A great game that feels like it was made for adults

The ESRB's rating system exists to help consumers make more informed purchases and to prevent people from being exposed to content that is inappropriate for them. Sometimes it's very obvious: The game is for adults only. In very rare cases, an Adults Only rating has been granted to certain titles, such as the infamous PC version. manhunt 2Because it's too explicit.

But the cases are not always so clear cut. Elements of violence, jump scares, and the deepest and most tragic adult themes are present in many games, some of which ostensibly apply to children or younger players as well. These titles are not as explicit as titles like: manhuntBut they feel like they are. Built with adult players in mind.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

It begins with the eerie little smile of a happy mask seller.

The Legend of Zelda It's a truly magical series, not just because it's Nintendo's most consistent success story, but because it's a generally bright, wonderful, colorful, and whimsical world. Yes. There are apocalyptic stakes and climactic battles and set-pieces throughout, but the series' unique charm and iconic music have a way of keeping the mood from getting too dark. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's MaskHowever, they are exceptions to the rule.

In some ways, I feel uneasy. zelda I found it quite curious, as games usually aren't like that. Set in Termina instead of the whimsical world of Hyrule, the plot revolves around Link's battle to stop Hyrule. groundhog day-It's a time loop like the realm is trapped in, and of course it's to prevent that horrible moon from colliding with the world. There is surprising depth to the adult themes explored here. Link learns some valuable perspective from those who see his end coming and are seemingly able to accept it. The darkness of Skull Kid and Majora's Mask itself and the reasons behind it see the narrative become increasingly bleak as we learn more. The series is certainly not afraid to tackle these concepts, but it's never been done in such a raw and moving way.

Shadow the Hedgehog

A series has never been more poignant.

Shadow is Wario to Sonic's Mario, existing to mix things up and make unheroic decisions when necessary. In 2005, he played the lead role. Shadow the HedgehogIt's a completely different experience than what Sega's protagonist himself brought to fans. In the game, Earth is invaded by an alien race called the Black Arms, and Shadow's inherent moral ambiguity is used to shape the narrative as he sees fit. Perhaps the best thing about this game is that mission selection allows you to choose the side of the planet's invaders or defenders. There are nearly a dozen different endings depending on your choices, and thumping music and non-stop action emphasize this dark atmosphere. sonic title.

The idea was to combine iconic elements of the game, such as high-speed platforming, with elements that reflected Shadow's more adult nature. This was achieved by arming him with guns and lending a brand-new layer of projectile slings to the fight. But I feel like there was more that could have been brought out of the game in this regard. The profanity-laced Shadow would really capture the tone of an adult action movie.

stray

It's far from a cute cat story.

stray It caused quite a stir when it launched in 2022, and it's easy to understand why. Broadly speaking, you don't need more than an adventurous feline protagonist to have a good time. It's not this cute and strange story, but Little Kitty Big Citybut; There is something dark and extremely disturbing at the center of the mind. strayIt was something many people didn't expect to do to try out a cute virus cat game.

This post-apocalyptic title takes place in an underground city intended as a safe haven for people until a mysterious disease wipes them out. It is now a run down and incredibly eerie place. Nier: Automata-The same machines that once served humans. It's a tragic story told through environmental storytelling and underlying themes of loss, resilience, and the will to protect what's left. stray It's much deeper than it appears at first glance. Some of the interactions with the companion are heartbreaking and may be too much for younger gamers.

Subnautica

What's underneath?

This survival title features the protagonist crash-landing on the mysterious water planet 4546B. With few resources, they must steadily venture deeper into the ocean and around the Earth to gather more details about the dilemma they face and how they can ultimately escape. As players experiment with deep base-building mechanics, a terrifying feeling of unknown isolation creeps in so insidiously that it never leaves.

Subnautica Although it's not officially a horror game, it somehow gives off the vibe of a horror game. This gradually increases from encounters with small, harmless creatures near the surface to vast, looming fears in the darkness below. This game perfectly embodies the atmosphere of being trapped in the vast ocean and not knowing what creatures you share the water with. It also would have made a great premise for a more traditional horror title.

Valiant Hearts: Daejeon

horror of war

The World Wars have been a popular setting for many classic FPS titles. The tragic scope of both conflicts means they provide an excellent backdrop for the brutal combat, non-stop action, and emotional set-pieces that define the genre. In 2014, Ubisoft Montpellier took the World War I setting in a very different direction, focusing primarily on a small group of characters and telling their personal stories.

brave heart It's not a shooting game, but a puzzle game similar to a point-and-click game but with more direct control. It's a visual presentation that tells the story and highlights the path forward while keeping dialogue to a minimum. Fortunately, the graphics of this 2D masterpiece, created using the UbiArt Framework engine, are truly stunning. Players determined to find every little secret will be rewarded with “souvenirs” in each level, which provide even more poignant context to the events of the war. The game has tremendous emotional depth and is filled with heavy themes despite its almost cartoonish visuals.

don't starve

Another survival title with a dark side.

Of course, survival games shouldn't be friendly or approachable. The whole concept is struggling to survive one more day in a hostile world that knows all sorts of ways to destroy you. From the unsettling opening cinematic, it's immediately clear what's next. don't starve You will be unabashedly horrified. When you first start exploring and getting your bearings, things may not seem that bad, but once darkness falls you start to realize just how dire the situation can be.

Again, this isn't technically a horror game, but its creepiness is unparalleled, and it's a title that reveals more horrifying surprises over time. There are terrible minibosses that can appear based on your actions, and spoiled newcomers won't even know they've done something “wrong” until one of these hideous things shows up nearby. It's a spooky twist on the survival genre, and because of that it's one of the most enduring games, but it's definitely not suitable for all ages.

pagan simulator

Adult themes and pure, unapologetic complexity.

Every objective is marked, every mechanic is explained, and the tutorial is so long that it might even be detrimental to the game. Its absolute opposite is pagan simulator. Grappling with obtuse mechanisms, failing repeatedly, and gradually understanding (or gaining) ways to survive is the name of the game.

At the start of the game, the player chooses a scenario, which is basically who they will play as. After that, they play a variety of little cards representing everything from resting to summoning demons. There are multiple layers of complexity to the whole thing, including playing the cards in the right order for a successful action, and ensuring you can do what you want when you want (there's a timer system). This all takes place on a game board of sorts, and there's a lot of dialogue that brings the story to life. It's a title you'll either try for 15 minutes and never touch again, or become completely absorbed in. As you learn how to manage all the moving parts, including dwindling resources like money, you'll face all kinds of interesting and terrifying scenarios. But there's no denying that the game gets very dark and is best suited for adults.