The Last of Us Part 2is a brutal story filled with unfair turns accompanied by visceral violence. The narrative truly breaks new ground in the medium. However, it certainly is not the first game to create a pit in players' stomachs and make them wince. The following games below create similar levels of discomfort to varying results.
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A couple of these proved controversial, with many gamers arguing that they were more exploitative than innovative. While the execution may sometimes be off, these titles are at least commendable for trying to push the medium’s boundaries and prove games are more than just a good time.
Updated on June 28, 2025, by Jason Wojnar:The Last of Us Part 2has been out for more than a year and is still looked back on fondly. Many see it as one of the best games of the generation.
13Manhunt
Even by the standards of Rockstar games,Manhuntis a disturbing title. Players are forced to go hunt these NPCs for the satisfaction of a director making snuff films.
The technology poweringManhuntis now quaint, so it does not look as brutal as it did back in 2003. Back in the day, however, the game proved just as controversial asGrand Theft Auto. There was a sequel a few years later which was similarly violent.
1212 Minutes
The newest game on the list,12 Minutesturned off a lot of players by the brutality it forces them to inflict upon other NPCs and the ridiculous plot twists.
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It would not be so bad if the game controlled better or if the time loop didn’t force players to repeat actions constantly. Maybe players would be better-served judging12 Minutesfor themselves, but anyone going into it should know the game tackles some taboo subjects.
11Hatred
This game caused controversy upon its announcement simply because of the concept. A nihilistic protagonist just goes around and annihilates everyone in his path.
It is far from the first game to let players kill innocent people, but the fact that it is the main goal raised some red flags. Reviews were not particularly kind to it, either, so most agree the discomfort of the game’s objectives is not worth it.
10Hotline Miami
The two games making up this franchise sport primitive graphics from an isometric perspective. However, the retro look does not make the gallons of blood and piles of bodies any less grotesque.
Thehypnotic soundtrackand extreme difficulty paired with quick restarts make for an addictive gameplay loop. The enigmatic narrative also lends to the uncomfortable atmosphere, causing the player to question why they are massacring tons of goons.
9Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5is largely a good time and the violence rarely packs a punch due to the darkly comedic tone. However, a few scenes withTrevor Philipsmanage to make gamers' skin crawl.
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One particularmissionhas the player torture an innocent man in a minigame. The moment is a commentary on the futility and cruelty of torture, but it does not make the segment any easier to play.
Initially released in 2013 for PS3 and Xbox 360, the game’s immense popularity has carried on through the PS4 and Xbox One generation to the point where it is nowreceiving a new release for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It is coming out in 2022, though details on the exact improvements are still scarce.
8Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare
The 2019Modern Warfarereboot marketed itself as being a more grounded entry in the series meant to tell a more emotionally impactful story.
The flashback mission showing a young girl and her brother survive a Russian attack on her city is certainly hard to stomach, but the gamification of it drew some ire. Similar complaints were addressed towards a waterboarding scene during a different segment of thecampaign.
The franchise is still marching on with its annual release schedule, though Modern Warfare still stands as one of the most celebrated entries in the series.The battle royale mode is also going stronger than ever, receiving updates based on that year’s game.
7I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream
Thisadventure game, based on a Harlan Ellison short story, follows a group of unlucky humans who are subjected to endless torture and torment for an eternity at the hands of a sentient supercomputer.
I Have No Mouth and I Must Screamhas several endings, a couple of which are actually positive, but the whole idea is pure nightmare fuel, and most of the endings result in continued eternal agony for at least one character.
6Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2is more effective than most othersurvival horrorgames. It eschews the jump scares typical to the genre in favor of psychological scares and shock at the revelations surrounding the main character and his deceased wife.
The cast of supporting characters James Sutherland meets on the way and their stories also contribute to the overall feeling of dread. It also didn’t help that back in 2001,Silent Hill 2was one of the best-looking games at the time.
The series has sadly been out of the spotlight for many years.However, recent mumblings and publisher Konami’s promise to get back into triple-A game development has fans hoping that a series revival will come soon.
5Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
The two newWolfensteintitles,The New OrderandThe New Colossus, surprised gamers with their emotionally impactful story. BJ Blazkowicz’s journey through this dark alternate history manages to combine a somber tone with haphazard shootouts.
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The New Orderfeatures a level where the player infiltrates a concentration camp, filled with all the horrors one would expect to find in such a place, while the second game takes place in a conquered United States and deals with the country’s history of bigotry and antisemitism.
4Spec Ops: The Line
Spec Ops: The Linelooks like a dime-a-dozen militaryshooteron the surface, but players soon discover the journey through a ruined Dubai is more than they bargained for.
One particular scene has the player use white phosphorous to clear combatants. When they walk through the area, they discover that the white dots they were targeting were mostly refugees. This and several other moments are a comment on how indiscriminately violent some games encourage players to be.
