There are a vast number of video games in which players fight demons, but not many that make the main or playable characters demons. With the evolution ofthe horror genre, however, more games are giving players that option, and the trend is becoming more popular in everything from platformers to first-person shooters.
RELATED:Diablo: Strongest Demons, Ranked
Sometimes the story is simple, using the stereotypical motif of demons or Hell, or the demons are introduced with a more sophisticated plotline in an RPG with complex history and lore. There are plenty of choices for those that want to find games to help them get in touch with their inner demon by playing one.
7Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous
There are a few ways that a player can take on the character of a devil or a demon in the second installment of thePathfindervideo game series. They can create and roll a character with a demonic bloodline, and depending on the class they choose, this also means having special abilities related to their ancestry. Some of these abilities include either the power of demons or turning into one.
Another way to become a demon is to take on the Mythic Path for either race and in thePathfinderuniverse, the difference between Devil and Demon is a choice betweentyrannical rule or mindless chaos. The Demon Path opens up much earlier after an encounter in the Sheild Maze, but the Devil Path is a choice that only Neutral characters can attempt much later in the game.
6Demon Turf
Demon Turfmakes the demons the focus of this cartoony platformer. This is the third in a franchise that was previously 2D and moved into 3D with this installment but kept the classic animation style. The “turf” in the title is a reference to several different regions in the Demon World which the main character Beebz must unite to face the Demon King, defeat him, and become the Demon Queen.
RELATED:The Best-Looking PS5 Games, Ranked
Playing a demon in a demonic realm and fighting demons makes this adventure platformer one of the best choices for players that want that fiery immersion on every level. The art style of this game makes it distinctive, and it has other fun features like Photo Hunt, both of which take the edge off the hellish environment.
5The Darkness
For players that prefer playing demons in adarker, less animated aesthetic, this game combines a modern urban setting with the concept of an ancient demonic bloodline that gives this game its title. The story starts with an attempted mob hit that awakens the innate powers ofThe Darkness, main character Jackie Estacado can kill his assailants.
The hit was ordered by mob rival Paulie Franchetti, who continues to make attempts on Jackie’s life as he uses his powers to become a demon to chip away at this empire. Jackie dies in this pursuit, and seems to fail, but instead journeys into the past and finally even into Hell to change the course of history.
4Demon’s Crest
The popularity of the originalGhosts n' Goblinsprompted a spinoff series that featured some of the more popular enemies as playable characters. This is the third in a series known asGargoyle’s Quest,and the protagonist is everyone’s favorite demon, Firebrand. The first two games in the series werereleased for the Game Boy, andDemon Crestwas the first title released for the Super NES.
RELATED:Games That Started New Genres
Firebrand isn’t just any demon, but one of Asteroth’s finest and most dangerous fighters. Remember those gargoyles that would turn into demons and swoop down with alarming speed? The Red Arremers are a mix of demon and gargoyle and have all the powers of both, and it’s fun to be on the receiving end of the demon swoop this time.
3World Of Warcraft
The Demon Hunter class might have been the best feature offered by the Legion expansion, one of the least popular additions toWorld of Warcraft. This is a class that fights demons by becoming a demon themselves, following in the footsteps of Illidan, a Night Elf from the lore of Azeroth who was the first to take on the class.
Another way to play a demon in this game is to build a Warlock with the Demonology spec, which not only includes summoning demonsbut turning into one for a temporary periodto augment their spell abilities. Warlocks in both retail andClassiccan take advantage of this option, but the Demon Hunter class is only available in retail.
2Devil May Cry 5
Devil May Cryis one of Capcom’s most popular titles, and the fifth installment is equally loved by both fans and critics. Part of the appeal is the choice of playable characters, which include recurring characters Nero and Dante along with a new character, V. Each character has different weapons and abilities, and V not only uses demons as weapons, he can turn into one.
RELATED:All of Dante’s Video Game Appearances Outside Devil May Cry
V has several abilities and spells that either call demons to his aid as minions or turn him into a demon. He uses a Devil Trigger-like state to summon one of these demons, a golem called Nightmare, to beat his enemies to a pulp before he finishes them off.
Putting this iconic franchise into game form is great already, and making it possible to play as one of the demonsmakes it even more fun. Of course, it’s survival horror, but it also has a player-versus-player option and different classes that include both humans and their demon antagonists.
The four playable demons are the Warlord, the Puppeteer, the Necromancer, and the Plaguebringer. There are several demon minions in the game, but only these four are available as playable characters. It’s comparable to RPGs in which different classes fill a variety of roles.
