12 Most Interesting Games About Death and Dying
Death always seems puzzling, but different cultures approach it very differently. This selection of games brings you the titles themed around death, that treat it in the most interesting and valuable way.
Table of Contents
- 12 Most Interesting Games About Death and Dying
- Death Stranding
- The Binding of Isaac
- Grim Fandango
- The Cat Lady
- 8Doors: Arum's Afterlife Adventure
- Child of Light
- Spiritfarer
- What Remains of Edith Finch
- That Dragon, Cancer
- Planescape: Torment
- To the Moon
Grim Fandango
- Genre: classic adventure game
- Is the main character dead: yes
- Are they death itself, or do they wield its power: yes
Grim Fandango is one of the last classic, old-fashioned adventure games. Manny Cavalera, the dead protagonist, goes on a long, four-year journey through the Land of the Dead to the Ninth Underworld, a place all souls like him must reach.
The creators were inspired by Aztec beliefs, occasionally enriching them with elements known from world pop culture. It all looks a bit like Tim Burton's movies, and a bit like The Addams Family, but it's essentially original enough to make it hard to say that Grim Fandango doesn't create its own, original mythology.
There is a lot of humor here, often dark, but it's not spoiling the atmosphere of the main story. Manny jokes about his own death and soul wandering, but is essentially obeying the ritual. It's therefore appropriate to act as a grim reaper. In this way, he meets his great love – the kind-hearted Mercedes, whom he is forced to "kill" at first, and after years of travel they venture into the Ninth Underworld together.
Blackwood Crossing
Blackwood Crossing is difficult to describe in a way that doesn't spoil the fun. Genre-wise, it's a cute 3D adventure game with a contemporary twist. It focuses on the relationship between a maturing girl and her younger brother, who were once the best playmates, and now they struggle to find a common language.
