Summary
Given how massive thehorror video gamescene is, it’s no surprise that it doesn’t follow a ‘one-size-fits-all’ formula. Horror has always been a fan-favorite genre, with probably more game releases than most other categories, but despite how active developers are in creating horror games, only a select few titles reallystand out and make a lasting impact.
Some of the best horror games in the industry don’t follow the typical horror format, which includes the most uncalled-for jumpscares, unnecessarily loud and generic horror music, and immensely predictable plot twists. Instead, they go with the more subtle approach and gradually aim towards a banging reveal as the game progresses. The understated nature of these games is exactly whatmesses with the player’s mindsand is far more effective than some of the more traditional horror games out there.
Developer(s)
Pixelsplit GmbH & Co. KG
Reveilis a 2024 first-person indie psychological thriller that tries to push the boundaries of all things psychological and ends up pulling it off pretty well. It follows the life of a circus stage builder, Walter Thompson, and his strange relationship with his family — which is essentially the central conflict of the entire game.
Reveilis what the artistic people would call a “surreal masterpiece.” It starts off in the most absurd, dream-like setting, and continuously shifts between reality and dream (or more appropriately, nightmare), making the player question what is real and what is not. The plot line related to the main character’s family, and his mysteriouspast as a part of a circus, somehow merge together for a grand reveal at the end. Everything the player interacts with, and every choice they make throughout the game, works towards an outrageously unexpected ending.
Steelkrill Studio
Horror games are already, well, horrifying to begin with, buthaving a child protagonistjust adds a deeper layer of vulnerability and helplessness that usually elevates the games' psychological aspects.Baby Blues Nightmareis a first-person horror adventure played entirely from the lens of a toddler navigating through a world of horrors.
The game is very similar toAmong the Sleep,and plays on the “everything is too big for the child main character” idea, where the toddler has to essentially work their way through their own nightmares. There’s a little stealth involved in the gameplay, where players have to prevent the from crying by doing different “happy” tasks, like eating chocolates or playing. The more scared and sad the character is, the more likely they’re going to cry, and will ultimately be more prone to getting caught by some freakish monsters.
While some gamers might have strict criteria for what qualifies as a game, often excluding visual novels, there are a few that manage to break that mold.Doki Doki Literature Clubis a seemingly normal and harmless dating sim/visual novel that initially does not feel like a revolutionary game made to be groundbreaking for the genre — until the twist.
Doki Doki Literature Clubstarts off as any cutesy visual novel and dating sim would; with an unnamed main character surrounded by a group of girls that may or may not potentially end up as his love interest. The protagonist is forced into a high school literature club by his childhood best friend and potential love interest, Sayori. His slow but steady interaction with each member of the literature club influences his relationship with them — until it doesn’t. The game eventually leans into its reality andturns into a psychological horrorwith extensive breaking of the fourth wall, and certain plot lines that leave everyone shocked and appalled.
Dead Spacecan be considered one of the quintessential survival horror games to explore the “unexpected grand reveal” format that leaves players unnerved and questioning everything they’ve played. It’s a horrorsci-fi third-person shooterthat revolves around alien-like monsters, futuristic combat mechanics, and post-disaster settings, with little to no allusion towards a unique existential ending.
Dead Spacefollows Isaac Clarke, a spaceship engineer, who’s assigned a mission to the now-defunct USGIshimuraplanetcracker ship that is conducting some sort of illegal mining on a faraway planet. For Isaac, despite his official position as the lead engineer, this mission is very personal, since his girlfriend, Nicole, was a senior medical officer on theIshuimura,and is now missing. Throughout the game, the only connection Isaac has with Nicole is through a series of eerie messages and hallucinations, where she offers guidance as he navigates the horrors of the ship. The truth of these messages will shock every player the first time around.
Horror shooters, no matter how psychologically twisted, eventually end up feeling slightly meek because of the security players feel through their weapons and arsenal. Games likeAmnesiaandLayers of Fearinnately provide a feeling of dread for their players because of how non-violent they are, at least from the player character’s point of view.
Layers of Fearis a 2016narrative-driven horror adventurethat follows the story of a painter on a journey to create his magnum opus — something that he’s worked all his life for. Naturally, as certain artists are, The Painter dedicates his entire life, dreams, and sanity to creating his masterpiece, and basically sidelines everything else. This eventually bleeds into his personal life and drives him to make some questionable decisions. The gameplay revolves around said painter traveling around an old Victorian house and finding unsettling clues and inspirations to complete his painting.
Eternal Darknessis a 2002 action-adventure game, and one of the first few games that very openly utilizes the “sanity meter” gameplay mechanic. While this may sound like a common idea in today’s gaming landscape, it was quite revolutionary forEternal Darknessback in 2002, setting a new standard for psychological elements in video games.
The game is basically a set of interconnected stories that play out into one main timeline. The first playable character, Alex, finds herself in the middle of a mysterious situation connected to her grandfather’s murder and a seemingly occult book. The book, known as “The Tome of Eternal Darkness”, contains various dark stories related to a large-scale power struggle between godlike beings known as the Ancients and their minions. She goes through these stories in succession, and eventually finds out her own prime purpose in the timeline.
With most games on this list being action-adventure or survival horror, adeck-building puzzle gamemay come off as an unexpected surprise, especially in the horror genre. However, withInscryption’s very unique and ingenious gameplay, it makes sense. It’s a 2021 card game that blends the most unique genres, including roguelikes, tabletop games, and escape rooms, and comes away with a masterpiece.
Inscryption’s story, despite how immersive and brain-intensive it is, is still shrouded in mysterious and cryptic plot lines. Most of the time, players don’t know what they’re working towards, or if there is even an end goal or grand reveal. The slow building towards imminent doom, the unnerving card designs (and characterizations), and the almost life-and-death situation presented in every game against the not-so-friendly gamemaster creates an atmosphere that’s hard to shake off, even after the game’s over.
Amnesia: The Dark Descentis another survival horror entry that can be considered a standout for having some of themost effectively scary horror sequences in the genre. The game employs almost all the subtly mind-bending and disorienting tactics used in horror and successfully creates a game that succeeds at far more than its initial impressions suggest.
Amnesiarevolves around Daniel, a man with, well, amnesia, who wakes up in a strange gothic castle that has more to it than meets the eye. The only detail Daniel remembers about his life is that he’s not safe, and is being stalked by someone or something. Players, as Daniel, feel that impending doom slowly creeping up on them, and can feel Daniel’s palpable fear and confusion throughout the course of their castle expedition. The game works towards creating an atmosphere that doesn’t depend on jump scares or generic B-type horror sequences but aims to create organic fear out of soundtracks, character stories, and terrifying escape sequences as the helpless Daniel has only two means of defense: hide, or run.
The entireSilent Hillfranchise is celebrated for its symbolism, intricate storytelling, and intense climactic endings. However, like many franchises, it has a standout title —Silent Hill 2. Released in 2001,Silent Hill 2is not only revolutionary in its premise, but also groundbreaking for its impressive graphics, which pushed the boundaries of what was possible for a video game at the time.
Silent Hill 2tells the story of James Sunderland, a man who receives a cryptic letter from his dead wife that leads him to the town of Silent Hill. As James navigates the ghost town, he encounters various characters and creatures that creatively reflect his own psychological turmoil. The subtlety of certain actions, combined with the overall immersive experience, allows players to genuinely feel like they’re stepping into James' shoes, blurring the line between character and player.
