Summary
- 2D horror games deserve a spotlight just like big-budget ones, offering unique gameplay experiences.
- Carrion is a thrilling reverse horror game using hit-and-run tactics for satisfying encounters.
- Faith: The Unholy Trinity channels retro gaming, using simple visuals for deep horror experiences.
Horror gaming has carved out a major niche for itself, with players loving these immersive experiences where they must explore nightmarish environments and take on horrifying monsters. While big-budget modern horror games are effective for obvious reasons, 2D horror games deserve their time in the spotlight too.
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Some of the best 2D horror games are a joy to play through, as players are exposed to unique gameplay loops and terrifying moments, all delivered through simple, retro, or stylized visuals. They will either uncover an amazing story in these games, face off against a particularly tough foe, or try to survive at any cost; and sometimes, they'll do all of the above.
8 Carrion
A Reverse Horror Game With Metroidvania Elements
Carrion
- Released
- July 23, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Phobia Studios
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Action, Indie Games, Puzzle
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Players who want to enjoy a reverse horror game will love Carrion and its unique take on the Metroidvania genre. Players control a monster who slinks in the shadows and devours its prey one by one as this monstrosity scares mere humans out of their wits.
It helps that the game is challenging and compels players to implement hit-and-run tactics instead of exposing themselves to enemy fire for too long. It makes every encounter feel like a horror movie, and adds to the satisfying feeling players will enjoy when they clear a room and snack on all their enemies before moving on.
7 World Of Horror
The Horrifying Art Style Is Made In MS Paint And Channels Junji Ito's Unique Brand Of Horror
World of Horror
World of Horror boasts one of the most striking and memorable art styles that players will ever encounter, and they'll likely remember it long after they're finished with a run or two of this title. It's impressive that the artwork is so haunting even though it was made entirely in MS Paint.
Fans of Junji Ito will love World of Horror and its homage to the talented mangaka. The game consists of bite-sized horror investigations delivered in a roguelite style, meaning players will restart from the beginning each time they fail. Every investigation exposes players to a horrifying monster or a cosmic threat that must be taken out either directly in combat or via a ritual.
6 Faith: The Unholy Trinity
Channels The Nostalgia Of Retro Pixel Art Games, But With A Sinister Touch
Faith: The Unholy Trinity
Players who want to enjoy a 2D horror game that channels the spirit of retro gaming in new and ingenious ways will love Faith: The Unholy Trinity. It's impressive how a game with such rudimentary visuals can be infinitely more horrifying than a lazy jumpscare fest that uses shock value to carry a threadbare experience.
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Every action players take adds to the tension in Faith: The Unholy Trinity, with something as simple as a pause screen being used to scare players when the situation fits. It's a great example of how innovative indie gaming is, implementing new ideas in the horror genre that can only be appreciated within the medium of video games.
5 Slay The Princess
A Novel Horror Game With Chilling Voice Acting And An Interesting Premise
Slay the Princess
One of the scariest and most unique visual novels players can check out, Slay the Princess is a game that slowly envelops players in its embrace before exposing them to its true horrors. Instead of playing as a knight trying to save the princess, the princess here is a horrifying monster, and players must kill this eldritch being before it can be freed and destroy the entire world.
The haunting voice acting and excellent narrative of Slay the Princess make it worth checking out for fans of offbeat horror games. It can catch players unawares with its plot twists, which is something that only the best horror games have mastered.
4 Darkwood
The Game's Top-Down Perspective Effectively Conveys A Sense Of Dread, Unease, And Vulnerability
Darkwood
For a game that utilizes a 2D top-down perspective, it's impressive just how scary Darkwood is. The limited vision cone makes it easy for enemies to get the drop on players if they aren't diligent about checking every corner during the day, and when night comes, the experience becomes truly harrowing.
After scavenging for resources in the semi-open world, players must prepare for the night and the horrors that ensue, and do their best to survive until sunrise. The incredible audio direction makes these moments stand out even more, with the game's cosmic horror slowly revealing itself to players as they struggle to survive at the end of every day.
3 Sunless Skies
The Exploration And Storytelling Are Excellent At Sending Chills Down The Spine
Sunless Skies
For a game that relies on a lot of text and slow exploration moments, it's amazing to experience just how immersive Sunless Skies is. It's a massive improvement over its predecessor, Sunless Sea, and can keep fans busy for hundreds of hours if they want to complete every end goal at least once.
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Thankfully, the variety of areas in the game coupled with some engaging combat ensures that players will have a great time exploring the desolate skies and trying to avoid the many horrors that among the clouds. The game's permadeath can be quite frustrating, but players can always save prudently to undo any of their mistakes if need be.
2 Limbo
An Atmospheric 2D Platformer With Tricky Puzzles And Some Horrifying Moments
Limbo
The minimalist aesthetic of Limbo ensures that players will be focused only on the immersive platforming and puzzle-solving as they explore the game's hostile world. Searching for the young boy's sister is easier said than done, especially with players facing many dangers on their journey that can lead to a violent end.
Despite the lack of color and its 2D art style, it's impressive to see just how effective the horror of Limbo is. Players will naturally want to save the child at all costs, and they'll wince every single time the boy they control meets a grisly end because of an error they made.
1 OMORI
A Psychological-Horror RPG With An Emotional Tale At Its Core
OMORI
- Released
- December 25, 2020
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
OMORI is one of the most compelling role-playing games players can get their hands on. The charming art style of this game hides something sinister beneath the surface, as players slowly uncover the trauma plaguing a young boy named Sunny.
Eventually, the game's psychological horror trappings wrap their claws around players, who will be drawn toward the memorable story and won't see the horror coming their way. Reaching the ending is a harrowing experience, but players are rewarded with an emotional climax that wraps up the compelling story, which deals with themes of guilt, moving on, and trauma.
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