This list contains spoilers!
Summary
- Horror games often feature plot twists that turn heroes into villains, making the experience more memorable.
- Narratives like those in The Last of Us Part 2 blur the lines between heroes and villains, challenging players' perspectives.
- Games like Silent Hill 2 reveal dark truths about characters, changing players' sympathies towards central figures.
Horror gaming usually comes equipped with amazing stories that instill a sense of dread and intrigue in players. Sure, a game's atmosphere and music also play a role in dictating how scary they are, but there's no substitute for a great story.
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Some horror games have excellent plot twists that will wow players, such as when the protagonist turns out to be shadier than fans assumed. Seeing these so-called heroes turn out to be the villains all along is shocking and does a great job of making these horror games more memorable in the eyes of many.
Layers Of Fear
The Painter's Descent Into Madness Highlights His Selfish Actions
Layers of Fear
- Released
- February 16, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Horror
A chilling psychological horror with a story that operates on a slow burn, Layers of Fear wastes no time in setting up a ton of intrigue about the events taking place in the Painter's house. His slump is clear for everyone to see as he slowly goes insane in this house on his own.
As much as players want to feel bad about this character, their opinion will change over time when they learn what happened to their spouse. Instead of supporting his wife during a tough time, the Painter refused to give her the time of day, causing her mental state to deteriorate as she eventually made a horrible decision.
The Witch's House
The Ending Of This Game Has Dire Consequences
The Witch's House MV
- Released
- October 31, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Players who want to check out an amazing RPG Maker horror game will love what The Witch's House brings to the table. This chilling story focuses on Viola, a woman trapped in a house where a witch named Ellen is trying to trap her and steal her body.
However, the actual context of the story comes to light once the ending rears its ugly head. It turns out that Ellen had horribly mutilated herself and taken over Viola's body before the game started. To make matters worse, one of the endings sees Viola's father rushing back to save her "daughter" from Ellen's maimed figure, not realizing that he'd fatally shot his own kid.
Little Nightmares
The Context Of Its Sequel Paints Six's Actions In A New Light
Little Nightmares
- Released
- April 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Puzzle, Platformer
Little Nightmares is perfect for players who love Inside, with this game embodying many of the same qualities. Players control Six, a kid with an insatiable hunger who must go through a gauntlet of terrifying monstrosities as he struggles to survive.
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However, the events of Little Nightmares 2 recontextualize his actions and turn Six into one of the biggest villains in the series. The way he uses Mono before leaving him to wither in a dark pit is just one of the many ways Six shows his twisted side.
The Last Of Us Part 2
The Line Between The Heroes And Villains Is Blurred
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
The divisive reaction to The Last of Us Part 2 shows just how impactful this game's narrative is. After Abby's ruthless murder, Ellie embarks on a quest for vengeance as players believe that they're in the right.
However, over time, Abby's past is revealed and makes it clear that - as horrid as her actions may be - they stemmed from the rage she experienced after losing her father. This makes it harder to digest the way Ellie brutally murders her friends, blurring the lines between the hero and villain of this story.
Mouthwashing
A Short, Mind-Bending Horror Game With A Great Twist That Recontextualizes Certain Actions
Mouthwashing
- Released
- September 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Psychological, Horror
A short and memorable horror game that will give players nightmares, Mouthwashing is not for the faint of heart. The content warnings should be taken seriously here, and players who manage to power through the game's ickiest moments will find themselves enjoying an incredible story for the ages.
After assuming that Curly caused the spaceship to crash, the story reveals over time that Jimmy had committed a horrible act on the ship and wanted to absolve himself of any responsibility. He doomed the entire crew of the Tulpar because of his fears and took the easy way out after his horrid actions were uncovered.
BioShock
Jack Isn't An Outright Villain, But The Ease With Which He Can Be Manipulated Serves As A Great Twist
BioShock
- Released
- August 21, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Now, Jack isn't an outright villain in BioShock. He was drawn to Rapture because of his conditioning, with Frank Fontaine pretending to be a man named Atlas as he used the "would you, kindly?" Phrase to compel Jack into performing a series of actions.
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Once Jack meets Andrew Ryan, his hypnosis is brought to light as he is unable to stop himself from beating up the man with a golf club. Eventually, Jack has to recondition himself to not respond to this catchphrase anymore, ensuring that he won't be a tool that Fontaine can manipulate anymore.
Omori
A Psychological Horror RPG With A Twist For The Ages
OMORI
- Released
- December 25, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Omori lets players control two characters, even though they may be two sides of the same coin. In the real world, players control a troubled youth named Sunny who struggles with issues stemming from his past.
Meanwhile, in Headspace, Sunny controls an eponymous projection of his thoughts. Omori seems like a harmless figure, only for players to realize that this entity is what stands between Sunny and his redemption as he finally owns up to his actions and ensures that his friend, Basil, isn't tormented by this secret any longer.
Silent Hill 2
After Certain Revelations, Players Will Stop Sympathizing With James' Perceived Distress
Silent Hill 2
- Released
- October 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
One of the greatest survival horror games of all time, Silent Hill 2 owes a lot of its success to its mind-bending story. Players control James Sunderland, a distraught husband heading to this iconic town in the hopes of locating his missing wife, Mary.
Over the course of the story, it turns out that the perfect marriage between James and Mary took a turn for the worse after Mary contracted an illness that led to the duo being more bitter with each other than usual. This culminates in a moment of frustration as James smothers Mary after a particularly vile outburst, with his adventures in Silent Hill 2 serving as a psychological exploration of the guilt that plagued him.
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