Summary
The 1990s saw the rise of the horror genre in gaming, as classic titles were released, pushing video games into the successful worldwide industry we know today. Some of themost influential games of the decadewere in the horror genre. These influential releases pushed technology, gameplay, and narrative storytelling to new places while simultaneously scaring the hell out of their players.
From cult classics to worldwide blockbusters, many of these titles created successful game franchises that are still strong today. The current gaming landscape would be very different without many of these games. Several have even enjoyed modern remakes, ensuring a new generation can experience all the scares, blood, and action that made these games' genre classics.
The Point-and-Click adventure gamegenre has largely disappeared from mainstream gaming, but in 1992,Dark Seedwas ahead of its time. The game was led by famed Swiss artist H. R. Giger, who lent his unique and twisted vision to the game.
Dark Seedwas innovative for its high-quality graphics, pre-rendered backgrounds, and cutscenes (which would become the standard in many video games), which brought a cinematic quality to the game. Players control Mike Dawson, who discovers the existence of a dark parallel universe in his new home. The game is extremely challenging, with many actions occurring within a short timeframe. If players miss this window, it means game over.
ThisFPS horror shooterwould eventually gain a cult following and be influential on the Weird West genre of games. Players control Caleb, an undead gunslinger on a path of vengeance against a demon who killed his family. The game has an unspecified setting and includes pop-culture references, ultra-violence, and an armory of weapons, many with alternate attacks.
The game influenced many modern retro shooter games, includingDuskandCultic, with its dark Lovecraftian themes and western setting. It also inspired the manhwaPriest, which was adapted to the screen in 2011.
The House of the Deadis one of the most successfularcade games of the 90s. In 1998, it successfully transitioned from arcades to consoles with its Sega Saturn port. The game’s story revolves around two agents fighting to stop a zombie outbreak, as the hordes of the undead are unleashed. Players use a light gun to shoot the numerous attacking zombies while avoiding human targets and rescuing hostages.
While the gameplay is simple,The House of the Deadis a fun shooter that has made a big impact. The game helped revitalize the zombie genre in both film and video games. It introduced fast-running zombies into popular culture, whereas before they had been the traditional Romero-style, slow-moving kind.
Alone in the Darkis one of the original survival horror games and is noted as being the first 3D survival horror game. While the game never had the same cultural impact asSilent HillorResident Evil, its influence on horror gaming is no less important. It defined many mechanics now common in survival horror, such as a limited inventory and puzzle solving. It was even a big influence on the firstResident Evil.
Alone in the Darkrevolves around the player escaping a large mansion in Louisiana. The game is set in the 1920s and takes influence from the work of H.P. Lovecraft, with the player fighting various ghosts and monsters.Alone in the Darkspawned a successful franchise, with several games, films, and even areimagining of the original game, released in 2024.
System Shockbecame a cult classic in the gaming world, and was highly influential in modern gaming with its complex gameplay and dark atmosphere. Itslasting legacycan be seen in games such asSoma,Bioshock, andCyberpunk 2077, and it helped to bring emergent gameplay to a wider audience.
InSystem Shock, players control a security hacker who must stop a rogue AI that has taken over a space station. The game employed an innovative physics system and a non-linear style of gameplay, which earned it its place among the defining games of the immersive sim genre. The game even enjoyed a successful remake in 2023, bringing this unique and dark vision of the future to a new generation of players.
Silent Hillis one of the most iconic games in the survival horror genre. Bringing a strong emphasis on psychological horror, the game is a mature and terrifying experience that launched a successful franchise. The game follows Harry Mason, who has come to the town of Silent Hill to search for his adopted daughter.
Silent Hill’s narrative goes tosome very dark places, both literally and psychologically. The game’s bleak design fits perfectly with the story and creates an oppressive atmosphere that rarely lets up. Its influence on modern gaming is huge and can be seen in many survival horror games that came after. In a medium that was often seen as crude, or for kids,Silent Hillhelped bring artistic recognition to video games.
Resident Evilis one of the most successful video game franchises in history. The series revolves around the evil Umbrella Corporation and their experiments in viral weaponry that result in mass zombie outbreaks.Resident Evilwas largely responsible for the resurgence of the zombie genre in video games and film, and was a defining moment in survival horror.
The game follows a special operations unit investigating a mysterious mansion, who find the dead have risen and are stalking the corridors.Resident Evilpushed narrative storytelling in games, taking a more cinematic approach with its live-action opening and fun cutscenes. While the series has evolved and changed, the firstResident Evilremains a classic survival horror experience.
