The survival horror genre isn't quite as saturated as the more popular sub-genres of horror, but there's no denying its popularity; games such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill are almost synonymous with survival horror, and both franchises have a plethora of devoted fans.
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These games are traditionally defined by their focus on resource management, facilitated by hefty limitations on the player's ammunition and health. Puzzle solving and exploration are also common occurrences in survival horror, adding variety to the gameplay and providing a respite from fear. However, the limited resources given to the player usually make them more vulnerable than in other action games and, as a result, these games can be somewhat inaccessible. The fright-factor of these games can also turn more cautious players away, so in both cases, survival horror titles that lean closer to action than horror tend to be more accessible and are better entry points for beginners.
Just to be clear, this article is not about games suitable for people who do not like horror. Instead, we will focus on survival horror games that are relatively accessible to newcomers to the genre who enjoy a good scare. So, we will include some truly terrifying games.
7 Until Dawn (Original Or Remake)
The Ideal Survival Horror Game For Slasher Movie Fans
Until Dawn
- Released
- August 25, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Supermassive Games
- Platform(s)
- PS4
- Genre(s)
- Horror
Until Dawn is a complicated recommendation. On the one hand, the game offers arguably the most cinematic horror experience in gaming, making it perfect for beginners who enjoy scary films but have yet to immerse themselves in survival horror. Conversely, Supermassive's project is very much a singular experience that does not reflect the standard gameplay of most survival horror games, making it a relatively poor introduction to the genre on the whole. At most, it will prepare players for Supermassive's Dark Pictures and The Quarry.
Still, Until Dawn is really accessible, while still delivering tension, frights, and gruesome kills. The gameplay is minimal and, for the most part, stress-free; however, players have to constantly make decisions that determine the story's progression. If someone has always wanted to create a slasher flick, Until Dawn lets them fulfill that desire.
The remake is mostly good, too, and its controls are closer to a traditional, modern survival horror game.
6 Resident Evil 2 (2019)
A Modern Classic Survival Horror Experience
Resident Evil 2
- Released
- January 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Horror
Resident Evil 2 is a notorious entry in the survival horror genre, taking place in the iconic Raccoon City and offering players a nail-biting experience set in a variety of memorable locations. Resident Evil 2 can be a frightening game, especially for those unacquainted with the genre or the franchise. Much of this horror is facilitated through dynamic enemies, immersive lighting, brilliant sound design, and the infamous Mr. X.
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Exploring the halls of Raccoon City Police Station when Mr. X could be lurking nearby creates a tense, palpable atmosphere that's consistently thrilling. The remake also offers a tremendously modern experience without compromising the original design. Resident Evil 2 is classic survival horror, with plenty of exploration, puzzles, resource management, and frantic combat. For players that want an experience that's accessible while remaining accurate to the genre's definition, Resident Evil 2 is a safe bet.
5 Resident Evil 4
A Fast-Paced And Action-Packed Experience
Resident Evil 4
- Released
- March 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Resident Evil 4 isn't the scariest of survival horror games, but this works in its favor when it comes to attracting new players to the genre. The original release of Resident Evil 4 was celebrated for reinvigorating the survival-horror genre and, more specifically, the Resident Evil franchise, offering a non-stop, action-packed adaptation of traditional survival-horror gameplay. The recent remake is even more accessible, offering modern controls and slick graphics that make the game somewhat scarier, but also even more beginner-friendly than its 2005 counterpart.
Resident Evil 4 puts players in the shoes of Leon Kennedy, on a mission to save the President's daughter from a variety of zombie-adjacent villagers, cultists, and horrifically mutated creatures. The game's narrative is mostly straightforward and told in such a way that newcomers to the franchise can follow along with ease. Despite there being plenty of action, Resident Evil 4 features plenty of resource management as well, adding to the tension and overall horror of the experience. Overall, Resident Evil 4's more linear approach to design and action-packed gameplay make it a solid entry point to the genre.
4 Dead Space
A Unique Combat System And An Iconic Setting
Dead Space
- Released
- January 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- EA Motive
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
This iconic science fiction survival horror game takes place on a mining spaceship overrun with horrific creatures called Necromorphs. Dead Space is best known for its environmental storytelling, well-placed jump scares, and the incredibly immersive and memorable setting - the USG Ishimura. The ship's rooms and halls are dense with spooky lighting, zero-gravity areas, and creepy elevators, offering a delightfully tense atmosphere.
Dead Space features a limited number of ammo and health pick-ups that add an element of resource management to the gameplay. Combined with the deadly creatures and creepy atmosphere, Dead Space offers a survival horror experience that's close in tone to Resident Evil 4. Much like Resident Evil 4, what makes Dead Space so accessible to beginners is its action-oriented gameplay. There are plenty of nasty enemies to take down in Dead Space, and the game features a unique combat system that has players chop their enemies apart limb from limb, as opposed to just shooting them until they drop, which makes the combat feel more deliberate than some other entries in the genre.
3 Crow Country
A Short Retro Experience With Modern Controls
Crow Country
- Released
- May 9, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- SFB Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Crow Country is a recently released indie survival horror game that takes clear inspiration from staples of the genre like as Silent Hill. The game features an old-school aesthetic that combines the visuals of games such as the original Resident Evil with the 3D models of early Final Fantasy games. The game's narrative follows Mara Forest as she attempts to investigate a mystery at an abandoned amusement park.
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Crow Country has plenty of old-school designs, but features modernizations that make it more accessible, such as optional tank controls and a rotating camera. Players are also allowed to restock their ammo supply by backtracking to the start of the game, making the resource management a little more forgiving. Crow Country is also a relatively short experience, giving newcomers a brisk but well-crafted survival horror adventure to whet their appetite for the genre's other offerings.
2 Outlast
An Introduction To Modern Survival Horror
Outlast
- Released
- November 4, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Red Barrels
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Linux, macOS
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
While Amnesia: The Dark Descent wrote the blueprint for modern first-person survival horror games, Outlast popularized it to the point of influencing seemingly most of the genre's efforts over the last decade. Instead of featuring a protagonist who moonlights as an action hero, these projects emphasize their vulnerability, stripping them of any defensive mechanisms. You must sneak, explore, run, and hide. Fighting back is not only a bad idea, but it is also actively impossible.
Predominantly set in a mental institution, Outlast is genuinely terrifying and consistently intense, so this is definitely not a game for people who are new to horror. However, its mechanics are fairly straightforward, and the "run-and-hide" strategy is about as uncomplicated a concept as they come. Outlast is a great pick for horror fans who are new to gaming.
1 Alan Wake 2
Stylish, Story-Driven Survival Horror
Alan Wake 2
- Released
- October 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
This highly polished, long-awaited sequel to Alan Wake is a high-budget foray into the survival horror genre from Remedy Entertainment, the team behind games such as Control and Max Payne. The game features plenty of survival horror tropes, such as limited resources that force players to manage their ammo and health carefully. There's also no shortage of tranquil save rooms, which provide welcome respites from the horror.
Alan Wake 2 is a story-driven adventure, and its greatest strength is its presentation; in-engine and live-action cutscenes, immersive lighting, and a cinematic sense of style make Alan Wake 2 a visual treat throughout. This, coupled with its consistently engaging narrative and modern controls, makes Alan Wake 2 a perfect entry point for newcomers to survival horror and is even accessible to those who haven't played the first Alan Wake.
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