to manage a cult. Spread the word to gather cultists and destroy those who don’t believe. Make your cult stronger with the power of speech. Maybe one day you’ll become a God…

23. Grim Dawn (PC / XBOX)

Grim Dawn is one of the best ARPGS despite its years.

Explore Cairn, a place that once shined but has been destroyed by war. A conflict of interest between two factions has taken down this place. All you can do is survive and try to adapt to the grim circumstances.

Choose and combine 6 classes with over 25 skills and modifiers. Collect items. Rebuild the city. Explore and discover secret areas. Complete quests and dungeons. Take decisions that will mark your path in this world.

The best part is you can enjoy it alone or with friends in multiplayer mode!

22. The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales (PC / PS4 / PS5 / XBOX)

You are a writer who can (literally) dive into books. You lost your writing skills and are going through a terrible situation. Desperation takes over you when you accept a suspicious offer—anything to get your writing skills back. Now you can dive into the world of several books to steal some items.

You will have to explore the worlds of different books. Each world with unique challenges, inhabitants, and stories to read.

Prepare yourself to experience this beautiful narrative adventure. Perfect for those who love to read!

21. Styx: Shards of Darkness (PC / PS4 / XBOX)

This title brings a stealth game where you become Styx, a goblin rogue. You are on a life-or-death mission. Your entire race is in your small dirty hands.

Traverse through a sandbox world and meet other races. Use all your sneaky and deadly abilities to lurk in the shadows. Don’t let anybody notice you.

Have fun by yourself or play in cooperative mode with friends. But don’t miss this fantastic game. Quite challenging in the hard difficulty and pure stealth for those who love sneaking around.

20. A Plague Tale: Innocence (PC / PS4 / PS5 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch / Amazon Luna)

Join the dark journey of Amicia and Hugo, two siblings struggling to survive in a hostile world.

The black plague is destroying the Kingdom of France and the siblings are being chased by the Inquisition—two children on the run who will have to learn the dark side of life the hard way. The only way out is to trust each other and never look back.

A Plague Tale has an engaging narrative. The sibling's bond will catch your heart as well as the soundtrack. The entire game is quite an immersive and touching experience.

19. Grimlord (PC / PS5)

This title is a classic RPG but designed especially for VR. It promises to be everything an RPG should but in VR.

Just imagine a dark fantasy RPG where you are the one who makes the moves. Now you can throw spells from your real hand. And if that wasn’t good enough, the game has an excellent story and map to explore.

You can play the demo for free. Grimlord is the only game of its kind that works correctly, not perfect but almost there.

18. Gloomhaven (PC / PS4 / PS5 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch / macOS)

Gloomhaven is a turn-based dungeon crawler. It's an adaptation of the strategy board game that fulfilled the expectations of the players.

Choose between 17 unique characters and sink into a great mercenaries adventure. Explore the map and complete the quests to power up. Discover every dungeon and prepare for battle.

Gloomhaven is a high-quality game that you should play with your friends to have a blast!

17. Metal: Hellsinger (PC / PS4 / PS5 / XBOX)

Described as a “rhythmic FPS”, Metal Hellsinger is for sure one of the best FPS for metalheads.

Sink into the depths of hell and destroy every single enemy that steps into your path for vengeance. Follow the brutal beat in this frenzy diabolical game.

Let the darkness enter your flesh while enjoying musicians like Serj Tankian, Randy Blythe, Tatiana Shmyluk, Alissa White-Gluz, and many more!

16. Vampyr (PC / PS4 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch)

Become Dr. Jonathan Reid, a doctor who just turned into a vampire. The city you live in is being hit by the flu. And you are the last hope of every citizen but also their death sentence.

Struggle with your two identities as you find your true self. Every choice you make will have a consequence.

This game has a very engaging story. The ethical dichotomy of Reid’s identities makes it fascinating. 100% worth it for its smart-driven narrative. Even the NPCs have something quite interesting to tell.

15. Nioh 2 (PC / PS4 / PS5)

Nioh is one of the most acclaimed ARPG masocore games. It offers intense challenging gameplay where the player will have to face Yokai hordes. You can also become a Yokai yourself.

The story is set in the Sengoku period in Japan. The perfect timing for the ruined views you’ll get while completing quests.

This title is excellent for those who seek a really hard challenge in every aspect you can imagine. Nioh requires patience and effort to understand how to build and fight correctly.

14. Remnant: From the Ashes (PC / PS4 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch)

A creature from another dimension has brought humanity to a terrifying apocalypse. You must survive in this third-person shooter to all the unknown creatures out there. Luckily humankind has made technological advances that are buying you some time. Using these advances will be helpful to discover what the creatures are and where they came from.

The game offers 4 worlds to explore that will change each time you play. Each game feels different in every way.

Remnant will get to a point where you’ll need to play with other people since the challenges are way too hard to complete alone.

13. Halls of Torment (PC / Linux)

Prepare to survive infinite hordes of monstrous creatures in the Halls. If you’re good enough to survive the endless waves of enemies you might have a taste of victory once you defeat the tormented lords.

Designed in a great retro style, Halls of Torment is a highly addictive and enjoyable game. Choose a hero, master the skills, and let them drag you to the frenzy halls!

12. Hollow Knight (PC / PS4 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch / macOS / Linux)

Help the Knight uncover the secrets of the ancient kingdom of Hallownest and experience a Metroidvania game like never before.

Explore a beautiful open world with an interconnected map where you’ll find caves, abandoned cities, strange creatures, and many mysteries.

Hollow Knight is a hand-drawn 2D platformer where you are completely free to choose what to do next. If you haven’t tasted this relic yet, you’re wasting time. Go ahead and start playing one of the best Metroidvania games ever created.

11. Soulstice (PC / PS4 / PS5 / XBOX)

The Animas have invaded the Sacred Kingdom of Keidas. This threat needs to be wiped out. Help the “Chimera” two sisters who joined forces to battle this evil and save their kingdom.

Soulstice offers a frenzy action RPG where you’ll have to master the dual powers of the Chimera. Battle feels quite smooth similar to DMC and it also has references to Berserk. You can wield different weapons and use them as you think convenient.

Enjoy a breathtaking linear story and visuals with a great soundtrack giving company.

10. Loop Hero (PC / XBOX / Nintendo Switch / macOS / Linux / Project xCloud)

Loop Hero is an idle game that takes several genres like strategy, roguelikes, card games, management, and RPG. Quite an original combination that gives shape to this title.

The entire world is on a time loop caused by the Lich. Use your mightiest cards to save the world from this terrible chaos.

The maps are randomly generated which makes each game a unique experience. Loop Hero is infinite, there is no ending to the fun. You can play as much as you want.

Find the perfect card strategy to complete each loop. Upgrade them, unlock new cards, and much more!

9. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PC / PS4 / XBOX)

Hold your katana and experience one of the best revenge stories ever.

Sekiro is an action game that mixes RPG and stealth elements. Follow the path of the shinobi in the shoes of Wolf, a relentless man seeking revenge. Explore Japan in the Sengoku period. Fill your thirst for blood using your ninja skills and choose your path wisely.

This title was developed by From Software, the acclaimed creators of Dark Souls and Bloodborne. That should be enough to get you playing.

8. Thymesia (PC / PS5 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch / Amazon Luna)

The Hermes Kingdom has plunged into chaos. After a catastrophe caused by alchemy, humanity is now losing it all. But there’s always a hero.

Thymesia is an RPG protagonized by Corvus, a man who can transform into a raven. Help him return the glory to this ruined Kingdom. Use the feathers and plague weapons to defeat the monstrous enemies, recover the lost memories of Corvus, and connect all the secrets to uncover the truth behind this chaos.

7. The Last Spell (PC / PS4 / PS5 / Nintendo Switch / macOS)

Prepare your heroes to defend a city on the edge of destruction in this rogue-lite tactical RPG.

The mages caused a catastrophe in an attempt to stop the wars that ravaged the city. Now mutants have been born of the mages’ mistake and the only hope is to cast The Last Spell which requires days of uninterrupted incantation. Here’s where you make your move.

Use your group of heroes to defend the city and the mages during the night. Don’t let the enemies interrupt the spell or everything will go to waste. Wisely plan your strategy to survive the hordes of enemies and bosses. But most importantly, prepare to fail over and over until you make it.

This game requires a lot of patience to complete, it’s a slow but entertaining journey. If you like progressive metal music you’ll be in good company with this title.

6. Bramble: The Mountain King (PC / PS4 / PS5 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch / Project xCloud)

Prepare to experience the most intense game ever.

Bramble is a disturbing adventure set in a dark magical world. Play as Olle, a young little man who has to save her sister from a troll that kidnapped her. Olle will start a journey through a strange land with all kinds of creatures lurking and hunting for blood.

Inspired by Nordic mythology Bramble presents a terrific design for the evil monsters. The gameplay feels similar to Limbo and Little Nightmares where the world around you is way bigger than you and truly scary. It has spectacular graphics and a terrific atmosphere. Everything about this game is perfect!

5. Elex (PC / PS4 / XBOX)

Dive into the post-apocalyptic open world of Magalan. This world is at war in the name of an element called “Elex”. This element gives power to people but takes away their humanity.

Play as Jax, an alba creature who lost everything and has to experience humanity again. Choose which path to take and define the future of this place.

Elex is a highly atmospheric game and quite challenging. The story is the best part of it as usual with RPG games.

4. Darksiders Genesis (PC / PS4 / XBOX / Nintendo Switch / Google Stadia)

This title is a hack-and-slash ARPG released as a prequel to the original game. Introducing Strife, the fourth horseman with an epic story about the seven seals.

Play as War and Strife and save the balance of the world threatened by Lucifer. Fight your way through hell and back. Defeat master demons with guns and swords. Gather all the information you need and stop this terrible conspiracy against the balance of the world.

You can also enjoy the cooperative mode with a friend. But be careful, maybe you become addicted to it!

3. Elden Ring (PC / PS4 / PS5 / XBOX)

Elden Ring is probably one of the greatest RPGs released in recent years.

Customize your character and enter an incredible journey on the Lands Between. Explore an open world filled with secrets to uncover. Upgrade your character according to your play style.

Want to be in shape for a big fight? Go ahead and grow some muscle and equip your best gear. But what for? Well… You belong to a group of exiles who have returned to the Lands Between after an event called “the shattering”: there’s an almighty ring that has been shattered. All the pieces must be brought together to repair the Ring. Whoever repairs and dons the ring shall become the Elden Lord.

2. Baldur’s Gate 3 (PC / PS5 / macOS)

Baldur’s Gate is a party-based RPG set in the Dungeons and Dragons universe.

Customize your character and choose from classes and races taken from the D&D player's handbook. Step into the Forgotten Realms and enjoy infinite stories and possibilities.

Baldur’s Gate presents a turn-based combat that follows the rules of the 5th edition of D&D. You can go as deep as you want since Baldur’s Gate has unlimited freedom of choice. You can do pretty much anything you want. The best part is the bonds you create with your party and NPCs.

Whatever you do always remember it has a consequence. But don’t let this stop you from experiencing the greatest adventures in the greatest RPG of the year.

1. Blasphemous (PC / PS4 / XBOX / Linux / macOS / Amazon Luna)

The best Metroidvania game ever made. Blasphemous combines platforms with hack-and-slash combat.

Become The Penitent, the only survivor of a massacre that tore the lands of Cvstodia apart. You’re the only one who can restore the world and set it free from its curse. Explore a world where religion is the protagonist. Learn its secrets, help the tormented souls, and battle swarms of wicked creatures with the power of Mea Culpa; Your mighty sword.

Blasphemous is a cruel, exciting, and visually shocking adventure. This game’s aesthetics are incredible. An absolute masterpiece where you’ll spend the best hours of your life.

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[Top 15] Horror RPG Games

albertomrn15 — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 17:49:56 +0000

Horror in video games has so many sub-genres. From survival horror to horror first person shooters. There’s so much to love about the genre in video games and nothing better exemplifies this than horror RPGs. As a matter of fact, some of the games featured on this list have won multiple GOTY awards and have moved the gaming industry forward with their addictive gameplay loops and unforgettable storylines. Today, we’ll go through fifteen horror RPG video games that have stood the test of time.

15. Fallout 3 - 2008 (PS3/Xbox 360 and One/PC)

Let's Play Fallout 3 Part 1 - The 100% Playthrough!

Released in 2008, Fallout 3 has since become an instant classic. Many action RPGs have modeled their open-world design after Fallout 3, from its branching storylines to its in-depth skill trees that keep players returning to their game. Still, Fallout 3 is a prime example of how to do an open-world video game right. You take control of your own created character, exploring a post-apocalyptic world and its inhabitants. Your primary objective is to find your father after all these decades, uncover his whereabouts, and finish the important work he started.

Why Fallout 3 Is A Fantastic Horror RPG

Now hear me out. On the surface, Fallout 3 doesn’t look like it’d be a horror RPG, and you’d be right to make that assessment. But upon further inspection and having gone through my most recent playthrough, I can’t help but see the game as a solid horror RPG. Most enemies you fight are mutated monsters—some of which are downright terrifying—and you are having to either fight a horde of ghouls one moment or run away from some of the super mutants that will give chase if you aren’t prepared. There are even references to H.P. Lovecraft, such as the Dunwich building, which has its own disturbing backstory that I won’t spoil here. And that’s just scratching the surface.

Fun Factor:95/100

If that isn’t a frightening image, I don’t know what is.

14. Vampyr - 2018 (PS4/Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/PC)

VAMPYR FULL GAME Walkthrough NO Commentary GAMEPLAY "Vampyr Longplay Marathon Edition"

In Vampyr, you play as Johnathan Reid, a doctor turned vampire who struggles with his newfound abilities as a creature of the night and the consequences that come with upholding his oath as a healer, all set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Great War in 1918.

Why You Should Play Vampyr

Vampyr is a rather decent horror RPG that sees you play in a semi-open world through four boroughs that are interconnected with each other. Throughout the game, you must decide to either give in to your vampiristic nature and feed on innocents, which in turn allows you to level up and become a powerful vampire, making endgame encounters rather easy to go through, or you can choose to avoid most combat situations and better cover your tracks as a vampire, but as a result, you are pretty vulnerable to more powerful enemies. Dontnod has struck a sweet balance between action and dialog between the sixty NPC characters you can choose to develop relationships with.

Of course, this wouldn’t be an RPG without multiple endings, and Vampyr has four—one of which you can get by not having killed virtually anyone in the game—encouraging players to revisit its Victorian-era world with some spooky atmosphere for good measure.

Fun Factor: 75/100

Vampyr has a good blend of action, using weapons in tandem with your vampire abilities.

13. Control - 2019 (PS4 and PS5/Xbox One and Series X and S/Nintendo Switch/PC)

Control - PS5 Combat Gameplay | 4K 60FPS

When Control was released in 2019, people didn’t think much of it. It was developed by Remedy, which has a pretty good track record of releasing solid titles, but other than its mysterious plot, there wasn’t much to go off of. To try to explain the story of Control without sounding like a madman is a tough task, but here goes. You play as Jesse Faden, the Bureau’s new director, tasked with defeating the Hiss, an otherworldly entity that has corrupted the FBC’s (Federal Bureau of Control) oldest house and headquarters. Yeah, did you get all that?

Why Control Makes For A Good Horror RPG

There’s so much that makes Control an underrated classic, like its Metroidvania-style level design and its Doom-like combat of dispatching hordes of enemies with various weapons and abilities in tandem with one another, creating some pretty rad combat scenarios. Using basically the force to throw most any ordinary object at enemies, followed up by a good shotgun blast to keep them at bay. But Control has an eerie atmosphere behind it as well.

When not in combat, you’ll be exploring the labyrinth-sized headquarters, collecting notes about disturbing paranormal phenomena, and finding other members of the FBC seemingly suspended in the air until they are triggered and you are forced to fight for your life. Remedy did an excellent job at playing mind games with players, too, shifting the complex at will and disorienting you in the process. Throughout the game’s runtime, you aren’t at peace. You’ll always be ready for a mini-boss fight or fighting off hordes of enemies at once.

Fun Factor: 90/100

A common occurrence in Control. Finding eerie sights like this.

12. Dying Light - 2016 (PS4/Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/PC)

DYING LIGHT Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 FULL GAME [4K 60FPS PC ULTRA] - No Commentary

Quite possibly one of the best open-world zombie games, Dying Light is about Kyle Crane, a secret agent tasked with infiltrating a town and finding a supposed file that could contain a cure to a zombie virus that has ravaged the Middle Eastern city of Harran. Things are made worse when Kyle is infected himself, putting a time limit on his already complicated mission.

What Makes Dying Light A Terrifyingly Good Time

Developed by Techland, the same developers responsible for Dead Island, there was some hesitation surrounding Dying Light after the disappointment of both Dead Island games. To this day, Dying Light is one of the best survival horror RPGs to have come out in recent memory. With a dynamic day/night cycle, parkour combat, and weapon crafting, there’s a lot to love about Dying Light, but it isn’t just a great horror action game.

Dying Light is as harsh as the world it’s set in. Traversing Harran is a lot of fun, but be ready to have your heart rate jump when you are forced to retreat back to a safe outpost as dusk arrives, when running infected go after you relentlessly. It’s a risk/reward system made all the more addictive when you go into the world in search of the best weapons. It also has a cool John Carpenter-esque score that plays as you play.

Fun Factor: 85/100

Kyle fighting off some pretty nightmarish looking infected.

11. Castlevania: SOTN - 1997 (PS1 and PS4/Sega Saturn/PSP/Xbox 360/Android and IOS)

PSX Longplay [369] Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Ah, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. What’s there to say about this title that hasn’t already been talked about extensively? You play as Alucard, who explores Dracula’s castle, which has reappeared mysteriously after the events of the previous series’s title. This particular Castlevania game is infamous for straying away from its traditional game design and introducing a gameplay model that would become the series’s main staple for years to come.

Castlevania: SOTN Is Still Goated And You Should Be Playing It

Symphony of the Night is influential, much like Resident Evil 4 was when it launched. This title introduced a non-linear level design, allowing the player to explore much more freely than in previous titles. Though not necessarily scary, Symphony of the Night still holds up to this day and is a blast to play through. There are various weapons to use and abilities to upgrade here, which made traversing through Dracula’s castle engaging and rewarding to explore. Symphony of the Night laid the foundation for other RPG games in the future and is still highly regarded as one of the best video games of all time to this day.

Fun Factor: 95/100

Alucard in the midst of battle.

10. Blasphemous - 2019 (PS4/Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/PC)

Blasphemous - Full Game & True Ending (Longplay) (No Commentary)

Blasphemous is such a good game. Talking about games Symphony of the Night paved the way for, Blasphemous proudly and deservingly continues to carry the torch for both Soulsborne and Metroidvania-style games. You are the Penitent One, tasked with journeying through harsh lands to seek a sacred relic. Yes, you will die. A lot. Be prepared.

Why Blasphemous Is Worth Your Time

Admittedly, Blasphemous won’t be for everyone. It’s an inherently difficult game with a combat system that is easy to pick up but hard to master. If you’ve ever played a Dark Souls game, then you know the kind of experience you’re getting into. But trust me—you’re going to want to play this game. If you’re patient enough to learn its combat and adjust to its difficulty, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best horror RPGs of all time, in my opinion.

And yes, I did say horror. Blasphemous has an art style that both amazes and disturbs me. Some boss fights have stayed with me simply because of how haunting they look. Even the Penitent One looks frightening, with his barbed-wire helmet that looks like something out of a Slipknot music video. Play this game! It’s so damn good!

Fun Factor: 98/100

Blasphemous’ bosses are some of the most memorable in gaming.

9. Darkest Dungeon - 2016 (PS4 and Vita/Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/IOS/PC)

Darkest Dungeon Gameplay (PC UHD) [4K60FPS]

There’s a reason why Darkest Dungeon is on a lot of horror RPG lists. It’s unmatched. You control a team of characters as you delve deep into dungeons and fight off creatures. Its story is simple. You, as the protagonist, have inherited a manor in which powerful beings have been unleashed by its previous owner. Now it’s up to you to recruit a team of powerful characters to eradicate the enemy.

Why You Should Play Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon is one of the most stressful turn-based RPG games I’ve played. It takes patience and a lot of preparation to go through the game’s dungeons. If even one of your heroes is killed in battle, they are gone for good. And the enemies you fight range from your typical grunts to cosmic-looking beings that will surely test your mettle. Perhaps the scariest thing about Darkest Dungeon is how cruel it can be. It may leave some players hating it—and I can understand if it’s not everyone’s cup of tea—but for those who are willing to push past its initial learning curve, you’re sure to have a good time with Darkest Dungeon. You might have played games like this before. But Darkest Dungeon’s pen-and-ink art style and satisfying combat put it in a league of its own.

Fun Factor: 85/100

Darkest Dungeon oozes with style.

8. System Shock 2 - 1999 (PC)

System Shock 2 (Windows 10) - Full Game 1080p60 HD Walkthrough Part One - No Commentary

Revered as one of the best survival horror RPGs of all time, System Shock 2 sees you playing as a soldier onboard a ship where a genetic infection has occurred. Tasked with putting a stop to the outbreak, you’ll have to gather resources and obtain upgrades that will be crucial to your survival.

Why System Shock 2 Is Still An Amazing Game

System Shock 2 is responsible for another game we will cover on this list, but it is also one of the greatest first person shooters to be released. It’s also pretty terrifying to play. Sure, in comparison to outright horror games like Visage, where it’s all scares every second of the game, System Shock 2 lets you traverse the ship while enemies search for you and robotically moan for you to join them. The atmosphere created here is unparalleled. You won’t ever feel completely safe in the game, and while there is fun combat to be had, you’re still going to want to wipe your sweaty palms after every session.

Fun Factor: 100/100

Sir, can you not come towards me ominously?

7. Bioshock - 2007 (PS3 and PS4/Xbox 360 and Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/PC/IOS)

BIOSHOCK REMASTERED Full Game Walkthrough - No Commentary (#Bioshock Full Game) 2016

Set in the 1960s, you are Jack, who’s enjoying a smoke and taking it easy on a flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Things are pretty peachy. That is, until your plane crashes into the sea and you are forced to take shelter inside a lighthouse that turns out to be an entrance to the city of Rapture. An underwater dystopian city where no one man governs the rest. It’s up to you to try to escape Rapture. Preferably intact.

Welcome to Rapture…

Speaking of Irrational Games, it seemed as though nothing could outdo the success of System Shock 2, but then Bioshock was released and everything changed. Put simply, Bishock is one of the greatest video games ever made. From its engaging story and M. Night Shyamalan twist to its superb gunplay, everything here was made with painstaking detail. Not an inch of this world was wasted. The moment you step into Rapture, you are sure to be entrenched in its hauntingly beautiful ruins. Whether it’s your first playthrough or your twelfth, Bioshock is an experience that deserves your time.

The reason why a game from 2007 still holds up and plays better than most other first-person shooters these days is partly due to its development team and their understanding of what makes a survival horror RPG great, but also because of Rapture’s design. Rapture feels like an antagonist in and of itself. The crazed people who overrun it and their sole desire to see you dead, make for an uncomfortable and stressful experience. The little sisters that hum with their possessed-sounding voices, accompanied by their big daddies, while you explore for ammo or money. It’s all quite horrifying, as it is intriguing to explore.

If video games were to cease to exist and were to start from scratch, Bioshock would make an excellent blueprint to work from. It’s that good.

Fun Factor: 100/100

Sir… Would you kindly back up?

6. Evil Dead The Game - 2022 (PS5 and PS4/Xbox One and Series X and S/Nintendo Switch/PC)

Evil Dead The Game 4K/60fps Longplay Walkthrough Gameplay No Commentary

There’s something to be said about game developers attempting to make the same game with varying degrees of failure or success, depending on how you look at it. The Evil Dead is one such franchise that has seen multiple iterations of video games released to middling scores and has been forgotten largely by the gaming community. The most recent Evil Dead game released last year seems to have nailed the formula, creating a multiplayer-focused experience that will leave you impressed. The idea is simple: you and three other buddies band together as your favorite characters from the Evil Dead franchise as you attempt to banish the Necronomicon from existence.

The Evil Dead Game Is Actually Good

I’m not afraid to admit that I’ve sunk a lot of hours into this one. With a rather strong fan base still championing the game to this day, here are a few reasons why you’d want to play this horror RPG title.

For one, there are four versions of Ash Williams in this game. That means all four of your teammates, including yourself, can play the franchise’s most recognizable protagonist, each from different films and the TV show. Saber Interactive has also shown how massive fans they are of the films, having recreated the film’s cabin down to a tee, including the backwoods that serve as the backdrop of the horror movies. One moment you can be exploring for loot to defend yourself against deadites, the next you’ll be jump-scared by a possessed demon tree. And it’s not just for fun either if you’re not careful, your character can be susceptible to possession if you don’t tend to his or her fear meter.

The combat in the game consists of using everyday tools like sledgehammers, axes, nail guns, double-barreled boomsticks, and the oh-so-precious chainsaw. Each character comes with their own ability tree that you can upgrade and prioritize over others. Maybe you want to be a leader who rallies their team together or a lone wolf who can carry more health items and ammo. The choices are nearly endless. Saber Interactive has actively added more characters and maps to the game post-launch, so don’t think you’re going to be playing a game that is on its last legs.

Though the game is short on story content—if that’s what you were hoping to pick up this game for—there are some single-player missions that are worth going through to unlock certain characters. Playing through the single-player missions gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with the maps, and for hardcore fans, you can earn tapes that give you some flavor text of the world of Evil Dead.

Fun Factor: 86/100

Groovy… Well, the terrifying old ones you have to banish… not so much.

5. Metro 2033 - 2010 (PS4/Xbox 360 and One/Nintendo Switch/PC)

METRO 2033 FULL Gameplay Walkthrough (METRO 2033 REDUX Walkthrough)

The world of Metro 2033 is harsh, terrifying, and oppressive. Based on the novels of the same name, Metro 2033 sees you playing as Artyom, a survivor of a nuclear apocalypse who must venture outside the safe confines of the metro tunnels of Moscow in order to save his people. This first-person survival horror RPG might ring a few bells for those who have played S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and you wouldn’t be wrong to make that assumption as it was developed by some of the people who worked on the game.

Metro 2033 Is An Underrated Horror Gem

Metro 2033 surprised players and critics alike when it was released in 2010. With little to no publicity behind the game’s launch, Metro 2033 was a refined first person shooter with survival horror elements that fans of the genre have come to love. Resource management, from conserving ammunition to monitoring your gas mask’s air filter which is essential to exploring in irradiated areas.

4A Games truly made players feel like they are surviving in a post-apocalyptic world—probably more so than Fallout in my opinion—with a heavy emphasis on stealth in order to evade stronger enemies and making tough decisions like selling ammo (the game’s currency) or using it for yourself to create stronger bullets against the mutated creatures that are featured in the game.

Metro 2033’s success managed to spawn two sequels that expanded in scope, with nonlinear gameplay and moral choices that affect the game’s ending. Metro 2033 is where it all started and is by far my personal favorite of the series.

Fun Factor:90/100

Metro 2033 drips with atmosphere as showcased here.

4. Deadrising - 2006 (Xbox 360 and One/PS3 and PS4/PC)

Dead Rising Full Gameplay Walkthrough (All Survivors, Psychopaths, Overtime)

Frank West is a seasoned photojournalist looking for a big scoop, and he gets it when he is dropped into a zombie-infested mall in Willamette, Colorado. You, as the player, have 72 hours to find out the source of the mysterious zombie virus before your rescue chopper arrives.

Why You Should Play Deadrising

You’re given an entire mall to play in in Deadrising. You, as the player, get to decide how you want to spend your 72 hours. You can choose to play through the game’s story and be treated to plot twists and some corny B-movie dialog that can only be found in B-horror movies. Or you can say, “Screw that'', and skate around on a skateboard and chug orange juice while wearing a toddler’s outfit and dropkick zombies. Either way, you’re bound to have a fun time with this title. Nearly every action contributes to your leveling system: gaining new abilities, upgrading your health and stamina, etc.

Though the game has aged a bit, its controls feeling clunky in comparison to its sequels, and the 72-hour limit being a controversial feature that some players see more as a hindrance than a motivation, Deadrising is still a classic that deserves your time.

Fun Factor: 75/100

He’s covered wars you know.

3. Prey - 2017 (PS4/Xbox One/PC)

Prey 2017｜Full Game Playthrough｜4K HDR

Developed by Arkane Studios, the same developers responsible for the great Dishonored series, Prey sets you loose on the space station Talos I as you play as Morgan Yu, a researcher of scientific experiments revolving around an alien organism called Typhon. Now that the Typhon has been released among the station, you must find a way to destroy Talos I before things get worse. Trust me, there’s more to the plot that I can explain here, but the less I say, the better your experience will be.

What Makes Prey Such A Good Game

Though the plot may not be as interesting as other games on this list, Prey’s rather barebones plot serves merely as a reason to experience a fantastic first-person shooter. Taking inspiration from games like System Shock 2 and Bioshock, Prey carves out its own personality by letting the player decide how he or she will navigate Talos I. It’s entirely possible to avoid most enemy encounters or even use some of the less lethal weapons in the Prey to complete the game, and that’s what makes Prey such an inviting experience.

Prey may feature enemies that seem copy and paste, but the inclusion of creatures like mimics, which quite literally take the form of everyday objects, makes for some pretty memorable and terrifying moments. Oftentimes, you’ll find yourself entering a room and cautiously exploring while paranoia sets in, and then you’ll be hitting everything in the room, from chairs to cups, just in case a mimic doesn’t pop out in front of you. Talos I is also riddled with environmental storytelling, where perhaps you can piece together what went wrong in the foyer of a subsection of the space station. All of this adds to the rather eerie atmosphere of Prey.

The combat in Prey is highly replayable, too. There are a variety of weapons that you can use at your disposal, like a GLOO gun that freezes enemies, which in turn gives you an opportunity to use your handgun or wrench to neutralize them. Or use that same GLOO gun to create a pathway towards a vent that can skip the entire combat sequence all together. Regardless of how you play, Prey will reward your creativity.

Fun Factor: 95/100

This is fine. Everything’s fine.

2. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem - 2002 (Nintendo Gamecube)

Eternal Darkness Sanity's Requiem [GameCube] 4K 60FPS Walkthrough/Longplay 2020 No Commentary

Good luck trying to find a copy of this highly sought-after and underrated survival horror RPG. You take control of various characters in wildly different time periods as you take on otherworldly—near cosmic horror—creatures.

What Makes Eternal Darkness Unique

Simply put, Eternal Darkness was popular among horror fans for being the first psychological horror game that added a sanity meter that would make for unique gameplay mechanics, like the infamous delete save moment that will terrify first-time players. Additionally, the game distinguishes itself from other horror titles by having a non-chronological story told in chapters that take place in different time periods. Beyond that, Eternal Darkness isn’t far removed from other survival horror titles like Resident Evil, especially in combat, where you must dispatch monsters to progress forward, complete puzzles by combining certain items, etc.

To this day, Eternal Darkness stands in a league of its own. Most people will not have a chance to play it due to the exclusivity on the GameCube. That, and it’s tough to track down a copy for a fair price. But if you’re willing to seek out a copy of this game, I guarantee you’ll have a fun and spooky time.

Fun Factor: 80/100

Open the book. I dare you.

1. Bloodborne - 2015 (PS4)

Bloodborne - Walkthrough Part 1: Central Yharnam

Bloodborne is quite possibly the best horror RPG there is. Developed by FromSoftware, Bloodborne is an H.P. Lovecraft fan’s wet dream. Taking place in the fictional town of Yharnam, you play as a nameless hunter tasked with the same mission as the hunters that have come before you. Hunt beasts and maybe find the source of this ancient plague.

Bloodborne Is The Best Horror RPG Of All Time

To this day, I still struggle to decide which is FromSoft’s magnum opus. Elden Ring or Bloodborne. Strong cases can be made for both. But as of late, I still say that that crown deserves to be bestowed on this colossal title. Mixing a perfect blend of horror and action, Bloodborne is the definitive horror RPG experience. Not only will you hesitate to go through those foggy boss gates, afraid of what cosmic atrocity will try to murder you, but the city of Yharnam is always trying to kill you. From rabid dogs to citizens who are deranged enough to think you are the beast, when in fact it is they who are turning into mindless creatures, every corner you turn and every gothic building you enter, you’re bound to find something that is trying to send you back into the hunter’s dream.

To counter this, you are armed with weapons purposefully designed to cut down your enemies, from a visceral hacksaw to holy blades. You, as the player, get to decide what kind of hunter you want to be. Bloodborne was also the first game to omit shields with guns in their place, adding a sense of dread as you realize you must fight and successfully parry enemies if you wish to have a chance at survival.

To further encourage an offensive playstyle, FromSoftware added a risk/reward system in which a player can regain lost health if he or she forces themselves to keep hacking away, seeing their health return to them if they are successful. And you don’t have to go at it alone. You can summon other hunters (players) to help you with boss fights and areas that are heavily congested with enemies. But beware; it’s not always a guarantee that you will succeed with co-op companions. The world of Bloodborne is cruel and unrelenting; regardless of how much you level up or summon help, it seems like you’re always fighting to stay alive rather than become a killing machine.

There’s a reason why Bloodborne is adored by fans who are clamoring for a sequel. Bloodborne is one of a kind, and it remains that way. For now.

Fun Factor:100/100

Oh yeah, you will die. A lot. Isn’t that fun?

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[Top 15] Best Shoot ‘Em Up Games That Are Super Fun

fal_7.62 — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 18:26:50 +0000

A shoot 'em up is a video game in which you control a ship, or occasionally a character, and engage in violent combat against enemy troops in horizontally or vertically scrolling aerial warfare. They can be basic games in which you dodge, shoot, return fire, and sometimes drop a bomb, or they can be incredibly intricate affairs involving counters, deflections, and combo systems.

In any case, they're always a means to expend ridiculously massive quantities of unending firepower. Shoot 'em ups, like beat 'em ups, were long-time arcade staples that gained fresh life on home video game consoles after arcade equipment vanished from laundromats, pizza places, and bodegas.

Fortunately, PC and console gamers alike have a broad range of shoot 'em ups to choose from, ranging from bullet hell to classic. If you're interested in learning more about this well-loved genre and experiencing it, this guide is a great place to start!

15. Juicy Realm (PC/Mac OSX/PS4/iOS/Android/Switch)

Juicy Realm Trailer

An appropriate start to the list due to its friendliness towards new players and its welcoming art style. Juicy Realm is a roguelike video game created by SpaceCan Games, a Chinese indie gaming studio, and distributed by X.D. Network. You play as one of four characters as they set out to reclaim human lands from an invasion of sentient fruits.

Each character has his/her own weapons, abilities, and gear which makes them somewhat unique from a gameplay perspective as well. Explore the hostile fruits' kingdom with procedurally generated zones, creatures, and stuff on numerous maps.

You'll fight a variety of dangerous, aggressive fruits while collecting weapons and gear. As you continue, you can extend your camp base, giving you more weapons and gear to eliminate those devilish fruits with. If as a child you absolutely hated it when your parents tried to force-feed fruits on you, now is the perfect time to take revenge!

14. Ruiner (PC/Linux/PS4/Xbox One/Switch)

Ruiner Trailer

There is no need to look any further if you’re looking for a brutal, atmospheric blood orgy in an impeccable cyberpunk setting. Ruiner is a cyberpunk shooter video game developed by Reikon Games and published by Devolver Digital, known for publishing a variety of widely-known and beloved indie titles such as Hotline Miami.

The game takes place in the year 2091 in Rengkok, a cyberpunk city. Heaven, a less-than-benevolent and overtly evil mega-corporation, owns this futuristic urban jungle, as is cyberpunk fashion. In this concrete hell created and owned by Heaven, your brother is kidnapped and it’s up to you to rescue him, come what may.

You’re not much of a saint either, as it’s quite obvious that you’re psychopathic. This is a fact that is explored in much detail as the story of the game progresses. Without stepping into spoiler territory, let’s just say that the story and setting are both everything you’d expect from such a thoroughly cyberpunk game and more! To defeat all manner of savage opponents, the game features lightning-fast combat that necessitates a delicate balance of brute force and precision strikes.

It’s definitely not Doom as an isometric shooter, but the combat is still amazing nonetheless. During combat, you can use high-tech devices like the energy shield, dash augmentations, and switch gun to stun or hack the opponent onto your side. They're all in it for the money anyway. Pick up this unique experience and blast away in a shower of cyberpunk gore!

13. Satazius (PC/Switch)

Satazius Trailer

This absolute banger of a shoot ‘em up from a completely unknown development house Astro Port is rather hard to find. It’s for you if you like the presentation and feel of ye olde shoot ‘em ups of the 90s and you won’t be disappointed.

You're stranded on the planet of Agano, where you'll soon find yourself fending off attacks from space pirates plotting to take over the galaxy with the help of artificial intelligence. Do it because you're the only one who can stop them. There’s not much to write home about this as it's designed to be a very simple and barebones shoot ‘em up experience that’s still fun.

12. Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project (PC/Mac OSX/Xbox 360/iOS)

Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project Trailer

Yes, it’s the same wise-cracking musclebound protagonist who is a mishmash of various 80s action heroes made popular by Duke Nukem 3D. This was a rather glorious detour of his before he eventually had to face disgrace because of Duke Nukem Forever.

This time, he's up against Mech Morphix, a mad scientist who is trying to take over Manhattan Island, New York City, by utilizing a radioactive slime called G.L.O.P.P. to transform creatures into dangerous monsters. Metamorphic alligators, huge insects, and even the iconic Pig Cop from Duke Nukem 3D are among the foes.

Notice a single thing out of place for a Duke Nukem shoot ‘em up? I don’t either. The game is divided into eight chapters, each with three parts. Each segment requires the player to save a woman strapped to a GLOPP bomb and locate a colored keycard that will unlock the path to the next. In a way, it’s a rare gem as a 21st century Duke Nukem game with much originality and personality. As soothing as it is, it’s also quite sad if you really think about it.

11. Broforce (PC/Mac OSX/Linux/PS4/Switch)

Broforce Trailer

Remember Contra? If you do then you also very likely remember the muscled gun-toting greatness of Stallone, Schwarzenegger, and Mr. T. Broforce is a Devolver Digital-published side-scrolling run-and-gun platform video game developed by Free Lives that allows you to relive all that in a fun way with full developer support.

The player character is a bro (or sis if you prefer), a balls-to-the-wall badass action hero commando modeled after some of your most classic 80s and 90s movie characters. Those characters include, but are not limited to, John Rambo, John McClane from Die Hard, Chuck Norris, Mr. T, Ellen Ripley from Alien, and T-800 from Terminator.

To say that you get a lot of bad guys and aliens to shoot at is an understatement. There is more action than you can finish in one sitting and there is always fun to be had with Broforce no matter how many times you sit down to play it. The attacks and maneuvers of each character are based on the fictitious hero; for example, the Ripley-based character has a flamethrower special ability, whilst the Indiana Jones-inspired character predominantly employs a whip.

For the adventurous player, it means quite the opportunity for endless fun as Broforce comes with 4 player co-op ability. Grab some friends and deliver some righteous brute force retribution on bad guys

10. A Fistful of Gun (PC)

A Fistful Of Gun - The Posse Trailer

It had to be expected that the shoot ‘em up genre would eventually take us to the wild west of the US. This is a time of general lawlessness and individual action compared to today so it’s definitely a great setting for such a game.

A Fistful of Gun is about railroad mogul Clayton Boon, who has made a deal with the devil in order to gain fortune and power, as a result of which he is building a doomed track to the depths of hell and linking it to our world. However, a native American shaman stands in the way of his intentions, using his sorcery to revive from the dead a group of expert gunslingers who will take on Boon's cartel with raw force and put a stop to him.

The player chooses one of eleven gunslingers in A Fistful of Gun. Each has its own control system, whether it's for the mouse, keyboard, or gamepad. The user has the option of playing in story, arcade, or online mode, with the latter featuring co-op for up to nine people.

Nine people! Make sure you've prepared an entire party for the ultimate massacre of Clayton Boon, who can be reached after you’ve killed all the bosses. Skill upgrades along the way will help you and you can get started on the journey very easily as it won’t take any time for you to get yourself acquainted with the game’s mechanics.

09. Deathsmiles (PC/Xbox 360/iOS/Android/PS4/Xbox One/Switch)

Deathsmiles PC Trailer

Welcome to the absolutely wild world that is the Japanese bullet hell shoot ‘em up scene. From this point on, the entries in this list will include games that demand a degree of skill from you. Deathsmiles is a fantastic bullet-hell shooter in which you play as one of five Angels tasked with defending the enchanted region of Gilverado against a Hellish invasion!

Doom, but with a uniquely Japanese twist.

You can choose between five different angels each with her unique skills, gear, and weapons. The variety of playable characters on offer also makes for the addition of a co-op mode which is much welcome as the game can really test your determination at times. It's known for its occult and gothic atmosphere, which you'll appreciate if you've played and liked the Castlevania series.

The wide variety of ghoulish enemies on offer includes ghosts bred for battle, demons, and even huge demonic cattle. Bloody good demon-slaying fun anime style, and you can’t go wrong with this if you do decide to pick it up.

08. Jamestown+ (PC/Mac OSX/PS4/Switch)

Jamestown+ Trailer

Upon reading the title of the game, you may think that this would be a pirate-age early colonial era shoot ‘em up featuring cannons and overpowered muskets. If that’s your idea then you’re only partially right. It’s actually set in an alternate timeline in which humanity somehow managed to colonize Mars using archaic steampunk technology.

The British Empire has expanded to Mars and established the colony of Jamestown. However, the Spanish and the indigenous Martians are fully ready to erase Jamestown from existence. Your job then, is to take the fight directly to the enemies of the Crown and protect British interests on Mars.

If you’ve got some friends, you’ve got additional help and Jamestown+’s unique mechanics make it a fun co-op shoot ‘em up experience unlike any other. The team may be pulled back from the brink of death as long as any player lives. As a result, it’s a game where everyone's input genuinely matters by providing each player the power to save their team from the jaws of catastrophe, taking a page from popular team-based FPS games. Whether you win or lose, your team will stick together.

It’s important to know that Jamestown+ is a remastered version of an original release titled Jamestown: Legend Of The Lost Colony, with full developer support and updates. So it’s the better and more updated version that’s on this list!

07. Project Starship X (PC/Mac OSX/Linux/PS4/Xbox One/Switch)

Project Starship X

If you’re familiar with the Lovecraft mythos, you’d probably think that a shoot ‘em up in that setting would be a total impossibility. Who could be crazy enough to try it? Well, Panda Indie Studio is here to surprise you.

The game's Steam page describes it as "The Rogue-Lite shooter where you CRASH-KILL comical abominations!" and apparently, you can "pilot your spaceship as Swagthulhu”. Your player character is literally named Swagthulhu, what else do you need? If you answered that you need a whole bunch of wacky and hilarious ways to kill your enemies, then you’d be correct.

You can crash your spaceship right into the enemy at ramming speed and win the encounter, for example. If however, you want to fight more cautiously, you can do that as well by choosing from a selection of cannons, bombs, tank modules, and even throwable spoons; hilariously Lovecraftian indeed.

It will run on a potato machine and it will give you hours of replayability thanks to procedural level generation and a stellar learning curve. Pick it up if you’re looking for a light-hearted yet challenging shoot ‘em up experience.

06. Zero Strain (PC/PS4/Xbox One/PS5/Switch)

Zero Strain Trailer

Perhaps one of the best-looking shoot ‘em ups ever made, this experience from developer Kaio Meris is as rewarding as it is difficult. You have to attack and defend yourself simultaneously in a manner that’s going to be demanding to say the least.

It's a fast-paced shooter set in a succession of top-down arenas where strategic offensive and defense play a key role in surviving each task. For a unique and satisfying experience with neon wireframe presentation, MOBA components are blended with furious shoot'em up gameplay. It's like Tron, but it's anime and has a lot more material for you to sink hours into.

You pilot what the game calls ‘constructs’, essentially armed spacecraft boasting a variety of different weapons, shields, and powerups. Technological wizardry employed in their construction means that weapons are charged by the damage you dish out.

It’s essentially life force stealing but technological instead of magical! Enemies protect themselves, and defeating them necessitates a combination of tactics. Bosses dismiss thoughtless spamming in favor of thoughtful observation and response.

Bullets splatter over the screen, requiring well-timed dodges or well-aimed shots to escape them. At all times, you must strike a balance between offensive and defense. It’s a unique thinking man’s shoot ‘em up.

05. Hotline Miami (PC/Mac OSX/Linux/PS3/PS4/PS Vita/Xbox One/Android/Switch/Stadia)

Hotline Miami Launch Trailer

Even if you’re the farthest away from any group or information related to shoot ‘em ups, you have definitely heard of this absolute gem of a game. Everyone went crazy after it was released, and people simply cannot stop talking about it even in 2022.

Hotline Miami is split into numerous chapters, each of which is further divided into stages. The protagonist wakes up at his apartment and listens to strange messages on his answering machine at the start of most chapters. He's instructed to carry out lethal attacks and hitman missions against the local Russian mafia organization.

Since your opponents are pure human slime, seize the chance for each kill to be euphorically rewarding. In each game, you travel a building from the top down, with the aim nearly usually being to rid the area of all mobsters. You may also be required to battle a boss at the conclusion of a chapter or locate vital objects while exploring.

Just because your enemies do not deserve to live, however, doesn’t mean that they can’t drop you dead in an instant. They have a variety of melee and ranged weapons that may be obtained from their bodies as well as their surroundings.

You're always outnumbered so you have to rely on your enhanced awareness and either stealth, overwhelming force, or a mix of the two to overcome the Russian mafia. Enemies will frequently be simply knocked down and you will have to rapidly and mercilessly execute them. There’s a lot to explore, including a well-written story. You won’t be disappointed.

04. Katana Zero (PC/Mac OSX/Xbox One/Switch)

Katana Zero Trailer

Another cyberpunk setting, this time taking place in the futuristic city of New Mecca located in a traumatized future Arab republic. In this global hub, everyone lives out their own very distinct lives for various pursuits and you are one of those people.

The player takes control of Subject Zero, a katana-wielding assassin hired by his psychiatrist to carry out numerous assassination contracts. His psychiatrist also provides him with 'Chronos,' a drug that allows him to slow time and predict the future. It's a sleek neo-noir action-platformer in the vein of Hotline Miami and Ruiner, with furious action and instant-death combat. To completely kill your adversaries, slash, dash, and control time.

This is an intricate combat loop that is going to take quite a lot of time to master properly, so be prepared for the rewarding grind. Each level is constructed in such a way that it may be completed in a variety of ways, and you can typically choose more than one route. This translates to a lot of replayability. Few games match such masterful execution in such an amazing style and you certainly won’t regret the purchase.

03. Blasphemous (PC/Mac OSX/Linux/PS4/Xbox One/Linux)

Blasphemous Trailer

Definitely stretching the definition of shoot ‘em up a bit too much for this entry but this game is so cool that it had to be included. What if you could take a righteous crusade down to the hell of Dante’s Inferno and put an end to its wretched existence?

That’s what Blasphemous is. In a way. It takes place in Cvstodia, a fictitious country. Players take control of the Penitent One, a silent knight with the blade Mea Culpa on a fighting pilgrimage across the realm. The game entails exploring Cvstodia while fighting demons that may be found in almost every location. The Penitent One has to kill demons with his sword at close range or by performing spells that he can learn during the game.

The player accumulates Fervor by injuring demons with melee assaults, which is then used to perform spells. Each adversary has a distinct attack pattern, similar to those found in previous FPS games like Dark Souls, that players must master in order to avoid taking damage. Some enemy assaults may be deflected by blocking at the correct moment, leaving opponents defenseless and allowing the Penitent One to retaliate for more damage.

If the Penitent One loses all of his health points, or if he falls into spikes or a bottomless hole, he will die. He will respawn in the last checkpoint he visited after death, and a Guilt Fragment will emerge in the spot where he died. Until the Guilt Fragment is retrieved by reaching its position and engaging with it, the player's maximum Fervor will be decreased, and foes will provide less Fervor and Tears of Atonement.

Combat is as complex as it is interesting to learn and the relentless nature of fighting against these demons makes it akin to a shoot ‘em up with swords and magic. Think of Hotline Miami or Contra but medieval fantasy. The game’s story and lore are expansive and the real reward is finding it all out by yourself.

02. Contra Anniversary Collection (PC/PS4/Xbox One/Switch/Luna)

Contra Anniversary Collection Trailer

The original Contra games were for many of you the first experience you’ve ever had with the shoot ‘em up genre. For good reason, those games have since been hailed as some of the best experiences the genre could offer. So what’s stopping you from experiencing it all over again? Luckily, Konami’s got you covered in widescreen.

The Contra Anniversary Collection offers the legendary Run and Gun series to a new generation of gamers on current platforms. Of course, you can play with a friend with widescreen support, and an additional firearm could be worth the bother of setting up a co-op game, which is currently limited. Not much to write home about other than the fact that it’s the same Contra experience updated for modern controls.

With ten different games packed into one, be more than prepared to sink in hours into this old-school experience. Even if you’ve never played Contra ever before, it’s recommended that you do because being able to chart a lineage line from Contra down to modern shoot ‘em ups is a fascinating experience indeed.

01. Metal Slug (Various)

Metal Slug Trailer

This universally beloved classic shoot ‘em up has had so many dedicated fans that a port of it can be found everywhere, on any system imaginable. Someone has probably made third-party ports for whatever console you have, even if it’s a knockoff PSP. It’s so fun that it has practically become a phenomenon by itself.

You and your friends are charismatic members of the Peregrine Falcon (PF) Squad, a small but highly skilled team of soldiers serving under the Regular Army's special operations division who fight against General Donald Morden's army in order to prevent a massive coup and the establishment of a New World Order.

Players may uncover several weapon upgrades and tanks as they go through each level. The tanks, known as the SV-001 and SV-002, boost the player's offensive while also improving their defense, to no one’s surprise. Players may also use a knife to execute physical attacks in addition to shooting, and it was arguably one of the first shoot 'em up games to do so.

The game’s six missions take place in a variety of settings, including woodlands, garrisoned cities, cold mountain slopes, gorges, and military camps. The great majority of adversaries are soldiers with armament appropriate to their position. Tanks, mobile artillery, aircraft, armored personnel carriers, and technicals are among the mechanized foes.

Action is endless and so is your appetite for destruction. Connect to Steam if you're on a PC and use the co-op feature to complete objectives with a distant brother-in-arms or have him sit right next to you in split-screen play! The fun never ends.

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Sometimes, you just want to sit down and mindlessly shoot an endless stream of unlimited ammo at stuff! Here are the top 15 shoot ‘em up games that are more than worth your downtime.

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