When you learn about mythology in school, creatures like the Sirens, Hydras, and Chimeras didn't sound so bad. However, take these guys and put them in a well-crafted survival horror game, or even in a challenging action-game level, and things change a bit.
Mythological creatures can be intensely scary if they are represented in the right setting. What encounters have you had with these monsters? Some of them may be on this list. Grab your favorite snack and check out our look at some of the scariest video game monsters based on some well-known mythology stories.
10 Trolls - Unforgiving: A Northern Hymn
Trolls are often cited throughout Norse and other cultural mythologies. They can be depicted as general annoying creatures, or hellishly scary. In Unforgiving: A Northern Hymn, the main protagonists, Linn and Lukas, are chased through forests, buildings, and various dimly-lit settings by a one-armed troll. This thing is relentless, and it can cause severe damage. This creature isn't those 80s dolls you remember playing with.
9 Wendigo - Until Dawn
It doesn't take long before you realize that something is following you in Until Dawn. Something else stalks the forest near your friend's cabin, and it is skilled at murdering your crew. The Wendigo is revealed to be one of the main antagonists in Until Dawn. It's fast and relentless, with a heartbreaking origin. The Wendigo has origins in Native American mythology, and the stories of these things are just as scary in their actual mythological legends.
8 Draugr - Skyrim And God Of War
The way these creatures are portrayed in Skyrim and God of War are pretty accurate to their mythological stories. They are the Norse version of zombies. They are undead individuals who guard treasures.
They may seem like enemies that are easy to do away with but get a multitude of these guys in one place, and you might not make it out. Just to know that these creatures are once-alive soldiers is enough to send chills down one's spine.
7 Hydra - God Of War
The God of War franchise is the quintessential mythological adventure. It doesn't shy away from revealing that it is heavily based on Greek mythology. One of the main monsters that Kratos has to face is a Greek-mythology icon: the Hydra. This creature is a massive serpent with many heads. What makes this thing so scary is how hard it is to beat. Cutting off one of the lesser heads brings more, and it's just a downright ugly enemy to look at. Would you go face-to-face with this thing?
6 Orochi - Okami
Orochi is one of the main villains in Okami. This thing is a demonic serpent with multiple heads (it definitely puts you in the mind of the Hydra). It is a staple in Japanese mythology and is a challenge to beat. What's scary about this thing—other than the way it looks—is its size and the fact that it does have some human elements, for example, a samurai helmet on each head. It's grotesque and doesn't mind "consuming" someone if it needs to.
5 Lynel - The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Okay, this one may not seem like it should be on the list, but let's break this down. The Lynel is the Legend of Zelda's version of the Greek centaur. What adds to this things horror is how hard these things are to eliminate.
Think about the first time you faced this hideous thing; you likely had to re-evaluate your game plan. Additionally, imagine facing this thing in an alleyway (when the Blood Moon rises). They are unsettling and worth a pause.
4 The Poe Collector - The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
Nintendo is very sneaky. They know how to sneak in scary moments without them being wildly terrifying. One of these if The Poe Collector in The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. He is a soul collector, which is very similar to Hades' role in Greek mythology. His appearance is skeletal, and to know that he is responsible for taking souls makes him someone you likely want to avoid. You don't want to be alone with this guy.
3 Leshen - The Witcher
Imagine walking through a forest and hearing a faint laugh. You think you're alone, but you can feel the chills down your spine as you realize there is something in the forest with you. That is what Leshen's are known for in Slavic mythology. They are guardians of the forest, and they can give Geralt a run for his money when he comes across them. With a deer skull as a head, these things are scary to look at, and they are highly intelligent.
2 Valkyries - God Of War
Most of the time, when you hear about Valkyries, it's usually good things. However, this time, these mighty female warriors are cursed by Odin, which means you don't want to cross them.
These Norse-mythology icons are kept in their physical state by Odin, which makes them go insane. This fact is what makes them scary. They are uncontrollable and powerful warriors that you should hope you have the abilities and weapons to handle.
1 Ekhidna - The Witcher
Yes, The Witcher is back on this list and for a good reason. The Ekhidna is a Slavic form of the Greek Sirens and Ekhidna Argia—the crafty evil mermaids that lead people to their deaths. While Geralt handles these serpent-like monsters incredibly well, their origins make them a frightening creature to interact with. You don't know if they are going to get one up on you, or if you can best them.