10 Best Heavy Metal Games

What’s the key to triggering hair-flipping excitement? It’s got to be heavy metal, no doubt. And the top-notch route to embrace that thrill? Dive into the realm of the ultimate heavy metal games you can play today.

Heavy metal is awesome. It’s like the secret ingredient that can turn any recipe into a headbanging masterpiece. Add some Megadeth, KMFDM, and Dust tracks to your Hello Kitty game, and watch that cute cat transform into a rock ‘n’ roll legend, the ‘Hello Shreddy’!

Who knows, maybe this list will be your golden ticket to earning a coveted spot among the many heavy metal aficionados around the globe. These games are the cream of the crop, and after playing them, you’ll be racing to the nearest store to grab your very first guitar ever. Rock and Roll!

Brütal Legend™ 2009

About
	Release Date October 13, 2009
	Developer Double Fine Productions
	Publisher Electronic Arts
	Genre Action Adventure
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Metal
	Players Online PvP, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

Available On

Brütal Legend is a passionate love letter to all the heavy metal fans out there. Not only does this game capture the raw essence and vibes of heavy metal, but it also introduces players to iconic metal legends like Jack Black, Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Halford, and a host of others you’ll instantly connect with.

Players step into the shoes of Eddie Riggs, A roadie whose likeness is based on Jack Black. He’s not just any roadie; he’s the guy who gets transported into a bona fide heavy metal universe. Armed with a mystical guitar and a double-headed axe, Eddie springs into action, slaying and electrifying his foes with the power of… You guessed it, heavy metal magic!

In this action-adventure game with RPG and real-time strategy elements, players traverse the mythical Brütal Land in their car, engaging in conversations with NPCs, completing missions, acquiring new heavy metal abilities, and much more. The entire game is an exhilarating journey from start to finish, but what truly keeps you hooked in Brutal Legend are two things: humour and action.

Guitar Hero II 2006

About
	Release Date November 07, 2006
	Developer Harmonix
	Publisher Red Octane
	Franchise Guitar Hero
	Genre Rhythm
	Players Co-Op, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

Available On

Guitar Hero 2 may not turn you into a rockstar, but it will give you the opportunity to finger your guitar through some excellent heavy metal tracks. As one of the best Co-Op games available for the Xbox 360, this second instalment of the Guitar Hero franchise rocks an impressive lineup of tracks from legendary bands like Nirvana, Anthrax, The Pretenders, and a plethora of others that’ll make you absolutely groove.

In this rhythm game, you have the choice to either solo-shred through epic heavy metal tracks or team up with a friend. Regardless of your decision, your fingers will inevitably find their way to the guitar, ready to rock to the beats.

If you find yourself headbanging to Guitar Hero 2, don’t hesitate to dive into the other instalments of the franchise as well. They’re all fantastic and perfect for anyone in the hunt for the best heavy metal games.

DOOM Eternal 2020

About
	Release Date March 02, 2020
	Developer id Software
	Publisher Bethesda Softworks
	Franchise DOOM
	Genre FPS
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective First-Person
	Concept Sci-Fi
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

Available On

Doom Eternal needs no introduction, except to say that it’s an absolute must-play for anyone even remotely into heavy metal. With its intense, fast-paced action, headbanging soundtrack, and gameplay that makes you feel like the ultimate menace to all of mankind, it’s an adrenaline-pumping metalhead’s dream.

The moment you pump that shotgun is when the game’s intensity skyrockets. Tear through hordes of enemies while you crank up the volume to Mick Gordon’s skull-shattering tracks.

If you find yourself still craving more DOOM action, you can always delve into the entire franchise. It’s got everything that every heavy metal enthusiast desires: pure heavy metal mayhem.

Rock Band 3 2010

About
	Release Date October 26, 2010
	Developer Harmonix
	Publisher MTV Games
	Franchise Rock Band
	Genre Rhythm
	Players Couch Co-Op, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

Available On

Rock Band 3 is the game you should dive into if you still can’t get your fill of the Guitar Hero franchise. It stands as one of the top Co-Op games available on the PS3, making it another excellent option for heavy metal fans.

Rock Band 3 reigns supreme as the rockstar of the franchise because it lets you assemble your very own chaotic digital band at home. With room for up to 7 players via split-screen, it’s basically a full-blown rock ‘n’ roll house party waiting to happen.

Even if you’re not originally a rock fan, the mere thought of being interested in metal games might make you appreciate what Rock Band has in store for you.

Metal Hellsinger 2022

About
	Release Date September 13, 2022
	Developer The Outsiders
	Publisher Funcom®
	Genre FPS
	Concept Metal
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Sweden

Available On

Metal Hellsinger dropped as a surprise in 2022, and it’s not just trying to mimic classic shooters like DOOM—it’s a surprisingly rock-solid game in its own right. As a side note, for those who relish the idea of hunting games set in the depths of hell , Metal Hellsinger is a title that should be on your radar.

Besides the captivating arcade-shooting gameplay, the heavy metal soundtrack in the game truly immerses you in the infernal landscapes as you blast, evade, and annihilate hordes of demons from the fiery depths of hell.

The Swedish duo, Two Feathers, deserves a nod for their excellent work composing the music for Metal Hellsinger. As you dive deeper into the game, you might just find yourself becoming a fan and following them on Twitter before you even realize it.

Valfaris™ 2019

About
	Release Date October 10, 2019
	Developer Steel Mantis
	Publisher Big Sugar
	Genre Run & Gun
	Graphics 2D
	Perspective Side Scroller
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Sci-Fi
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

Available On

Valfaris’s main box cover makes it seem like the game stars Triple H, who left his WWE career to venture into dangerous space, where he’s now busy slicing and dicing through hordes of ferocious aliens.

You might not guess it, but Valfaris is a bona fide heavy metal game that’s an absolute must-play. With its headbanging soundtrack by former guitarist Curt Victor Bryant and its exhilarating run-and-gun gameplay, it’s a wild ride from start to finish.

Plus, the way the main character starts flipping their hair when they snag a new weapon is a nod that every metal fan can appreciate.

Dusk 2018

About
	Release Date December 10, 2018
	Developer David Szymanski
	Publisher New Blood Interactive
	Genre FPS
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

Available On

Dusk catapults players into a lightning-fast first-person shooter, drawing inspiration from the beloved classics of the 90s. It’s hailed as one of the top retro-inspired shooters of our modern times, and it’s worth noting that Dusk was brought to life by a single developer who essentially delivered everything that every FPS enthusiast could ever hope for in a retro-inspired shooter.

The game’s music, masterfully composed by Andrew Hulshult, is rock-solid and kicks the intensity up a notch. It not only adds to the game’s overall thrill but also creates an unbelievably immersive environment for you to crank up the volume, dive into the gunplay, and fully enjoy the adrenaline-pumping action.

We can’t help but keep singing the praises of Dusk. It’s earned its spot on our list of best Nintendo Switch shooters and is a top pick for low-end PCs. Who knows, it might just find its way onto several more of our lists in the future.

Heavy Metal Geomatrix™ 2001

About
	Release Date July 12, 2001
	Developer Capcom
	Publisher Capcom
	Genre Arena Shooter
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Metal
	Players 1v1, Single Player, Split-Screen Co-Op, Split-Screen PvP
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

Available On

Heavy Metal Geomatrix launches players into high-octane arena shooting matches, all set to the heart-pounding soundtrack of electrifying metal tracks from beloved bands like Dust and Megadeath.

Don’t let Heavy Metal Geomatrix slip under your radar; it’s one of the best-hidden gems on the Dreamcast and an absolute blast to play.

The goal here is as simple as a microwave: Shoot to kill. You’ll strut through various stages, and your mission is to beat the bad guys and come out as the top dog. As you’re busy blastin’ your opponents to kingdom come, your ears will be serenaded with metal tracks so exquisite, they’ll have you headbanging through those deathmatches like a possessed bobblehead. The game is just that good.

Painkiller 2004

About
	Release Date April 12, 2004
	Developer People Can Fly
	Publisher DreamCatcher Interactive
	Genre FPS
	Concept Dark Fantasy
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Poland

Remakes
Painkiller (2004 Original Release)
Painkiller: Battle out of Hell (2004 Expansion)
Painkiller: Hell Wars (2006 Port)
Painkiller: Black Edition (2007 Content Update)
Painkiller: Hell & Damnation (2012 Remake)

Painkiller is your go-to if you’re looking to take a breather from Hell and dive headfirst into Purgatory. But, spoiler alert: Purgatory is no walk in the park either, so buckle up for a challenge down there.

In Painkiller, you step into the shoes of Daniel Garner, Heaven’s very own hitman. Your mission? Hunt down Lucifer’s four generals to prevent an all-out showdown between Heaven and Hell. And, once you’ve polished off those four devilish leaders, you get to carve a bullet into Lucifer himself.

The entire soundtrack of the game is a heavy metal extravaganza, making Painkiller an absolutely necessary mention on this list that you can’t afford to overlook

Slain: Back from Hell 2016

About
	Release Date March 24, 2016
	Developer Steel Mantis
	Publisher Digerati
	Genre 2D Platformer
	Concept Dark Fantasy
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

Available On

Slain: Back From Hell is a game that needs no elaborate introduction. Just cast your eyes upon the cover art – it practically screams heavy metal, doesn’t it?

Developed by the same creative minds responsible for Valfaris, Steel Mantis brings the heat. While it may dial up the challenge a notch compared to Valfaris, one thing’s for sure – it’s nothing short of awesome. And yes, it’s a must-play for heavy metal fans too.

Slain: Back From Hell is a side-scrolling slasher that’s drenched in gore, overflowing with action, and, most importantly, it’s fueled by metal music that’ll be your relentless companion from the first swing to the final showdown.

Thank you for reading