Summary
- Dark fantasy FPS games offer a unique combination of fantasy and shooting gameplay, allowing players to unleash amazing weapons and powers in fast-paced shootouts.
- Hexen: Beyond Heretic and Blood are retro shooters with dark fantasy vibes that offer non-linear level design and atmospheric gameplay.
- Metal: Hellsinger combines first-person shooter action with rhythm gameplay, rewarding players for sticking to the beat as they mow down enemies.
Dark fantasy is a genre that has become really popular in recent times. The idea of combining established fantasy tropes with a mature twist is tantalizing, with many people loving the idea of how a fantasy world would actually function if these elements managed to somehow be real. This genre has certainly seen its fair share of representation in video games, but there are some people who feel that there aren't many FPS games out there that have a dark fantasy edge.
The First 10 FPS Games Ever
Every video game genre has its beginnings. These pioneering games set the stage for future FPS titles.
While it certainly is a rarity, the truth is that there are actually many great dark fantasy FPS games worth checking out for players who love the combination of both genres. Suffice it to say, this unique setting lets titles go all-out when it comes to their creativity, letting players utilize a wealth of amazing weapons and powers to take out waves of enemies in these fast-paced shootouts.
5 Hexen: Beyond Heretic
Metascore: N/A
Hexen: Beyond Heretic
- Released
- October 30, 1995
- Developer(s)
- Raven Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo 64, PS1, Sega Saturn, Amiga 1000
Hexen: Beyond Heretic may not have a Metascore, but don't let that take away from the quality of this retro shooter. The game is a blast to play through, serving as the second title in Raven Software's Serpent Riders trilogy and arguably the best game of the lot in the eyes of many fans.
The non-linear level design means that players can forge their own path through every level instead of being forced to travel down a set path, which was the norm in most first-person shooters at the time. This freedom, coupled with the dark and engaging atmosphere of the game, makes Hexen a great retro shooter for fans to sink their teeth into if they like their games with more of a dark fantasy vibe.
4 Metal: Hellsinger
Metascore: 79
Metal: Hellsinger
- Released
- September 15, 2022
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
The rise of indie games has led to many unique titles that are a blast to play through in every way. One such title is Metal: Hellsinger, a unique combination of first-person shooter action and rhythm gameplay that rewards players for sticking to the beat as they mow down waves of enemies without breaking a sweat.
8 Great Dark Fantasy & Horror Games With Turn-Based Combat
Horror games come in all shapes and sizes, and here are some of the best horror games with turn-based combat.
Of course, players are also punished for not adhering to the beat, but this issue is something that most people will get over in no time. Missing a beat can throw players off their rhythm, but it won't take too long for players to get back into the groove.
3 Blood
Metascore: 82
Blood
Another retro shooter that fans still can't get enough of to this day is Blood. This game lets players control an undead gunslinger who must cut down waves of cult members in a bid to get his revenge on Tchernobog, a god who betrayed him despite the loyalty he pledged to his master.
7 Polarizing FPS Games With Innovative Mechanics
While they weren't beloved critically, these FPS games took an innovative approach to their designs.
The game was one of the first FPS titles to feature an alternate firing mode for its weapons, adding new depth to the gameplay and letting players enjoy a dark, sinister title that was dripping with atmosphere. It's easy to see why Blood: Fresh Supply, a remaster of the original game, became a reality since so many fans would've obviously jumped at the opportunity to experience this title for themselves.
2 The Darkness
Metascore: 82
The Darkness
- Released
- June 25, 2007
- Developer(s)
- Starbreeze Studios
The idea of combining reliable FPS gameplay with supernatural powers that can absolutely tear through enemies is a winning combination that helps The Darkness stand out as one of the best titles released on the seventh generation of consoles. It's a shame that this title wasn't ported to PC since players would love the opportunity to revisit this brilliant game and understand why so many people are completely enamored by its brilliance.
The Darkness looks and feels good to play, which holds true even now. There's something oddly cathartic about decimating enemies with Jackie Estacado's supernatural serpentine appendages that stop at nothing to tear foes to smithereens. The fact that the game also has a riveting story makes for the perfect combination of gameplay, narrative, and graphics that so many games still struggle to nail even now.
1 Dusk
Metascore: 88
DUSK
David Szymanski is one of the more notable indie developers around whose voice carries a lot of weight in the gaming community. He's developed several amazing games that deserve a mention in their own right, with Dusk considered by many to be the title that made this indie developer so popular in the first place.
The game combines retro FPS gameplay with Lovecraftian elements to make for a delectable dark fantasy shooter that is dripping with atmosphere. Fans of old first-person shooters should definitely give Dusk a shot. They won't be disappointed!