Summary
- Horror game exploration can be exhausting due to constant scares and need for caution.
- Various horror games like Slender: The Eight Pages offer nerve-wracking exploration experiences.
- In games like Haunting Ground, Nightmarish enemies and chase sequences can make exploration more challenging.
Exploration is the meat and bones of many video games, especially when it comes to titles in the horror genre. Players love the idea of venturing into unknown locations full of death and danger, where any form of progress feels incredibly meaningful. In these games, the scares can come from pushing forward into an environment where horrors wait.
This is why players can get exhausted exploring in some horror games where the scares don't let up. They must be wary of every step they take and hope that their progress isn't erased after making a punishing mistake.
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Slender: The Eight Pages
Find All The Pages While Being Hounded By The Slender Man
Slender: The Eight Pages
- Released
- June 26, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
The viral sensation that took over the world by storm, almost every gamer worth their salt is aware of or has played Slender: The Eight Pages. The iconic gameplay loop of exploring a sinister forest and finding eight pages while hiding from the Slender Man is simple, yet terrifying in the best way.
However, after failing over and over again, players will find the act of exploring these woods to be a bit agonizing. Hopefully, it won't be a major issue for players to find the pages before the game becomes so frustrating that making progress becomes a nightmare.
Haunting Ground
The Enemies Who Hunt Fiona Down Are Nightmarish To Deal With
Haunting Ground
- Released
- May 10, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Players who want to check out a compelling horror game that relies on chase sequences will have a blast with Haunting Ground. Fiona has little to no means of defending herself, with her faithful pooch, Hewie, being the only one standing between her and the people trying to hunt her down.
After a point, the pursuers change and become more grating to deal with. Their frequent appearances can make puzzles harder to complete and add to the overall frustration of playing what is otherwise a great game.
Outlast
Explore A Psychiatric Hospital With All Manner Of Horrors
Outlast
- Released
- November 4, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Nudity, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Outlast is one of the scariest games players can check out. The game is filled with gruesome gore, horrific jump scares, and disturbing enemies that will chase the player multiple times throughout their journey.
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Exploring the psychiatric hospital becomes exhausting when players must repeatedly run away from multiple enemies who impede their progress. Thankfully, the rest of the game is compelling enough that the repetitive gameplay loop doesn't get too overbearing.
Manhunt
Players Must Be Wary And Avoid Enemies At Every Turn
Manhunt
- Released
- November 18, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
Players who want to check out a classic Rockstar game that's as dark as they come will love what Manhunt brings to the table. The controversy generated by this game overshadowed its amazing stealth gameplay and unique story. Exploration in this game is great, although it's also a product of its time. Players must move slowly to avoid alerting enemies, which can become exhausting when there's an area full of challenging enemies that will tear the player apart if they're spotted.
Clock Tower
Avoid The Scissorman While Exploring A Desolate Mansion
Clock Tower
- Released
- September 14, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Adventure
Clock Tower's intense atmosphere and fun narrative help it stand out as one of the best classic horror games players can get their hands on. Jennifer must navigate a mansion where all her friends have disappeared while she's being hunted by the Scissorman. It can be challenging to complete puzzles, especially with this monster chasing Jennifer at inopportune intervals. This can get in the way of completing puzzles and force players to retrace their steps, which can be exhausting after a point.
Darkwood
Exploration Is Necessary, But Gets Exhausting After The Umpteenth Jumpscare
Darkwood
- Released
- August 18, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Darkwood is an excellent indie horror game that more people need to check out. However, be warned that this game is not for the faint of heart, as it will force players into tough situations over and over again.
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Exploring during the day to find the materials needed to survive at night is harrowing. Players must get ready to die numerous times, especially with the limited vision cone, which makes it easier for them to be ambushed. Thankfully, the stellar audio design will ensure that exploration won't be too unforgiving as long as players keep an ear out for the horrors coming their way.
Dead Space
The Scares In The USG Ishimura Will Leave Players Gasping For Breath
Dead Space
- Released
- January 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated M for Mature for Blood and Gore, Strong Language, and Intense Violence.
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
As compelling as the USG Ishimura is, the sheer number of nightmarish enemies in the game makes exploration in Dead Space very challenging. Players must survive by any means as they explore this desolate space station in a bid to figure out what went wrong, as Isaac desperately tries to find and save his girlfriend.
The nightmarish horrors of this game will bear down on players who want to avoid a gory death. With the expanded levels in the game, exploration will be a nerve-wracking affair as players try not to get torn apart by the many enemies trying to ambush them by playing possum.
P.T.
The Looping Hallway Becomes Scarier And Scarier
P.T.
- Released
- August 12, 2014
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
It's amazing how intense P.T. Is, turning the simple act of exploring a looping hallway into one of the most stress-inducing tasks gamers can undertake. It doesn't help that some of the puzzles are so obtuse that players trying to organically find a solution will make the loop feel a bit stale, after a point.
However, once Lisa becomes more aggressive, exploration is scary and exhausting as players struggle to make progress. Finally leaving the house after numerous loops is a satisfying experience that makes it clear why P.T. Had such a massive impact on the gaming industry.
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