Summary
- Combat can enhance the horror experience by making players feel tense and vulnerable in every encounter.
- Horror games don't require a first-person view; a third-person perspective can be just as effective in creating panic.
- Effective combat in horror games involves managing ammo, taking on powerful enemies, and surviving intense encounters.
Combat-heavy horror games may seem antithetical to what the genre tries to achieve, but games that let players defend themselves can still be scary. If anything, the tense combat in the best horror games around can do a great job of unnerving players in every encounter. Even if players have a weapon in their hands, the enemies can still shake them to their core.
Most horror games use the first-person viewpoint to keep fans engaged, but this isn't a necessity. A third-person viewpoint can be just as effective as players panic whenever a nightmarish foe bears down on their character. These are some of the games that do the best job of this.
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8 The Evil Within 2
Sebastian Must Be On Top Of His Game Against The Monsters He Faces
The Evil Within 2
- Released
- October 13, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
The Evil Within 2 is a great sequel that is a huge improvement on the gameplay front, even if fans have mixed opinions about its story and atmosphere. However, there's no denying that Sebastian's fights against the many monsters that come his way are riveting. Players must manage their ammo and take on enemies using a litany of powerful weapons. Maintaining a distance from foes and avoiding unnecessary damage are essential players to survive in a video game full of hostile enemies and tough bosses.
7 Resident Evil 2
Both Claire And Leon Are Fun To Control In Tense Encounters
Resident Evil 2
- Released
- January 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Intense Violence
- Genre(s)
- Horror
The Resident Evil 2 remake had no business being so compelling, showing how serious Capcom was about reviving the franchise. Leon and Claire's adventures have never looked better as they struggle to navigate Raccoon City after it becomes Ground Zero for a zombie outbreak.
Players must not take unnecessary risks in combat, given how scarce ammo is. This turns combat into a tense affair where players must make every shot count without putting themselves in harm's way too often.
6 Alan Wake 2
Combat Requires More Thought As Players Deal With Imposing Foes
Alan Wake 2
- Released
- October 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Alan Wake 2 is one of the best survival horror games ever made, boasting amazing art direction that breathes life into every scene. This makes both exploration and combat a blast as players use a flashlight to make the Taken vulnerable before peppering them with bullets.
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The title strives to make supplies scarce so that combat feels frenetic every single time. Players will eventually find themselves overwhelmed by enemies, which is why dodging and spacing are important to help players survive every combat encounter by the skin of their teeth.
5 Dead Space
Hacking Off Limbs To Defeat Necromorphs Is A Blast
Dead Space
- Released
- October 14, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
The Dead Space remake deserves more love. The game looks amazing, while also expanding on certain levels to make the USG Ishimura more riveting than ever. Isaac Clarke is an engineer who must fend off the many necromorphs who try to hunt him down every step of the way.
Players must target their enemies' limbs and hack them off to kill these nightmarish foes. Most people feel that the remake forces Isaac to dump more rounds into the necromorphs to cut their appendages. This makes combat more stressful than ever, as players must manage ammo while dealing with waves of enemies.
4 Resident Evil 4
The Focus On Action Gives Leon Many Options To Deal With His Foes
Resident Evil 4
- Released
- March 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Resident Evil 4's remake needed to hit the ground running to justify its presence, and Capcom didn't disappoint. Combat was more dynamic, and encouraged players to move around and use the parry system to get some breathing room. Leon can stun enemies and take them out with over-the-top kicks that felt great to use in the original game, too. The lumbering enemies that charge players can be intimidating in numbers, but players should have the means to survive in this plagued village as long as they don't waste precious ammo.
3 Returnal
Selene Must Hone Her Reflexes And Defeat Foes Across Multiple Biomes
Returnal
- Released
- April 30, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
The fact that Sony is trying their hand with roguelike game modes shows how popular this genre has become. Housemarque did a great job of making a big-budget horror roguelike title that can be quite tough to play.
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Combat is unforgiving in Returnal, forcing players to time their dashes to perfection and get the best buffs that can help Selene take out the many aliens standing in her way. Conquering every biome feels like a major achievement as players uncover a dark story that is steeped in psychological horror.
2 The Last Of Us Part 2
The Combat Is Crunchy And Satisfying
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
The visceral and satisfying combat in The Last of Us Part 2 makes every encounter a blast to play through. Every enemy has a name and will genuinely mourn the loss of their comrades as they double their efforts to hunt down Ellie or Abby.
Taking out enemies from behind, engaging in tense firefights, and running to stay far away from tough infected enemies like Clickers and Bloaters is what helps combat in The Last of Us Part 2 feel so special. The sense of accomplishment players enjoy from taking out each enemy is unmatched, and a huge part of what helps the title's lauded gameplay stand out.
1 Bloodborne
FromSoftware's Combat Never Disappoints, Especially In This Legendary Title
Bloodborne
- Released
- March 24, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Bloodborne is one of the best video games ever made, and arguably Miyazaki's magnum opus. The gothic horror of this title serves as the perfect backdrop to enhance the rush players enjoy while fighting the many tough enemies that roam this decaying world.
Players must learn to shoot enemies at the perfect time to leave them open for a counterattack, and master their reflexes in combat to weave in and out while making the most of valuable attack windows. Learning these skills is essential for players who don't want to be overwhelmed by the game's hyper-aggressive enemies.
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