Some mysteries are best left alone and no games show that better than those involving artifact experiments. These involve the study of some alien artifact in the hopes of harnessing its incredible power. For some games it's in the hopes of solving an energy crisis, others it's for utilizing in travel. Both sound noble enough until they end up opening the bowels of darkness on people. It can be as simple as a few deadly abominations such as in SCP, or it might open humanity to a massive invasion force like Doom or Dead Space. Either way both crises cause untold pain and torment on anyone unlucky enough to be in the way. It's not bad enough the experiments result in either Doctor Who angel knockoffs or living car wreck victims, the research also involves multiple victims at a time. People are lied to and captured to take part in artifact experiments often becoming the first ones dead by its hand. These experiments usually involve either more mental or physical pain depending on which game it's taking place in. Why Does It Belong Here? Artifact experiments cause death and horrors of the highest caliber, but what sets them above things like homicidal A.I.s and crazy psychics? Unlike experiments that unexpectedly go wrong for the researchers artifact experiments give clear signs they will go badly. Whether from past experiences or the fact the artifacts are actually killing people the researchers have no business thinking they can contain this stuff. Yet they try to and that stupid irresponsibility knocks this experiment straight up this list. Granted in games like Mass Effect they really have no idea what they're doing and really are just working towards the benefit of mankind, so that redeems this type just a bit and puts it below our next two.
