Open-world games are no stranger to their fair share of creepy moments that will scare players out of their wits. However, the most effective scary events in games are ones that aren't all that obvious, rewarding inquisitive players with a shock to the system.
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These games can be completed without players needing to stray from the main path too often.
The best and most immersive open-world games know how to scare players with these secrets, enhancing the worldbuilding of these titles. If everything is executed to perfection, these horrifying secrets can become notable urban gaming legends.
8 Far Cry 5
O'Hara's Haunted House Gives Players The Creeps
Far Cry 5
- Released
- March 27, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
Far Cry 5 was an injection of creativity this franchise desperately needed, doing just enough to change the core gameplay loop while also building upon the things that made this series so special. This includes some memorable secrets, including a haunted house that will scare players out of their wits.
It houses one of the most elaborate Prepper Stashes in the game, with the eerie house being full of jump scares and eerie vibes that will compel players to get out of this place as soon as they possibly can. It's a shame that unique secrets like these were missing in Far Cry 6, contributing to this sequel's blandness.
7 Assassin's Creed 2
Seeing Giant Squid And The Ghosts Of Ezio's Past Is Unnerving
Assassin's Creed 2
- Released
- November 7, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
Assassin's Creed 2 is one of the greatest open-world games of all time, with some eerie secrets that fans can uncover. One of these is a giant squid present in the flooded underground section of the Santa Maria della Visitazione, which will swim past and eventually try to attack Ezio if he lingers around for too long.
Another eerie secret can be found if players head back to Ezio's burned manor. He will find ghosts of his family members scattered about the ruined house, which can be rather disturbing for some players to handle.
6 Grand Theft Auto 5
The Ghost Of Mount Gordo And The Zodiac Killer Are Both As Scary As They Are Incredibly Scary To Behold
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
The Grand Theft Auto series is no stranger to its fair share of secrets, and the fifth mainline entry is no exception. From the very first level, players can head under a bridge to see an alien frozen in the water, which can be pretty terrifying to behold.
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The machinations of the Zodiac killer and the ghost of Mount Gordo make for creepy sights that will stick in the minds of fans. Finally, if players attain 100% completion in the game, then they can possibly unlock a bunch of UFO sightings across the world that can be rather unnerving.
5 Batman: Arkham City
Scarecrow's Lair Comes Equipped With A Jumpscare
Batman: Arkham City
- Released
- October 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
The Arkham games are dripping with atmosphere, making it the perfect staging ground for a bunch of scary secrets. Arkham City understood the assignment by hiding Scarecrow's lair in a hard-to-reach area on the map that isn't obvious at all.
If players enter the lair, the view will switch to first-person as players walk towards a thug strapped to a chair. It's a bit predictable, but watching him get up at the last second to jumpscare players before breathing his last makes for a terrifying sight, especially once players find out the rough experiments this person had to deal with.
4 Fallout: New Vegas
The Story Of Vault 11 Is A Chilling One
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- RPG
One of the many reasons why Fallout: New Vegas is such a masterpiece is because of its environmental storytelling. Every optional area in the game houses something interesting, whether it be tough combat encounters, powerful weapons, or some great worldbuilding.
In Vault 11, players will stumble upon one of the most chilling stories in Fallout history, which says a lot. The Vault was a social experiment that would reward its residents for refusing to sacrifice anyone, but the dwellers never figured this out and elected people who'd serve as Overseers for a year before sacrificing them. A woman looking out for her husband is caught in this crossfire, having to sell her dignity to save her husband, only to be betrayed. What follows is a bloodbath after she swears vengeance on the people who did her wrong before causing anarchy to reign in the Vault after a doctrine that would start electing Overseers at random.
3 Red Dead Redemption 2
The UFOs And Ghost Trains Are As Scary As They Come
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Red Dead Redemption 2 is full of so many scary secrets that it will boggle the mind. A serial killer on the rampage, a man in the swamp who does horrible things to Arthur, and the vampire of Saint-Denis are just a few of the many secrets fans can find in the game.
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However, one of the scariest secrets has to be the Ghost Train that players can find at night, which will send shivers down their spine. The same can be said for a UFO encounter that makes players feel trapped, as cool as it may be to find this classic Rockstar easter egg.
2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
From The Weeping Angels To The Ghost Ship, There's No Shortage Of Unnerving Secrets Here
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was made with a ton of love and care, and this can be seen in the wealth of secrets scattered across this RPG. Some of these hidden things can be especially sinister, with the ghost ship in Skellige being an obvious mention that will scare players out of their wits as they explore the high seas at night.
There's also the Weeping Angels in the Lindenvale Graveyard, which stalk Geralt and move their positions when players aren't looking. This easter egg is a nod to Doctor Who and makes for one of the creepiest sights in the game.
1 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Players Will Be Shocked When They Find Out That The Game's Bosses Can Be Fought In The Depths
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
Unlike Breath of the Wild, the bosses in Tears of the Kingdom all feel unique from each other in terms of both design and fighting style, which is appreciated for obvious reasons. Fans love the idea of facing off against these tough foes and using the unique ability of their companion to make things easier.
After this battle, players who explore the Depths will be shocked when they find the same bosses appear at different points underground. This can make for some shocking and challenging battles, scaring players out of their wits as they try to deal with these bosses once again in the Depths.
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