Video games are absolutely amazing because they allow players to visit all sorts of fictional places, from beautiful fantasy worlds to weird Sci-Fi planets. However, one of the most used sites in this industry is none other than hell itself, the place in the afterlife where corrupt souls are sent to be punished.
For decades, developers have exploited this ominous concept to create some of the most disturbing, shocking, and/or epic locations in their video games. Whether it's just for a few levels or for the duration of the adventure, the following titles are notorious for allowing players to literally go to hell. Various alternate iterations from other cultures were also considered for this list, such as the underworld from Greek mythology.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
A surreal adventure through the demon world
The The Demon World is one of the most important places in the history of Devil May Cry series and while Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening is not the only game where Dante visits this place, it is definitely the most memorable and notable. Not only does he end up inside the belly of the mighty Leviathan (which is explicitly stated to be part of the Demon Realm), but he also goes to that hellish place after Arkham breaks its seal and opens its respective gate.
Despite the game's quirky and over-the-top writing, this version of Demon World is surprisingly ominous, with surreal backgrounds that make every location look like a living painting. Once there, Dante must face several powerful demons, including all of the game's previous bosses (AKA “Lost Souls”), Arkham's powerful final form, and his own twin brother, Vergil, in an intense but tragic final battle.
Dante's Inferno
Dante's perilous quest to save his wife
Dante from Devil May Cry is not the only person with that name to visit a version of Hell, as Dante, the titular character from Dante's Infernois also forced to travel there to save his wife Beatrice. This title is loosely based on Dante Alighieri's Divine comedy and as a result, it has one of the most fascinating and distinct versions of hell ever created for a video game.
Like the original poem, to hell with it Dante's Inferno is divided into nine circles, each of which has its own unique atmosphere and geography. This keeps the adventure interesting and engaging, while allowing the player to encounter all sorts of historical figures and dangerous demons. Some of the circuits are particularly notorious for having grotesque visuals, which makes this hack-and-slash adventure feel even more ominous than it already is.
God of War 3
Kratos goes to the underworld and kills Hades himself
To no one's surprise, the Underworld has been an important part of The God of War series since its inception, as Kratos has been forced to go there on numerous occasions, including the very first game. But the third entry in the original trilogy, God of War 3is a notable exception, as it is the first time he finally gets to confront the God of the Dead himself, Hades.
Kratos falls into the underworld at the beginning of the game, shortly after defeating Poseidon, and River Styx's lost souls take away all the powers, weapons, and abilities he had gained in his previous adventure. The rest of the level looks just as terrifying and twisted as it did before God of war game, but the HD graphics on the PS3 made it look more detailed than ever before. Kratos is finally able to escape the underworld at the end of the level, after defeating and killing Hades in one of the most challenging yet fun boss battles in the game.
Bayonetta 2
The stylish witch descends into the inferno to save her friend's soul
In it Bayonetta series, the title character fights corrupt angels from Paradiso by making contracts with powerful demons from Inferno. However, these evil creatures are not her friends, and she must eventually travel to their place of origin in her second adventure, after Gommorah steals Jeanne's soul and sends it there.
IN Bayonetta 2angels and Paradiso are represented by the colors white and gold, while demons and Inferno are represented by red and purple, giving each location its own distinct identity. Needless to say, Inferno looks absolutely incredible (in both the Wii U and Nintendo Switch versions of the game) and is filled to the brim with powerful demons that Bayonetta must defeat to save her friend, including Insidious, Phantasmaraneae, and Alraune.
Doom Eternal
The Doom Slayer must go to Hell to save Earth
Whole Downfall franchise is synonymous with the concept of going to hell, with the modern reboot trilogy containing one of the most chaotic and disturbing representations of this place. The Doom Slayer visited Hell on more than one occasion, but his various visits to Doom Eternal are definitely the most interesting.
While this game mostly takes place on Earth (which has been invaded by demons after the events of DOOM), the Doom Slayer must go to hell to retrieve a Sentinel's power source, though he also returns later in The old gods DLC. While Hell is obviously packed with powerful demons and terrifying places that are full of blood and guts everywhere, it's always incredibly satisfying to tear and tear through these evil creatures on your own home turf.
Helltaker
Perfect for anyone who likes to see demon girls wearing costumes
Not all games featuring hell have to be violent and/or action-heavy, as this iconic post-apocalyptic location can also be the backdrop for something more fun and light-hearted. Entirely developed by Łukasz Piskorz, Helltaker is a free indie game that went viral in 2020 due to its unique premise and charming hand-drawn art style.
IN Helltakerthe titular playable character travels to Hell to form his own harem of costumed demon girls. To accomplish this, he must solve various grid-based puzzles where he must avoid traps and obtain keys. Although this concept may sound a little gratuitous at first, Helltaker is a surprisingly fun, inventive and charming little game that anyone can enjoy, not to mention that it really stands out from other Hell-based titles due to its writing and presentation.
Hades
Zagreu's legendary quest to escape the Underworld
Hades
10/10
- Released
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September 17, 2020
While Underworld from Greek mythology has featured in countless video games, Hades is definitely the most popular, since pretty much the entire game takes place in the realm of the dead. To escape the underworld and reach Mount Olympus, Hades' son, Zagreus, must fight his way through hordes of enemies using various abilities and weapons.
In terms of presentation, Supergiant Games never disappoints, as Hades' the depiction of the underworld is colorful, beautiful and ominous, not to mention that the villainous structure of the game allows the player to visit different locations and fight a variety of enemies and bosses. On top of all this, Zagreus can also meet and interact with many characters in the underworld, including Greek gods (like Nyx or Thanatos) and Cerberus (who he can pet).
A rhythmic journey through the eight hells
The iconography of Hell has not only served as a source of inspiration for various game designers, but also for many talented musicians, especially those who specialize in the metal genre. Metal: Hellsinger perfectly reflects how Hell has inspired both mediums, as this is a rhythmic first-person shooter where the power of the player character's visuals increases if synchronized with its excellent heavy metal soundtrack. But, of course, the more efficient the player is at fighting in rhythm, the more intense the background music becomes.
Lore-wise, Metal: Hellsinger tells the story of the unknown, a person who descends to Hell and must fight his way through his eight circles to get his memories and his voice back. Unlike other games (and the like Dante's Inferno), this version of Hell isn't all blood and fire, as each circle has its own theme and presentation, giving this already epic musical adventure some much-needed variety. Also, the designs of the demons are pretty terrifying, which makes taking them down to the beat of metal music all the more rewarding.
