Gore in video games has always been a hot topic in the gaming community. During the era of classic games, the visual representation of gore was more pixilated. However, in recent times, due to technological advancements, game developers have started to create well-detailed and realistic blood animations. To some, gore is much more than just regular violence; it also adds artistic value to a game.

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In many games, gore can show a character's motive and bring out more emotions in a scene. While some might appreciate this, not everyone is a fan of gore, as they might feel uncomfortable with the use of excessive violence. That is why the matter of gore in video games is subjective and comes down to every individual's taste.

Updated on February 16, 2024, by Waseem Muhammad: Gore in video games can very easily put even the most strong-stomached gamers off playing. That said, not all depictions of video game gore are bad, and some games are considered even better because of the gore they choose to show. While including high levels of gore can often result in some titles receiving more adult ratings, certain developers refuse to remove violent imagery, even if it means that their games cannot be marketed to a younger audience. These games often turn out to be especially gruesome, but not all instances of gore in video games are restricted to one particular type of audience. For those brave enough, there are plenty of gory games out there for them to dive into.

7 Mortal Kombat 1

Dismemberment And Brutal Executions

Gore has been one defining characteristic of Mortal Kombat ever since the first game in the franchise came out. Mortal Kombat is a fighting game that focuses on fighting against an enemy in the most gruesome ways possible. The game includes features known as Fatalities and Brutalities, which involve dismembering, decapitating, or performing other gruesome actions. These features are available for every character in every Mortal Kombat game, allowing the players to experience some truly graphically intense visuals.

Mortal Kombat's inclusion of gore has sparked debates over the years when many people are not happy with the amount of blood portrayed in the game. However, the developers try to add new characters with varying gore effects while also not pushing beyond the boundaries of what is acceptable.

6 The Callisto Protocol

Hacking Enemies Limbs In Order To Survive

Callisto Protocol is a 2022 survival horror game that is rich in quality graphics and area design. Though many of the features in the game have not been appreciated by the fans, the addition of gore certainly is, especially with its dismemberment. The main combat of Callisto Protocol is very gruesome. Players can make use of their baton to hack off limbs and drive them into the enemy's skull. The addition of gore and blood trails also makes this survival horror title much more terrifying to those who decide to play it.

The game features different types of enemies and elite enemies that face off against Jacob. If Jacob dies at the hands of these enemies, players will get to witness different death animations that show the protagonist being impaled, decapitated, or squashed to smithereens.

5 Doom Eternal

Features Brutal Executions And Blood Splatter

Doom Eternal is a widely popular first-person shooter game. The game features fast-paced and intense gameplay that provides an adrenaline-pumping experience for players. In this title, players face endless hordes of demons throughout. Every brutal execution highlights the raw amount of power needed to deal with such demonic forces, so adding things like blood splatter becomes a necessity.

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The amount of gore in Doom Eternal links directly to the violent and dark tone the game portrays. The main character, Doom Slayer, acts as a powerful demon killer, and having the power to crush them is crucial. The game perfectly sets the stage for the players to use the massive explosive arsenal against the enemies and deal with them how they want.

4 God Of War 3

Follows A Violent God On A Quest For Revenge

God of War 3 is the third part of the original trilogy, which follows the journey of Kratos as he takes revenge on the gods of Olympus. God of War 3 does an excellent job of portraying the dark and violent side of Greek mythology by implementing intense and brutal cinematics. Every act of violence done by Kratos defines his character as hell-bent on revenge. This gore and blood not only provides a spectacle but allows the player to fully control the immense power and wrath of Kratos. These scenes of graphic violence show the consequences of Kratos' actions.

In the recent God of War games, Kratos' rage has subsided somewhat, and his anger only shows when needed. The old ruthless side of Kratos is what made his popularity soar, and the gore in God of War 3 benefits from that.

3 Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

Top-Down Graphic Violence Shown Through The Use Of Various Weapons

Hotline Miami 2 is one of the most brutal top-down shooters of all time. The game focuses on the stories of different characters in different timelines. The player can control an underworld criminal, soldiers in the war, or a pacifist writer. The gore of Hotline Miami is done perfectly as it visualizes the ugliness of the criminal underworld. It was so much, in fact, that it was even refused classification in Australia.

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The game can be incredibly challenging, but killing an enemy and seeing their blood splattered against the walls brings a sense of success in regard to accurately taking down a target. This adds depth and immersion into the gameplay, which is highly appreciated by the gaming community.

2 Manhunt

A Death Row Prisoner Out To Murder Criminals

Manhunt is a cult classic stealth game in the video game community. The game follows the role of James Earl Cash, a death row prisoner who is forced to participate in films where he murders criminals in order to get his freedom. The game is dark and gory to such an extent that it became highly controversial. The different executions made on criminals not only promote sadistic behavior but also could have proven to be harmful. The excessive use of gore in multiple gameplay and cinematic scenes caused the game to be banned in multiple countries.

The purpose of these violent scenes might be to help players get an idea of how twisted and brutal the world in the game is, encouraging players to get more immersed in the game itself. However, the use of makeshift weapons in order to take down enemies in the most brutal ways possible was not well appreciated by a lot of players.

1 Gears of War 3

Brutal Fights Against An Alien Race

Another game that focuses on survival against hordes of demon-like enemies called the Locust, Gears of War is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans face a significant threat, and the series features brutal gameplay and an intense story to keep players immersed. The excess use of gore is justified because of humanity's desperation to avoid extinction, and the option to chainsaw enemies in half brings a sense of justice since the player is avenging their lost comrades.

The players take on the role of heavily armored soldiers who are trying to overpower the Locust in any way during this warfare. Gears of War 3 steps up from the previous installments by perfectly capturing the dark world it left behind.

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