20 Most Intense Video Game Moments Of The Decade

This is the only ‘moment’ which is more of a recurring issue than a one off, but it never drops the intensity. Technically Layers Of Fear’s ever changing house is a constant too, but the real heart thumper is the first time. Hellblade offers no mercy throughout.

A hugely ambitious and risky game, Hellblade tackled mental health (itself a rarity for games) and transported these issues to a Pictish era. As a self described independent AAA, they certainly set their stall out. Though Hellblade has a fairly short runtime of around 10-12 hours, they definitely delivered.

Lead character Senua suffers from psychosis, with neurosurgeons consulted on how to best showcase her schizophrenia in a historical setting. The answer? Wildly intrusive voices which jab your ears from every angle and do not let up for a moment.

At times they whisper, barely audible, at others they scream with ferocity. The first time you anger them is particularly intense, but that fear stays with you throughout the game. A gripping experience and a timely education on how difficult it is to live with mental health conditions with no one around to help.