Why Hatred Deserves a Place on GOG and Recognition as a Dark Cult Classic
Hatred, released in 2015 by Destructive Creations, stirred up major controversy upon announcement, but behind its shock value lies a brutally honest tribute to old-school isometric shooters—especially Postal (1997). While its dark tone and nihilistic premise pushed boundaries, it’s an important piece of gaming history that deserves preservation on a platform like GOG, which champions uncensored, DRM-free gaming.
Much like Postal, Hatred offers a chaotic top-down experience that puts players in control of destruction. But where Postal leaned into absurdist satire, Hatred plunges into the grim psyche of a misanthropic protagonist in a stark black-and-white world, only punctuated by red blood. The visual style is artistic and deliberately oppressive, making the game stand out stylistically and atmospherically.
Despite criticism, Hatred succeeds in its goal: to provoke and challenge gaming norms. Its tight, responsive gameplay, destructible environments, and brutal difficulty curve make it more than just a controversy machine—it’s a competent twin-stick shooter with a distinct aesthetic and gameplay identity. Like Postal, it reflects an era of unfiltered creative risk-taking rarely seen in today’s polished AAA landscape.
Adding Hatred to GOG would preserve a unique, unapologetic piece of gaming art—one that, love it or hate it, deserves to be remembered and accessible without censorship. GOG’s commitment to game preservation and creative freedom makes it the perfect home for this misunderstood cult title.