Some games proudly display their morally dubious nature front and centre, like a flag made out of a big grubby bedsheet that hasn't been washed for a month.
But others hide the musty stink of misconduct beneath a deceitful sheen of presentability. They smuggle in their immorality under subtext, hoping that no-one will notice until it's too late. Well we have noticed. And we're having none of it. Click on as we expose these vile innocence disruptors for the insidious filth they are.
Gears of War series
The sinister subtext: If at first you dont succeed (at genocide), try mutually-assured destruction instead. If that doesnt work, give genetically-targeted ethnic cleansing a go.
Uncharted series
The sinister subtext: Its okay to be mass-murdering grave-robber as long as theres a worse one around.
God of War series
The sinister subtext: Violence is never the answer. Except when it is. Which is always. Be aware that violence begets violence, but also know that you can easily deal with any violent repercussions of violence by using more violence.
Metal Gear Solid series
The sinister subtext: The absence of war is a perfectly good reason to get upset.
Pokemon Conquest
The sinister subtext: Global totalitarian rule is basically okay as long as youre the guy in charge.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
The sinister subtext: If people try to turn you into something you dont want to be, just go with it. Itll probably end up being awesome.
Tomb Raider (2013)
The sinister subtext: The best way to deal with the horror of killing a person is to get really good at killing.
Heavy Rain
The sinister subtext: If not absolutely everything goes your way, suicide is a perfectly acceptable response.
Farenheit/Indigo Prophecy
The sinister subtext: If not absolutely everything goes your way, punching the internet is a perfectly acceptable response. As is suicide.
Shadow of the Colossus
The sinister subtext: If orthodox modern medicine cant help, try one of those weird foreign cures made by killing endangered species. Whats the worst that could happen?
Bulletstorm
The sinister subtext: Excessive military force is only a problem if you fail to look cool while partaking in it.
Dishonored
The sinister subtext: The best way to refute accusations against one's character is to murder or incapacitate everyone in town.
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
The sinister subtext: Decadent, utterly pointless material possessions are always worth killing for.
Singularity
The sinister subtext: Never help a stranger in need. For all you know they could be a total dick.
Assassin's Creed series
The sinister subtext: The best way to deal with a troubling present is to start living in the past.
Resident Evil series
The sinister subtext: Scientific endeavour always leads to pain, death, and unholy physical aberrations. The government needs to clamp down on medical research and ideally blow it up.
Saints Row series
The sinister subtext: Crime pays. It pays really, really, really well. In fact it pays all the way to the White House if you stick with it for long enough, at which point it will become clear that criminality provides exactly the skill-set that a strong President needs.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
The sinister subtext: If the mentally ill step out of line, beat the crap out of them.
Gotta corrupt 'em all
So, is that it? Are we safe? Or are there yet more guileful games out there, quietly preaching their vile sermons under the guise of entertainment? Let us know if there are any we've missed and we will eradicate this scourge together.
Long-time GR+ writer Dave has been gaming with immense dedication ever since he failed dismally at some '80s arcade racer on a childhood day at the seaside (due to being too small to reach the controls without help). These days he's an enigmatic blend of beard-stroking narrative discussion and hard-hitting Psycho Crushers.
