Video games have a long history of drawing on comic books for inspiration. Both mediums are well entrenched in geeky spaces, and video games give players a chance to take the reins of their favorite characters as they leap off the page and onto the screen. Comics are represented in nearly every genre, and their video game counterparts follow suit.
From some of the darkest, grittiest panels come some incredibly memorable video game adaptations. Of course, these spooky game adaptations aren’t all fantastic. Just as the horror genre at large is a mixed bag, video games based on horror comics can be hit or miss. But they belong to a long tradition and one that shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
9 Chakan: The Forever Man for Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Game Gear (1992)
Based on a comic book of the same name by Robert A. Kraus, Chakan follows the titular swordsman in his endless quest to purge all the worlds of supernatural evil. After besting Death himself in a swordfight, Chakan is condemned to wander four elemental-themed planes fighting off all manner of horrific monstrosities.
The game’s ending has an ambiguous twist that leaves Chakan’s ultimate fate up to question.
8 The Crow: City of Angels for Playstation, Sega Saturn, and Windows (1997)
A direct adaptation of the second film in The Crow series, City of Angels received nearly universal negative reviews. The game’s fixed camera, pseudo-3D style did not make for a very exciting iteration of the classic undead comic character.
The backgrounds and environments were among the only things critics enjoyed about the game, and its poor performance landed it the title of Worst Movie to Game adaptation in Electronic Gaming Monthly.
7 The Darkness for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (2007)
In a premise shockingly similar to that of The Crow, The Darkness follows Jackie Estacado as he is wrapt up first in mob violence then in demonic possession, resulting in his gaining a slew of supernatural powers.
The Darkness supplements traditional FPS gunplay with the ability to summon ravenous demon-snakes. The game is an adaptation of Top Cow Production’s comic line of the same name.
6 Hellboy: Dogs Of The Night For PC And Playstation (2000)
Mike Mignola’s Hellboy is a classic of cosmic, gothic, and occult horror. Dogs of the Night is a 3D adventure game that translates the comic to a digital space in the style of Alone in the Dark or Tomb Raider.
Puzzles and a smattering of combat come together to create an atmospheric and evocative game that lives up to the standards of the Dark Horse comics. The game takes place during Hellboy’s time with the BPRD in the 1960s, investigating a missing agent and all that follows.
5 Spawn: Armageddon for PlayStation 2, GameCube, And Xbox (2003)
Todd McFarlane’s Spawn series, published by Image Comics, features all manner of supernatural horror. The titular character makes a deal with a devil to become a Hellspawn in return for the opportunity to see his wife one last time. Armageddon sees Spawn wading into a war between demons and angels that rocks through New York City.
Focussing on the fast-paced, outlandish combat common to action games of the era, Spawn can use chains, firearms, and his trademark Agony Axe to sow carnage wherever he goes.
4 Kiss: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child for Windows And Dreamcast (2000)
An adaptation of an adaptation, Kiss: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child is based on Todd McFarlane’s series of the same name, itself inspired by the rock band. Kiss frontman Gene Simmons was purportedly a fan of McFarlane’s Spawn series and worked with him to develop the Psycho Circus series.
In the comic, the members of the band are supernatural beings known as The Demon, The Starbearer, The King of Beasts, and The Celestial. The game is a run-of-the-mill FPS but was well-loved by fans of the band.
3 Shadow Man For Windows, Nintendo 64, Playstation, and Dreamcast (2003)
Based on Valiant Comics’s Shadowman series, this action-adventure game sees Michael LeRoi taking up the mantle of Shadow Man, an ancient lineage of supernatural warriors who protect the world of the living from that of the dead.
When a villain named Legion tries to initiate the apocalypse, Shadow Man must spring into action to stop him. The game has been consistently updated for release on modern consoles, so players can continue to enjoy its pulse-pounding action to this day.
2 Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M. for the Nintendo 64, Gameboy Color, And PlayStation (1999)
The Armorines are a team of super-soldiers tasked with defending the US from extraterrestrial threats. In Project S.W.A.R.M. the team fends off an invasion of spider-aliens with a variety of weapons.
The game had a co-op campaign and multiplayer versus modes, including Capture the Flag and King of the Hill. In some of the multiplayer modes, players could even take on the role of the alien invaders.
1 Alien Vs Predator for the Atari Jaguar (1994)
One of the greatest sci-fi crossover series in history, Alien vs Predator began as a comic book series in 1989. With the Xenomorphs and the Predators locked in deadly conflict, this game has the player experiencing three distinct stories; one as the Alien, one as the Predator, and one as a human private in the Colonial Marines.
This game was a huge commercial success and is widely lauded as one of the best games of the Atari Jaguar system.
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