Since the beginning of gaming, people have either run away or fought monsters in video games.

From the ghosts that hunted down Pac-Man and the aliens from Space Invaders that created the difficulty curve as we know today to more recent releases like The Witcher and Monster Hunter, these enemies have given us memorable moment after memorable moment that lasts a lifetime.

Video games with monsters in them offer a distinct and exhilarating experience that appeals to a wide range of players, whether it is mowing down waves of zombies or catching animals with superpowers.

In this article, we'll rank the most famous of them all. These are the top 15 games with monsters.

 

15. The Darkness 2 - 2012 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X)

You don't just fight monsters in this game. You ARE a monster

The First-person shooter video game The Darkness 2 was created by Digital Extremes and released by 2K Games.

It is the follow-up to the video game The Darkness from 2007 and is based on the comic book series of the same name. 

The story takes place two years after the events of the first game and follows Jackie Estacado, who has risen to the position of Don of the Franchetti criminal family while plagued by a supernatural presence known as The Darkness.

Players in the game can craft demon arms to use against foes and to interact with the environment by using the titular Darkness.

The game's comic book stylized graphics add to the game's grimy and gloomy atmosphere.

Although the game can be beaten in a few hours, it makes up for it with action-packed gameplay and satisfying game mechanics of the demon arms.

The inclusion of a multiplayer mode increases the game's replayability also. 

The gore that happens during the gameplay is as glorious as it can get. Quartering your enemies and letting your demon arms rip apart crowds of enemies with relative ease never gets old.

The Darkness 2 is an effective follow-up that provides lovers of first-person shooters and horror with an engaging gameplay experience and a newfound appreciation of long tentacle-y things that rip and tear through anything.

The Darkness 2 Gameplay Walkthrough Full Game

 

14. Splatterhouse - 2010 (PS3, Xbox 360)

Lou Ferrigno had lots of other odd jobs after playing The Hulk

This remake of the popular 1988 arcade game was remade in 2010 that boasts better graphics, improved gameplay, and tons of blood and gore. 

We take control of a dude named Rick who battles his way through a hellish world to free his girlfriend from the grip of evil in the novel.

Oh, and he also turns into a hulking monster who wears a Jason Voorhees-style mask and uses ripped-off arms as baseball bats.

As you can see, gore and brutality are prominent gameplay elements in this highly violent game.

The game's graphics and ambiance are amazing for a game made in 2010, but the gameplay can occasionally become bland and the level design is somewhat lacking in terms of creativity.

But who cares about all of that when you’re in it for the arm ripping, meat cleaving, limb cutting, and overall visceral experience that a game called Splatterhouse can bring.

Splatterhouse - Full Game Brutal Walkthrough

 

13. Maneater - 2020 (Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

They definitely need a bigger boat

Rarely will a game ever allows you to play as a bloodthirsty beast, but Maneater brings this and more to fans that are hungrier than a shark for a good old-fashioned blood-filled rampage. 

Maneater was created by Tripwire Interactive and puts players in the fins of a homicidal monster shark.

The game is set in an open-world, or rather open ocean environment, where players can hunt and explore different marine biomes and devour marine and land life as they please until they get bigger and stronger. 

The game's gameplay is entertaining and exciting as the player's shark can acquire a huge range of evolutions and upgrades.

The game's graphics are outstanding with its realistic depictions of sea life and its many detailed underwater locations

Chris Parnell, better known as Jerry from Rick and Morty, provides amusing commentary throughout the game as the narrative of Maneater is told through him.

The combat system is quite easy being the only main forms of attack are bump and bite and the game's quest structure may be a bit tedious to some players.

Despite this, Maneater is still a unique gaming experience that gamers looking for something different should try out.

And if you ever wanted to live vicariously through a man-eating shark then this is a definite must-play.

 

12. Stubbs The Zombie - 2005 (Xbox, Mac OS X, PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

A smoking zombie hungry for brains only spells trouble

Stubbs the Zombie is a 2005 reverse horror game as described by its developers, Wideload Games, and published by Aspyr Media released in 2005.

We follow the exploits of Stubbs, a zombie who awakens in the Pennsylvania town of Punchbowl in 1959 and starts to cause mayhem by turning the living into the living dead.

The game's amusing and one-of-a-kind gameplay includes exploiting Stubbs' special skills, such as commanding a horde of zombies or using his own intestines as a weapon and ripped-off body parts as weapons.

What is it with these games that use body parts as weapons? 

It has a unique blend of humor, horror, and retro-style graphics.

The soundtrack to the game is something of worth as it brings about a type of 1950s aesthetic thanks to its use of well-known 50’s tunes that have been reworked for the game, in turn, making it its own.

All in all, Stubbs the Zombie is an enjoyable and engaging game that presents a fresh perspective on the zombie subgenre and the monster-themed game series.

Although the gameplay can be a little repetitive at times, its comedy and retro aesthetic make it a memorable experience despite this.

Stubbs the Zombie is unquestionably worth a try if you enjoy games with strange mechanics, a good story, and the leader of your own zombie horde.

Stubbs the Zombie Remastered Full Game Walkthrough

 

11. Prototype - 2009 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One)

Prototype really blurred the line between hero and anti-hero

The game was basically a Venom simulator before Venom became a household name. Radical Entertainment created the open-world action-adventure game Prototype released in 2009. 

You take on the role of Alex Mercer, an antihero with shape-shifting powers, superspeed, superstrength, and the ability to decimate an entire army with weird symbiote tendrils,

but being having amnesia who must learn about his history while battling a viral pandemic (that was his own fault) that has spread throughout Manhattan.

With a variety of weapons and powers at your disposal, including the ability to swallow enemies and even civilians in order to acquire their memories and skills, the fighting system in the game is smooth and satisfying. 

Clawed hands, Hammerfists, Whipfists, Giant Blades, and even shields are all yours for the taking where you can choose to mow down a crowd of innocent people or a zombie horde which, yes, are in the game.

The game's interesting and well-paced plot gives you a lot of leeway in how you approach missions thanks to the open-world setting and the moral ambiguity of Alex Mercer.

Whenever you want to play as an anti-hero where you can choose to care or not about the lives of the masses then Prototype is the game to go.

Prototype had a sequel released in 2012 but unfortunately, that's where the game series ended. Despite this, Prototype is a game for people who want to have that kind of power trip that few other games can offer.

Prototype PS5 Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 Full Game

 

10. Destroy All Humans - 2020 (PS4, PC, Xbox One, Stadia, Switch)

Crypto is looking fly as heck with that Anal Probe yessir

Destroy All Humans! Is a true and faithful remake of the original 2005 game. Released in 2020, now boasts better graphics and more modern controls.

The game's plot is a play-by-play reimagining of 2005 original, in which players assume control of the extraterrestrial invader Crypto-137, who has been sent to Earth with the goal of stealing human DNA to save his dying species by any means necessary.

The game's satirical take on 1950s culture is kept intact in the remake despite things obviously since its 2005 original in terms of how people perceive and take in humor in today's society.

The gameplay sees Crypto busting out his world-conquering tools such as his classic plasma gun, zap-o-matic, disintegrator ray, and the dreaded anal probe to harvest brains and kill any human that stands in his way.

Not even the army is a match for Crypto’s destructive capability as he can also use his UFO and its deathray to take out a whole armada of the army’s tanks and soldiers like it was nothing

The game's soundtrack and voice acting are both excellent, and they wonderfully convey the classic sci-fi theme.

Richard Horvitz of numerous voice acting credits to his name such as The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy and Zim the Invader dedicating his iconic voice via commentary and tutorial as he guides Crypto throughout his mission to destroy all humans.

Destroy All Humans! - Open World Free Roam Gameplay (PC HD) [1080p60FPS]

 

9. Until Dawn - 2015 (PS4)

Why you smiling girl you’re about to be murdered

Returning to one of our lists is Supermassive Games' masterpiece that still stands the test of time to this day the survival horror video game Until Dawn.

We follow the exploits of Eight friends who go on a weekend excursion to a lonely mountain cabin in the woods, only to find themselves haunted by an unknown and deadly creature (spoiler: it's the Wendigo shown here in the photo).

Players' choices throughout the game's course can affect which characters live or die because it has to branch narratives.

Impressive music and graphic design give the game a tension-filled, immersive feel.

Exploration, quick-time events, and decision-making are all part of the gameplay, which can result in various playthroughs and distinct outcomes.

Each character in the game has their own unique personality and relationships with other characters, and the plot and characters are both well-crafted and fleshed out.

The game's branching plotline and decision-making elements keep players interested in the characters' futures and invested in their success.

But the real moneymaker of Until Dawn is its monsters. The wendigoes are Until Dawn’s big bads where you are pitted against these deadly monsters that scuttle around like jumping spiders.

With invulnerable skin and immense speed and strength, these monsters are no small feat to defeat.

Until Dawn deserves its label as a must-play and a masterpiece as it pieces together different horror movie tropes and makes it it's own.

With a deeply immersive atmosphere, fleshed-out characters, and a phenomenal branching storyline, its influence can and will still be felt for years to come.

Until Dawn Full Game Walkthrough - Everybody Lives Edition (All 10 Chapters)

 

8. Silent Hill 2 - 2001 (PS2, Xbox, PC)

An HD look at one of gaming's most terrifying monsters, Pyramid Head

One fateful day in September of 2001, Konami released a masterpiece. Silent Hill 2 was developed by Team Silent and published by Konami.

Since its release 22 years ago, Silent Hill 2 has garnered its status as legendary as it is widely considered to be one of gaming’s greatest triumphs in terms of storytelling, suspense, and horror.

The game centers around the story of James Sunderland and the hunt for his late wife Mary, who sent him a letter despite her being dead already, to come to the unsettling town of Silent Hill. 

Dark and unnerving, with a focus on psychological horror and disturbing sexual symbolisms, dominate the atmosphere of Silent Hill’s overall setting and its plethora of horrifying monsters.

Outstanding sound designs enhance the immersion of the game and the unsettling nature of the otherworld that you are put into.

The gameplay and the controls of Silent Hill 2 are as solid as can be for a 2001 game, with an emphasis on puzzle-solving and exploration rather than going out guns blazing.

But what made Silent Hill 2 famous isn't just its outstanding story and design, but its monsters.

With monsters such as the Abstract Daddy that symbolize the rape of Angela by her father, the Bubble Head Nurse that represents James’ sexual frustrations during his wife’s hospitalization,

The Mannequins symbolize James’ sexual frustrations again against his wife, but most famous of all is the granddaddy of all Silent Hill monsters, Pyramid Head.

Arguably one of the most famous video game monsters of all time.

Pyramid Head is a hulking humanoid that wears a giant pyramid on his head, covering his face, while he brandishes a great knife to punish anything and anyone that crosses his path.

Pyramid Head is a manifestation of James’ inclinations of his guilt and the punishment he feels he deserves for all the transgressions he caused against his wife. 

Simply put, Silent Hill 2 is a must-play for fans of horror video games and gaming in general as it provides a genuinely unsettling and memorable gaming experience that will forever stand the test of time.

Silent Hill 2 HD 1080p Walkthrough Longplay Gameplay Lets Play No Commentary

 

7. Aliens Vs. Predator - 2010 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

A spine rip worthy of the Mortal Kombat franchise

Aliens vs. Predator is a first-person action game seen through the eyes of a marine, an ultra-smart xenomorph, and a deadly youngblood Predator.

Created by Rebellion Developments and released by Sega. Three distinct campaigns are included in the game each involving the three specified characters caught up in an interspecies race vying for dominance.

Impressive character and environment models that accurately represent the Alien and Predator movie franchises make up the game's aesthetics that still hold up even to this day.

It also includes brutal takedowns and glorious kills by the Predator and the Alien respectively.

The sound design is particularly impressive, with atmospheric and eerie sound effects that heighten the sense of immersion while stranded in a strange alien world.

While playing as the Predator, you are given its wide arsenal of weapons.

From its plasma caster, shurikens, combi stick, and its bladed wrist gauntlets, you are able to take down your human enemies and xenomorph enemies by the dozens. 

As the Alien, you utilize the darkness to surprise attack humans out to kill you while you use the Alien’s bladed tail and spiked tongue to brutalize your enemies.

Rarely does a videogame accurately capture the deadliness of the essence of a movie monster but Aliens vs. Predator does this perfectly and then some.

Aliens vs. Predator Gameplay Walkthrough Full Game

 

6. God of War Ragnarok - 2022 (PS4, PS5)

Hello there

Returning to one of our lists is Gamers Decide mainstay and one of my favorite games of all time, God of War Ragnarok. T

he stories of Kratos and his son Atreus are continued in this highly anticipated sequel to the God of War Norse mythology saga.

The game investigates the events leading up to Ragnarok, the end of the world, and to find a way to possibly stop it.

God of War Ragnarok's gameplay improves on that of its 2018 predecessor with challenging fighting and exploration aspects that keep the player invested in the entire playthrough.

The story is as engaging and masterful as a resolution to the saga that was started in the 2018 game. Stunning graphics and engrossing music provide excellent immersion that improves the player's experience.

Through the playthrough of Ragnarok, you’ll encounter monsters and creatures small and large.

From the wulvers that were introduced in the first game to new and terrifying monsters like the crocodilian Dreki, fearsome flying dragons, and the gigantic wolf Garm, you won’t be without a monster battle every 5 minutes. 

God of War Ragnarok is a franchise staple and deserving of its titles and more than a suitable sequel to the first game.

It effectively combines action-packed gameplay with a narrative that is nothing short of a masterpiece and breathtaking aesthetics that create an amazing gaming experience that borders on perfection.

GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 FULL GAME [4K 60FPS PS5] - No Commentary

 

5. Rampage - 1986 (Arcade, Master System, NES, Lynx, Amstad CPC, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, IBM PC)

Wolves can fly

We go now to the oldest game to ever be featured in one of the lists here at Gamers Decide and that is Bally Midway’s 1986 classic arcade monster rampager, Rampage. 

Rampage tests players' ability to command enormous beasts and level city blocks upon city blocks.

Three playable monsters are available in the game, each with its own special traits and methods of attack. George who is a giant gorilla, Ymir which is a giant reptile, and Ralph the giant bipedal wolf. 

To boost their health and score, players can eat people, smash windows, and climb buildings.

The gameplay is straightforward as climb and smash but it is highly addictive as evident through its success back in the arcade heydays.

The game was well-known for its vibrant graphics and catchy soundtracks at the time where catchy soundtracks were as important as the game itself.

Rampage is still a timeless and fun arcade game that is worth playing time and again that has inspired its own live-action adaptation with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson taking the lead role in a 2018 released movie of the same name.

Rampage (Arcade) Playthrough Longplay Retro Video Game

 

4. Bloodborne - 2015 (PS4)

I don't even know wtf I'm looking at but I know that I don't like it.

FromSoftware is known for its challenging and utterly unforgiving games such as the Dark Souls series. But in 2015 it arguably created its most critically acclaimed action RPG, Bloodborne. 

Players assume the role of a hunter looking for a cure for a blood-borne called Paleblood infecting the city of Yharnam.

The game's combat system is as fast-paced as any FromSoftware game and requires perfect timing and strategic thought. 

Bloodborne is well recognized for its complexity and it's punishing yet fair gameplay.

It requires players to catch enemy attack patterns and work out the kinks in their strategy and adjust to the game's rules which are basically “you will die until you don't”. 

Apart from Bloodbore’s absolutely spectacular lore and deep and engaging narrative, it also includes eldritch horrors with which the player has to contend with.

Monsters such as the sewer spiders, Rom the Vacuous Spider, and The Orphan of Kos are all but a few of the revolting and terrifying monsters you have to destroy in order to move forward in the game's narrative.

The game's elaborate level design and finely detailed graphics accentuate its gothic and horror-inspired mood.

The game promotes exploration and close attention to detail as it tells its story using cryptic hints and hidden objects scattered throughout the world. 

A masterwork of video game design, Bloodborne provides a difficult and compelling experience that is hard to ever forget.

Bloodborne PS5 Gameplay Walkthrough Full Game

 

3. The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - 2015 (PS4, PC, Xbox One, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S)

Medieval monster killer for hire

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 8 years, The Witcher 3 should not be news to you anymore but if you have then I welcome back to civilization with CD Projekt RED’s magnum opus. 

Taking place in a vast, open world called “The Continent” that is exquisitely created and jam-packed with memorable places, intriguing people, and quests that all feel fleshed out rather than hollow. 

Players assume control of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a witcher, who must navigate political intrigue and battle countless deadly beasts in order to locate Ciri, his adopted daughter via the law of surprise.

The Witcher 3's combat is a bit difficult as it utilizes a parry system during battles, but it also rewards players for their careful preparation and perfect timing.

The game's plot is intricately written and offers players a number of challenging moral decisions that affect how the game turns out. 

For example, burn a baby alive or risk a village's entire fate. Each character delivers exceptional performances because of the excellent voice acting and branching dialogue options.

During the first few hours of the game, you’re already introduced to your first monster hunt which is finding and killing a Royal Griffin that has already terrorized a village.

From there on out you’re faced with deadlier monsters such as rock trolls, basilisks, werewolves, and the terrifying and deadly Leshen that can destroy you in just a couple of hits.

The open world of the game is full of gorgeous landscapes and characters that feel alive coupled with graphics that are as beautiful as the day it was released 8 years ago.

For everyone who appreciates action RPGs, deep and interesting lore, and monster hunting then The Witcher 3 is a must-play. It's not considered a masterpiece and one of the best games of all time for no reason.

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Full Gameplay Walkthrough

 

2. Monster Hunter World - 2018 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

The guy with the giant hammer in the back is really feeling it right now

In terms of monsters in games, you can't be any more obvious or more exhilarating than in Monster Hunter World. Released in 2018, developed and published by Capcom.

The main gameplay mechanics involve pursuing, hunting, and killing enormous monsters with a range of tools and weaponry.

There are many different beautiful environments to discover in the vast and intricate open world.

The game's progression system requires players to gather materials from the monsters they hunt and finish tasks in order to build new equipment and enhance their character's skills and weapons.

The monsters in the game total to a whopping 94 with 71 of them being classified as large and nigh on mountain-sized.

Classic monsters such as the Rathalos, Diablos, and the Rajang return while new monsters such as the Zorah Magdoros and even guest monsters such as the Witcher’s Leshen make an appearance in this game.

Monster-hunting these colossal behemoths will take up the bulk of your encounters.

Taking these monsters on will require a considerable amount of your time and proper strategizing before even thinking of taking them on.

Equipment and potion refills and weapon refining will be the deciding factors whether your monster hunt will come out successful or deadly.

Monster Hunter World is the premiere choice for players who want some danger in their monster hunting and for the opportunity to take on beautiful yet deadly beasts.

But out of all these games, one tops them all. And that is…

14 Minutes of Monster Hunter World Gameplay - Gamescom 2017

 

1. Pokemon - 1996 to 2022 (Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Switch)

I don't like your chances there little birdy

The granddaddy of them all. The monster game to beat all monster games that have run from 1996 up until the present with absolutely no signs of slowing down now or even in the future is the franchise we all love to play and we’ve all played at one point in our lives, Pokemon.

The Pokémon media property includes a number of video games that were created by Game Freak and distributed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.

The initial games, Pocket Monsters Red and Green for the Game Boy, were launched in 1996 in Japan with help from Ken Sugimori. They were then distributed outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue. 

The "core series" of role-playing video games (RPGs) has persisted on each generation of Nintendo's handhelds.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the most recent title in the core series, was made available on November 18, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch.

The main games are released in generations, each with unique characters, plots, and Pokémon.

Remakes of the games are typically produced for the newest console at the time, about ten years after the original releases. 

While Game Freak's RPGs make up the bulk of the series, many spin-off titles have been created based on it that fall under different categories such as action role-playing, fighting, puzzle, and virtual pet games.

The appeal of the whole Pokemon franchise largely stems from its mass appeal and the hundreds of different Pokemon that we’ve all come to love over the years.

Pokemon such as Blastoise, Charizard, Articuno, Meowth, and of course, Pikachu is all but a few of the Pokemon that have touched the lives of kids growing up worldwide and has given their indelible mark in pop culture forever.

Evolution of Pokemon Main Series Games (1996-Now)

 

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