Horror gaming need not be bound by the need to push cutting-edge visuals and make the most of the newest hardware. The rise of indie gaming has made it clear that a substantial portion of fans will have no problem playing good video games, regardless of what their visuals are.
8 Best Games Set In Lovecraftian Horror Universes, Ranked
Successfully nailing a creepy Lovecraftian atmosphere can be tricky, but these games managed to pull it off.
Of course, this statement does a disservice to horror games that manage to look astounding courtesy of a riveting art style as opposed to high-definition visuals. Players who may not have the best hardware around can still boot up these games and enjoy a great time.
8 World Of Horror
A Game Inspired By The Stories And Art Of Junji Ito
World of Horror
- Released
- December 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Players who love Junji Ito's work will love what World of Horror brings to the table, with the amazing art style being appreciated across all kinds of systems. This roguelike horror RPG is quite challenging, and players should ideally play on a lower difficulty if they want to come to grips with the game's systems.
The Lovecraftian horror instills a sense of hopelessness that veterans love in higher difficulties, forcing them to make tough choices and manage both body and mind to solve multiple cases. Only then can they reach the top of a lighthouse and enjoy a successful run, which is extremely satisfying after falling at the final leg multiple times.
7 Milk Outside A Bag Of Milk Outside A Bag Of Milk
A Simple Visual Novel About A Woman Dealing With Psychosis And Trauma
Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk
- Released
- December 16, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel
Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk is the successor to Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk, with both games using the visual novel medium and some chilling artwork to convey the struggles of a girl who just wants to go to the grocery store. As one would expect, this game can be played on all systems with ease.
Even such a mundane task becomes night impossible with the voices in her head and the trauma that haunts her. This is introduced in Milk Inside and explored in Milk Outside, with the sequel expanding on the original's concepts and letting fans explore a unique psychological horror visual novel.
6 Darkwood
A Tough, Top-Down Horror Game That Takes No Prisoners
Darkwood
- Released
- August 18, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Darkwood is one of the best indie horror video games that manages to make a top-down perspective more frightening than ever. The limited vision cone means that players must be on their toes and anticipate ambushes from their blind spots whenever they venture into unfamiliar territory.
Best Looking Horror Game On Every PlayStation Console
PlayStation has been home to some of the most iconic horror video games in the industry. Here are the best horror games on each PlayStation console.
The overarching story is also incredible, as players are slowly drawn into the horror of the unknown. The feeling of helplessness in Darkwood emanates from both the story and gameplay, ensuring that players will be tense every step of the way in this scintillating horror game with visuals that are far from system-intensive.
5 Sunless Skies
An Exploration-Fueled Horror Game That's A Massive Improvement Over Its Predecessor
Sunless Skies
- Released
- January 31, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Blood, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
Players who love story-driven horror games will have a blast with Sunless Skies. It's a massive improvement over Sunless Sea that makes the UI more prominent, improves combat, and gives players bigger and more interesting zones to explore.
The sheer amount of hours players can sink into this game is impressive, with players being able to assign a different goal with each playthrough and uncovering new locations, quests, companions, and horrors in the process. The cherry on top is that players just need a halfway-decent PC to play this game because it relies more on its art style than visual technology.
4 Slay The Princess
A Unique Horror Game Dealing With The Overbearing Horror Of Slaying An Unkillable Princess
Slay the Princess
- Released
- October 23, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
A visual novel with visuals that can be processed by most PCs with ease, Slay the Princess boasts a level of presentation that would put most big-budget horror games to shame. The title features stellar voice acting and a nightmarish plot about a hero stuck in an endless conflict with a Princess.
Depending on their actions, they can unlock a bunch of endings. To say more would spoil what makes this game so special, and players should give Slay the Princess to see how effective it is at conveying horror via the medium of video games.
3 Mouthwashing
The Retro Aesthetic Breathes New Life Into The Game's Disturbing Body Horror Visuals
Mouthwashing
- Released
- September 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Psychological, Horror
A retro horror game with visuals reminiscent of the PS1, Mouthwashing looks compelling from the very moment players start the game. A spaceship crash and a mutilated captain serve as a compelling hook for players to uncover this title's mysteries.
8 Best Horror Games With Third-Person Combat, Ranked
Combat can be an essential part of horror games, and these titles have the best third-person mechanics.
The story of Mouthwashing is not for the faint of heart, and people who may be triggered by certain sensitive topics should give this game a wide berth. However, once players are hooked, they'll be on the edge of their seats as they experience a short, twisted horror game that is as disturbing as they come.
2 Inscryption
A Unique Horror Game Dripping With Atmosphere
Inscryption
- Released
- October 19, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
Despite boasting visuals that may not be cutting-edge, the visual style of Inscryption gives such an amazing first impression that fans will be hooked from the get-go. This allows the game to set up some major swerves as players uncover the mystery behind this game.
This card-building roguelike is dripping with intrigue and turns a simple board game into one of the most tantalizing and mysterious parts of the game. It's a testament to Inscryption's brilliance in writing that it manages to keep fans engaged in a chilling horror game without resorting to cheap scares.
1 Omori
An Unnerving Yet Beautiful RPG With Heavy Elements Of Psychological Horror
OMORI
- Released
- December 25, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Omori is one of the most emotional RPGs players can get their hands on. The psychological horror side of things makes it clear that there's a trauma that has affected Sunny for a long time, with players elated at the prospect of helping this introvert step out of his house after what feels like ages.
The beauty of Omori stems from how it deals with mature topics and explains why Sunny finds it easier to recede into Headspace instead of confronting his demons. All of this culminates in a beautiful finale that will make fans shed a tear as the protagonist finally manages to find peace.
7 Best Horror Games For First-Person Combat, Ranked
From vampire westerns to underwater fantasies, these games have some of the best first-person combat seen in the horror genre.