From scandal to removal – the story of one of the most controversial games in recent years
Video games have long since evolved beyond mere entertainment — they can educate, inspire, and explore difficult topics. But sometimes a title comes along that doesn’t just push boundaries — it smashes through them, forcing the industry to ask: are there lines we simply shouldn’t cross? That’s exactly what happened with No Mercy by Zerat Games — a visual novel that combined sexual violence, incest, and psychological abuse into one disturbing package.
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A “dark fantasy for adults”? More like digital pathology
According to its creators, No Mercy was intended to be an adults-only game about “dark desires and domination.” In practice, it was a narrative simulation of sexual abuse, with the player taking the role of a man seeking “revenge” on the women in his life — including his own mother.
There was no nuance, no moral dilemma, no meaningful commentary. Every choice revolved around escalation — more abuse, more control, more degradation. It wasn’t a game exploring difficult themes — it was the glorification of violence.
Technically weak. Morally catastrophic
From a gameplay perspective, No Mercy offered very little. A basic visual novel with a bare-bones interface, amateurish illustrations, and nearly non-existent sound design. Graphically, it resembled a low-effort fan mod rather than a fully-developed title. Its only real “hook” was the controversy — and sadly, for some players, that was enough.
Public backlash: outrage, condemnation, and removal from Steam
The game’s appearance on Steam triggered immediate backlash. Advocacy groups, media outlets, and politicians — particularly in the UK, Australia, and Canada — demanded its removal, labeling it dangerous and misogynistic.
Valve (Steam’s parent company) remained silent at first, but under mounting pressure from public opinion and institutions, No Mercy was quietly removed from the platform in April 2025. Other services, such as itch.io and Patreon, soon followed. Zerat Games released a brief statement: “We’re not going to fight the whole world,” and withdrew the project.
🎙️ GameDive24 Commentary:
“We’re not here to censor — we’re here to evaluate quality, impact, and consequences. No Mercy isn’t a game — it’s a digital manifesto of violence in its ugliest form. When a story offers no reflection and only encourages cruelty, it has no place in gaming culture. Good riddance. It never should have existed in the first place.”
— GameDive24 Team
Conclusion
No Mercy is a reminder that not all provocation is art, and not every “adult” theme deserves a platform. The games industry is maturing — and with that comes responsibility. Sometimes, the right response is a simple, firm: No.
