Body horror can be defined by many as a type of psychological horror that intentionally emphasizes the most vile violations upon the human body. It’s the kind of horror that one can always relate to in the end, considering we all breathe the same air and bleed the same blood. Video games have drawn heavily from its cinematic inspirations, while also incorporating their own unique blend to narrative and uncensored violence.
Considering the financial restrictions imposed upon filmmakers to create an authentic experience, video games offer a more unrestrained approach to visualization and creation. While there are many examples of body horror in both mainstream and indie games, these are eight of the most memorable and quite possibly the most grotesque of the lot.
8 The Darkness
Releasing back in 2007, The Darkness presented one of the most unique visuals and gameplay mechanics of its time. Developed by Starbreeze Studios and published by 2K Games, The Darkness told the story of up-and-coming mobster Jackie Estacado on his 21st birthday. While most celebrate their 21 years of life consuming an obscene amount of alcohol, Jackie spends his on the run from his uncle, who has targeted him for assassination. A malevolent spirit known as the Darkness that has inhabited Jackie’s family for generations, posses and grants him with supernatural powers.
The Darkness was unlike any other game released at the time, perfectly blending a hard-boiled crime story with brutal violence. Though initially appearing as a typical first-person shooter, the Darkness evolves into something much more entertaining when Jackie utilizes his full power. The Darkness’ tendrils offer a wide variety of gameplay mechanics that, when used appropriately, can wipe out an entire room of enemies without pulling the trigger. The player has the ability to impale enemies, break down doors, and stealth kill those at a distance. Devouring human hearts further increases the Darkness’ powers. Yum.
7 Bioshock
Rapture is one of the most memorable environments in all of gaming. A tragic tale of corruption, greed and addiction disguised as a first-person shooter. The city in the water serves as one of the most important characters in the series. Though later entries lean more towards action and spectacle, the original Bioshock offered an unforgettable experience.
You play as Jack, a survivor of a doomed airplane expedition over the Atlantic ocean in 1960. Upon escaping the wreckage to a nearby lighthouse, Jack happens upon Rapture, or a shell of what it used to be before its Civil War. The once beautiful architecture and tangible vibrancy are now stained from the aftermath of some horrific event, leaving most of its inhabitants dead or in a state of psychosis from an overdose of a drug they called ADAM. These deformed, genetically-modified citizens – now referred to as Splicers – roam the towers of Rapture seeking more of the drug they so helplessly need to survive. On top of its excellent atmosphere and creature design, Bioshock’s plasmids offer an original take on typical, FPS combat systems. Plasmids are special serums made from processed ADAM that, when injected into the arm, introduce modified stem cells into the body and grant the user special powers upon mutation. While boasting eleven plasmid types in the game, insect swarm might just be the most cringe-worthy as insects literally eat their way out of Jack’s hands to then be unleashed on the enemy.
6 Dead Space
A list depicting the best body horror games would be objectively incomplete if it did not include Dead Space. You play as Isaac Clarke, an engineer dispatched to the USG Ishimura after receiving a distress signal. Upon arrival, the crew quickly learns of the devastation experienced on board not too long before their docking. USG Ishimura serves as a mining vessel that brought with them an alien artifact from the planet Aegis VII. This artifact, known as the Marker, takes hold of the crew’s mind and turns them into mutilated beasts.
These Necromorphs are deadly pursuers that are quick on their feet and fatal in close distances. They wield sharp blades that sprout from their shoulders and hands and will continue to pursue its prey even when dismembered. Players are encouraged to aim for the arms and legs to then come in close and stomp in their skulls. Along the way, Isaac faces more formidable abominations, but can upgrade both his weapons and his suit to become an unstoppable force. The Dead Space series is known for its revolting creature design and shocking display of violence. In the sequel, players must navigate a needle through Isaac’s cornea, and if they miss, they’ll be treated to one of the most brutal death scenes ever.
5 Resident Evil 7: Biohazard & Resident Evil 8: Village
Sure, this list could include every single Resident Evil game ever and be a justifiable source for the best body horror games, but the seventh and eighth iteration of the series make the horror much more palpable by switching to a first-person perspective.
Though unique in their own respect, Resident Evil 7 and Village see Ethan Winters get his arm cut off at every chance they could get. The poor guy has enough to deal with already, what with his girlfriend missing and baby kidnapped and all. Resident Evil 7 places the player in the Baker estate in the middle of Louisiana after an outbreak has ravaged their bodies and minds. Whether it’d be Ethan eating rotten flesh at the dinner table or watching his arm being cut clean off by Lady Dimitrecu, these two games offered some of the most vile and cinematic horror experiences the medium has ever experienced.
4 System Shock 2
Listen up, insects. System Shock 2 inspired most of your favorite games in the last twenty-or-so years. It’s 2114 and exactly 42 years after the events of the first game, where you play as soldier G65434-2 of the United National Nominate dispatched to the UNN Rickerbacker that previously sent out a distress signal. Sound familiar?
Though its gameplay mechanics and controls are a bit dated, System Shock 2 continues to live as the granddaddy of all horror games. SHODAN, the borderline conscious and unapologetically sinister AI antagonist of the game has once again birthed The Many, a biological hivemind that has infested the UNN Rickerbacker and its crew. Humans infected with the annelid Grub are morphed into a Hybrid, the result of a human host and parasitic organism. Though still conscious of their actions, the worm that has infested their central nervous system has complete control over their bodies. Disgusting, homicidal and downright nightmare-inducing.
3 Halo: Combat Evolved
Halo: Combat Evolved spawned a legacy beloved by almost everyone and remembered for its excellent combat and narrative. Though seemingly overpowered by its other sci-fi elements and settings, the flood still remain as the highlight of the game. If you take the time to research the profound biology of this parasite and it’s afflictions imposed on its human and alien hosts, you can’t help but appreciate the effort put into its complicated lore and creature design.
2 Scorn
Originally announced back in 2016, Scorn’s devotion to H.R. Giger’s artistic style makes for one of the most shocking settings in the genre.
Everything in Scorn feels extremely “organic” and “fleshy,” especially in its environment and weaponry. Guns are bio-engineered and attach directly to your arm and to the environment, while enemies are seemingly birthed out of their surroundings. Not much has been expanded upon in terms of its story and world, but from the few gameplay trailers released since its reveal, it’s indicative of a truly horrifying experience.
1 Bugsnax
No, we’re not kidding. Bugsnax goes full Cronenberg. SnakTooth Island’s inhabitants are half-snack, half-bug hybrids that either scurry away from the player or charge at them with the rage of a bull. It’s world initially emulates a cute little fairytale from the mind of a six-year-old, breathing vibrancy and levity, but then quickly devolving into something that comes off as deceptive and sinister. At one point in the game, you meet a grumpus (a creature that serves as the alphas of the Bugsnax and are the most humanlike of the bunch) that offers you a device to change the body parts in the grumpus digestion process. Probably best to take your chances with the necromorphs on the USG Ishimura.
NEXT: 10 Best Survival Horror Games For People Who Scare Easily
