Dark Fantasy is a fictitious subgenre of RPG games usually characterized by dark themes, horrifying creatures, gory combat, and twisted lore. Most Dark Fantasy games have settings that feel unnerving to the average player and that is what makes them intriguing. While typical RPGs are fun in their own right, what makes Dark Fantasy games stand out are their underlying themes centering around morality. These games often introduce demonic elements for world-building and narrative progression.
Over the years, there have been many notable RPGs that have taken the Dark Fantasy route, bringing forth some truly unsettling worlds and offering players uniquely disturbing experiences. The difficulty level of such games is also something not to be undermined, as some of the hardest RPGs are those from the Dark Fantasy genre. Here are some of the greatest Dark Fantasy RPGs that are bound to offer players an exhilarating gaming experience.
7 Code Vein
Code Vein is an open-world, third-person action RPG developed and published by Bandai Namco. This game mixes souls-like gameplay mechanics with anime-inspired visuals to deliver a Dark Fantasy game like no other. The game is set in a future where a mysterious catastrophe known as the Great Collapse has left the world in disarray.
To defeat the monsters that emerged from the calamity, humanity created beings known as Revenants which are dead humans brought back to life using parasitic regenerative organs. Code Vein is an excellent game for those looking for a challenge and has a Metacritic score of 77 (on PC).
6 Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War is an action RPG set in the Lord of the Rings universe and serves as a sequel to 2014's Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor. Developed by Monolith Productions, the game improves upon the previous entry by introducing an enhanced nemesis system. Each enemy you encounter will remember the outcome of your clash and will respond accordingly in your next meeting, creating meaningful tension between players and their enemies.
The game sees players take control of Talion once again as he uses the power of the elven spirit Celebrimbor to forge a new Ring of Power and amasses an army to fight against Sauron's corruption. The game has a Metacritic score of 81 (on Xbox One).
5 Dark Souls 3
FormSoftware's Dark Souls III is their third and final entry in the Dark Soul series and brings forth even better gameplay and graphics than its predecessors. It is a third-person action RPG and is known to be one of the hardest ones at that.
FormSoftware's trademark sword and sorcery combat returns in Dark Souls III, giving players access to weapons, armor, magic, and consumables to fight off undead creatures and survive an approaching apocalypse. Each battle is as exhilarating as it is challenging, making the experience well worth it. The game has a Metacritic score of 89 (for the Playstation 4 version).
4 Bloodborne
Bloodborne is a third-person action RPG developed by FormSoftware and serves as a spiritual successor to their Dark Soul series. It retains all the best qualities from FormSoftware's previous games and adds enough new mechanics to give it its own identity. Players are put into the shoes of a hunter in the city of Yharnam, inspired by the Victorian era, whose residents have been afflicted with a blood-borne disease that transforms them into menacing creatures.
The gameplay emphasizes on exploring the city to unravel its mysteries and fight off beasts with strategic weapon-based combat. Similar to the Dark Soul series, Bloodborne also presents a worthy challenge for fans of the Dark Fantasy genre. The game has a Metacritic Score of 92.
3 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the most popular and influential Dark Fantasy RPGs to date. The Witcher 3 is a third-person action game that takes place in a fantasy world inspired by the Slavic mythology. Players take control of Geralt of Rivia, one of the last surviving withers, as he tries to search for his adoptive daughter before an otherworldly threat known as the Wild Hunt can reach her.
Players encounter many dangerous creatures throughout the game and battle them using various weapons and magic. The game went on to win the Game Awards 2015's Game of the Year Award and has recently received an update for the next-gen consoles. The Witcher 3 has a Metacritic score of 93 (for the PC version)
2 Demon's Souls Remake
Developed by Bluepoint, Demon's Souls 2020 is a remake of the original Demon's Souls game developed by FormSoftwares and is one of the best exclusive first-party games available on the PlayStation 5. The game has been remade from the ground up and introduces the horrors of the Dark Fantasy land of Boletaria to a whole new generation of players.
The Kingdom of Boletaria has fallen into deep despair following the summoning of an ancient cursed spirit known as the Old One by the hands of the King himself. Players now take control of a lone warrior to venture into the depths of the fog covering the kingdom to slay demons and pacify the Old One. The game received critical acclaim for its gameplay and visuals and has a Metacritic score of 92.
1 Elden Ring
Elden Ring is FormSoftware's latest and most ambitious game to date and has set a new standard for Dark Fantasy RPGs in its wake. Elden Ring is an open-world action RPG that allows players to roam free in the Lands Between and explore dungeons, caves, and catacombs. Combat involves the use of weapons, armour, magic, horse riding, and crafting. Where Bloodborne served as a spiritual successor to the Dark Soul series, Elden Ring seeks to evolve the genre as a whole.
The game takes place in the fantasy setting of The Lands Between where the player embarks on a journey to restore the lands and become their new Elden Lord. The game has received exceptional reviews from both fans and critics and went on to win the Game of the Year Award at the Game Awards 2022. Elden Ring has a Metacritic score of 96.