If most Christian games feel like VBS craft projects, The Bloody Cross is the opposite — a raw, unflinching narrative experience that refuses to sanitize the weight of sin or the cost of the cross.^1 Created by Benjamin Westlake under the indie label Living Bones Interactive, this short top-down game uses hand-drawn art, horror elements, and stark allegory to pull players into a haunting journey through addiction, shame, pride, and the trauma of trying to earn righteousness on your own.^2 Westlake developed the game while studying games at the University of Utah, a deliberate labor of faith that he chose to release completely free.^3
You play as a wanderer climbing a mountain — an allegory for moral achievement — only to be met with temptation, failure, and spiritual struggle at every turn. Along the way, you encounter others like you, and eventually Jesus himself, who offers forgiveness and calls you to follow him… even unto the cross.^1 The game was made entirely without generative AI, with every asset hand-crafted.^2
Why Christians Love It"It got a little hard to play through the tears in my eyes but I did it."^4
"The music, style and the game itself is very dark, but the Light of God shines brighter in the dark — so it really adds up to the game."^4
"Great game! Thank you for making this free so people may wander and discover Christ."^4
Notable- Well-reviewed on Steam with a 92% positive rating across all reviews^1
- Also available on itch.io as a name-your-own-price download^2
- Features full controller support and runs on modest hardware^1
- Deals with mature themes including addiction, suicide, and emotional trauma — not intended for younger audiences^1
- No generative AI was used in the game's creation — all assets are hand-crafted^2
