10 Times Horror Video Games Got Truly Twisted

By their nature, horror games confront players with the nastier side of video games. Whether that be exploring bleak subject matters in moody psychological thrillers or facing players off against some of the most grotesque enemies ever conceived of, every nightmare imaginable has a home in a horror game.

However, while no horror game can be described as completely pleasant, there are some games out there which go further than most would dare, giving players something that they weren't prepared for. These games relish in pushing the limits of taboo and moral decency to create moments of pure terror players won't soon forget.

Whether this be through harrowing depictions of violence or covering some particularly heavy themes, these games are the nastiest of the bunch, with some even going down in video game infamy.

Playing these games transports players to some very dark places where no subject is off limits, and no punches are pulled in their delivery.

Though sometimes downright sickening in their design, these truly twisted video game moments hit the hardest and subsequently created some harrowingly unforgettable gaming experiences.

Massive content and spoiler warnings ahead. You have been warned.

Developed by Frictional Game (the team behind Amnesia), Soma is an underwater techno-horror that uses its genre to dive into heavy existential themes, all of which are contained within an oppressive, claustrophobic setting.

After attending an experimental brain scan, protagonist Simon Jarrett inexplicably awakens a century later in an underwater research base populated by decaying machinery. He soon connects with base employee Catherine who helps guide him through this underwater labyrinth.

Throughout the player’s journey through this dilapidated facility, they’ll encounter a host of machines that refer to themselves as human. And while some of these body horror creations can make for some effectively grotesque imagery, it’s not until later in the game where the true horror of the situation emerges.

About halfway through the game, it’s revealed that these machines contain the copied consciousness of deceased humans. Likewise, the protagonist is simply a copy of Simon inhabiting a mechanical body.

From here Soma forces players to confront the sinister ethical implications of such a scenario. Notably, the game contains a sequence in which players must manipulate the digital copy of a former employee into divulging important information before the game forces players to decide whether or not to erase the data.