A detailed history of dark, gothic video games from 8-bit computers to present day video game design. graphics, and technologies.

Step into a world of darkness!

Towering castles…magical spells…demonic creatures…certain DEATH. The gothic video game has crossed generations, from 8-bit computers to the most powerful 4K PCs and consoles, to deliver dark thrills filled with atmosphere and peril.

Gathered in this book are some of the most prominent and enduring games to be developed under a veil of gothic presentation, from their gloomy settings to spine-chilling audio design. Follow the histories of some of gaming’s most popular franchises, such as the decade-spanning Castlevania series and FromSoftware’s “Soulsborne” titles (Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring).

Packed with over a hundred screenshots that encompass all generations of gaming - with home console, handheld and PC gaming included - and featuring trivia and recommendations across a variety of genres such as strategy games, hack-and-slashers and first-person shooters, The History of the Gothic Video Game is an essential book for fans of all things macabre.

The shadows await…

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• CHAPTER 1 8-bit Beginnings
• CHAPTER 2 The History of Castlevania
• CHAPTER 3 3D Classics
• CHAPTER 4 From Tabletop to Computer
• CHAPTER 5 Gothic Nightmares
• CHAPTER 6 Dark Strategy
• CHAPTER 7 The History of From Software’s Gothic Games