TL;DR
Silent Hill Series
Silent Hill 2 is frequently mentioned as one of the best horror games due to its deep psychological horror and compelling narrative. Players recall the dread they felt exploring its eerie environments, with some noting it was the first game that truly terrified them [5:5],
[5:7]. While Silent Hill 2 is praised for its story, some players find other entries like Silent Hill 1 scarier due to their relentless atmosphere
[5:6].
Alien Isolation
Alien Isolation stands out for its ability to create a constant sense of fear and tension. The game's intelligent AI alien learns from player behavior, making each encounter unpredictable and terrifying [5:1],
[5:2]. Its immersive sound design and attention to detail in replicating the "Alien" universe contribute to its reputation as one of the scariest horror experiences
[3:9],
[5:8].
Fatal Frame Series
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is celebrated for its haunting story and emotional impact. Many players regard it as a masterpiece, with its atmospheric environments and relatable characters leaving a lasting impression [2:1],
[4:4]. The series is noted for its unique gameplay mechanics, which involve using a camera to capture ghosts, adding to the tension and fear factor
[2:4].
Other Notable Mentions
Games like Dead Space and Outlast are also highlighted for their intense horror elements. Dead Space combines a terrifying atmosphere with innovative gameplay mechanics, such as real-time inventory management [3:6],
[3:7]. Outlast, along with P.T., is recognized for revolutionizing horror gaming with its immersive first-person perspective and chilling environments
[3:3].
These discussions reflect a range of opinions on what makes a horror game great, from psychological depth to atmospheric tension and innovative gameplay mechanics. Each game offers a unique experience that resonates differently with players, making them memorable entries in the horror genre.
Would love to have this discussion with you guys: Wether it’s what you’d consider today “the scariest game ever”, or maybe you wouldn’t exactly consider it the scariest now, not objectively, but the impact it had you was stronger than anything has managed to effect you. It doesn’t matter. I simply want to hear about the horror games that gave you the most chills.
That game that actually made you afraid of the dark for a while. Nothing is better than a game that keeps you on edge for every second that you’re in control. This is why Survival Horror is such a successful genre.
My personal pick is Outlast. Resident Evil 1&2 are very close.
Here’s shots of some of my favorite moments. Cheers, friends! 🥂
Playing FEAR for the first time, alone in the dark, with headphones, is absolutely terrifying.
It’s not just the jumpscares. The entire atmosphere of the game is off. There’s always the feeling like you’re being watched, (and you sometimes are). Like if you linger in an area for too long, something bad will happen. You can be completely alone, but you never feel like you are.
The music and sound design is phenomenal, and really get under your skin. There’s one part where you’re crawling through a vent, and you very briefly hear a woman’s cry, or moan, almost floating by you. No visual to accompany it, just the voice. It’s just so random and unnerving, and the game is full of little moments like that.
There’s also the fact that so much of the game goes relatively unexplained. Take Janowski, for instance. Early on in the game, he disappears, and you never find out what actually happened to him. You know something did, but his body is never found. The last you see of him is his phantom walking down a dark corridor going “Is someone there?” You know Alma is somewhat responsible, and that she did something to him that caused him to wander around as a phantom replaying his final moments, and can’t help but feeling like the guy suffered a fate worse than death.
This is a game that sticks with you after you turn it off. The sequels really missed the magic of the original, IMO.
You have all those abilities and guns, and it's still so unnerving. It's the OG liminal horror game, I always thought F.E.A.R. was a prototype backrooms game.
The lack of music even during enemy encounters were terrifying. The enemy soldiers really felt eerie, too, especially equipped with their intensely aggressive and intelligent AI.
It's like No Country for Old Men, Backrooms, and Silent Hill rolled into one. It's a masterpiece, I don't know what happened to the rest of the series 😭😭
I bought the first FEAR just recently and haven't given it a proper try. This comment thread has convinced me to really get into it. Bought the first one physical copy, 2 and 3 are on Xbox shop, gonna go through them now and see what I'm missing.
Brooo. I remember that winter, playing it on a friend's couch in his room. Raining into the night. Both friends watching over my shoulder, and that game managed to make all of us leap the fuck up all the way back in.. 2005? 2006? FEAR is forever etched on me. I've never replayed it. BUt it's there. Forever.
Spawned a lot of great loop indie horror games tho
My dad and I used to play this together, taking turns to do certain parts. Well, one day, my younger brother decided to sit and watch us. He must have been around 5 or 6 at the time, and it was the "corridor" part... the dog jumped through the window, and he absolutely shit himself, cried nonstop for hours, and had nightmares. We all remember this day vividly, and my dad and I like to take the piss out of my brother when we're together. He likes to (probably correctly) say it was child abuse but does actually find it funny.
Alien Isolation. I had to take breaks and breath a little, couldn't play for too long.
I had barely started the game and I had to pause it every 5 seconds while hiding under a hospital bed… I have completed it but it didn’t come with its challenges (me being a wimp)
Currently replaying this now with my daughter, with the mic in the controller adding to the tension it’s so good. She’s come up with a few diabolical ideas for her age such as throwing noisemakers at other humans to set the alien on them.
I played this with my partner and he panicked so much that he tried running past it and it swallowed him. It became equally funny and terrifying.
Fuck that baby! That’s the one true HORROR part of the game!
Original PS1 Resident Evil.
Back in October, I bought every Fatal Frame game. I started with Mask of the Lunar Eclipse and Maiden of Blackwater because they were on the PS5 before moving on to Fatal Frame, Crimson Butterfly, and The Tormented (which I am slowly working through) on the PS3.
Well, I recently beat Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly for the first time, and my initial thought after the game was, “How am I supposed to be okay after that?” Weeks later, it still gnaws at me. The story was depressingly beautiful, the environments amazing, the characters relatable, the sound and camera angles peak, and the themes of guilt, grief, codependency, and trauma were executed flawlessly. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly was a masterpiece and the greatest horror game I have played (sorry, Silent Hill 2), and it further cemented Fatal Frame as my favourite horror franchise.
I still haven't the mental strength to replay this even years later. Incredible Game but still creeps me out like few others have been able to since
I personally think that Fatal Frame 3 The Tormented is the masterpiece.
Both are great, TBH. I think it just boils down to what hits you harder. For me, personally, it was 2 that made me tear up a little. Thought 3 was actually my first in the series.
These entries really deserve to be held in the same esteem as Silent Hill 2, IMO. Such a shame they aren't and FF remains extremely niche.
I think a lot of people like FF3 much more because it is a lot more relatable. Lots of people go through grief, and survivals guilt, so the story will be a lot more closer to home.
I also like it more because it was a lot harder and items were actually hard to come by or would fall victim to “if you want more ammo you gotta risk it.”
Also it’s hella fucking scary, I’ll forever run away from the scary grandma on wheels. Fuck that bish.
FF is sadly more niche plus the gameplay isn’t standard combat gun shoot bang
Agreed with this.
FF2 is the best game of the series, specially xbox version.
Ngl I prefer 3 a lot more, the story is amazing and can be relatable to a lot of people, and the gameplay is a lot more survival like and fun.
I hated how easy FF2 was and how much items they give you.
Eh, it's a tie between 2 and 3 for me.
When Chou starts to play at the end 😭
I think it doesnt work well on the xbox 360, someone posted about it some months ago.
Yes, it's amazing and the first game that made me cry. Until then, my favorite horror game was Silent Hill 2, but FF2 far greatly surpassed it
For me outlast and p.t, both terrifying atmospheres within their own contexts, were games that revolutionized the gaming industry
So sad that silent hills was canceled and that outlast will now become an asymmetrical multiplayer game just like Dbd With outlast trials
Slender The Arrival scared the shit out of me too, especially the farm and mine level
Yes!! One of the only spooky games that captured me enough to finish it and it's still my favourite. Nothing has beaten the atmosphere or the existential dread. I love it and wish more people would play it!
This is one of those games where I wish I could delete my memories of it and just play through it again fresh.
Such an incredibly thought provoking, sad, and terrifying game.
If any fans of story driven horror games hasn’t played this and doesn’t know anything about it, play it now with no spoilers. You'll literally be thinking about the story for weeks or months after.
Alien Isolation had the best tension.
I love horror games to death, and none have gotten me frozen in fear like Alien Isolation did
While this game is not only scary, it also just completely captures the "Alien" world and look. Nearly 10 years later and its still one of the best looking games on PS4 imo. It certainly requires some patience at times but you also gotta know when to just sprint, hide somewhere and cross your fingers lol The last 1/3 of this game in particular is just so thrilling and action packed, I love it.
>While this game is not only scary, it also just completely captures the "Alien" world and look.
Finally finished it this weekend. The game is a love letter to the franchise. The aesthetic is gorgeous. That flashback scene where >!you visit LV-426 and the crashed ship, including the Space Jockey!< was mindblowing, and I did not expect the segment where you >!stumble across an entire alien nest!<. Probably the most tense part of the game
Darkwood blew me away in every element. Outstanding use of audio, haunting imagery, interesting a terrifying locations, challenging combat, fun gameplay loop, excellent story, I can keep going but it's as close to a perfect horror game as I've seen to date and I'll shout it out whenever I get the chance.
Darkwood gets my vote. Glad to see it mentioned, this game rustled my jimmies in a way that not much else has.
Dead Space. It had such a terrifying atmosphere backed with a threat that was unknown and even more deadly
I only played Dead Space 2 and it was one of my favorite video game experiences ever. Love how the main character is an engineer that pieces weapons together using parts he finds vs being a generic space marine.
Also there were things about how interface I found next level. Like going into your weapons inventory didn’t pause the game, and the ability to light up the pathway of where you’re supposed to go ensure there were no wandering around aimslessly moments.
Oh yeah, the deaths and kill scenes were straight up nightmares.
Dead Space was the first game I platinumed. I had beaten it once and there were a couple trophies I needed. One was to beat it on the hardest difficulty, the other to beat it with only the plasma cutter. Decided to do both in one run
Highly recommended. Awesome experience.
For sure! This was such a fun game and made an already scary game WAY scarier in VR. Walking around the house itself was suspenseful but enemy encounters, especially the ones who come out of nowhere were so startling and scary I would actually shout lol I remember one of the favorite moments was trying to kill the deformed spider lady with a flame thrower and shes crawling on the ceiling hunting me and im spinning around trying to find and burn her, it felt so real, scary and fun. This game alone made the PS VR worth it, its a shame they dont have more horror VR games because they knocked it out the park with RE7. Highly recommend it!
Back in October, I bought every Fatal Frame game. I started with Mask of the Lunar Eclipse and Maiden of Blackwater because they were on the PS5 before moving on to Fatal Frame, Crimson Butterfly, and The Tormented (which I am slowly working through) on the PS3.
Well, I recently beat Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly for the first time, and my initial thought after the game was, “How am I supposed to be okay after that?” Weeks later, it still gnaws at me. The story was depressingly beautiful, the environments amazing, the characters relatable, the sound and camera angles peak, and the themes of guilt, grief, codependency, and trauma were executed flawlessly. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly was a masterpiece and the greatest horror game I have played (sorry, Silent Hill 2), and it further cemented Fatal Frame as my favourite horror franchise.
Yeah it’s great. Im personally in the FF3 camp, but FF2 is definitely one of the best in the franchise
FF3 is so damn good that it's only negative is being narratively tied to the dumpster fire that is FF5
Love that they let you do the bad ending, but the last part of it says “game over” and reverts you to your previous save. It’s not even treated like an ‘ending’ it’s like “there you had your fun now go get the real ending”
This series needs an HD collection so badly.
youll never believe what just happened
Something ritual something, ritual ritual ritual something ritual.
For me, it comes 2nd after Silent Hill 2
Alien Isolation is my pick. I was too scared to leave the locker half the time.
I've played hundreds of horror games from AAA to tiny indie ones, and this still remains my pick anytime I'm asked. The sound design is incredible, and the fact that the Alien is AI and learns how to hunt you based on how you play is absolutely horrific. The Joes can fuck right off though.
This is just me, but I only found the game nerve wracking until the Medbay level. After that, it just felt like a chore trying to game the Alien's movement, becoming more puzzle game than horror. My vote would probably be one of the Amnesia games or Dead Space.
Anybody who’s played through Alien Isolation knows this is the answer. I can play horror games all day and night with no problems.. but I could only play this game in short bursts of 30 minutes to an hour.. the dread of being hunted by an intelligent alien was so real.
Scariest game and also my favorite horror experience of all time.
Silent Hill 2 is my answer. I remember playing it alone in my dorm in college. I was so terrified I had to turn it off. It was the first SH game I played and knew nothing about the lore. Every location was a new feeling of dread, just wondering the next time I’d hear the sirens.
I don’t know if it’d have the same affect if I were playing it for the first time now, and it’s hard to go back to those games because the controls are infuriating (how did we ever play like that???).
I’ve had games I’ve fallen in love with many games since then, but I’ve never found one that scared me through and through like Silent Hill 2.
Question was : What is the scariest horror game of all time? Silent Hill 2. Really, scariest? Its best horror game but far from scariest
Your right silent hill 2 was terrifying cant wait for the remake coming soon going to be awesome
I don't know if I'm just desensitized or what, but SH and RE were just not scary for me. The games were great! The atmosphere was creepy, but I never got frightened or tense.
I think it's the third person aspect which dampened the effect for me. Horror games in first person POV are much scarier than those with third person.
Finally someone else agrees! I definitely find SH1 scarier than 2. I understand they're a little different in the type of fear they use, but no other game matches just the continuous sickening utter dread and despair when you're lost in that hospital and you feel like you're never getting out, and it's truly a living nightmare. Fatal frame maybe comes close, Silent Hill 1 takes the cake.
Awesome you put eternal darkness there. The first REmake and The Thing. And silent hill 2 of course
Yeah Silent Hill 2 was my first Silent Hill game and after experiencing the first and third games, 2 felt tame by comparison in terms of the fear factor. Not trying to call out 2 as a bad game, it’s absolutely incredible because of its story, but it’s prob the least scary of Team Silent’s work
First and only game I've played in VR. The chainsaw scene in the beginning got me like no other horror experience
Dying Light
Alien: Isolation
Outlast
SOMA
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Babysitter Bloodbath
The Convenience Store
Aka Manto
IMSCARED
Silent Hill 1+2
Stay Out Of The House
MONEY LOVES SILENCE
Phasmophobia
Alan Wake
Nun Massacre: Definitive Edition
F.E.A.R.
No One Lives Under The Lighthouse Director's Cut
Security Booth Director's Cut
It Steals
The Mortuary Assistant
Dread X Collection 1-5
Visage
Limbo
Little Nightmares
Prey (Original + Reboot)
Night At The Gates of Hell
Nightmare of Decay
Iron Lung
FAITH: The Unholy Trinity
P.T.
OMORI
Mr. Hopp's Playhouse
The Park
Doki Doki Literature Club
Intruders: Hide and Seek
The Forest
Condemned: Criminal Origins
The Suffering
Manhunt 1+2
Home Sweet Home
Fran Bow (Might not be Classified as Horror)
Don't Starve
Anatomy
Happy's Humble Burger Farm
Carrion
The Enigma of Salazar House
Among the Sleep
Neverending Nightmares
Darkwood
Murder House
(These games are not ranked from worst to best, or best to worst, it is just a list of Great Horror games)
Here are 6 games that didn't make the cut, but are still really good:
(Again, not ranked in order)
Lastly, if you want some more games, here are some Upcoming games that are looking promising:
Hope you enjoyed the list!
Dead Space? Left 4 Dead? Resident Evil?
All aren't my cup of tea.
While Dead Space is the best of the 3 you mentioned, I never really got into it. Left 4 Dead I wasn't a huge fan of. And for Resident Evil, while I do see that fundamentally, it is a good series, it just isn't for me.
So the list you made is what YOU feel are the best horror games and not necessarily ARE the best horror games. Most of those I've never heard of and some of them I didn't care for. Dead Space and Resident Evil are better than most of that list.
It's great to have an opinion, we all do. But if you're going to post something like this, maybe title it as "My 50 favorite horror games" instead.
Fair enough, they are up there at the peak of horror gaming for me.
L4d isn't a SP game imo. The SP and coop modes are just tutorials for the versus mode which was the real mode. I don't even like zombies and can't recall ever liking them, but I easily sank 4k+ hours into l4d versus. B4b I played for a couple hours and haven't been back. I'm ok with it not being on the list ....
But as much as I love don't starve..... I wouldn't recommend it necessarily for horror fans given the countless better options?
Imo dead space belongs on a list of horror games more than re4 which was just a shade scarier than house of the dead :) re4 is a great game but it's the perfect game for those that don't like horror, as it barely touches horror. Probably don't starve is scarier depending on what scares you :)
I just started Until Dawn and I’m really enjoying it. It’s a movie that you get to interact with. The choices you make change the game. The mechanics of the game in the way you move a character reminds me of the original Resident Evil on the PS1.
I’m going to copy your list and look for some of the games. I love horror. I even write horror.
Until dawn is brilliant. I’ve played it several times both solo and w friends handing off the controller. I’ve enjoyed all their games after too from the dark pictures anthology and am in the middle of the quarry now. Until dawn is still the best, but I dig em all.
I didn’t realize they made the other games too. Those are all on my list to get and play. The Dark Pictures series looks fantastic as does Quarry. I wasn’t sure I would like a game like this so I took a chance on Until Dawn and man I’m blown away at home much I’m enjoying it.
Eternal Darkness, fatal frame 1 and 2, evil within 1 and 2, Silent hill 3-4 are all great as well.
1 has the best oppressive atmosphere, but I far prefer Fatal Frame 3, 4, and 5, even despite some of 5's weird decisions.
I'd personally bump a few of those out of the "must play list" then add:
System Shock 2
Clive Barker's Undying
>Observer
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
See, here’s the thing about system shock 2. It’s still the best game ever made, ever.
Never said Alan Wake 2 was scary. Just that it was “the best” based on my own interpretation of what makes a game “better”.
I never thought Amnesia games were very scary so I skipped The Bunker but maybe I’ll give it a try whenever I have a lull in upcoming games.
I couldn’t breathe while playing amnesia the bunker, that game wins hands down for it. My fav though was the ds remake. It’s one of my favorite gaming franchises
I second Amnesia: The Bunker. The immersion was unreal! With no hud: you gauged your health by looking at the amount of blood on your hand, or the number of bullets left in your revolver by opening (so slowly) the cartridge. And worrying about the amount of time left before the generator runs out... I could only play this game in short bursts.
I just grabbed the Dead Space remake this week, but haven't started yet, and I had Amnesia high up on my list to be next. I like all the suggestions for these I've been seeing lately.
Alan Wake 2 easily.
After 20 years, Alan Wake 2 came to take over the number 0 of my top 10 games.
No doubt.. couldn't get into amnesia, and re4r is a remake and re-make/masters shouldn't count imo because it's not an all new game..
Re4 remake was by far my most played game, but I have a lot of issues with it.
RE4R
Amnesia: The Bunker
Amnesia The Bunker is my favourite game from the series. And the relatively short time it takes to finish works perfectly for me as a father of young kids
Are they all good and do you have to play them in order?
The og RE4 is my favorite game of all time and I only have one issue with it; the qtes are broken on the hd ports.
Otherwise it’s perfect. The remake made a lot of new problems by changing so much, gameplay wise.
Honorable Mentions:
Silent Hill P.T: Since it's UNFORTUNATELY not a full game, still LOTS OF indie games are using tropes from P.T. which makes it one of the biggest games that impacted the horror genre, even if its a demo, the impact this game had was BIG.
IT STEALS: It keeps you on the edge of your seat AT ALL TIMES especially in the camera mode, it's a really quick and small game but the fear you'll feel in this game is big in my opinion.
Cold Fear: I just love the idea of ships combined with horror it creates a chilling atmosphere because you feel like you got nowhere to go and I think Cold Fear was one of the best to do it, great game.
Lost in Vivo: What a trip this game was man, it really delves deep into the characters psychology and how it affects him, obviously the horror elements of the game are magnificent too, since in same areas you do feel claustrophobic and this game did a great job of feeling helpless because you're not playing the game, it plays with you.
Condemned: Criminal Origins: This was the game that made me fell in love with gritty atmospheres, the vibe this game gave off was something else, no music at all just footsteps of the people that are coming after you to beat the ever living hell out of you, from the beginning to the end it just kept getting more uncomfortable and you were there trying to survive your butt off.
From the Darkness: I know this is a short indie game but I cannot recommend this more, the amount of nervousness I got from this game was NOT normal at all, every time the lights flickered I would start to panic because I would try to guess what the monster in that dark room would do, would he finally get out? would he chase me? would he watch me? It's just these thoughts that ran through my head from the beginning to the end is what made this game so special because of the way it plays with your mind, definitely give this one a try if you haven't.
Cry of Fear: The game that has peaked when it came to the atmosphere, such a classic and there is a reason for it, the story is there, the gritty atmosphere is there just like condemned but creepier in my opinion, you're all alone in those streets and a voice or a sound doesn't give you hope, it gives you dread.
Silent Hill 2: This game has one of the best psychological horror story in my opinion, and it is engraved in every part of the town, the monsters, the people, literally everything, obviously that would be the case since it is Silent Hill but James as a character is just so intriguing to me, not to mention that the designs in this game and the levels are just all match really well together and with all of that combined it becomes a masterpiece that is Silent Hill 2.
Resident Evil 1: The one that started all, the manor that gave birth to one of the most iconic survival horror series of all time and when it came to the eeriness, the first one took it for me all the time, the charm this game left on me is out of this world, even for it's year this was a huge milestone for gaming not to mention the fact the world building in it is awesome, every corner you turn also makes you ask these questions "Am I safe? Do I have enough ammo on my inventory that I can deal with what's coming?" and that gives a sense of dread, which most survival horror games do obviously but Resident Evil 1 for it's year just takes the cake. What a wonderfully crafted game.
Dead Space 1: This game made me realize the importance of sound design in horror games, Dead Space literally gives you the feeling of uneasiness on the first parts of the game and it literally could stay there till the end because of the sound design, those monsters crawling through the vents, every step they take you hear them and in the beginning parts of the game you think to yourself, well this is a world that I need to get used to, this gun looks a bit different but I can work it out, BUT NO, there are sounds coming everywhere and you get chills down your spine, the game doesn't want you to feel relaxed or wants you to feel ready AT ALL, this is what makes dead space 1 so beautiful and that dread I felt is definitely one of the biggest reasons it is on my top three, the other 2 games have this in common.
Amnesia: The Bunker: Man I love myself a good stalker enemy in horror games and amnesia the bunker did something to me that clicked with this concept, just off the atmosphere alone a world war bunker without anyone in it already gives you an uncomfortable feeling but to see the last one get swept away in front of you and then all of those noises coming through the walls are the combination I would want to make a player feel hopeless, add to the fact that you need to be quiet but your source of light is THE LOUDEST thing in the game besides explosions is just immaculate game design choice because you can't even feel safe with a flashlight, EVEN WITH A GUN IN FACT, normally when you get a gun in a horror game you would feel better right? well in this game you have to check for the ammo, no UI for it and the empty shells stay in there so you need to take them out and reload which takes time since its a revolver and you put the bullets one by one, and the damage literally will not do anything to the monster, you would just ward it off and make it more angry, every choice they made while making this game just made amnesia the bunker a favorite of mine, never have I felt this amount of hopelessness while playing a horror game.
Alien Isolation: BESIDES ALIEN ISOLATION! Oh I don't even know where to begin at this point, the smart AI who gets more aggressive the more you hurt it? or the PERFECT sound design the game has? or the fact that you are NEVER EVER safe in the game? even in vents OR save points, it is just constant cat and mouse and you really do feel like the mouse in this scenario, saving points in a game would be a place of comfort where you rearrange your inventory or just scroll around the menu, but in this game you just keep saying "please save already, please before it comes back" THIS IS AN AMAZING FEELING IN A HORROR GAME because you really do need to be careful at all times just like how the main character would be, it is so immersive and eerie at the same time, when you try to attack it with its weakness which is fire, the alien literally gets stronger and adapts to it, so you cannot do the same stuff over and over again too and you really don't want to anger it or make it adapt to your moves, because that just makes everything more dreadful and you wouldn't want to have that in a game where the alien FOLLOWS YOU if you are inside the vent, it is just a wonderfully crafted game with an immaculate sound design that gives you the impression of the alien watching you and looking for you with every footstep sound it makes AND THAT RUNNING SOUND, the impact on that sound just puts you on the edge of your seat and turns you into a panicking maniac which makes you think less and just try to run or hide (if you can at that point) and then just sit there for a moment to get yourself together, this game will forever be my number one when it comes to survival games because of the way they crafted it and thought of every little scenario when it came to the player and the alien, the sound design especially is top notch, the levels and the atmosphere are all great too this is just such a good horror game that I would recommend to everyone.
Re7 Madison Alien isolation Fatal frame 2 Visage Condemned Silent Hill 2 Outlast 2 Luto Dead space 2
Honorable mentions
Captured (pretty creepy maybe cuz I played at night felt a bit eerie like the movie skinamarink)
Layers of Fear had some good moments
Outlast 1
Re8 (the fetus chase part was creepy)
Siren
The evil within 1 and 2
Very good list dude I played the demo of Luto and will buy it after I finish Cronos, the vibes of that game from the beginning to the end just made me fall in love with it already, so excited about that game! Also that Re8 level definitely was the peak of the game when it came to horror, a baby chasing you like that? Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy..
In RE8 It was the da da sounds in the creepy baby voice following by not knowing where to go n the crying then when u turn ewww deformed giant fetus lol Luto was good but got a little weird towards the end but it gave me paranoia to the point that when I play other games that have sheets covering something I think they gonna move n jump scare me lol
(1) Fatal Frame II
(2) Silent Hill 3
(3) Silent Hill 2
(4) Fatal Frame IV
(5) Fatal Frame III
(6) Silent Hill 4
(7) DDLC
(8) Resident Evil Code Veronica
(9) Resident Evil 2
(10) Resident Evil 1
Honourable mentions:
P.T. — I played the demo way back when, and I was blown away. I didn't like horror at all, but P.T. changed that. It might have just been a demo, but it planted a seed.
Resident Evil 7 — The first full game to make me realize how great horror can be.
Visage.
Soma.
Slay the Princess.
Dead Space.
Resident Evil 4.
DAMN. Resident Evil Code Veronica was so good and I really do hope that we get a remake since I want to experience that again, and I agree about P.T. it really did do a lot for the horror genre, also slay the princess? You know ball sir.
Been a long time since I heard anyone mention Cry of Fear. I should replay that.
Ayyyyye Cry of Fear
Ayyyyye a man with amazing taste
Thank you 😁 definitely one of my favorites
prepare for a fatal frame 2 remake, man!
I am SO prepared dude!
I know there’s so many titles to choose from and it might be impossible for some of you to pick 1. If that’s the case, then which game stuck out to you the most and gave you the most chills?
For me, I’d say silent hill 1 was the game. I remember playing it when it first came out on the ps1 and I was like 7 at the time. During that time and era there was really nothing like it. It was absolutely terrifying.
Silent Hill 2
Yeah I hate to be boring, but Silent Hill 2 just takes the cake—no contest.
is the remake any good? im a huge horror fan and somehow missed these games so ive been dragging my feet on buying the Pt2 remake and giving it a go.. but the world looks great
I haven't played the original and it's hard to get with modern systems, but the remake was absolutely excellent as a first time Silent Hiller.
This is my pick. I've only been playing horror games for the past few years after picking up RE7 at release and really enjoying it. When the SH2 remake came out I decided to play the original on PS2 first and then the remake. Both are incredible. If you haven't played the remake but like original you really need to play the remake. The new voice performances really elevate the story.
Haunting Ground. There is a true feeling of helplessness in this one. Unnerving atmosphere, the heartbeat panic system, enemies remembering your previous hiding spots, and plenty of disturbing themes/deaths. I’d love to see Capcom remake it
This game is overdue two things:
A remake
A Dead By Daylight collab. Its gameplay already resembles DbD in so many aspects. Since only one stalker would get chosen, I'd go with Daniella
This game gets slept on so much but — Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
I love this game so much. The meta effects totally got me, so much so I actually got up to try and kill the fly.
Such a great game.
Dead Space 1.
I remember the first time I played this. Had headphones on, and even before encountering the first necromorph, the sounds above me were so unnerving. Terrifying.
I keeping booting it up and just getting too scared. I beat amnesia bunker, but the alien just hits different.
Huge fan of horror games here. Ive played quite a bit and got into the genre because of markiplier when I was young. Ive played outlast, Amnesia, Amnesia - The Bunker, Outlast 2, all FNAFs, some of the PuppetCombo games, and some other I cant name off the top of my head. But, Recently I've been totally stuck on what to play and I want to play another Horror title as its been a while. I hope you guys got some good titles for me.
The evil within 1 & 2 are decent. Outlast is probably scarier though. There’s also sons of the forest, resident evil 7 : biohazard , alien: isolation, soma and Alan wake 1 & 2.
Outlast managed to spook me only once - The random jumpscare when you're heading to get the camera back
I love The Evil Within games, they're my favourite kind of mix of bonkers and badass.
Man this comment reminded me of so many games. Ive beat both the forest games, resident evil 7, and alien isolation
I am once again recommending the mortuary assistant, as a game that still scares me and imposes a tense atmosphere after almost 80 hours of play across two years
Sadly, us horror gamers have been desensitized, last game that spooked me was Visage and that lasted like 10 minutes.
lol I have a friend who is just like me in that we can’t get scared by anything. It makes us both very sad and we always joke about watching or playing the most horrifying shit on acid to get fully immersed to see if we can get that thrill again.
Play the Silent Hill 2 Remake alone in the dark with good headphones
i think visage is scary for a bit after a bit i got annoy with all the walking and the house with a disgustinh layout
This.
The combat is easy, the enemies and surprises are limited, the foggy locations are open enough to avoid encounters... Only newcomers to the genre or people easily scared by atmosphere and dark subject matter find it scary.
It’s actually a solo dev project, and the guy is currently working on a Paranormal Activity game, and the mortuary assistant movie :D
Yeah Alan Wake isn't even often considered to be a horror game but I will always count it as such. Really unsettled me.
best horror games of all time
Key Considerations for Horror Games:
Atmosphere and Immersion: The best horror games create a tense atmosphere that immerses players in fear. Look for games with strong sound design, visuals, and storytelling.
Gameplay Mechanics: Effective horror games often incorporate unique gameplay mechanics that enhance the fear factor, such as limited resources, stealth elements, or psychological twists.
Narrative Depth: A compelling story can elevate a horror game, making the experience more engaging. Look for games with rich lore and character development.
Replayability: Some horror games offer multiple endings or choices that affect the outcome, providing reasons to replay them.
Top Recommendations:
Resident Evil 2 (2019): A masterful remake that combines classic survival horror elements with modern graphics and gameplay mechanics.
Silent Hill 2: Renowned for its psychological horror, deep narrative, and haunting atmosphere, it's often considered one of the best horror games ever made.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent: A pioneer in the first-person horror genre, it emphasizes psychological horror and resource management, creating a truly terrifying experience.
Outlast: A first-person survival horror game set in an abandoned psychiatric hospital, known for its intense atmosphere and jump scares.
The Last of Us: While not strictly a horror game, it features horror elements and a gripping narrative that explores survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
Dead Space: A sci-fi horror game that combines action and horror, featuring a gripping story and terrifying enemies in a space setting.
Bloodborne: A gothic horror action RPG that offers a dark atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and a rich lore that keeps players engaged.
Takeaway: Each of these games has made a significant impact on the horror genre, offering unique experiences that cater to different types of horror fans. Whether you prefer psychological horror, survival horror, or action horror, there's something on this list for everyone.
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