Horror elements have become commonplace in most video games, with players getting immersed in titles that manage to scare them time and time again. Open-world games are no exception and let players enjoy some scintillating video gaming experiences.
8 Best Open-World Games That Surprised Players, Ranked
While open-world games are pretty straightforward in their design, these games did things that players were not expecting.
While these titles may haunt a player's nightmares, the games are still so compelling that players will find themselves seeking out the very best of what these games have to offer. As long as players can endure the scares, they'll have a blast with this title.
Dying Light
The Volatiles Will Haunt A Player's Nightmares
Dying Light
- Released
- January 27, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Techland
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
The very first time players experience night in Dying Light makes for one of the most harrowing video game moments of all time. Seeing the nightmarish Volatiles sprint at breakneck speeds to catch Kyle and rip him apart at night will make players pray for morning.
Volatiles are present in the sequel too, but the novelty of these chases from the first game is hard to replicate. By the time players reach the end of Dying Light, Volatiles and other infected creatures of this game will leave a lasting impression on them.
Dredge
The Aberrations Of This Game Can Be Quite Haunting
Dredge
- Released
- March 31, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Black Salt Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Despite being weirdly relaxing, there's no denying that the horror in Dredge can be rather hard to stomach, at times. The hostile sea creatures of this world will cause the fisherman's ship to sink in no time, while the increase in Terror can lead to unfavorable situations.
Eventually, some of the monsters and revelations in Dredge will send chills down a player's spine as the game shows off its Lovecraftian trappings. Players will find themselves experiencing nightmares of some particularly horrifying creatures in the game, which defy explanation.
Sons Of The Forest
The Threat Of The Cannibals Is Overbearing
Sons of the Forest
- Released
- February 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Endnight Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Open-World, Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC
As great as Sons of the Forest is to play, there's no denying that the overbearing threat of the cannibals can be hard to stomach. Players may find themselves tearing their hair out after being ripped apart for the umpteenth time.
8 Survival Horror Games With The Best Enemy Variety
There's simply no telling what creature, mutant, or spirit will be showing up around each corner with these survival horror games.
Even the most prepared players will quake in their boots at the sight of these cannibals. A cool head and self-defense tools are a must to take out these threats, even if they may start haunting a player's nightmares.
Metro Exodus
The Intense Exploration And Tough Enemies Will Leave A Lasting Impression
Metro Exodus
- Released
- February 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- 4A Games
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
The Metro games are known for having terrifying and intense segments, and Metro Exodus is no exception. The shift to an open world was handled naturally and helped players enjoy one of the scariest and most riveting survival horror games set in a wide-open sandbox.
The mutated enemies in this game are horrifying, love ambushing players, and can take out chunks of Artym's health in no time. Players must be on their toes in a hostile, irradiated world full of nightmarish enemies.
Pathologic 2
The Surreal Horror Of This Game Is Pretty Impactful
Pathologic 2
- Released
- May 23, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ice-Pick Lodge
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
One of the most surreal horror games players can get their hands on, Pathologic 2 remakes a classic open-world game that structures itself like an elaborate play. Players will love exploring this mysterious town and figuring out the problems that plague it.
The story goes down some wild routes and can disturb players. The eerie nature of Pathologic 2, coupled with its unnerving moments, makes it a game that players will love as long as they can stomach its horrors.
Subnautica
Thalassophobic Nightmares Will Become Common After This Game
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
As beautiful a game as Subnautica may be, players who weren't even aware of their thalassophobia will be crippled by this fear for days after playing this game. Exploring an ocean full of unknown horrors is as scary as it comes and can cause players to jump out of their seats multiple times.
8 Open-World Games Where You Can Ruin People's Lives
In these games, players can choose to make decisions that ruin the lives of other characters around them.
Given how important this exploration is to the core experience, it's easy to see why players will both love and dread making progress in Subnautica. They'd prefer not to discover some of the game's scariest creatures, with ignorance being bliss in this instance.
Outer Wilds: Echoes Of The Eye
This Immersive Puzzle Game Is Full Of Shocking Jump Scares
Outer Wilds
- Released
- May 28, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Outer Wilds had its fair share of scary moments, but this ramped up to the max in the DLC. Echoes of the Eye can be so overbearingly scary that the game adds an option in the settings to turn down the scares if they're getting too much to handle.
Players who don't want to skimp out on the best way possible to play this game must steel themselves for numerous jump scares. Thankfully, the game's mystery is so riveting that players won't mind dealing with this game's nightmarish horrors to uncover more of what Echoes of the Eye adds to the Outer Wilds experience.
Elden Ring
Some Especially Challenging Bosses Will Cause Players To Experience Flashbacks
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Every FromSoftware game can scare players out of their wits, even if they may not be outright horror games, and Elden Ring is no exception. This title is not for the faint of heart and will force players to either improve their skills in the game or advance to higher levels after encountering a roadblock.
Some of the bosses and ambushes in this game are so unnerving that players will have nightmares about these foes long after they're done with these challenges. In some instances, the bosses in Elden Ring can be so challenging that players may just give up, which isn't going to be a good subject to revisit during their dreams.
8 Horror Games With 100+ Hours Of Gameplay
Looking for a horror adventure with hours of content to sink your teeth into? These games are the perfect fit.