Summary
It’s only a given thathorror gamesare 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.
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.
Fans of classic point-and-click adventure games should giveHarvestera 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 findHarvesterto be an odd gem that is certainly iconic, even if the gameplay itself is pretty by the numbers.
From the very momentAgonywas 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,Agonywas 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 ofAgony’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.
WithResident Evil 4turning into an overnight phenomenon that revolutionized the third-person shooter and survival horror landscapes alike, it was clear whyResident Evil 5decided to adopt the same action-focused gameplay. However, the game’s African setting generated a ton of controversy when the title was revealed.
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 withResident Evilfanswho were worried about the direction this game—and the series—was going.
Rule of Roseis 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 playersgot their hands onRule of Rosethat 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.
Manhuntis one of the most controversial video gamesof 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 itsGrand Theft Autotitles, it’s easy to see whyManhuntfaced 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.
3Phantasmagoria
One Particular Scene Didn’t Sit Right With Many
An FMV adventure game with a supernatural plot,Phantasmagoriais a mature titlewhere 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.
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 turnedPhantasmagoriainto what is possibly the most controversial point-and-click adventure title ever made.
It’s clear that Red Candle Games is a team full of talented developers,withDevotionletting playersenjoy 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.
Night Trapembodies the spirit ofcampy 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 ofNight Trapmade it a source of massive controversy, with many people using the content of this game, along withMortal 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.
