Great games that feel like they're designed for adults

The ESRB's rating system exists to help consumers make more informed purchases and prevent people from being exposed to content that is inappropriate for them. Sometimes, it is abundantly clear that a The game is for adults only. A very rare adult-only rating has been awarded to specific titles, such as the PC version of Infamous Manhunt 2The reason being so obvious.

Cases aren't always clear-cut, though. Factors such as violence, jump scares, and the deepest and most tragic adult themes are present in many games, some of which appear to be aimed at children or younger players. These titles are not as obvious as one might like manhuntBut they feel exactly the same Created with adult players in mind.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

With a funny little laugh from the happy mask seller, it begins

The Legend of Zelda It's a truly magical series, not only one of Nintendo's most consistent success stories, but it's generally bright, wonderful, colorful, whimsical universe. Yes, there are world-ending stakes and climactic battles and set pieces, but the series' unique charm and iconic music are far from dark in a way. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's MaskHowever, there are some exceptions to the rule.

It's unsettling in a way Zelda Games usually don't happen, which makes it a lot of curiosity. Instead of the whimsical world of Hyrule, it's set in Termina, and revolves around Link's battle to stop the plot. Groundhog Day-esque time loop that is trapped in the realm, and of course, to prevent that freaking moon from colliding with the world. There's considerable depth to the adult themes explored here, with Link learning some valuable perspective from those who can see his end coming and, seemingly, accept it. The darkness in Skull Kid and Majora's mask, as well as the reasons behind it, seem to get more serious as we learn more about the story. The series certainly isn't afraid to tackle these concepts, but it's never been done in such a raw and effective way.

Shadow the Hedgehog

The series has never been edgier

Shadow is Sonic's Wario counterpart to Mario, existing to sort things out and make non-heroic decisions when necessary. In 2005, she was given a leading role Shadow the HedgehogAn experience unlike anything Sega's main man himself has brought 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 story as he sees fit. The biggest strength of the game, perhaps, is that you can choose to be with either the invaders or the defenders of the planet through your mission choices. There are about a dozen different endings, depending on the choices made, and thumping music and non-stop action punctuate this dark take. Sonic title.

The idea was to combine iconic elements of the game, such as super-speedy platforming, with elements that reflected Shadow's more adult leanings. This was accomplished by arming him with guns, lending a projectile-slinging layer to combat that was quite novel. There is a sense, though, that there was more that could be coaxed out of the game in this regard; An expletive-slinging shade really captured that adult action movie vibe.

a stray

Far from a cute kitty cat story

a stray It made waves when it launched in 2022, and it's easy to see why. Broadly speaking, we don't need much more than a plucky kitty hero to have a good time. It's not a cute and whimsical story Little Kitty Big CityHowever; There is something dark and deeply unsatisfying at its heart the wandererMost of the cute viral cats would not have guessed that they would jump to try the game.

This post-apocalyptic title takes place in an underground city that was kept as a safe haven for humans until a mysterious disease wiped them out. It is now a decaying and incredibly quaint place, populated by NieR: Automata-esque machines that once served humans. It is a tragic story that unfolds through environmental storytelling, and underlying themes of loss, resilience, and the will to survive. a stray It is much deeper than it seems at first glance. Some of the interactions with friends are heartbreaking which is probably too much for younger players.

Subnautica

what's below

This survival title sees the hero crash-land on the mysterious water planet, 4546B. With few resources, they must reach deep into the waters and around the planet to piece together more details about the dilemma that faces them and how they can ultimately escape. An eerie feeling of isolation, of the unknown, creeps in quite insidiously and never leaves as players experiment with its deep base-building mechanics.

Subnautica Not officially a horror game, but somehow, it feeds off the atmosphere of one. It gradually ramps up from encounters with small, harmless creatures near the surface to present a great horror in the darkness below. It's a game that perfectly captures the atmosphere of being trapped in a vast ocean and not knowing what kinds of creatures you're sharing the water with. It also made a great base for a more traditional horror title.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War

The horrors of war

World Wars are popular settings for many classic FPS titles. The tragic scope of both conflicts means that they make excellent backdrops for the brutal combat, non-stop action, and emotional set pieces that often define the genre. In 2014, Ubisoft Montpellier took the setting of World War 1 in a very different direction, mainly turning the spotlight on a small group of characters and telling their individual stories.

Brave hearts Not a shooter, but a puzzler, similar to point-and-click but with more direct controls. Dialogue is kept to a minimum, it is the visual presentation that tells the story and highlights the path forward. Fortunately, the graphics are absolutely stunning, a 2D masterpiece created using the UbiArt framework engine. Those players who find each little secret will be rewarded with a “souvenir” from each level, providing more heart-wrenching context for the events of the battle. The game has great emotional depth, and despite its almost cartoonish visuals, it is filled with heavy themes.

Don't be hungry

Another survival title with a dark side

Survival games, of course, should not be friendly and accessible. The whole concept is scrambling to make it one more day in a hostile world that knows all kinds of ways to destroy you. From the unnerving opening cinematic, it's clear Don't be hungry Going to be undeniably terrifying. When you first start exploring and getting your bearings things can seem pretty grim, but when it gets dark, you start to see how scary things can get.

Again, this isn't strictly a horror game, but the weirdness is unparalleled, and it's a title that unveils some of its most terrifying surprises over time. There are terrifying minibosses that can depend on your actions, and unspoiled newcomers won't know they've done “wrong” until they come close to one of these terrifying things. It's a terrific twist on the survival genre, and it's one of the most enduring games because of it, but it's definitely not suitable for all ages.

Cultist Simulator

Adult themes and pure, unapologetic complexity

Some games that guide you through every step of the way, every objective sign posted, every mechanic explained, and tutorials so long that they can even damage the game. It is the complete opposite Cultist Simulator. Grappling with its obscure mechanics, failing repeatedly, and slowly gaining (or earning) an understanding of how to survive is the name of the game.

At the beginning of the game, players choose a scenario, essentially playing as one person. After that, they play a variety of small cards, which represent everything from taking a break to summoning a ghost. Playing cards in the right order for successful actions and making sure you can do what you want to do when you want to do it (there's a timer system) is layer upon layer of complexity. It's all played out on a game board, and there's a lot of dialogue that brings the story to life. It's a title you'll try for fifteen minutes and never touch again or become completely engrossed in. Learn to manage all the moving parts, including your dwindling resources like money, and you'll be thrown into all sorts of fascinating and terrifying scenarios, but there's no denying that the game is pretty dark and best suited for adults.