Summary
- A monster's terrifying introduction sets the tone for horror games, leaving a lasting impression.
- Iconic horror antagonists are slowly unveiled, building suspense and fear for players.
- From eerie reveals like The Janitor in Little Nightmares to shocking surprises like the Giant Baby in Resident Evil Village, monster intros are crucial.
Making a good first impression isn't just important on dates; monsters need to be on their best (or worst) behavior too. A terrifying monster is only as strong as its introduction. Every good villain, monster, or killer needs an iconic first scene where every grotesque detail of their character design gets a chance to shine. Some monster reveals are sudden and shocking, while others are slow and agonizing.
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Some antagonists may deliver their first "Hello" by violently slaughtering a side character, while others may take a more subtle approach, lurking in the background as the protagonist wanders by, blissfully unaware of their presence. A successful and iconic horror antagonist makes their first scene impactful and leaves a lasting impression. Here are some of the best monster reveals in the world of horror games.
7 The Janitor
Little Nightmares
Little Nightmares
- Released
- April 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Puzzle, Platformer
The Janitor, who patrols The Maw, is the very first boss the player meets in Little Nightmares. The Janitor is known for his freakishly long arms and makes a lasting impression from the moment the player sees him dragging a cage as they guide Six through the Depths. What makes The Janitor's reveal so eerie is how he is slowly introduced. The first few times the player encounters him, he is far in the distance, posing no threat and not close enough for the player to make out what this strange creature truly looks like.
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However, as the player continues through The Maw, the Janitor slowly gets closer and closer, until he finally takes notice of Six, forcing her to run for her life.
6 The First Necromorphs
Dead Space
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
Dead Space may seem like the type of game to take things slow at the beginning, as it sets the scene with protagonist Isaac and his crew making their way to the USG Ishimura. However, that moment of peace Isaac has is interrupted very quickly the moment the crew realizes that the Ishimura is completely infested with vicious monsters known as necromorphs.
The moment Isaac is separated from the rest of his crewmates and is forced to watch them get torn apart on the other side of the glass is one of the most terrifying introductions to a video game in recent horror game history. The relentless advance of the necromorphs doesn't stop there, but their first appearance makes it clear how deadly they are.
5 Abstract Daddy
Silent Hill 2 Remake
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 most terrifying aspects of the Abstract Daddy boss fight in the remake of Silent Hill 2 is the confusion that players face the moment they see the monster for the first time. As James faces Angela, the camera focuses on poor Angela's terror as she points to something looming behind James. Suddenly, this disgusting monstrosity charges at him and pins him to the wall, making it clear this is no longer just Angela's fight, but James' too.
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Players aren't given any time to adjust or assess their surroundings. There's no time to grimace over the horrible monster's appearance; their only choice is to run and find some way to defend themselves. While the Abstract Daddy is unnerving just from his initial appearance, it's the horrific truth behind what his appearance symbolizes that makes him one of the most despicable monsters in the world of Silent Hill.
4 The Baby
Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village
- Released
- May 7, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Similar to RE7's "Happy Birthday Tape" sequence that played out like an escape room, House Beneviento was also mainly a place for Ethan to focus on solving riddles as a well-deserved break from all the Lycan and vampire combat in Resident Evil Village. However, just when players think they've found their way out of the basement, they're faced with one of RE's most terrifying monsters: The Baby. As the player runs towards the exit, thinking they're home free, the dark hallway slowly uncovers a disgusting, fleshy mass of a creature turning the corner, heading right for them.
While the official name of this creature is simply "The Baby," this grotesque, deformed baby is far from small and adorable, and will even swallow poor Ethan whole if caught. There is no fighting The Baby; Ethan needs to hide, wait for it to slide past, and then run for his life.
3 Laura
The Evil Within
The Evil Within
- Released
- October 14, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Survival Horror
Laura is one of the antagonists of The Evil Within and ensures that she leaves a lasting impression on players from the first moment she appears. The first time players encounter Laura is at the end of the game's fourth chapter, in a morgue-like room.
At the end of the hall is a bloody mess, and a corpse that the player can't make heads or tails of. However, as the player approaches, Laura suddenly emerges from the bloody aftermath, her giant limbs sprouting out of the bloodied body, pulling out the rest of her as the player has no choice but to run (or fight).
2 The Rat King
The Last Of Us Part 2
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Fans of The Last of Us know how much of a threat the infected can be. What could be more terrifying than clickers, stalkers, and bloaters? All of them rolled into one, of course. The Rat King is the name given to the unique monster lurking in the depths of the hospital, a disgusting amalgamation of the first infected victims in Seattle, marking a 25-year "project" of infection and mutation.
Players first encounter the elusive Rat King when playing as Abby in The Last of Us Part 2 as she searches for supplies in a derelict ambulance. As Abby hears low growls and grumbles, the Rat King suddenly appears at the ambulance's rear door, Abby's flashlight giving the mutated monster the center stage as it makes its first appearance and drags her (literally) into a fight for her life.
1 The Very First Zombie
Resident Evil
Resident Evil
- Released
- March 22, 1996
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
The Resident Evil series has long reigned as one of the most iconic zombie series of all time. While players all know the dreadful feeling of being surrounded by hordes of zombies and lickers, it all began with one iconic moment. The classic RE cutscene where the player encounters the very first zombie remains one of the most terrifying monster reveals ever.
The zombie that's eating poor S.T.A.R.S. Member Kenneth does a slow, agonizing turn towards the camera, making for one of the most terrifying moments in gaming history. The infamous zombie was lovingly named "Turning Around Zombie" or "TAZ" for short by the RE community, cementing its iconic status among RE fans.
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