Morally dubious messages in seemingly innocent video games

Clandestine corruption

Some games proudly display their morally dubious nature front and centre, like a flag made out of a big grubby bedsheet that hasn't been washed for a month.

But others hide the musty stink of misconduct beneath a deceitful sheen of presentability. They smuggle in their immorality under subtext, hoping that no-one will notice until it's too late. Well we have noticed. And we're having none of it. Click on as we expose these vile innocence disruptors for the insidious filth they are.

Gears of War series

The sinister subtext: If at first you dont succeed (at genocide), try mutually-assured destruction instead. If that doesnt work, give genetically-targeted ethnic cleansing a go.

Uncharted series

The sinister subtext: Its okay to be mass-murdering grave-robber as long as theres a worse one around.

God of War series

The sinister subtext: Violence is never the answer. Except when it is. Which is always. Be aware that violence begets violence, but also know that you can easily deal with any violent repercussions of violence by using more violence.

Metal Gear Solid series

The sinister subtext: The absence of war is a perfectly good reason to get upset.

Pokemon Conquest

The sinister subtext: Global totalitarian rule is basically okay as long as youre the guy in charge.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

The sinister subtext: If people try to turn you into something you dont want to be, just go with it. Itll probably end up being awesome.

Tomb Raider (2013)

The sinister subtext: The best way to deal with the horror of killing a person is to get really good at killing.

Heavy Rain

The sinister subtext: If not absolutely everything goes your way, suicide is a perfectly acceptable response.

Farenheit/Indigo Prophecy

The sinister subtext: If not absolutely everything goes your way, punching the internet is a perfectly acceptable response. As is suicide.

Shadow of the Colossus

The sinister subtext: If orthodox modern medicine cant help, try one of those weird foreign cures made by killing endangered species. Whats the worst that could happen?

Bulletstorm

The sinister subtext: Excessive military force is only a problem if you fail to look cool while partaking in it.

Dishonored

The sinister subtext: The best way to refute accusations against one's character is to murder or incapacitate everyone in town.

50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

The sinister subtext: Decadent, utterly pointless material possessions are always worth killing for.

Singularity

The sinister subtext: Never help a stranger in need. For all you know they could be a total dick.

Assassin's Creed series

The sinister subtext: The best way to deal with a troubling present is to start living in the past.

Resident Evil series

The sinister subtext: Scientific endeavour always leads to pain, death, and unholy physical aberrations. The government needs to clamp down on medical research and ideally blow it up.

Saints Row series

The sinister subtext: Crime pays. It pays really, really, really well. In fact it pays all the way to the White House if you stick with it for long enough, at which point it will become clear that criminality provides exactly the skill-set that a strong President needs.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

The sinister subtext: If the mentally ill step out of line, beat the crap out of them.

Gotta corrupt 'em all

So, is that it? Are we safe? Or are there yet more guileful games out there, quietly preaching their vile sermons under the guise of entertainment? Let us know if there are any we've missed and we will eradicate this scourge together.

And while you're here, why not protect yourself further against games' iniquitous influence with a couple more features? We'd particularly recommend The secretly sinister storylines of your favourite games and Video game villains who got away with it.