Horror video games have been a core genre in the gaming industry for years. In contrast to horror movies, playing horror games can be a more terrifying experience since the player is involved in the game rather than merely watching. These games tactfully create a sense of fear and dread that haunts players long after completing the game. Horror video games are made frightening by using different tactics.
They are made frightening by creating tense atmospheres, gripping gameplay and horror elements like jump scares, moments of stress, supernatural elements of horror and a scary atmosphere that will have you stay awake at night.
The visual designs and sound effects are created to be more appealing in order to capture the player’s senses in multiple ways and have them completely immersed in the game.
Top 12 Horror Video Games
Listed below are 12 of the most frightening horror video games, ordered based on the fear they evoke:
12. The Last Of Us
Developed by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us is a video game that belongs to the action-adventure genre and was released in the year 2013. In the game, players are put in the shoes of Joel who is on a mission to escort a teenage girl, Ellie, across a post-apocalyptic world where a fungal infection has decimated humanity.
The infection transforms people into different horrifying creatures. This is a third-person point-of-view video game. It can be played in both single-player and multiplayer modes, with up to eight players in its online multiplayer mode. Players get to use different weapons provided in the game to defend against creatures.
11. The Evil Within
Developed by Tango Gameworks, The Evil Within is a single-player survival horror video game played in a third-person perspective. The story has 15 levels of gameplay. The game follows detective Sebastian Castellanos, who must fight through some disturbing environments to uncover a mystery.
The unpredictable level design, horrifying enemies, and limited resources create an oppressive sense of fear. The Evil Within brings back the feel of traditional survival horror, with its use of psychological horror and jump scares.
10: Manhunt
Manhunt is a 2003 stealth-based survival horror game developed by Rockstar North. The game focuses on a dark and gritty storyline. The story is set in a world where death row inmate James Earl Cash is forced to take part in a violent snuff film, players must rely on stealth and brutality to survive. The game has a lot of graphic violence due to which it was banned in several countries.
9. Until Dawn:
Until Dawn is an interactive horror adventure game released in 2015. It has a more interactive approach. Players control eight friends trapped on a mountain during a sandstorm. The video game is very engaging. The game uses a branching narrative where player’s choices will decide who will live or die.
With jump scares, psychological tension, and a story inspired by classic horror films, Until Dawn immerses players in a terrifying experience. The game’s butterfly system ensures that every decision leads to a different outcome, creating a tense and suspense-filled atmosphere throughout. You do have the option to restart your game and try again, so don’t fret.
8. Silent Hill 2
This is a psychological horror game developed by Konami. Released in 2001, Silent Hill 2 is a survival horror game. Players are in the role of James Sunderland, a man searching for his deceased wife in the spooky town of Silent Hill.
The game’s fog-covered environments and haunting sound design create a daunting experience. Silent Hill 2 explores themes of guilt, grief, and loss, making it a more emotional experience. Its unique monsters and chilling narrative set it apart as one of the most psychologically disturbing games ever made.
7. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Known as Biohazard in Japan, Resident Evil is a Japanese horror game series by Capcom. In the game, players take control of Ethan Winters, a man in search of his wife who went missing in a huge mansion.
The game’s use of limited resources, creepy environments, and immersive VR mode make it the best in the series. Resident Evil 7 uses a first-person perspective and is the first one to do so in the Resident Evil series. Playing this game in first-person POV will be scarier than playing other games in third-person.
6. Outlast
Outlast is a petrifying game that keeps the horror going on till the end. Developed and published by Red Barrels in 2013, Outlast is a first-person survival horror video game. In the game, the player mostly depends on stealth tactics to survive. The game follows investigative journalist Miles Upshur, who investigates a mysterious psychiatric hospital.
The game emphasises hiding and running rather than fighting enemies. Players have to explore and find their way through dark corridors filled with enemies with only a camcorder as a tool which helps them with night vision. The game’s terrifying use of audio and visuals, and its stealth-based gameplay have made Outlast a modern horror classic.
5. Alien: Isolation
Developed by Creative Assembly in 2014, Alien: Isolation is a first-person survival horror game set in the universe of the Alien film series. Players take on the role of Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she searches for answers about her mother’s disappearance.
Players are abandoned in an unsettling space station that is filled with Xenomorphs. The Xenomorph stalks the player throughout, using advanced AI to learn and adapt to player actions. The game’s intense atmosphere and the constant threat of being hunted by the alien make every moment terrifying.
4. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
Developed by Tecmo in 2003, Fatal Frame is a popular series among horror game fans with many spine-chilling games in the series. Fatal Frame II is a survival horror game where players use a camera to capture and defeat hostile spirits. The story is set in an abandoned village, where twin sisters Mio and Mayu uncover dark secrets.
The Camera Obscura, the game’s unique weapon forces players to face ghosts by photographing them. The eerie atmosphere, slow pacing and disturbing ghost encounters make Fatal Frame II a standout horror experience. It is a single-player survival horror.
3. Dead Space
A modern classic, Dead Space is a science fiction survival horror game developed by Motive Studio. The game follows a mining spaceship filled with deadly alien monsters called Necromorphs where players control Isaac Clarke, an engineer trying to survive while uncovering the mysteries of the ship.
The Necromorphs have horrific designs that will give you the creeps and on top of that, they are also extremely dangerous. Overall it has a tense atmosphere and satisfying gameplay. This daunting single-player game is available on PS5, Windows and Xbox series. Dead Space is said to be one of the best horror games released in recent times.
2. MADiSON
MADiSON is a first-person psychological horror video game. Players explore a haunted house filled with troubling secrets. The game is all about solving puzzles and using a camera to connect with the supernatural.
This camera is unique in that it has the ability to serve as a bridge between the living and the dead. The atmosphere is tense, with every corner of the house offering new horrors. MADiSON also has a VR version which is sure to give you the jitters. Released in 2022 for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Windows, MADiSON was developed by BLOODIOUS GAMES.
1. Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a first-person survival horror adventure game developed and published by Frictional Games. It was released in 2010 for PC, PS4 and Xbox.
This game will give you a terrifying experience that will even make you scream. In the game, the players take on the role of Daniel, who wakes up with no memory and must uncover the terrifying secrets of the castle while avoiding horrifying creatures.
In addition to dangers from outside, players also have to deal with the dark horrors of Daniel’s mind. His sanity must be managed, which reduces when he stays in the dark too long. Having low sanity will cause hallucinations in Daniels’s mind and this will attract more monsters. Amnesia: The Dark Descent is one of the scariest video games in the horror genre.
Also, Read: Top 12 Predator Games
Conclusion
The world of horror video games offers a wide variety of daunting experiences that completely immerse the player. These 12 horror video games have a range of scary experiences including jump scares and psychological horror and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Whether you’re battling spooky creatures or exploring a haunted place, each game on this list brings its unique type of fear. For horror fans, these games will give the perfect mix of thrill and terror, giving you an unforgettable experience in gaming.
