Give in to the gloom and insanity with those alluring dark fantasy games!
People adore fantasy in all shapes and forms. No matter if we’re talking about The Lord of the Rings movies, Harry Potter books, or manga like Berserk. Those legendary franchises are loved by millions of fans worldwide. But we’re not here to talk about this mesmerizing genre in general. In this article, we’ll present you with some of the best dark fantasy games available on the market.
This article was updated on April 30, 2024, to include the addition of No Rest for the Wicked, the latest game from the creators of the Ori series.
What is dark fantasy?
You might wonder, what are the elements that distinguish the dark fantasy genre from other variations that fall under the umbrella term of “fantasy”? A concrete answer is hard to pin down. The simplest definition is that they usually incorporate horror elements, a dark tone, a gloomy atmosphere, and a sense of dread. Some famous examples of that type of fiction are Kentaro Miura’s Berserk, Attack on Titan, and Stephen King’s The Dark Tower. There are also many dark fantasy video games, like Dark Souls, Drakengard, Diablo, Legacy of Kain series, and many more.
What are the best dark fantasy PC games?
Prepare silver swords and holy water, as we’ll be slaying some demons… or trying not to be slain ourselves. 😉 Let’s see what are the best dark fantasy games PC has in store.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (Included with PC Game Pass)
After all those years of waiting, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is just around the corner. As it’s not yet on our hard drives, revisiting Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, the first part of the titular heroine’s journey to try and get her beloved one back, seems like an excellent idea.
We have to warn you that the basic-looking premise is just a façade. The story is a dark psychological thriller that deals with the important themes of mental health. Senuastruggles with differentiating reality from fiction and many puzzles are based on her perception of the world. Going through this title with a nice headset instead of speakers is also a must. We also highly recommend watching the included documentary movie after beating the game.
If you want to play Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and its sequel without spending much money, we have some good news for you! The first game is available in PC Game Pass. Senua’s Saga will be added to this Microsoft Subscription on day one. If you feel convinced, check out the best deals down below.
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Playing as a “kawaii” anime girl isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of dark fantasy games. Nevertheless, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights fits our list like a glove. You play as a young woman, Lily, who awakens in a demolished church. Now she has to traverse the realm known as Land’s End, find the source of the calamity, and regain her memories.
Lily can’t fight on her own, but she can use the beaten bosses’ souls inside and outside combat. It sounds overcomplicated, but you’ll get the hang of it after the start. The most significant difference is a slightly wider attack range. 😉
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
The easiest way to describe Warhammer: Vermintide 2 would be to say, “Left 4 Dead but with rats”. It’s not far from the truth, as we’ll be mostly slaying monsters with our friends in co-op mode. It’s a pretty standard sequel without groundbreaking changes to the formula, making everything only “bigger, better, and more badass.” It’s still bloody and brutal, focusing on melee combat. The game also supports Steam Workshop, so you can have much fun using other players’ modifications and scenarios, even after beating it.
Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2
You’re in the right place if you’re looking for metroidvanias similar to Hollow Knight. Blasphemous is a textbook example of dark fantasy. Its bleak world is dominated by superstitions and religious fanaticism. Most of the inhabitants of Orthodoxia (pretty fitting name, considering the themes, don’t you think?) have been transformed into beasts as penance for their sins.
You’re The Penitent One, trying to take on the forces of evil. The play-through is hardcore not only because of brutal enemies but also due to tricky platforming that befits some of the most challenging representatives of the genre.
No Rest for the Wicked
The creators of the acclaimed Ori series return with a new game. No Rest for the Wicked, which entered early access in April 2024, is a different beast entirely: instead of an atmospheric metroidvania, it presents gamers with the brutal reality of a dark fantasy world.
In this action RPG, players are transported into a world plagued by, er, plague and plunged into chaos after the king’s death. The core gameplay resembles the time-tested soulslike formula, but it’s presented from an isometric perspective. Expect political intrigues, encounters with corrupted monsters, exploration of a somber (yet beautiful) world, and, unfortunately, a few glitches that will hopefully be patched soon.
Elden Ring
Dark Souls meets The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild? Although not entirely true, Elden Ring certainly takes the best elements from both titles. A vast open world you can traverse on your horse, and numerous ways to overcome the obstacles are taken straight from the Link’s adventures. Challenging combat and epic boss battles resemble the previous From Software projects.
It’s hard to tell whether Elden Ring is better or worse than earlier FS games, as it’s simply different. For some players, the changes were for the better, making a more diverse experience. Others prefer the more linear approach of Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, or the DS trilogy. We recommend trying it to come up with your own opinion. 😉
Darkest Dungeon and Darkest Dungeon II
Darkest Dungeon is undoubtedly one of the hardest games that are too difficult for casuals. We don’t want to sow unrest, but its difficulty is literally crushing. While crawling the dungeons, our team of heroes will have to face not only the enemies but also their own fears. They all have different traits, making everything even more unpredictable. We have to take care of their mental health, so they won’t get soaked in insanity, attack their own teammates, escape, or commit suicide.
If you’re looking for a splendid dark fantasy RPG, that one’s for you. You should also check Darkest Dungeon 2, even if you don’t like the first one, as the mechanics are slightly different.
Diablo IV (Included with PC Game Pass)
Many fans eagerly anticipated the newest entry in the Diablo franchise. The numbers clearly show it – Diablo IV is the best-selling Blizzard game to date! Does it mean it’s also the best? It depends on whom you ask.
Unlike Diablo III, it’s much closer to the roots, darker, bloodier, and full of blasphemy. Instead of diving the world into separate areas, the players can explore the whole world of Sanctuary without any loading screens. Unfortunately, even if you want to play solo, you must be connected to the Internet. The newest Blizzard title is almost a full-fledged MMO. If you feel like that’s not something for you, there are other great action RPGs worth your time.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a game that encapsulates the dark fantasy meaning. It’s famous for its captivating atmosphere, charismatic characters, and fantastic side quests. The choices also lead to many different outcomes, giving CD Projekt Red’s bestseller a high replayability value. There is almost too much to love about the Geralt of Rivia and his adventures.
Two massive expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, also give a bunch of new quests and locations. You have to play them to reach a true ending of The Butcher of Blaviken’s story. It’s hard to find a better dark fantasy RPG.
Dark Souls trilogy
The last pick on our list of the best dark fantasy games is the Dark Souls trilogy. Most gamers might call it “the hardest game ever,” but we don’t entirely agree with the statement. Yes, they are challenging, but never unfair. With a bit of patience and insistence, everyone can beat them.
Players adore DS not only for the famous “git gud” motto and challenging gameplay but also for fantastic, dark lore. The story here is not served on a silver plate, and you have to explore carefully, read all the notes, and listen to the NPCs. If you feel that’s not something for you, there are also many great alternatives, which you can browse in our list of the 20 best soulslike games.
That wraps up our lineup of the best fantasy games of all time. What do you think about our picks? Do you prefer dark or high fantasy? Or maybe something totally different, like urban fantasy? Let us know in the comment section below!
