Great Games That Feel Like They Were Designed For Adults

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings are designed to help people choose games that are right for them and avoid content they might find unsuitable. Sometimes, a game is clearly intended only for adults. The rare “Adults Only” rating is given to games with extremely mature content, like the PC version of Manhunt 2.

It’s not always easy to categorize games. Many include violence, frightening moments, and difficult, mature themes, even those marketed towards children or younger audiences. While not as graphic as games like Manhunt, these titles often seem designed for adults.

The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

With An Eerie Little Laugh From The Happy Mask Seller, It Begins

The Legend of Zelda games are special, not just because they’ve consistently been popular with players, but because they create a bright, cheerful, and imaginative world. While these games often involve saving the world from disaster with big battles, their charming atmosphere and memorable music prevent them from becoming too dark. However, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask stands out as a bit different from the rest.

This Zelda game feels different and strangely unsettling, which makes it really stand out. Instead of the familiar land of Hyrule, you’re in Termina, where Link has to break a time loop – it’s a bit like the movie Groundhog Day – and stop the Moon from crashing into the world. What’s surprising is how mature the game’s themes are. Link learns a lot from characters who are facing their own endings and have come to terms with them. As you play, you uncover the sad story behind the villain and the mask, making the game increasingly dark and emotional. The Zelda series has touched on serious topics before, but never with this level of honesty and impact.

Shadow The Hedgehog

The Series Has Never Been Edgier

Shadow is often seen as the rival to Sonic, a character who adds complexity and isn’t afraid to make tough choices. The 2005 game, Shadow the Hedgehog, offered a unique experience for Sonic fans. It tells a story where Earth is invaded by aliens called the Black Arms, and Shadow’s morally grey nature drives the plot. A key feature of the game is the ability to choose sides – you can support either the aliens or the humans defending the planet, impacting the story through your actions. This leads to a variety of different endings – almost a dozen in total – and the game is packed with intense music and non-stop action, offering a darker tone than typical Sonic games.

The goal was to blend the fast-paced platforming known from previous games with elements that suited Shadow’s more mature character. They did this by giving him guns, which added a unique ranged combat style. However, it feels like they could have pushed this concept further – a Shadow who used stronger language would have really enhanced the feel of an adult action movie.

Stray

Far From A Cute Kitty Cat Story

When Stray came out in 2022, it quickly became popular, and it’s not hard to see why. A fun adventure starring a curious cat is often all you need for a great experience. However, Stray isn’t just a lighthearted, charming game like Little Kitty Big City. It has a surprisingly dark and disturbing core that many players, drawn in by its cute and viral appeal, didn’t expect.

In this post-apocalyptic game, you explore an underground city originally built to protect people from a deadly illness. Now abandoned and hauntingly desolate, it’s inhabited by robots reminiscent of those in NieR: Automata – machines that once served humanity. Stray tells a sad story through its environment, exploring themes of loss, hope, and the desire to preserve what’s left. The game is surprisingly emotional, and some interactions with other characters might be too upsetting for younger players.

Subnautica

What Lies Below

In this survival game, you play as a character who crash-lands on a strange, water-covered planet called 4546B. Starting with very limited supplies, you’ll have to explore the depths of the ocean and the planet itself to uncover the mystery of your situation and find a way to escape. A constant sense of loneliness and uncertainty builds as you learn the game’s complex base-building system.

While not strictly a horror game, Subnautica masterfully creates a truly terrifying atmosphere. It starts with small, harmless sea creatures near the surface, and slowly introduces massive, frightening horrors in the deep ocean. The game brilliantly captures the feeling of being lost in a huge ocean, constantly wondering what lurks beneath the waves. The premise would have worked wonderfully for a traditional horror game as well.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War

The Horrors Of War

World War settings are common in many popular first-person shooter (FPS) games. The sheer scale and tragedy of both World Wars provide a powerful context for the intense combat, fast-paced action, and dramatic moments that define the genre. However, in 2014, Ubisoft Montpellier approached the First World War differently, focusing on the individual stories of a small group of characters.

Valiant Hearts isn’t a shooting game; it’s a puzzle game where you directly control the action, similar to a point-and-click adventure. The story is told through beautiful visuals, with very little dialogue. The game’s graphics are truly stunning – a 2D work of art created with the UbiArt Framework. Players who explore thoroughly will find ‘souvenirs’ in each level, which add even more emotional weight to the game’s story of war. Despite its cartoon-like style, Valiant Hearts is a deeply moving experience with serious themes.

Don’t Starve

Another Survival Title With A Dark Side

Survival games aren’t meant to be easygoing. The idea is to struggle and live another day in a dangerous world full of threats. From the very beginning, Don’t Starve makes it clear it’s going to be unsettling. While the game might seem manageable at first, things quickly become frightening when night falls.

While not a traditional horror game, this title is incredibly unsettling and gradually reveals its darker elements. Your choices can trigger the appearance of terrifying minibosses, and players new to the game won’t realize they’ve made a mistake until these creatures show up. This unique take on the survival genre is what makes it so memorable, but it’s certainly not for younger players.

Cultist Simulator

Adult Themes And Pure, Unapologetic Complexity

Many games hold your hand, clearly showing you what to do, explaining every rule, and offering long tutorials that can actually make the game less enjoyable. Cultist Simulator is the opposite. It challenges you with complex rules, expects you to learn through trial and error, and rewards you for figuring things out on your own – it’s all about earning your progress.

The game starts with players selecting a character and a storyline. Then, you play cards that represent different actions, like resting or even summoning demons. It’s a complex game with lots of strategic elements – you need to play cards in the correct order and manage your time effectively. The action unfolds on a game board with a rich narrative delivered through dialogue. It’s a game that will either grab you immediately or lose your interest quickly. If you can master the many challenges, like managing your limited resources, you’ll experience a compelling, though often disturbing, story. It’s definitely a game best suited for mature players due to its dark themes.

2026-01-02 08:35