Top 10 Most Disgusting Video Game Monsters Ever
#10: The Nihilanth
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“Half-life” (1998) “Half-life” takes something meant to be precious, a baby, and warps it into this monstrosity. The Nihilanth is the leader of the invading Xen and the final boss of the game. There was a driving force inside all of us to put this villain down, but that doesn’t mean it was easy to look at. Its gigantic, engorged head, the extra limb sticking out of its chest, its black eyes, and its long, tendril-like arms all combine for one nightmarish boss. That’s not to mention its severed legs, making it float ominously instead of walking around. It disgusted us in 1998 and even more so in the 2012 remake, “Black Mesa.”
#9: Infested Corpse
“Dark Souls 3” (2016) With a name like that, you better believe this enemy will make your skin crawl. Infested Corpses look incredibly similar to the regular Reanimated Corpse enemies. Except for the mass of maggots that have burst from their chests, keeping a vaguely human shape while writhing around. Ugh. Players can fittingly find them in the graveyard by the Cathedral of the Deep and later in Irithyll Dungeon. As if fighting them in an open space wasn’t bad enough. The sound design is immaculately gross and we flinch each time one of them lunges toward us. They’re the very definition of something that makes us yell, “Kill it with fire!”
#8: The Master
Top 10 Most DISGUSTING Video Game Characters
“Fallout” (1997) In a game filled prominently with mutants, you come across some distinctly disgusting individuals in “Fallout.” But none is more vile-looking than the chief mutant himself, the Master. With hopes to bring everyone into his organization, the Unity, the Master plans to turn everyone into a mutant. But no perk could be worth turning out like this. Not only is the Master mutated almost completely beyond human form, but his stretched-out skin is also fused with a computer. The various meat tendrils and his one protruding eyeball make him incredibly hard to look at. We’ll just stay focused on the dialogue options, thanks.
#7: Mara
“Shin Megami Tensei” Series (1987-) When looking at this demon from the renowned JRPG series, we’re left with one simple question: Why? If it isn’t immediately obvious to you (and how could it not be?), Mara resembles a giant phallus, sometimes with testicles, and the unsettling addition of tentacles. Its greenish skin tone and gaping mouth are absurd and its veiny texture is an extra horrible touch. It would be one thing if Mara appeared in one entry, but it actually pops up (pun intended) in most installments. It seems Mara will always be waiting for us, ready to gross us out no matter how badly we just wish it would disappear.
#6: Guardian
“Dead Space” Series (2008-13) Most enemies in “Dead Space” are probably going to nauseate and horrify you. But the Guardians offer a special type of disgust. They look like a body was splattered across a wall and just got stuck there, with guts hanging out of an open chest cavity. A Guardian will howl in pain and lash out when you get close. But our stomachs really get queasy at the site of its fully mutated form. Once it has matured, the Guardian will turn its intestines into weapons and spit out embryo-like minions to help hunt its prey as it’s incapable of moving. We let out a groan every time we came across one, as the image and sound design combined for something truly revolting.
#5: Rat King
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“The Last of Us Part II” (2020) And we thought the first game’s Bloater was disgusting. The Rat King thankfully only appears once in the sequel, which was more than enough to sicken us. The Rat King isn’t just a single Infected; it’s several stuck together. It offers the same horrendous fungal-ridden skin other enemies have with the added benefit of multiple, bloody mouths and extra limbs sticking out in all directions. Partway through the fight, one of the extra bodies separates itself to attack you on two fronts. The Rat King is, by far, the scariest moment in the game. And it’s another case of supreme sound design enhancing a monster’s look that was already incredibly off-putting.
#4: Asphyxia
“Silent Hill: Homecoming” (2008) Speaking of terrifying creatures with multiple limbs, Asphyxia is another monster we’re grateful only appears once. The literal human centipede is the third boss fight in the game, yet trounces everything that comes before and after in terms of stomach-churning design. After attacking your ally, she crawls out of a fleshy wall orifice, revealing an unnerving number of segments. The fused bodies are indeed disturbing, but so too is the way Asphyxia shambles around with all hands and no feet. She’ll swipe at you with her multitude of arms and swing her tail section to trip you up. While the encounter isn’t very long, Asphyxia’s design isn’t something that will soon leave you.
#3: The Botchling
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“The Witcher III: Wild Hunt” (2015) If “Half-life’s” Nihilanth is disgusting, then the Botchling is pure nightmare fuel. Another monster that corrupts the usually precious image of a baby, Botchlings are created from the improper burial of stillborn children. Moving past how incredibly awful that is, Botchlings also prey on pregnant women, draining them of energy before sucking their blood and killing both mother and child. A monster so horrendous of course has an appropriately repulsive design. The bloodied-up little baby’s bulbous eyes and lack of nose definitely make it hard to look at. But as players would discover, a Botchling that has feasted can also mutate into an even nastier figure. Witcher’s don’t get paid enough to deal with this.
#2: Brain of Mensis
“Bloodborne” (2015) There are a plethora of “Bloodborne” monsters that disgust us. Special shout-out to the insanely demented Ludwig, the Accursed. But the one that never fails to revolt us is the Brain of Mensis. While it doesn’t offer a tough boss fight, which is surprising given the game it’s found in, it does pose a threat to our well-being. The brain-shaped blob is comprised of eyeballs, gross tissue, and a single arm with an intimidating claw. It causes the player to gain the immensely problematic Frenzy status effect, which knocks off ¾ of your health, when you reach its location. Its horrific design is grounds enough for inclusion, but the squelches of its writhing body also make us gag. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Daedalus; “Resistance 2” (2008)
Horrifically Mutated Past Human Form
The Great Mighty Poo; “Conker’s Bad Fur Day” (2001)
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A Giant, Singing Pile of…Well, You Know
#1: Salvatore Moreau
“Resident Evil Village” (2021) It seems that with each new entry, “Resident Evil” one-ups itself in disgusting monster design. “RE VII’s” Marguerite Baker was an absolute horror, yet “Village’s” Salvatore Moreau somehow topped her. The humanoid form was already pretty gross-looking with multiple growths causing him to hunch over. But it's when he transforms that we almost lose our lunch. As a giant, mutated fish beast, Moreau has a tendency to spew acidic vomit all over Ethan as his primary form of attack. Whether it be directly at him or sprayed into the air like rain, the constant sound of regurgitation will certainly sicken you. Moreau is an assault on the eyes and ears, which is actually the highest form of praise we can give him.
