10 Amazing Video Game Items (That Actually Curse You)

Doom is another long-running franchise that has created a fascinating canon of weapons, armour, and artifacts. One of the most unique is called, simply, The Artifact.

It appears to be a heart, or is at least heart-shaped, sporting a handle so Doomguy can wield it. It is clearly not of human design, and throughout the Resurrection of Evil DLC pack, you learn more and more about the Artifact, finally discovering that it is not only a weapon but a dimensional gateway between Hell and our world.

Unpleasantly, the Artifact is powered by human souls. As needed, the Artifact will absorb souls from the many deceased UAC employees lying around the complex, causing a brief red glow and the body to disappear, and it can store 3 charges. Although you find the Artifact at the beginning of the game, it is of no use until you defeat the first main boss, the Helltime Hunter.

But once you do, look out.

After beating the first Hunter, the Artifact absorbs its Helltime power, giving Doomguy the power to move so quickly enemies appear to be standing skill. Subsequently, beating the Berserk and Invulnerability Hunters add those powers to the Artifact, making Doomguy into an unstoppable juggernaut when it's activated.

There is also the unpleasant drawback of having your vision and hearing impaired by demonic energy during use, but being able to rip a Hell Knight in two seems a fair trade.