Summary
The horror genre is no stranger to the occult, often looking to religion and folklore for inspiration. Frequently appearing in both are demons, evil entities or spirits that are terrifying in appearance and malevolent in nature. They are most associated with causing pain, suffering, and corruption, as well as having a general appetite for destruction.
Most demons in games appear either as spirits with a penchant for possessing their victims, or as typical depictions of horned hell-dwellers that can be physically fought. Either way, demons offer plenty of terrifying encounters. These are some of thebest demon horror gamesthat throw players into spiritual battles and intense confrontations.
The overarching plot ofAgonyis that the protagonist, Nimrod, has been cast into hell with no memories, and must search for the Red Goddess, Hell’s ruler, in order to escape. As the player progresses, they will uncover more about Nimrod’s past, and why he ended up in the underworld.
Agonyexcels artistically, with macabre and grotesque depictions of hell and its inhabitants, including fleshy tunnels and deformed demons. Unfortunately, it experienced a lot of criticism for its bugs and inconsistencies, with the poor gameplay largely nullifying the visuals. Regardless,fans of body horrorand exploration should definitely check outAgony.
Agonyis rated M, containing graphic gore and nudity, so it may not be suitable for all gamers.
9Ikai
Encounter Demons Of Japanese Folklore
While demons are often associated with religion, they also appear in other folklore, albeit under different aliases.Ikaiis asurvival horror gameinspired by Japan’s yokai and oni, with the player taking on the role of a priestess watching over her uncle’s shrine while he investigates rumors of an approaching demon. Unfortunately, she ends up opening doors to the underworld.
Players cannot fight against the subsequent evil spirits that are unleashed, creating a lot of tension as they attempt to protect the shrine and seal the doors.Ikaialso makes use of unique mechanics like seal writing with puzzles for an overall gripping experience.
It is easy to chalk demons in psychological horror up to being metaphors for the protagonist’s (or antagonist’s) psyche, representing the likes of guilt or depression. Nevertheless, in most games in the genre, they still prove to be very real and frightening threats.
InVisage,the player must face the angry child ghost of Lucy and her unapproachable “friend,” the Demon, as they attempt to uncover what happened. Lucy’s story is tragic, and the demon is undoubtedly evil; encountering this dark, clawed entity will leave players chilled.
The Mortuary Assistantgained a lot of traction in the indie horror gaming community not long after its release in 2022. Itsutilization of jumpscaresprovided plenty of entertainment for streamers and viewers alike.
The game establishes an unnerving atmosphere right off the bat with its setting — a mortuary — which gets progressively worse as the player discovers they are being haunted by a demon and must find a way to banish it. Complete with a disturbing story, possession, and exorcisms, this is one demon horror game that embraces the genre tropes well.
Phasmophobiaisa co-op ghost hunting gamewith the objective of determining what is haunting different locations by finding evidence using equipment like EMF readers and spirit boxes. The catch is, the ghosts are prone to attacking anyone who encroaches upon their territory.
Among the range of different spirit types is the demon; an entity that can attack more frequently and without reason, yet is especially weak to crucifixes. While much ofPhasmophobia’s appeal comes from laughing at friends while they scream from the next room over through proximity chat, players can also play solo for a more terrifying experience.
Players looking for other experiences likePhasmophobiashould also check outDemonologist,which has a similar premise and gameplay.
There are many games that look to classic literature for inspiration.Dante’s Infernois an action-horror game that is based (loosely) on Dante’s epic poemThe Divine Comedy.The player controls the Templar Dante and must fight through legions of demons in the Circles of Hell to save his wife from the Devil.
WhileDante’s Infernois combat-based (which is incredibly satisfying in itself), its horror elements still prevail, having some truly visceral depictions of Hell. There is no shortage of torture, violence, and gore in this game, which works particularly well with the otherwise immense imagery.
LikeAgony, Dante’s Infernofeatures some brutal scenes of torture and explicit nudity which may not be suitable for some gamers.
Whether the 1996Diablois thebest game in the franchiseis debatable. However, there is no doubt that the original utilizes horror more explicitly than its proceeding titles, which lean more into the action RPG elements. The game follows the protagonist on a mission to rid the world of Man from demons, and defeat the titular Lord of Hell.
Diablohas a distinctly dark Gothic atmosphere throughout. Each setting from the decaying town of Tristram to the fiery wastelands of hell offers their own challenges. The uncanny graphics of the PS1, slow pacing, and dangerous enemies (it would be criminal not to mention the Butcher) all combine to create an action-horror that still holds up today.
Since the first 1993 game became an overnight success,DOOMhas become a fully fledged franchise with numerous game titles and even literature and films (which many fans prefer not to speak of). It wasDOOM 3that marked a definitive shift into the survival horror genre. The player controls a space marine on Mars where demons have invaded, their next target being Earth.
While moving from action to horror was somewhat divisive,DOOM 3proved such a success that it garnered both an expansion and a remaster. The dark, claustrophobic setting of the research facility and much more horror-focused designs of demons and zombies makeDOOM 3a must-play for fans of survival andFPS horror games.
The majority of horror games have the player taking on the forces of evil, with the goal of defeating bad guys so that good can prevail. This all changes when it comes to asymmetrical horror games. InEvil Dead: The Game,players can either attempt to banish evil back to the underworld, or play as demons trying to stop the four survivors from preventing them wreaking havoc.
The gameplay can be quite overwhelming at first with lots of tactics, combat, and mechanics to get to grips with. But once players get the hang of it,Evil Deadcan be a super rewarding experience. Besides the gore, there are lots of other references to the originalEvil Deadfilms which add a bit of extra fun for franchise fans.
Unfortunately, Saber is no longer adding to or developingEvil Dead: The Game,but it is still worth a play, with or without teamates.
Faith: The Unholy Trinityis an indiehorror game that explores Christianityand Satanism. As a Catholic priest, the player must complete a series of exorcisms, each linked to a much bigger and much more dangerous plot. Across three chapters, they must use a crucifix to banish demons and prevent a dangerous summoning.
This game embraces all things 1980s, from its 8-bit pixel graphics and synthesized speech to the contextual backdrop of the “Satanic panic.“The Unholy Trinityeffectively uses color and movement, an engrossing story, and manageable puzzles to create a genuinely scary experience. Its multiple endings and secrets also give the game high replay value.
