Slay Demons and Push Back The Forces of Hell
Leave it to video games to make hell a fun place to be. Developers have been centered on this subject for years. Many attempts on portraying the gruesome nature of hell and demons have been very successful. If you want to escape into a world packed with demons to destroy, then this is the perfect list for you. These are some of the most nightmarish worlds ever created.
1. Dante’s Inferno
Dante was a Templar Knight before he went into hell
Dante’s Inferno is a hack & slash adventure game that sees you going through nine circles of hell to save your love Beatrice who’s been imprisoned by Lucifer. Each circle has various demons to fight, and a boss you must defeat in order to proceed deeper into the pits of hell.
The first circle is Limbo. Here you will encounter ghoulish demon babies whose hands are replaced with deadly blades. These are unbaptized babies according to Dante Alighieri’s original book – “Inferno”. According to his book, the deeper you venture into hell, the greater the sin of those imprisoned is.
The unbaptized babies reside in Limbo, often called “the edge of hell“, since they have not commited any wrongdoings aside from not being freed from the “original sin“.
Some demons you’ll encounter in the circle of Lust are grotesque naked women, representing the strong sexual desires of lustful individuals. The boss demon reflects the entirety of each circles title. For example, the boss in the circle of Lust is Cleopatra. The reason being that she cheated on Julius Caesar. She is a demon who attempts to seduce you into sin with her physical appearance.
Cleopatra was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, and is very well known as a symbol of beauty. She is stuck in this circle for cheating on Julius Caesar with Marc Antony, a Roman politician and general.
In Gluttony you'll fight a creature with three large mouths, as well as other fat and hideous monsters. These enemies symbolize the sin of overeating.
The circle of Greed contains demons holding various golden items, which plainly portrays their greedy nature. The boss of this circle is named Alighiero (a name derived from Dante Alighieri's last name).
The main protagonist, Dante, uses a large scythe throughout the entire game. Dante acquires this weapon from Death who comes to take him to hell when he is stabbed in the back. He fights Death, not accepting his sentence to hell, and later uses the weapon to eviscerate every single demon in the nine circles of hell. With its grisly and hideous atmosphere and scenery, this game brings forth one of the best representations of hell in gaming history.
Death, whom Dante fights to avoid his eternal damnation to hell.
Dante's Inferno - Gameplay
2. Diablo 3
The demon Diablo came into existence from one of the seven Tathamet heads. Tathamet was the most powerful demon who was created at the beginning of the universe.
Diablo takes place in a fictional world named Sanctuary. The story follows the Nephalem in his fight against the current lords of hell – Belial and Azmodan. The Nephalem travels along with a woman named Leah, and an angel named Tyrael, in order to defeat these great demons and trap their souls in the Black Soulstone. The Black Soulstone is a powerful magical stone that contains the souls of five other greater demons (including Diablo) at the beginning of Diablo 3.
Belial rules over the Realm of Lies in hell. He specializes in the act deception. He is able to summon demons like the Veiled Sentinels and Velied Evokers.
Azmodan is a frightening demon who rules over the Realm of Sin. He has attacks like laser eyes and falling corpses.
A minor boss you’ll fight before Azmodan is named Cydaea. Cydaea is a spider like demon consort of Azmodan. She is one of the seven Sin Lieutenants of Azmodan.
Cydaea, often called the Maiden of Lust.
The Nephalem can use various weapons to fight these demons. The weapons you can use depend on which class of character you choose. Each weapon has damage, speed, and some of them have magic properties. One of the classes is called a Demon Hunter who uses various ranged weapons and projectiles to take down their enemies.
The Demon Hunters' family was butchered by demons which shattered their mind and set them on the path of vengeance.
Diablo III - Demon Hunter Trailer
3. Darksiders 2
Death is one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse: Conquest, War, Famine and Death.
Darksiders 2 takes place on earth which is infested by angels and demons alike. The angels and demons waged war against each other since the beginning of time, and that is why the so called Charred Council was made. The Charred Council created the four horsemen to enforce their law and stop the war between Heaven and Hell.
One of the greater demons in Darksiders 2 is Samael, who Death must fight in order to obtain the Demonic key. He needs to get this key in order to enter the Well of Souls which is a supernatural dimension guarded by the Archangel named Azrael.
Samael once posessed enough power to rival the Dark Prince/Lucifer. He was banished to earth for defying the Destroyer, the leader of the demons.
Some of the common demons you’ll frequently encounter are Samael’s legions. There are five different types of legions, each with unique attacks and strength.
Another boss which you’ll need to fight is called the Bone Keeper.
The Bone Keeper does fast attacks with his arms and head. He also spawns skeleton minions.
The main protagonist is a horseman of the apocalypse, same as in the previous game. The difference is that the first game featured War, and in this one you play as Death. Death is more agile and less of a brute character. He has two scythes and firearms which are upgradeable. He can also spawn a black horse spirit, as well as use a magic attack called the Death Grip and transform into the Reaper Form.
War, Death's brother riding on a demonic steed.
Death battles the Crowfather at the beginning of the game who is disguised as War. The Crowfather doesn't want to let Death pass to the Tree of Life which Death needs in order to restore humanity.
Death fights Samael
4. DmC: Devil May Cry (2013)
Dante goes on a quest to destroy all demons in order to avenge his mother's death.
Devil May Cry is a very popular franchise centered on demons, angels and Nephilim. The Nephilim is an offspring of an angel and a demon. The story follows a character named Dante. Dante and Vergil are the only Nephilim left alive because the others were destroyed by demons fearing their unstoppable power. The game takes place in Limbo through which Dante must fight his way by using his weaponry and special abilities.
The first boss you’ll encounter is a spider like demon named The Hunter. He is one of many demons employed by Mundus, the demon king, to kill Dante.
The Hunter uses a large knife and a grappling claw to pull enemies in.
Ravagers are a common type of enemy. They are very tough demons with a chainsaw for one arm. The Bathos are flying baby demons using crossbows and timed explosives to attack.
Dante fighting a Bathos.
Lilith is Mundus’ mistress and is carrying Mundus’ spawn. Mundus’ spawn is a large baby demon with a green third eye that lives inside of Lilith. Lilith and Mundus’ spawn are inseparable and you’ll need to fight them together.
You must fight Lilith and Mundus' Spawn in order to take Lilith as a hostage and exchange her for Kat, a girl that is a friend of Dantes, and serves as a guide through most of the game.
Dante uses a variety of melee weapons, firearms and special abilities which you’ll gradually claim as you progress through the story. You slowly get in touch with both the angel and demon part of yourself while you fight Mundus’ forces.
Mundus – The king of demons. He watches over the entire city through the monitors in his office.
DmC Devil May Cry Cinematic Trailer
5. DOOM (2016)
The main protagonist of the Doom series is often referred to as the Doomguy.
Doom 4 will be an origin story set on Mars where the UAC facility is being invaded by demons from hell. These demons were constructed from failed UAC experiments. The game begins with Doom Marine waking up and trying to find the source of the demonic invasion, as well as preparing himself to face these demons. Some weapons will be making a return in the new game such as the BFG 9000 shotgun as well as numerous melee weapons.
The game will feature some of the enemies from the previous games. One of these is the Revenant. The Revenant is one of the most iconic demons from the Doom franchise and looks amazing in the new game engine.
The Revenants are dangerous in both long and short range fighting. Their mounted rockets allow them to quickly diminish your health.
Another character making a return will be the Imp. The Imp has a spiky body and throws fire balls. He is also a very agile demon.
An Imp being destroyed.
The Mancubus is a large demon with green eyes and sharp yellow fangs. Its hands are replaced with flamethrowers which can produce large fireballs. A demon named the Cacodemon will also be in the game. This is a flying head demon with a large mouth. It attacks either by biting or spitting plasma balls.
The Mancubus was first introduced in the second installment of the Doom series.
Cacodemons make an eerie hissing noise the first time they detect the player.
The new Doom will have the protagonist, Doom Marine, go through hordes of demons with all kinds of crazy melee weapons and guns.
But nothing can make you more excited about this game than seeing this:
DOOM - Fight Like Hell Cinematic Trailer
6. Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition takes place during a civil war between the loyalists and a powerful noble faction.
The Inquisition begins with a strange Breach opening in the sky and unleashing an army of demons into the world of Thedas. The player is a part of the inquisition, an organization tasked with closing the Breach and removing the gate between the two worlds.
Corypheus is an ancient demon guilty of opening this gate from the Fade world in order to conquer the world of Thedas.
One of the first creatures you’ll encounter in Dragon Age is simply called a Demon. It has lots of variations. The Demon embodies a Psyche like rage, hunger or desire, and feeds on human emotions.
A Pride type Demon.
A Terror Demon.
The Desire demon is the most intelligent one of theml demons. They can tempt even the most skilled mages into possession.
The Broodmother is an insect like queen who can spawn various demons. Broodmothers are elite bosses and their appearance is very unappealing.
The Broodmother boss.
The main character, often called the inquisitor or the chosen one, has a strange mark on their hand which gives them the ability to close the Breach. The player can choose between different classes and can also control three other inquisition members in their group.
The hero using the Mark of the Rift.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuR2zMuUBaY
7. The Elder Scrolls IV – Oblivion
One of the most powerful demons in Oblivion is prince Molag Bal.
The Elder Scrolls IV takes place in the fictional province of Cyrodiil, on the continent named Tamriel. The story revolves around the main character who must close the gates of Oblivion. Oblivion is a lifeless, lava filled place resembling hell. Before his death, the emperor Uriel Septim gives you the task to: “Close shut the jaws of Oblivion”. Oblivion is home to many different demons and enemies such as the Clannfear.
The Clannfear is a dinosaur looking demon who uses heavy attacks and is very deadly to melee fighters.
The Clannfear is also very resistant to fire attacks.
Another Oblivion creature is a Daedroth, which is one of the most powerful demons. They use their jaws and claws to attack, as well as throwing fire balls which remind you of the place they came from.
The Daedroth is an alligator resembling minion of the prince Molag Bal.
The Spider Daedra is another demon from Oblivion. They use poison spit and shock bolts to attack, and are resistant to fire damage and paralysis.
Spider Daedra can be found around Oblivion gates or inside of Oblivion.
You choose everything about your character at the very beginning of the game. First you set your appearance, and then your abilities and specialties. You can use a wide range of different long range and melee weapons as well as magic to defeat the demons of Oblivion.
A gate of Oblivion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oxxGcjyDXg
8. Demon’s Souls
Demon's souls inspired the making of Dark Souls and Bloodborne.
By channeling the power of souls, King Allant of the kingdom of Boletaria awakened the Old One. The Old One is a great demon whose awakening brought up a dark fog which swept the lands unleashing demons which feed on human souls.
The Player is one of the many heroes who venture into the fog in order to try and defeat the demons in the lost kingdom. The first demon they encounter is called The Vanguard. If the player defeats The Vanguard, they are killed by the Dragon God, and their soul is transferred into the Nexus.
The Vanguard demon who guards the botanical gardens of Boletaria.
The Dragon God appears only if the player isn't killed by The Vanguard.
In the Nexus, the player is greeted by a mysterious woman named the Maiden in Black. She instructs the player to collect demon souls to gain enough power in order to free the kingdom from the grasp of the Old One.
The Maiden in Black used to be one of the most powerful demons in existence.
The player can use many different types of weapons like axes, swords, bows, crossbows etc. The most powerful sword in the game is the Dragon Bone Smasher. By killing demons players obtain their souls which they can later use to buy, upgrade and repair weapons. They can also use these souls to upgrade their skills.
The default appearance of the main protagonist at the start of the game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuR2zMuUBaY
9. Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon has a very dark and Gothic atmosphere
Darkest Dungeon is a dungeon crawl turn-based strategy game developed by Red Hook Studios. The main plot of the game says your relative found portals to another dimension beneath his manor. Since he was afraid of demons unleashed upon the world, he cowardly took his life. This leaves you as the rightful owner of the house, and sets you on the quest of cleansing the dungeons of demons that lurk in the dark.
This game has a lot of different interesting monsters, and one of the most memorable ones is the Swine Prince. There are variations on this character, and it is a beast boss.
The hero fighting a Swine King.
Ghouls are enemies whose strongest attack is named a Howl. This causes stress damage to the character. Stress is a factor of heroes in Darkest Dungeon. If stress becomes too high, it can lead to a players’ death.
Ghouls have the ability to cause „The Worries“ disease which can make a player more vulnerable to stress.
The Prophet is a boss who has three different variations: Sonorous, Fulminating and Gibbering. The Prophet looks like an old demon trapped in stocks with swords plunged into its back.
Players fighting the Prophet.
The Abomination is a demonic class in Darkest Dungeon which cannot be in a party with religious characters. The Abomination can change forms from human to demon and vice versa.
The two forms of the Abomination.
The game is turn-based and requires a lot of thinking and strategizing as opposed to the previous games on this list. The hero can choose to bring along different adventurers with different abilities into the dungeons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq7OnNe_h9I
10. Saints Row: Gat Out Of Hell
Saints Row games often have some of the most creative and fun weapons, as well as a funny story.
Gat out of hell is a standalone expansion to Saints Row IV. The game starts off with the Saints playing a game of Ouija Board and accidentally summoning Satan who drags their boss into hell. The player can play as either Gat or Kinzie to try and rescue their boss from the depths of hell.
The main antagonist in the game is Satan. The player confronts him multiple times throughout the game. Satan wants to marry his daughter to someone, which is the main reason he drags The Boss to hell.
Satan drags The Boss to hell in order to marry him to his daughter Jezebel.
There are also many different types of common enemies like Tragedy demons, Bro demons, Imps and Shadow demons.
Johnny Gat Fighting a Tragedy demon.
A strong brute type of demon is a Legionnaire. Legionnaires have super jumping and running abilities. They deal very high damage and attack mostly with their fists. The Legionnaires are the second strongest Satan’s demons.
Johnny being attacked by Legionnaires. He is sitting on one of the „seven sin“ weapons.
The seven sin weapons are powerful weapons you will earn while progressing through the game. They each represent one of the seven deadly sins. The weapon shown on the picture above is named the “Armchair-a-geddon”. Another one of the seven weapons is called Uriels Edge, which is a fiery sword that represents the sin of envy.
Johnny wielding the fiery Uriels Edge.
Much like the previous Saints Row games, this one has lots of cool and weird weapons to choose from. One of the most prominent innovations in this game is the “angelic flight” ability which allows the player to fly.
Johnny using the angelic flight ability.
While we’re on the subject of demons and scary monsters, make sure to check out the 11 New Horror Game Trailers of 2016, and the 15 Scariest Video Game Monsters.
If you’d like to find more indie games like the Darkest Dungeon, here is a list of 11 Little Known RPG Games That Are Awesome.
