A rather spooky staple in fiction is the Grim Reaper or the personification of death. This is no different in the realm of video games. The Grim Reaper has been featured in countless video games, and they’re almost always awesome. Here’s a look at the best video game versions of death personified.

10) Death from ‘Dante’s Inferno’

Death serves as the opening boss fight for Dante’s Inferno, playing a rather important part of the story. It’s a game full of symbolism, and this symbolizes Dante’s battle with death beginning. He also has a cool design, and his scythe, which Dante steals from him, is the primary weapon throughout the game. However, despite being important and awesome-looking, he gets forgotten compared to everything else in the game and doesn’t have as much to do with the core plot about the different circles of Hell. 

9) The CEO of Death Inc. from ‘Have a Nice Death’

This version of the Grim Reaper was smart enough to turn soul collection into a business and put himself at the top. His design is both menacing and adorable. He’s one of the few Grim Reapers on this list who is actually playable, and he’s got plenty of weapons in his arsenal, a few different types of scythes for battle, and can chain together insane combos. However, he’s somehow defeated by his own underlings time and time again until he gets it right, and the conflict of the game is, in a way, his own fault. 

8) Penny from ‘Flipping Death’

Penny is technically Death’s assistant filling in to get the job done, but she does don the cloak and scythe and reaps souls. Penny specializes in flipping between the land of the living and the land of the dead. She may not be the most menacing Grim Reaper around, but she’s still a fun and unique character, and the game has a creative art style. She’s still learning the ropes when it comes to reaping souls, but that doesn’t stop her from having a lot to like about her.

7) The Grim Reaper from ‘The Sims’

There’s a lot you can do in The Sims video game series, including summoning the Grim Reaper to take dead characters away. This take on Death doesn’t have dialogue and isn’t as much of a character compared to the rest of the Reapers on the list, but it’s still funny to see him come for characters in such a silly game. You can also have him play ping pong and drink. He’s a Grim Reaper who likes to party.

6) Manny Calavera from ‘Grim Fandango’

Manny Calavera is a classic character who was a travel agent for the Department of Death in the Eighth World who worked to ensure souls crossed to the land of the dead safely. This film noir take on the creepy character is extremely unique. He’s a Grim Reaper who stands out as a more interesting character than most other versions. Experiencing the story unfold though his eyes (or lack thereof) as he uncovers a conspiracy is exciting and fascinating. If he wasn’t so far from the menacing depiction of the Grim Reaper most folks would come to expect, then he’d probably be higher on this list.

5) Death from ‘Castlevania’

Death may not be in every Castlevania game, but he is a recurring antagonist who shows up a lot throughout the series. Every version of him in these games looks incredible, and he’s a formidable threat to the Belmont that faces him. He’s one of Dracula’s most loyal minions, which on one hand is really cool, but a let down on the other. He’s the embodiment of death. If anything, Dracula should be working for him. Also, he took out Luigi in the Belmonts’ Super Smash Bros. reveal trailer, which is both hilarious and sad.

4) Gregg the Grim Reaper from ‘Conker’s Bad Fur Day’

Gregg the Grim Reaper is probably the funniest entry on this list. He’s got an attitude, and his dialogue is absolutely hilarious. What’s even funnier is that he’s a tiny Grim Reaper with a high-pitched voice. He serves as the game’s reason for how Conker has extra lives, which is something most people would have never thought about with video games, adding to the joke. It’s a bit of a bummer that we didn’t get to see him do more in the games.

3) Thanatos from ‘Hades’

Thanatos is a more peaceful take on Death. He challenges the protagonist to take out the most enemies possible and gives him gifts throughout the game. He acts as a rival and a rival-turned-romantic partner for the player’s character. Seeing the relationship between Thanatos and Zagreus develop throughout the game is an incredible experience. His design has also had many folks refer to him as a “hot” version of Death, so he certainly has his fans.

2) Death from ‘Darksiders II’

Death in Darksiders II is easily the coolest-looking one on this list. He’s also the playable protagonist of the game, which earns him some bonus points. He’s the leader and the most powerful member of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and a demigod seeking to free his younger brother from imprisonment. He’s got dual scythes, in addition to a slew of other weapons, that he uses to dish out combos on a variety of enemies. He’s menacing and awesome, but also extremely caring and willing to risk it all for those closest to him.

1) Death Jr. from ‘Death Jr.’

The PSP video game series Death Jr. gave us an incredible Grim Reaper-based story. It’s a fun coming of age tale centered around the Grim Reaper’s young son learning to take over for his father. He struggles with following in his father’s footsteps while learning to do things on his own while hanging out with his demonic friends/ He uses his scythe, exploding hamsters, and an arsenal of other wacky weapons to save the world and ensure that people only crossover when it’s their time to do so. The game has a fun, Tim Burton-esque aesthetic, insane combos, and a charming story about a young Grim Reaper. This is such a fantastic take on the personification of Death.

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