Summary
Horror game developers haveno shortage of approaches to storytelling. Some opt for linear, tightly scripted narratives with fixed protagonists and predetermined endings, likeSilent Hill,Resident Evil,Alan Wake,Dead Space,The Evil Within, andThe Last of Us. On the other hand, some titles, such asThe Forest,DayZ, andRust, focus more on sandbox-style horror, offering little in the way of a central narrative and letting the gameplay itself take center stage.
A niche within the genre is the use of cinematic, non-linear narratives, emphasizing player choice and its impact on the story. Supermassive Games is renowned for this style, but other developers have embraced similar designs. In these games, players are tasked with making RPG-like decisions with lasting consequences or guiding multiple playable characters who can die based on player actions. Below are some of the most notable horror games featuring non-linear narratives, where player choices shape the story and keep them on edge, offering a sense of freedom amid the terror.
Years after its release, the originalUntil Dawnalongside its modern remake, continues to stand out not only as Supermassive’s best title, but as one of the most impressive non-linear horror stories in gaming. Set in a creepy, remote cabin on a cold winter night,Until Dawnfeatures a diverse cast of characters who are notoriously difficult to keep alive throughout the night’s horrors. With its branching narrative that adapts to both dialogue choices and failed action sequences,Until Dawnremains the perfect horror game to dive into — whether solo or with friends — especially during the spooky season.
The game’s non-linear structure offers fantastic replayability, with players often feeling compelled to revisit chapters or even replay the entire game to experience different outcomes. Thanks to themultitude of possibilities and various endings,Until Dawnremains rewarding, even after multiple playthroughs.
The Quarryis Supermassive’s modern attempt to rivalUntil Dawnin the realm of narrative-driven cinematic horror. Once again, the studio delivers a star-studded, lengthy horror game that builds just the right amount of suspense before plunging into action, twists, and terror. In some areas — especially its homage to classic 1980s slasher films —The Quarrytruly excels, although it doesn’t quite matchUntil Dawnin terms of plot density, unpredictability, or character depth.
Still,The Quarry’snon-linear storytelling should satisfy horror fans, particularly those who enjoy playing with friends in couch co-op mode. All of Supermassive’shallmark features are present, including tense sequences where characters' fates hang by a thread, long-lasting consequences of player choices, and a wide array of unique endings to uncover.
Among Telltale’s episodic games,The Walking Deadseries is perhaps the most iconic and beloved — and for good reason. From the very first season,The Walking Deadstands apart from its TV counterpart, captivating playerswith its memorable characters, complex relationships, and branching narrative. In these games, nearly every character’s fate is influenced by the player’s decisions, often leading to emotional and tragic outcomes.
While theWalking Deadseries leans more toward character-driven drama than pure horror, it skillfully balances intense, heart-wrenching choices with brief yet powerful moments of action and horror involving zombies. Through its unforgettable journey, the series established Lee and Clementine as one of the most memorable and touching character duos in gaming.
As one of the most action-packed entries in theDark Pictures Anthology,House of Ashesis widely regarded as the standout of the first season, boasting several strengths. From its well-developed cast — including characters from opposing sides of a military conflict and even a compelling love triangle — to its unique setting,House of Ashesblends ancient mythology, modern warfare, and eerie supernatural elements into an unpredictable and thrilling narrative.
House of Ashesmaintains Supermassive’s signature gameplay formula, where choices in dialogue and quick-time events (QTEs) significantly impact the story’s progression, character fates, and eventual outcome. Though it starts with a slow build-up, the tension quickly escalates, leading to a heart-pounding finale.Any character can meet a brutal fate, depending on player decisions.
5Song Of Horror
Multiple Characters Can Die In This Puzzle-Heavy, Mysterious Horror
WithSong of Horrorfeaturing multiple playable characters, it seems to align itself with titles from Supermassive or Telltale, especially since any major character can die at almost any point. However, the game incorporates player decisions differently. While the overall narrative follows a fixed path, gameplay is heavily influenced by which characters survive and how players approach solving puzzles and uncovering mysteries.
Song of Horroremphasizes survival and exploration, with intricate puzzles to solve while being pursued by a mysterious otherworldly force. Instead of drastically altering the story, the death of any charatcter will impact who is left to continue the investigation. Each character has unique abilities that can assist in solving puzzles more efficiently, making the permadeath mechanic crucial to gameplay. The game uses this system to create a tense, atmospheric experience where player actions and failures have meaningful consequences.
The Sinking Cityblendstimeless Lovecraftian themeswith a detective-horror atmosphere, offering a semi-non-linear narrative. While the game isn’t as branching or choice-heavy as other titles, it provides a more open-world experience where players can decide how and when to tackle investigations. The focus lies primarily on gathering clues and solving mysteries, with some flexibility in how tasks are approached.
Though players can make moral choices during investigations — such as deciding whether to spare or condemn characters — these decisions mainly affect specific quests rather than the main storyline. However, the ability to impact quest outcomes and the multiple possible endings based on key choices makeThe Sinking Citya compelling option for horror fans seeking a spooky, semi-open, narrative-driven adventure.
