Today’s Flash Friday focuses on the issue of violence in video games. To be clear, we’re for it. We’re not for violence, specifically, but we are for keeping it where it belongs, in video games. As opposed to schools, theme parks, petting zoos, etc. To that purpose, we have rounded up three of our favorite violent flash games, and would like to share them with you in all their bloody glory. Enjoy.

The Last Stand
Developer: Con Artists Productions & Armor Games
We love this game. Let’s be clear on that. Essentially, you build a barricade and then defend it against endless increasingly large swarms of zombies. In between sessions of zombie-slaying, you can repair your barricades to hold off the encroaching intruders, look for survivors to help you, or search for weapons – all desperate moves for a desperate man. The game is full of nice touches, including the desperate pathos of having a “things to do” list that includes looking for survivors. Humorous and well designed, it will lure you in. Bonus points for the creepy crickets and owls soundtrack – the perfect mood setting for a creepy game like this. Sometimes less is more. Oh, and do play at least until you get the chainsaw. Trust us on that one. [Play]

Bowmaster Prelude
Developer: LostVectors.com
For those who like their carnage slow, methodical, and medieval, there is Bowmaster Prelude, perhaps the best of the archery-violence type flash games. You have a castle, they have a castle. You have troops, they have troops. Fight. Good classic gameplay, and has lots of pixellated blood, to get your old-school blood rage on. Bonus points for the developers recording themselves (or a very understanding friend) on a cheap microphone with an even cheaper “fantasy accent” for all of the voiceovers. Rage on, renaissance-faire fan. Rage on. [Play]

Pillage the Village
Developer: LostVectors.com
For those that prefer their violence “hands on”, we strongly suggest this prequel to Defend Your Castle. Tear apart villages with your bare hands and slap the villagers around until they cough up their coins. While the game is quite violent, the gameplay value of throwing these guys around is just too good for us to be judgmental. Loaded with features like items to buy and a “pacifist” or “antagonist” gameplay style, this one will keep you happily slapping pixellated victims around for hours. [Play]