Humanity has been battling illnesses such as plague throughout history, just like all other Earth-dwelling organisms. Pathogens and bacteria are constantly evolving through natural changes, striving to colonize human bodies.
In the world of fiction, such as video games, an ordinary illness can escalate dramatically. Unforeseen plagues might arise, transforming intelligent life into zombies, causing terrifying decay, or even leading to the demise of their minds and souls.
In simpler terms, when we refer to “plague,” it’s something that isn’t purposely created by humans. Instead, it could be entirely natural or stem from a clearly supernatural source, such as an entity beyond our dimensions. Given this understanding, these are some in-game scenarios of plagues that truly terrify us.
10. Las Plagas
Resident Evil 4
From a game enthusiast’s perspective, when it comes to diseases in video games, the one that immediately springs to mind is undoubtedly named after the very affliction it represents. In Resident Evil 4, the Las Plagas are a type of parasitic insect, serving as the basis for the game’s terrifying creatures.
The original form of Plaga, which has been bioengineered in the game to be more harmful and dominant, has actually been around for thousands of years. It was discovered by Los Illuminados when they obtained samples from ancient arthropod fossils trapped within pieces of amber.
Before the Spanish Reconquest in 718 AD, the Plaga parasites multiplied on an island near the coast of Spain. At first sight, those infected appeared ordinary, but they soon started displaying peculiar, even cult-like behaviors.
Individuals who have been taken over by a parasite, referred to as ‘Ganados’, exhibited an extreme hostility towards those not infected. Among other signs, their skin paled, their eyes became bloodshot, and they experienced a significant increase in muscle mass.
9. Cordyceps Brain Infection
The Last Of Us
As a fervent admirer, I’d like to share some fascinating insights about Cordyceps, a peculiar genus of fungi in the real world. Instead of using harsh terms, let me say that Cordyceps exhibits an intriguing behavior: it subtly invades tiny insects, like ants, and manipulates their bodies for its own growth. While a Cordyceps infection in humans would undoubtedly cause discomfort, it’s nothing contemporary medicine can’t manage. But, what if it had just a tad more power?
In the game The Last of Us, a widespread infection caused by a type of cordyceps fungus affects humans in large numbers. This typically occurs via contaminated food supplies and water sources.
This unusual fungus not only thrives within the human microbiome, but it also swiftly targets brain tissue in humans, impairing higher cognitive functions and leaving behind a mindless, feral state. Once established, this fungus will exert all efforts to multiply, initially by biting humans to scatter its spores further.
Over time, as the condition deteriorates, mushroom-like growths will emerge on the afflicted’s head and body, eventually obstructing their vision and augmenting their muscle tissue. Upon death, the infected becomes rooted in the soil, emitting a cloud of spores to perpetuate the cycle of infection.
8. The “Bright Light”
Hollow Knight
It’s not just humans who can fall ill; many types of diseases have affected various creatures on Earth, with a particularly high impact on smaller and less complex organisms like insects. For instance, there is an unknown disease ravaging the ruins of Hallownest in the game Hollow Knight.
This unnamed affliction is frequently called “The Bright Light” due to those in its early stages reporting seeing a distant glow. At first, it appears as bizarre dreams haunting insects, eventually growing so overwhelming that their entire awareness gets consumed.
With the progression of the infection, the once-normal creature transforms into a mindless and aggressive one, displaying a faint orange radiance in its eyes. As the severity increases, enormous, glowing blisters filled with orange vapor and fluid erupt on the host’s body. These blisters can also infect surrounding plants and animals.
The source of this affliction stems from the Radiance, an old deity in the form of a moth who aimed to inflict punishment upon the inhabitants of Hallownest due to their neglect. The initial Hollow Knight was intended to serve as an uncontaminated conduit for her power, but evidently, this plan didn’t succeed.
7. White Chlorination Syndrome
NieR Replicant
In the frosty introduction of NieR Replicant, I find myself huddled with my sister in a deserted supermarket blanketed under an icy disguise. Unbeknownst to me, this isn’t just ordinary snow; it’s salt – the remnants of what was once the vast majority of Earth’s population.
In the game’s background, the reason for inventing both Replicants and Gestalts was the spread of “White Chlorination Syndrome,” a mysterious and enchanted disease that emerged following the appearance of a deceased colossus in contemporary Shinjuku.
If you’ve played the Drakengard games, it’s clear why this happens: When this towering figure unleashed the mysterious substance called Maso, it infiltrated humanity. Those unfortunate enough to be exposed to these particles would suffer severely for some time before ultimately turning into pillars of salt.
The supplementary information suggests that this plague is caused by an extradimensional deity trying to make a covenant with infected people. If you refuse the pact, you are destroyed, but if you agree, you undergo a transformation into a creature known as a Legion, similar to those depicted in the NieR Reincarnation mobile game.
6. Scarlet Rot
Elden Ring
Players well-versed in Elden Ring’s world will likely recognize a common and frustrating issue known as Scarlet Rot, a prominent feature hailing primarily from Caelid, along with its colossal, fearsome creatures.
Originally summoned from the realm of the Outer Gods, notorious for spreading eternal doom and desolation throughout the Lands Between, Scarlet Rot was once imprisoned eons ago. However, remnants of its malevolent power have now reemerged within the form of Malenia, Blade of Miquella.
Malenia made every effort to conceal her decaying power within a vessel, yet eventually, in her final confrontation against Radahn, she released this noxious energy, turning Caelid into the desolate wasteland of rot that we’re familiar with today.
Scarlet Rot impacts all forms of life indiscriminately, encompassing both plants and animals. Any organism affected by this rot undergoes a rapid decay and decomposition process. This decay results in distorted patches of fungus and vegetation. Creatures consumed by Scarlet Rot experience a swift deterioration of their minds, transforming them into frenzied and ravenous shells.
Originally, Malenia’s decaying blooms gave birth to the Fungal Swamp of Aeonia, where unique organisms with mushroom-like physiques began to emerge.
5. Apathy Syndrome
Persona 3
As a gamer, I’ve often found myself engrossed in games where my character seems apathetic, lacking motivation or interest. But in real life, if I ever find myself feeling this way with no obvious cause, it might be more than just a gaming rut. It could be Apathy Syndrome, a condition that strips you of your zest for life without any apparent reason. It’s important to remember that such feelings are treatable, and seeking help is the first step towards regaining that spark of life.
In the game Persona 3, there’s a condition known as Apathy Syndrome. This syndrome causes individuals to experience a profound loss of motivation and interest in life activities. It’s not just about work or socializing; it extends to fundamental behaviors like eating, sleeping, and even moving. Those affected may either remain motionless in one spot or wander aimlessly around the city, making distressing noises and seemingly gazing into nothingness.
People are utterly puzzled about where this condition comes from, since its victims appear completely healthy under normal circumstances.
Undeniably, the members of S.E.E.S. are aware of its genuine history: the Dark Hour and Tartarus. In essence, menacing entities known as Shadows assault the innocent during the Dark Hour, devouring the victim’s own Shadow. Essentially, our Shadows represent our primal instincts and motivations in life. Without them, there’s no incentive driving us to truly exist.
4. Green Flu
Left 4 Dead
In the game Left 4 Dead, the source of the infection is a mutated form of rabies, often referred to as “Green Flu.” Initially, this was described by CEDA as a variant of influenza to minimize its perceived severity. However, considering how rapidly it spread, this classification might not have been the wisest choice.
The exact origin of Green Flu remains unverified; within the game, some graffiti hints at the possibility that it might have been created through laboratory experiments, yet solid evidence is lacking.
Individuals afflicted with Green Flu experience severe impairment of higher cognitive abilities, often resulting in a prolonged, uncontrollable fit of rage. Triggered by any stimulus, they instinctively lunge towards their perceived threat and try to brutally attack, sometimes causing harm or mutilation to themselves during the assault.
As a gamer, I’ve found myself increasingly resembling characters affected by the Green Flu in some twisted role-playing game. Instead of upgrading my skills or acquiring cool gear, I seem to be mutating with traits like elongated, prehensile tongues and corrosive saliva. It’s a wild ride!
The unpredictable nature of the Green Flu might be its scariest aspect. A character in one of the Left 4 Dead comics highlights this by explaining that it’s always evolving, altering its symptoms and methods of spread. This relentless mutation makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to develop a vaccine for Green Flu.
3. Rat Plague
Dishonored
1346 marked a devastating episode known as the Black Death, one of the most severe bubonic plague outbreaks ever recorded among humans. The primary cause wasn’t the rats themselves but rather the fleas living on their bodies. If we were to attribute it directly to the rats, it could be likened to the rat-borne plague depicted in Dishonored.
The disease known as the plague emerged on the vast continent of Pandyssia, a great distance from the continent of Gristol where the city of Dunwall lies. This contagion was transmitted to Gristol by Pandyssian Bull Rats, these rodents acting as carriers by biting others.
The early signs of this condition are discoloration of the skin and thinning hair, which is then followed by issues with breathlessness and mental decline. At its most severe point, those affected may experience bleeding from their eyes, leading to it being called “The Weepers.
In the game, you’re advised against slaughtering characters because an increase in dead bodies attracts more rodents, exacerbating the decay of the city as they feed on the corpses and potentially spreading disease further.
2. Tarkat
Mortal Kombat 1
As a gaming enthusiast, I’d put it like this: In the authentic Mortal Kombat universe, I come from one of the numerous battle-hardened races of Outworld – the Tarkatan. My brethren are known for their brutal combat skills, and I, Baraka, am no exception. We were often deployed in Outworld’s armies due to our unyielding ferocity on the battlefield.
In the Mortal Kombat 1 storyline, Liu Kang made a minor cosmic alteration, resulting in the Tarkatans being reborn as different Outworld species such as Edenians. However, it seems he may have overlooked a crucial step, because they returned in an extremely unfavorable manner.
In the new timeline, “Tarkat” has become a plague of unknown origin sweeping across Outworld.
People who contract the Tarkat disease undergo numerous bodily transformations resembling the ancient Tarkatan species, such as having bulging mouths lined with jagged teeth and protruding bones that resemble sharp blades from their bodies. This metamorphosis is often accompanied by a change in behavior towards aggressive tendencies, eventually leading to a total mental decline.
Individuals who contract Tarkat disease are exiled from the core of Outworld and compelled to reside on its borders instead. Interestingly, both Baraka and Mileena have been affected by this disease, yet surprisingly, as the game concludes, Mileena takes initiative in reaching out to those afflicted with this condition.
1. You
Plague Inc.
In recent times, it’s become clear that dangerous diseases can emerge unexpectedly, anywhere and anytime. A single harmful mutation in a germ can spark a series of events leading to global turmoil. If you’ve ever wondered what this ongoing struggle appears like from the sidelines, you can get a sense of it by playing Plague Inc.
In this game, you play as a freshly awakened pathogen aiming to spread across the globe and wipe out humanity. Initially, you’ll be dealing with common organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites before moving on to more extraordinary concepts like zombie viruses or bioweapons.
From a gamer’s perspective, as if I were controlling an unstoppable virus: This cunning illness, with an eerie sense of intelligence, will relentlessly seek to infect every single human on Earth. It’s not just about adapting, it’s about evolving, outwitting our defenses, and manifesting symptoms lethal in their variety. I can spread through the tiniest cracks, the most insignificant contact points. I am the silent invader, lurking in the shadows, waiting for my moment to strike.
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2025-04-18 19:10