9 Times Video Game Violence Went Too Far

9. GTA V's Torture Scene

For the most part, the Grand Theft Auto series has received way more controversy than it probably deserves. While yeah, all of the games let you wreak havoc in densely populated cities, taking down countless civilians in the process, the game is so tongue-in-cheek and over the top that the violence is rarely truly hard-hitting. However, that's not to say the franchise can't get a bit ugly at times when it wants to.

Thanks to the psychopathic Trevor, there were times during Grand Theft Auto V's story where the visceral violence went a touch overboard. Specifically, the scene where Trevor interrogates an informant by horrifically torturing him stands out as a particularly grueling moment. Teeth pulling, water-boarding, and electrocutions all bared their ugly teeth in this seriously gruesome set-piece.

And because you're actually partaking in the torture yourself rather than just watching it play out in a cutscene, beating a helpless guy to a near-death state in an oppressive warehouse really wasn't at all fun or exciting.

Contributor

Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.