Dark fantasy RPGs have a special way of pulling people into their scary, unknown worlds. These games have creepy settings, plots that aren’t clear-cut, and scary monsters that make for an exciting and unsettling experience. If you like the dark side of fantasy, get ready for a list of 10 PC dark fantasy RPGs that will make your dreams come true.
Before you look at our list, you should know what makes these games so interesting. A lot of the time, dark fantasy RPGs take place in harsh, hopeless worlds where danger is round every corner. Some of the things they write about are magic, mythical beings, and huge worlds. Other things they write about are horror, despair, and moral ambiguity. This mix makes for an intense experience where players are always on edge, wondering what they should do, and figuring out how to get around in a dark world.
Why Dark Fantasy RPGs Are So Good
Dark fantasy role-playing games are a different kind of escape than high fantasy games. You’re not in a bright, hopeful world where saving the day is a win. Instead, you’re in a dark, often hopeless world where survival is a victory. They go deeper into the human mind by studying fear, hopelessness, and moral ambiguity. This makes them more powerful and emotional. Dark fantasy RPGs are great for people who like stories that are hard to follow and have a lot of atmosphere.
Dark fantasy RPGs are great because:
- Create immersive, eerie atmospheres that feel alive and dangerous.
- Challenge players with morally ambiguous choices.
- Present deeper, more emotionally charged narratives.
- Engage with horror elements, blending fear with fantasy.
Dark fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy literary, artistic, and cinematic works that incorporates disturbing and frightening themes. The term is ambiguously used to describe stories that combine horror elements with one or other of the standard formulas of fantasy
– wikipedia.org –
#1. Dark Souls III
Dark Souls III is one of the best examples of a dark fantasy game. Lothric is a world that is falling apart. It is full of scary monsters, old gods, and sad stories. Dark Souls III is known for being very hard. It forces players to fight their way through a world that seems useless while showing them beautiful things hidden in the darkness. You’ll remember the moody stories and mysterious lore for a long time after you put down the mouse.
Why it haunts your dreams:
- Ominous atmosphere with constant threats.
- Deep, ambiguous lore that leaves more questions than answers.
- Heart-pounding combat against terrifying foes.
#2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
There are a lot of high fantasy themes in The Witcher 3, but some of the darkest stories ever told in an RPG are in this game. As Geralt of Rivia, you have to find your way through a world full of horrible things, like cursed monsters, cruel politics, and morally murky situations. The game has a haunting mood that is made even stronger by how realistic it is; the choices you make can have sad results.
Why it keeps coming back to haunt you:
- Grim world filled with morally gray characters.
- Dark, mature themes like betrayal, revenge, and corruption.
- Monsters that are as tragic as they are terrifying.
#3. Bloodborne
Bloodborne is a must-play for anyone who likes scary games with dark fantasy elements. The game takes place in a Victorian-Gothic city that is sick with an unknown disease and throws players into nightmare settings full of Lovecraftian horrors. The creepy, suffocating atmosphere and unclear plots keep players in a constant state of fear.
That’s why it gives you nightmares:
- Gothic horror aesthetics mixed with intense combat.
- Grotesque monsters and mind-bending environments.
- Themes of insanity and cosmic dread that stay with you.
#4. Diablo III
Dark fantasy RPGs like Diablo III are hard to find. Sanctuary, the world where it takes place, is controlled by evil forces. Players have to fight hordes of horrible monsters and go into scary tunnels. The tone of the game is dark, and the danger of the forces of Hell is always there.
Why does it haunt your dreams?
- Nightmarish creatures and hellish landscapes.
- The constant threat of demonic forces.
- Fast-paced combat paired with disturbing lore.
#5. Path of Exile
You are sent to a land where only the strong live in Path of Exile. This dark fantasy role-playing game takes place in a harsh, empty world full of scary monsters and old magic. Path of Exile is unique because it lets players make their own choices and play strategically, which makes them feel in charge but not safe.
Why does it follow you in your dreams?
- A grim, harsh world that feels hostile at every turn.
- Deep, strategic combat system that rewards mastery.
- Themes of corruption, power, and despair.
#6. Grim Dawn
In Grim Dawn, players are thrown into a world that has been destroyed by a terrible war between magical forces. As the end of the world draws near, you must find your way through a land full of scary monsters, dark practices, and strong magic. The game has parts of classic dungeon-crawling games and a dark, hopeless mood.
Why is it haunting your dreams?
- A post-apocalyptic world with bleak landscapes.
- Complex factions and morally gray quests.
- Themes of survival in the face of inevitable doom.
#7. Vampyr
Jonathan Reid is a doctor in London in 1918 who turns into a vampire. You play as him in Vampyr. As you walk through the dark streets of a city that is sick with the Spanish Flu, you have to decide which of your human morals and your vampire habits to follow. There is a lot of Gothic fear in the air, making it dark and moody.
Why does it keep appearing in your dreams?
- The moral struggle between saving or feeding on victims.
- A dark, atmospheric London plagued by disease and monsters.
- The game’s haunting soundtrack and gloomy visuals.
#8. Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon is a turn-based role-playing game where players have to take care of both the physical and mental health of their characters. The art style and setting of the game are based on Gothic horror, with a strong focus on sadness and madness. When your characters go into haunted caves, they face not only scary monsters but also their own mental health getting worse.
It haunts your nightmares because:
- The constant tension of managing both physical and mental health.
- Grotesque creatures and disturbing environments.
- Themes of insanity, fear, and despair.
#9. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a unique blend of dark fantasy and psychological horror. You play as Senua, a Celtic warrior who embarks on a harrowing journey through a world filled with nightmarish visions. The game is deeply unsettling, with a focus on Senua’s struggle with psychosis, creating an intense, immersive experience.
Why does it keep appearing in your dreams?
- The disturbing psychological elements that blur reality and fantasy.
- Dark, eerie environments and grotesque enemies.
- Themes of mental illness, trauma, and personal struggle.
#10. Divinity: Original Sin II
Divinity: Original Sin II has some fun parts, but the world it takes place in is mostly dark. Rivellon is about to end because of dangerous gods, fighting groups, and old magic that has no use today. As a “Sourcerer,” you have to deal with complicated alliances and fights while being sought after for your skills.
Why will it tormented your dreams?
The looming sense of danger and destruction, combined with morally gray decisions, gives the game a heavy, unsettling atmosphere.
What is the Darkest RPG Game?
A lot of the games on this list might be some of the darkest RPGs, but Bloodborne might be the best of them all. With its mix of gothic and Lovecraftian horror, as well as its mysterious plot and horrifying characters, it goes beyond dark fantasy and into the realm of real nightmare fuel.
Bloodborne, then, is easily developer FromSoftware’s most harrowing game. And while Lies of P has drawn apt comparisons to the nightmarish world of Yharnam upon its arrival this week, I reckon it’s Neowiz Games’ latest creation that could in fact steer the future of horror in this space moving forward.
– gamesradar.com –
Wrapping It Up
It’s hard to get good at dark fantasy role-playing games because they have scary settings and deep, thoughtful stories. The dark world of Dark Souls III and the creepy horrors of Bloodborne are just two examples of games that take you to worlds that feel alive with fear and mystery. These ten games are the best in the dark fantasy genre, whether you’re looking for a powerful story or a brutal battle system. In other words, these games will keep you up at night if you’re ready to face your worst fears.
These scary stories and worlds are meant to be both a break and a reminder of the worse parts of being human. Because sometimes the most memorable trips are the ones that test our souls.