Best Dark Fantasy Games to Unleash Your Fears and Nightmares
Numerous dark fantasy games span across various gameplay genres and platforms, weaving captivating environments and aesthetics that have enthralled players for years. These elements have seamlessly found their way into games we'd never have anticipated.
That said, finding the optimal dark fantasy game tailored to your preferences can be a daunting task. However, this article is tailored to assist you in this endeavor.
Here, we will show you the best titles with dark fantasy setting that will make you feel like you are in a real nightmare world. We will also cover different platforms and game genres to ensure you find the perfect title for you.
Here are the best titles of the dark fantasy genre you can play right now:
Dark Souls III
Release Date: March, 2016
Developer: From Software
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows
It is impossible to discuss dark fantasy settings without mentioning Dark Souls. The title revolutionized the RPG genre and created mechanics that now serve as inspiration for numerous other developers and game designers.
Dark Souls is much more than an excellent game and features gameplay elements that everybody loves. From the dangerous creatures you can find along the way to the ruthless bosses that will challenge your skills, the game has one of the most exciting and challenging combats of all action RPG titles.
In this game, you control the character known as the ashen one. With your powers and the help of the Firekeeper, you find yourself on a journey to restore or extinguish the flame.
Along the multiple environments overflowing with dark fantasy aesthetics, you will find numerous secrets to explore and items to collect. With this, you can build the perfect character for your gameplay style.
If you like this kind of gameplay and the dark fantasy atmosphere, all the games from the Dark Souls series are a must-play, but Dark Souls III takes the best aspects of all the others and elevates them to another level.
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Darkest Dungeon
Release Date: January, 2016
Developer: Red Hook Studios
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows
Another game that can give dark fantasy fans hours of fun is Darkest Dungeon. Featuring turn-based battles, the first game from the saga takes direct inspiration from physical RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and gives them an even darker twist.
It features real-time battles against demons and other creatures and is a great example of how simple gameplay can give players hours of fun. But even though Darkest Dungeon may seem simple in terms of graphics, its gameplay is demanding, requiring players to constantly learn about the mechanics and what each skill and item does.
In the game, you discover that you inherited an estate from one of your ancestors, but it's dominated by cruel creatures and demons. You and your party must create expeditions to free it from these monsters.
Darkest Dungeon has one of the most cruel and merciless worlds to explore. If this is what you’re looking for, make sure to try it out.
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Total War: Warhammer 3
Release Date: February, 2022
Developer: Creative Assembly
Platforms: Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows
Another saga that became really popular is Total War, and Warhammer 3 is no exception. The real-time strategy title brings dark fantasy elements not only to its lore and story but also to its world-building in the environment and creatures you can find along the way.
The game perfectly embodies action-adventure elements in the experience, making it much more than a tiring strategy game where you just think about what to do next. You enjoy every animation and movement made, creating a complete and exciting experience every time you play.
In Warhammer 3, you’ll explore the Realm of Chaos: a place infested with demons and other powerful creatures that kill everyone in sight. The best part is that this title is standalone, and the player doesn't need to play the previous ones to fully understand its campaign's events.
In the game's prologue, you control Prince Yuri Barkov and his journey to the Realms of Chaos. The story follows the events that caused him to become the Daemon Prince known as Godslayer and serves as a tutorial to the following chapters that can be played alone or with up to seven other players.
If you like strategy titles, it is one of the best to choose from. Grab your weapons and remember that every action must be carefully planned.
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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Release Date: October, 2015
Developer: CD Projekt RED
Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows
If you’re looking for a dark fantasy game with an open world to explore, this one is perfect for you. The Witcher: Wild Hunt is the third game from the iconic Witcher saga and brings you back to the role of Geralt of Rivia. But this way, your mission is to find Ciri, the prophecy girl who went missing and is being followed by the Wild Hunt.
Her powers are the key to change the world, turning it into a better place or ruining it forever. This is why locating her is your priority before something terrible happens.
In The Witcher 3, Geralt's powers are smoother and better than ever. Along with the powers, you also have swords and an arsenal of complementary weapons you can use to defeat the most various kinds of enemies.
The map is massive, and, with the help of your horse, you can find numerous places hiding treasures and even NPCs with tasks worth completing.
The Witcher is known for its vast lore and bestiary, and the third game reinforces this aspect of the saga. There are more than a hundred different creatures, each one with a different story behind its creation.
If you like games with enormous volumes of content, The Witcher should definitely be in your library. The graphics are top-of-the-line, even for a game launched in 2015, and will please any dark fantasy fan.
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Grim Dawn
Release Date: February, 2016
Developer: Crate Entertainment
Platforms: Xbox One and Microsoft Windows
Another great action RPG with dark fantasy elements is Grim Dawn. This underrated title features gameplay that can immerse players for hours, whether because of how the story is told or because of the variety of enemies and environments to explore.
Each place is unique, and the art style of the game, combined with the isometric camera, helps make everything look incredible. Thanks to both these elements, Grim Dawn also looks a lot like Diablo, which is a good sign, so the players of Blizzard’s saga will enjoy the title.
Grim Dawn takes place in a fictional region called Cairn, where humanity was almost brought to extinction due to a trans-dimensional war. You must help humankind to survive the numerous threats and use your powers to defeat everyone who tries to get in your way.
The dark fantasy aesthetics can be seen in almost every visual aspect of the title. Everything from the creatures you fight against to the clothes you wear will remind you of other dark fantasy experiences, like Dark Souls and The Witcher. It also brings many aspects of the golden age of isometric games, making it a must-play for fans of this genre.
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Diablo IV
Release Date: June, 2013
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows
Speaking of Diablo, the latest release has dark fantasy elements everywhere, taking all the components from the previous titles and making them even better.
From the exploration activities to the enemies variety, the title is the sequel worth waiting for. The graphics are prettier than ever, and the effects will make you feel like you are in a terrifying dungeon with your friends.
If you want to play it alone, don’t worry. The game also supports single-player, although it can be way more fun when enjoying it with your friends.
The story of the fourth game revolves around Lilith, who has been summoned to the Sanctuary. It takes place 50 years after the events of Diablo 3, so you don’t need to know the previous game to play this one, but it can make your experience and understanding clearer.
Since the awakening of Lilith, the world has been drowned in darkness and nightmares, becoming a hopeless place for everybody. You and your party must crawl into different environments and dungeons to defeat Mephisto's daughter and end this era of cruelty.
It is a must-play for RPG fans. Gather your friends and play this incredible dark fantasy experience full of demonic creatures.
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Vampyr
Release Date: June, 2018
Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows
If there is an RPG that takes a classic story and gives it a fresh twist, it is Vampyr. There are a lot of traditional ideas from vampire and Dracula stories, but without turning the game into a cliche.
This game's environment and level design are also incredible and feature eye-catching elements on every street you visit in this perfect imagination of 20th-century London. The entire Europe is devastated by the Spanish flu, which has huge importance to the game story.
As you become a vampire, you acquire inhuman abilities and skills that can be used to defeat your enemies in the blink of an eye. It is a classic vampire story with multiple elements that make this title shine among the other RPGs with the same theme.
If you like vampire stories, this game should be in your library. The gameplay and storytelling will make you feel like a real vampire in the streets of Britain.
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Bloodborne
Release Date: March, 2015
Developer: From Software
Platforms: Playstation 4
Making a list of dark fantasy games without mentioning Bloodborne should be considered a crime. The title is one of the most famous ones ever created and still generates hype whenever mentioned.
Bloodborne’s gothic environment makes the players feel like they are in a real nightmare version of London. Everything is carefully designed to create a unique experience for the person playing it, from the cathedrals you can visit to the houses you enter.
In Bloodborne, you wake up as a hunter on the most dangerous night possible: The hunting night.
When it happens, every citizen goes crazy and kills whatever they see in front of them.
It is your job to kill these creatures and end this nightmare. You can count on numerous weapons and items at your disposal, along with help from other hunters.
It is one of the hardest games From Software ever created, and each boss is a different challenge for you to defeat. Some creatures can be difficult to beat even for the most experienced soulslike players.
If you like this kind of challenge, Bloodborne is one of the best games ever created and can surely be the perfect title for what you’re looking for. Grab your weapon and join the hunt.
Time to Choose Your Next Dark Fantasy
Dark fantasy is a popular genre that gathers millions of fans worldwide. Thus, choosing a title from the multiple options available becomes challenging.
From isometric survival games to action-driver RPGs, numerous games take dark fantasy elements and put them into their games. Aspects like the environment and design characteristics might not define how good a game is, but they can definitely help with the experience players have when enjoying the title.
Now that you know everything you need, it is time to choose your next dark fantasy game. These and many other games are available at RoyalCDKeys for a considerably lower price. This way, you can play all the games you want and save money.