Top 20 Gothic Games Of All-Time, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• The Gothic genre is rich with reoccurring villains like Dracula, werewolves, and witches, inspiring games like
  Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
  and
  MediEvil.
• Vampyr
  and
  Blasphemous
  offer unique twists on Gothic settings with brilliant characters and Christian theology elements.
• Games like
  Amnesia: The Dark Descent
  and
  Bloodborne
  expertly capture themes of mental degradation and cosmic horror in immersive experiences.

The Gothic genre employs themes of degradation, horror, emotionalism over objectivity, and the supernatural to elicit wonder, suspense, and terror in audiences. From Ann Radcliffe to Mary Shelley, from Edgar Allen Poe to H.P. Lovecraft, from Bram Stoker to Tim Burton. Elements of the Gothic genre have fascinated creators and their audiences for two centuries, and video game creators are no different.

From these sensations, a distinct aesthetic and cast of reoccurring villains have emerged. Dracula in his Gothic castle, the werewolf prowling under the moonlight, the occult creeping up in isolated villages, the witch in her hut, the living scarecrow, and the zombie plague are all staples in the genre. While the best gothic games may not hit upon all these notes, they do more than enough to justify their presence as some of the best video games that do justice to this setting.

Updated September 23, 2024, by Mara Cowley: Gothic games are not rare to come by these days. Over the years, many developers have worked hard to create games that explore dark gothic themes of horror and the supernatural, creatures of the night, stories of revenge, or even just invoke the aesthetic through the visuals. There is a final balance to strike between horror games and gothic video games, but there are those that toe the line perfectly, or even combine the two, resulting in a gothic horror masterpiece. Either way, players can’t go wrong braving these games if they are looking for their next gothic adventure.

20 Ghouls ‘n Ghosts

A Classic Game That’s Tough As Nails

Ghouls ‘n Ghosts is a side-scrolling Gothic arcade game that introduced many players to the genre, as well as being the first game to do the genre justice. In Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, players take on the role of Prince Arthur as he hacks down demons and monsters to save Princess Prin Prin from the devil. What most gamers will remember about this game is its insane difficulty.

Players get one life to beat the game. No saves, no resets, and two hits will kill them. And to top it all off, just when players think they’ve slain Lucifer, he laughs it off and sends players back to a revised version of Level 1 to do it all again. From its landscape to its plot, to its characters, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts was the first to do it right and undoubtedly directly or indirectly inspired all those that came after it.

19 Layers of Fear

The Painter’s Sanity Slips Away With Every Step

Tragedy is an important aspect of gothic work, and this is present throughout Layers of Fear. Locked away in a Victorian mansion, the unnamed painter tries again and again to capture the beauty of his wife as he explores his house, where hallucinations bombard him around every corner. The layout constantly shifts as he turns his back, showing that his sanity erodes away with each step taken. The truth slowly reveals itself in that he himself is the villain of this story, driving his wife to take her own life.

Layers of Fear enlisted the artistic talent of Andrzej Dybowski for the paintings, a celebrated artist who helps invoke gothic horror in the paintings of the wife that slowly devolve into a mutation that barely looks human anymore.

18 MediEvil 1 / MediEvil Remake

A Dark Comedic Game Chock Full of Gothic Creatures

It is right there in the name: MediEvil is just about as Medieval as it can get. The entire game is a cacophony of Gothic everything: Pumpkin Kings, dark sorcerers, witches and cauldrons, vampires, talking gargoyle heads, imps, mind-controlled villagers, zombies, demons, a monster-slaying skeleton knight, and the list goes on. This Tim Burton-inspired game somehow manages to fit it all into one cohesive story. Despite the dark content, the game is full of humor and never takes itself too seriously.

MediEvil incorporates nearly every Gothic monster that comes to mind when people say the word “Gothic.” One leap into the world of Gallowmere will show any gamer just about everything they need to know about the genre and its symbolism and creatures.

17 Alice: Madness Returns

A Gothic Take on the Classic Children’s Novel

Alice in Wonderland is one of the most inventive and creative children’s stories of all time, following Alice’s her weird and wonderful trip down the rabbit hole, which takes more than a few curious twists and turns. Such a strange story is ripe for a darker overtone, which is exactly what American McGee did before Tim Burton got his hands on the franchise.

Alice Liddell has a background which may sound familiar to those who are deep into the gothic genre. She suffers from the trauma of losing her family in a fire, which has warped Wonderland into a twisted nightmare. The plot and the visuals of the game are very gothic in nature, where even everyday objects such as pepper grinders and tea pots become destructive forces.

16 Vampyr

Jonathan Must Balance His Bloodthirst and Humanity

Dontnod Entertainment is one of the more interesting developers out there. They refuse to rest on their laurels, and make it a point to develop games that encompass a myriad of genres. While not all of their efforts reap the rewards they seek, other efforts result in Life is Strange, which shows the sheer amount of potential fun players can have from their titles.

One such game is Vampyr, where players control a creature of the night who must keep his bloodlust under control while fulfilling his Hippocratic Oath as a doctor. Jonathan Reid, along with the many other characters in the game, are written brilliantly and add a lot to the game world. The game’s unique twist is that, if Reid decides to satisfy his thirst for blood, he must kill and drink a main NPC, potentially closing off side quests or narrative paths by doing so, but gaining immense strength as a reward.

15 Dante’s Inferno

Explores the Darker Side of Religion

No Gothic games list would be complete without some reference to the best virtual adaptation of the quintessential epic that so much of the genre takes its inspiration. The game is based on the first book in Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy and does its best to include as much from the source material as possible.

In this action-adventure RPG, players take on the role of the crusader Dante as he willingly claws his way down the nine circles of Hell to save his beloved Beatrice from Satan. Filled with demons, the damned, and epic boss battles, Dante’s Inferno is a must for Gothic lovers looking for a fast-paced challenge.

14 Fran Bow

An Exploration of Psychological Trauma

This unique title can cite inspiration from stories such as Alice in Wonderland or even The Wizard of Oz, but the true horrors of Fran Bow run a little deeper. The titular protagonist is a young girl taken into psychiatric care after witnessing the death of her parents, but the institute may be doing more harm than good. The medicine administered causes hallucinations of a nightmarish other world, turning the hospital into something straight out of Silent Hill.

But there may be some truth to these visions, as the horrors continue as she seeks to flee her imprisonment. The horror themes here are gothic in nature, as they present themselves as supernatural creatures such as skeletons and ghostly spirits. However, not all are bad, as the game turns some of these tropes on their heads in a clever and creative way.

13 Blasphemous

The Setting Oozes Gothic Beauty

Blasphemous shows that Gothic settings still have just as much grit as ever — even if it is a pixelated, Metroidvania side-scroller. In Blasphemous, The Penitent One must end the Miracle to reverse the world’s corruption and simultaneously end his hellish cycle of death and rebirth.

The game is filled with Christian theology and incorporates biblical narrative elements to set up a plot that seems like something straight out of Revelations. Possibly the most liberal with its use of gore, each boss battle is a brutal catastrophe in its own right. The graphics team pushes the medium to its visual limits, and the result is a sight to see.

12 Resident Evil Village

Supernatural Delights, Straight From the Pages of Gothic Horror Novels

The conclusion to the Winters’ storyline, Resident Evil Village saw Ethan once again taking up the gun and a few hits to his hand as he tries to save his infant daughter Rose from being sacrificed as part of a ritual in a remote Romanian village. Along the way, he contends with the fearsome Four Lords who each guarded a piece of her, as well as a whole pack of lycanthropic creatures that were once men.

Village provides a gothic feast for the senses, with the soaring Castle Dimitrescu casting a foreboding shadow over the snow-choked region. Each location encompasses a different subgenre of horror, with Lady Dimitrescu’s notable for its gothic horror. The quarter of vampires seems to be a play on Dracula and his three brides from the acclaimed classic gothic book. Still, the gothic influence spreads far past the imposing walls of the castle.

11 Lies Of P

A Gothic, Soulsborne Twist on a Classic Tale

Lies of P was a game that many people were anticipating, especially with Bloodborne being stuck on last-gen consoles to this day. The title’s gothic art style and combat that was reminiscent of FromSoftware’s Lovecraftian love letter was something that fans adored. Upon release, most people loved what Lies of P brought to the table, even if the spectacle of the boss fights became rather tiresome towards the end of the experience.

Still, the hard-as-nails gameplay coupled with the game’s distinct art style helped it stand out as one of the better Soulslikes for players to sink their teeth into. The unique take on Pinocchio’s story in a dark, brooding world that’s very much inspired by gothic influences is the cherry on top of a wonderful experience that more people need to check out.

10 Darkwood

A Lovecraftian Horror Haunts Every Shadow

Darkwood‘s survival horror is truly unique and something that could only be achieved with the rise of indie gaming. The title is unforgiving in its difficulty, with every corner either hiding a valuable resource or an enemy that can rip the player to shreds. The game’s story takes some wild twists and turns that most players won’t expect. Surviving by the skin of one’s teeth is a regular occurrence in the title, with the sound design elevating its horror to new heights.

Darkwood also features shades of Lovecraftian horror, which goes hand-in-hand with its gothic influences. The fact that its developers weren’t even aware of the genre of cosmic horror at the time is a huge reason why Darkwood feels anything but derivative, with the top-down aesthetic somehow adding to the game’s horrifying atmosphere instead of taking away from it.

9 Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

A Tale of Vampires Trying to Unlive in the Modern Day

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is considered by many to be one of the best RPGs of all time. It was a game destined for failure after being released on the same day as Half-Life 2. It took some time and a lot of fan patches for players to finally recognize this game for the masterpiece it rightfully is.

Bloodlines‘ role-playing mechanics are in a class of their own, and the voice acting continues to be quite impressive to this day. Given how this game wanted players to enjoy the notion of vampires existing in the modern age, it’s easy to see why the game has such strong gothic overtones that elevate the title to new heights.

8 Sunless Sea

A Disquieting Atmosphere Grips the Desolate Waters

Exploring the unterzee in Sunless Sea makes for an exciting yet scary proposition. Players control a captain of a ship as they roam around these dark and desolate waters to try and create a name for themselves. The unique setting of this title features an underground version of Victorian London where people fight sunlight to be beautiful and scary at the same time. It’s a huge part of what makes this game such a special experience.

Each death in Sunless Sea serves as a learning experience. The game may seem rather unforgiving at times, but the individual narratives are so compelling that players will inevitably get better at the game before effortlessly taking out enemies who were giving them a hard time early on.

7 Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Sanity is a Vital Mechanic

The Gothic genre often incorporates elements of mental degradation, showcasing the slow breakdown of a person’s psyche as they fail to grasp the often unimaginable supernatural forces that beset them. Amnesia: The Dark Descent use of one innovative mechanic encapsulates this motif: the “Sanity Meter.”

Armed with nothing, Daniel must navigate the monster-infested castle while managing his sanity. To do this, players will have to avert their eyes from the many disturbing scenarios and images waiting around each turn. Furthermore, the lack of weapons makes for a heart-wrenching endeavor. It has since been incorporated many times in games, with the most notable being Outlast.

The Steampunk Setting Serves the Atmosphere Perfectly

Looking Glass Studios were pioneers of the immersive sim genre, with the first Thief game being a great example of what a title can achieve with stellar level design and reactive gameplay. It helped that Garrett’s immaculate voice breathed new life into every part of the game too. However, the first game had some issues of its own that were sorted out in its sequel.

Not only was Thief 2 a natural evolution of this winning formula, but it leaned harder on its steampunk influences and ushered in a metal age that forced players to deal with new and improved threats. It’s easily one of the best immersive sims players can check out as long as they’re willing to give the graphics a pass, especially if they love games that wear their gothic influences on their sleeve.

5 Diablo 2

One of the Best Descents into Hell

Descent into the depths of Hell, whether real or imagined, has become a staple plot element for the Gothic genre. Diablo 2 is one of the best ever to execute this concept while using the video game medium — not to mention being one of the greatest computer games ever made. Of course, each major installment of the Diablo franchise features this plot in one way or another.

However, it would be hard to deny that the second installment did it better than the first and the third installment, while graphically fantastic, was a dull, 3-hour cakewalk in terms of difficulty. Players know exactly what kind of experience they are getting from the first moment of Act I: a dark and lonely descent into Hell.

4 Dark Souls 2

Combines Lovecraftian Influence with Medieval Lore

In Dark Souls 2, players occupy the role of a nameless human who has become Undead. To prevent his transformation into a Hollow (a mindless zombie without free will), players must traverse a dark, unforgiving, Medieval landscape to collect the Great Souls of four Old Ones.

Each of the Souls games is a worthy contender, but Dark Souls 2 occupies a special place in most gamers’ hearts for its rich plot and perfected difficulty, for which the series is renowned. In blending Lovecraft with the creators’ unique take on dark Medieval and Japanese lore, Dark Souls 2 is a must-play experience for any gamer and fan of the Gothic genre.

3 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night

The Most Brooding of Metroidvania Games

This Stoker-inspired cult classic is considered by many as one of the best Metroidvanias of all time and one of the most aesthetically pleasing side-scrollers in history. Playing as Alucard, the half-vampire son of Dracula, players must explore Dracula’s castle and slay the returned vampire king.

With a simple but excellent plot, wicked gameplay, tasteful aesthetics, and one of the most memorable soundtracks of all time, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night had to be included. Additionally, it has aged amazingly, still being as fun to play as it ever was. If players want to check out a dark and brooding metroidvania, then there’s no better option than the title that popularized this genre in the first place.

2 Bloodborne

An Homage to Everything Cosmic and Gothic

When a game begins with a dialogue regarding the importance of blood, players know they’re in for one hell of an experience. Out of all the games on this list, Bloodborne has the most well-thought-out plot. Practically an homage to Lovecraft, Bloodborne seamlessly incorporates all the best ideas from the Cosmic Horror writer. As a Hunter of the Dream, players must uncover the secrets of Yarnham by going back and forth between Yharnam, which has been overtaken by beasts, and the Hunter’s Dream which acts as a sanctuary for those on the hunt.

Throughout the game, players learn more about the source of the miraculous blood which acts as both a miracle cure and a curse in the world, as well as the dark origins of the University which set off the events in the game.

1 Resident Evil 4

The Cult Lies at the Heart of this Gothic Tale

Beginning in rural Europe, Resident Evil 4 instantly taps into a sense of mystery and dread when Leon Kennedy comes upon an entire village bewitched by some unknown force. As the game progresses, players are pushed further into the depths of a vicious, science-wielding cult with plans of unleashing a plague to enslave the planet.

While Resident Evil 1 was also a top contender for the top Gothic games, Resident Evil 4‘s inclusion of religious symbolism, pervading dreariness, and, of course, the mesmerizing Gothic castle where much of the game takes place. Fans were elated to see that the remake did justice to the amazing legacy of the original, with its gothic influences being as strong and impactful as it should be.