There was a time when most people derided horror games as jumpscare fests that don't have any redeemable qualities. The genre took a while to shake off this reputation, with some of the most atmospheric and riveting video game experiences stemming from the horror genre.
8 Best Horror Games Set In North America, Ranked
For those looking for a frightening experience set on North American soil, here are the best horror games to check out.
From action-packed games where players can defend themselves against numerous monstrosities to tense horror titles where players must run away from the threats that chase, there's no shortage of varied games in the genre that fans can try out. Some of these titles have been so important to horror gaming that they're deemed must-plays by many.
8 Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Kickstarted The Popular Trend Of Horror Let's Plays
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
- Released
- September 8, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Frictional Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Indie Games, Adventure, Action, Puzzle
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Android, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS
The Let's Play trend was fascinating, with several YouTubers letting their personalities shine in playthroughs for various video games. Horror was a perfect genre for them since fans loved to see these personalities get scared out of their wits.
Most people agree that this led to several cheap titles with jump scares, but Amnesia: The Dark Descent was unfairly lumped into this category. Fans who did check out this game realized that the horror was executed perfectly, with the immersive sim elements of The Dark Descent elevating it as one of the best horror games fans can get their hands on.
7 Dead Space
A Visceral Horror Game With Immersive UI And Excellent Combat
Dead Space
- Released
- January 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated M for Mature for Blood and Gore, Strong Language, and Intense Violence.
- Developer(s)
- EA Motive
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, PlayStation 5
Dead Space is one of the best action horror games ever made, and the remake does justice to this amazing title. Players love the journey of Isaac Clarke as he steps onto the USG Ishimura and is almost instantly separated from his crew.
After finding his trusty Plasma Cutter, the engineer embarks on a gory adventure to find Nicole, his girlfriend. The combat and atmosphere of Dead Space are in a class of their own, with fans loving how satisfying it feels to hack off limbs and kill necromorphs.
6 P.T.
Kojima's Work On Silent Hills Went Viral Because Of This Playable Teaser's Ingenuity
P.T.
- Released
- August 12, 2014
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PS4
P.T. Went viral when it was released, fostering a community of sorts as players banded together to solve the game's many puzzles. The looping hallway, Lisa's erratic movements, and the chilling first-person viewpoint have all become commonplace in most horror games.
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This is mainly because of P.T.'S influence, with Kojima treading new ground for the horror genre. It's a shame his relationship with Konami deteriorated around this time, since fans would've loved his take on a new Silent Hill game.
5 Inside
A Minimalist Horror Platformer That's In A Class Of Its Own
Inside
- Released
- June 29, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Inside is extremely creative and memorable, using a simple 2D perspective to convey a wonderful and cryptic story. The gameplay manages to be tense without getting too complicated, with players solving ingenious puzzles as they help a mysterious young boy inch forward to his goal.
The beauty of Inside stems from its immersive design that chills players, especially when they see their protagonist being killed in the most brutal ways possible. All of this culminates in a bombastic ending that cements Inside as one of the greatest horror platformers of all time.
4 System Shock 2
An Isolating Immersive Sim With One Of Horror Gaming's Most Iconic Antagonists
System Shock 2
- Released
- August 11, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Irrational Games, Looking Glass Technologies, NightDive Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, FPS
- Platform(s)
- PC
The impact that System Shock 2 had on the industry can't be stated enough, with its immersive sim design and claustrophobic elements leading BioShock to serve as a spiritual successor to this classic. The gameplay is tense and may frustrate players, but this oppressive atmosphere is precisely what makes System Shock 2 so riveting.
The gameplay has aged wonderfully, and a mod can be used to improve the textures. That's all players need to do if they want to get into an incredible horror game where players will encounter one of gaming's greatest antagonists in the form of the rogue AI, Shodan.
3 Resident Evil 4
Both The Original And Remake Are Worth Playing For Their Own Reasons
Resident Evil 4
- Released
- March 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The original Resident Evil 4 played a major role in popularizing third-person shooters. It may be a bit clunky to play now, which is why the remake is such a godsend for players with modern sensibilities.
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For those players with a penchant for horror but happen to be short on time, these top-notch horror games should fit the bill.
It does a great job of letting a new generation check out Leon Kennedy's iconic adventures. The cheesy charm of the PS2 title may be lost here, but amazing graphics, modernized gameplay, and better presentation more than make up for it.
2 Silent Hill 2
The Psychological Horror Storyline Has Aged Like Fine Wine
Silent Hill 2
- Released
- October 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bloober Team
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
Another legendary horror title that received a worthy remake. Bloober Team surprised everyone when fans got their hands on the excellent Silent Hill 2 remake. James Sunderland's adventures boasted a riveting story that barely needed any changes, although the gameplay was in dire need of an overhaul.
The lack of a fixed camera robs players of the cinematic flair present in the original game, but the sheer number of improvements across the board more than makes up for this solitary complaint. Fans of psychological horror will be missing out on a masterpiece if they don't give Silent Hill 2 a fair shot.
1 The Last Of Us
Joel And Ellie's Adventure In A World Ravaged By The Apocalypse Is Legendary
The Last of Us Part I
- Released
- September 2, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
The Last of Us is one of the most iconic video games ever made, spawning a media franchise that fans can't get enough of. Joel and Ellie's cinematic adventures are in a class of their own as they go to the Fireflies with the aim of devising a cure to combat the Cordyceps infection.
This emotional story left fans reeling, and it helped that the stealth-action gameplay was a blast. To this day, a Clicker's echolocation sounds will send chills down a player's spine as they try to sneak up on these zombies and take them out without making a single sound.
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Dark fantasy games often run parallel to horror, eschewing the magic and wonder of high fantasy for the dark and grotesque scenes in these titles.