The search for legendary creatures may not be recognized as a legitimate science, but even the harshest critics of cryptozoology have to admit that it’s fun to imagine that there might still be a little bit of magic hidden in the modern world. From Sasquatch to the Loch Ness Monster, these mythical beasts have been inspiring stories for centuries, so it makes sense that they’d eventually show up in video games.
And with so many digital cryptids to choose from (you’d be surprised with how many games manage to sneak in a Mothman reference), we’ve decided to highlight six of the most memorable Cryptid appearances in gaming. After all, there’s nothing like a good monster hunt, and I think cryptozoology is criminally underutilized when it comes to genre storytelling – especially when it comes to videogames.
For the purposes of this list, we’ll be defining “cryptid” as a legendary creature that has been allegedly witnessed in real life but with no solid evidence to back up that claim (this means no traditional mythological monsters like dragons or vampires). We’ll also be considering the Yeti and Sasquatch as two separate entities even though the legends surrounding them are pretty similar.
With that out of the way, don’t forget to comment below with your own favorite cryptid appearances in video games if you think we missed a particularly fun one.
Now, onto the list…
6. Loch Ness Monster – Apex Legends
Infinity Ward has had a love affair with the Loch Ness Monster for years now, adding Nessie-themed Easter Eggs to their games since the first Titanfall way back in 2014. However, while the secretive figurines and their associated cult were bizarre enough, it’s the unexpected appearance of a kaiju-sized Nessie in the free-to-play battle-royale shooter Apex Legends that earns a spot on this list through sheer absurdity.
Nessie’s in-game surfacing isn’t necessarily scary (with the giant version of the monster still looking like its cute plush counterparts) but watching the creature’s enormous neck emerge from the water is still a thrilling sight – especially after all the hoops you have to jump through in order to summon it.
5. Sasquatch – Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar’s open world western is no stranger to weirdness, with the game even receiving an insanely popular expansion that unleashes a gory zombie apocalypse upon the old west. However, one of my favorite side missions in this massive DLC doesn’t even involve the undead at all, with John Marston being hired to hunt down a family of Sasquatch only to discover that they were sentient and peaceful creatures once he’s murdered nearly all of them.
After committing this act of accidental genocide, the player is then tasked with deciding whether or not to kill the last surviving member of the Sasquatch race, with the so-called “monster” pleading for death once he realizes that he’s the last of his kind. Now that’s dark!
4. Yeti – Urban Yeti
From Diablo to Skifree, the Abominable Snowman has been a monstrous staple in video games ever since programmers were first able to assemble a block of pixels into a vaguely Yeti-like shape. However, there’s only one game that actually puts this giant mountain man front and center instead of relegating him to a disposable enemy, and that’s Cave Barn Studios’ Urban Yeti!
Released on the Gameboy Advance back in 2002, this blatant Grand Theft Auto clone sees players step into the comically large shoes of a literal urban Yeti on the lookout for a mate as he rampages through a large city. While the title is kind of a one-trick pony, relying on humor rather than gameplay to keep things engaging, it’s still one hell of an entertaining trick.
3. Jersey Devil – Wolf Among Us
Bill Willingham’s Fables was never a horror comic, focusing more on the social ramifications of having fairy-tale immigrants living among modern day New Yorkers, but Telltale’s videogame adaptation took a decidedly darker approach when crafting the interactive version of this Brothers-Grimm-inspired fantasy world. This stylistic edge even extends to the game’s boss fights, with Bigby Wolf being forced to confront monsters like Bloody Mary during his noir-soaked quest for justice.
Of course, one of the standout moments of the title happens to be when Bigby gets into a fight with a mustachioed Pawn Shop owner who proceeds to transform into the infamous Jersey Devil in one of the game’s most memorable moments. Sure, the trademark Telltale gameplay means that the battle is mostly relegated to a quick-time event, but I’m a big fan of the Devil’s horrific design and Jerseyan demeanor.
2. Chupacabra – Deus Ex
I’ve always thought that the Chupacabra was more comical than scary, but there’s no denying that it has become one of pop culture’s most widespread monsters. And when it comes to video games, I’d argue that the Chupacabra’s most memorable appearance was in Ion Storm’s conspiratorial adventure Deus Ex, where the creature inspired a series of monsters called “Greasels.”
Borrowing from conspiracy theories about the goat sucker originally being a genetically engineered bioweapon, Deus Ex re-imagines the Chupacabra as a living security system that dwells in tunnels and ventilation shafts as it searches for fresh blood. It’s not exactly one of the game’s most powerful enemies, but it’s certainly one of the most memorable.
1. Mothman – Fallout 76
You can’t discuss West Virgina without bringing up the Mothman, so it stands to reason that the Appalachian-set Fallout 76 would eventually release an update adding a radioactive version of the creature to the game. Clearly some form of mutated insect, this version of the prophetic monster isn’t a complete match with John Keel’s original description of the beast, but it’s still a welcome addition to Fallout’s ever-expanding roster of mutated vermin.
Fortunately for fans of the red-eyed beast, this isn’t the Mothman’s only appearance in video games. In fact, the creature has shown up in everything from Atlus’ Persona games to Castlevania. However, if you’re in the mood for related scares, I’d also recommend checking out LCB Game Studios’ retro adventure title Mothmen 1966, which was previously featured on our list of Best Indie Horror Games You May Have Missed in 2022.
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