Summary
- Many great female-led horror games are at risk of becoming lost media as gaming consoles continue to evolve.
- Some modern gems, including Dreaming Mary and Cabernet, deserve to be experienced by a wider audience.
- Beloved animal companions and exposing the dark realities behind dream worlds are recurring themes in horror games with female protagonists.
Every great game needs a great protagonist. Gamers have been treated to some fantastic female-led horrors over the years, from classics like the Clock Tower series to more recent indie treasures like Mad Father. Sadly, many unique and underappreciated female-led horror games are at risk of becoming lost media due to their lack of accessibility on modern systems.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are plenty of interesting modern horrors with female protagonists which have flown under the radar and are deserving of more praise and attention. This list aims to highlight a variety of hidden gems and forgotten classics for players to discover.
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10 Dreaming Mary
A Colorful Wonderland Which Hides Dark Secrets
- Developer: Accha
- Release Date: April 2014
Dreaming Mary is a delightful horror RPG with a short run time which asks a very big question: is it better to live in a beautiful dream, or to face a frightening reality? Players must not become too comfortable in the face of the game's charmingly simplistic gameplay. Their ability to read between the lines during dialogue will ultimately decide if their story remains pink and petal-covered, or deteriorates into something much darker. Intrigued gamers should be aware that the game deals with some potentially triggering subject matter.
9 Hollowbody
A Futuristic Foray Into British Dystopia
Hollowbody
- Released
- September 12, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Headware Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Psychological
- Platform(s)
- PC
Hollowbody is an impressive effort from solo developer Headware Games, surpassing its kickstarter goal by over $16,000. Set in a dystopian future United Kingdom, players take on the role of Mica, a young smuggler who braves the hellish monster-ridden streets in search of her missing partner. With a runtime of around three hours, the title’s nostalgic survival and puzzle-based gameplay is something of a love letter to the great survival horror gameswhich came before it, like the Silent Hill series.
8 D: The Game
A Gem Of Horror Gaming History
D
- Released
- March 31, 1996
WHERE TO PLAY
D: The Game is a slice of gaming history from director Kenji Eno, originally developed for the long-forgotten 3DO console. Players step into the shoes of Laura, a young woman who must uncover the truth after learning that her father is accused of committing a string of murders at a hospital.
The game takes the form of an interactive movie, where players must solve puzzles to uncover the truth. The game’s 2016 Steam port means that this atmospheric title can still be enjoyed by modern players.
7 Fran Bow
A Point-And-Click Adventure Through A World Of Hidden Horrors
Fran Bow
- Released
- August 17, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Killmonday Games AB
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Indie Games, Puzzle
Fran Bow tells the story of an orphaned little girl and her pet cat, Mr. Midnight, as they navigate a world which flickers between reality and a hallucinogenic spirit realm which reveals itself whenever Fran takes the medication prescribed to her by her untrustworthy doctor. Fran is both hilarious and delightful as a protagonist, and the various in-game worlds offer plenty of enchantment and opportunities for exploration for fans of point-and-click adventure games.
6 Cabernet
A Vampiric 19th-Century Horror RPG Adventure
Cabernet
- Released
- February 20, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Party for Introverts
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Cabernet is an indie RPG that has mostly flown under the radar, but deserves far more than to fade into obscurity. Players control Liza, a young female vampire battling with the balance between humanity and hunger. Each choice she makes has an impact on the game's engaging narrative.
The game boasts a stunning soundtrack and a beautiful art style, though many players have voiced concerns about in-game bugs which need to be addressed in order for the game to reach its full potential.
5 Rule Of Rose
An Emotional Story In A Unique World
Rule Of Rose
- Released
- January 19, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
In this deliciously dark tale, players take on the role of Jennifer, an anxious young woman who relies upon the help of her beloved Labrador, Brown, to uncover the heartbreaking truth behind the cruel world she finds herself in: a world run by a tyrannical gang of little girls.
The game is beautiful in many ways, from its art direction to its crushing story. Sadly, it is let down by poorly implemented gameplay. With original copies now prohibitively expensive, the game is more than deserving of a remake to do it justice.
4 Pathologic
Saint Or Sinner? A Torturous Tale About Perspective
Pathologic Classic HD
- Released
- October 29, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
The Russian cult classic Pathologic allows players to become Clara the Changeling, a little girl who must find a way to save a plague-ridden town. Clara has a variety of unnatural gifts, including the ability to kill or heal with her hands, a skill which will lead her to face untold danger in her pursuit of a solution to save everyone in town.
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This survival horror is a masterpiece of narrative fiction which is not for the faint-hearted, with notoriously cruel gameplay. Clara’s unlockable route holds a host of surprises for long-suffering players who have the stomach to see Pathologic through to its bloody end.
3 Haunting Ground
A Uniquely Feminine Horror Experience
Haunting Ground
- Released
- May 10, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
In this PS2 survival horror, players take on the role of Fiona Belli, a young woman who must escape kidnap with the help of her fierce protector, Hewie, a White Shepherd. The game shines in its ability to make the player feel Fiona's vulnerability, and it does not shy away from themes of sexuality and objectification as Fiona is ruthlessly pursued by a host of enemies who see her as nothing but a pawn to be used in their own games. Fiona’s fate will be determined by how deep of a bond she can build with her precious Hewie.
2 Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
A Lovcraftian Action-Adventure That Awakens Ancient Evils
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
- Released
- June 24, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Developer(s)
- Silicon Knights
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- GameCube
This GameCube title allows players to take on the role of a variety of characters throughout history. Chief among them is Alex, a young woman whose journey into darkness begins when she discovers a mysterious tome while trying to uncover the truth about her grandfather’s death.
The game is notable for putting the sanity meter mechanicon the map, a feature which would later be adopted by iconic games such as Amnesia. Sadly, this treasure of a game has never received a port to modern systems, making it largely inaccessible to a modern audience.
1 American McGee's Alice
A Bloody Platforming Nightmare Through The Depths Of Desperation
American McGee's Alice
- Released
- December 5, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rogue Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Having lost her family in a house fire, this grim reimagining of Lewis Carrol’s classic tale sends Alice down the rabbit hole once more into the depths of her own mind to battle physical manifestations of her grief, self-hatred and trauma. It's a cult classic with imaginative level design, a great weapon selection, and an inspiring story. However, copies of the game are sadly becoming more and more difficult to get a hold of. The game’s sequel, Alice: Madness Returns, is also a treat for fans of female-led horror in search of grisly fun.
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