Gaming is an immersive medium where everything from action to horror becomes more impactful and captivating than ever. Therefore, it's easy to see why some NPCs, intended to be scary, end up having a major impact.
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Sometimes, even NPCs that aren't meant to be creepy end up unnerving players because of how they're implemented in the game. Regardless, NPCs that are either intentionally creepy or otherwise will leave fans quaking in their boots.
Dr. John H. Watson
Without A Walking Animation, Watson Just Teleports And Shocks Players Every Time
Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis
- Released
- October 25, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
Watson is Sherlock's trusty sidekick who aids him in his investigation time and time again. He also didn't have a walking animation in the original release of Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis, resulting in one of the most unnerving recurring moments in a video game.
Watson would magically teleport near the player as they proceeded in their investigation, leading to him appearing out of nowhere and shocking players. It's a genuine jumpscare that turned Watson into one of the creepiest gaming NPCs in no time.
Jack Baker
The Entire Baker Family Made RE7 Scarier Than Ever
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Psychological Horror, First-Person
The Baker family is one of the most unsettling groups in horror gaming history. Nowhere is the horror of this seemingly immortal family personified more than by the patriarch, Jack Baker. He relentlessly chases the player and seems downright unkillable at times. This makes every chase scene with this character a harrowing moment as players help Ethan rescue his wife.
Freddy Fazbear
One Of The Many Scary Animatronics That Helped FNAF Become Legendary
Five Nights at Freddy's
- Released
- August 8, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Five Nights at Freddy's is one of the best horror games of all time that fans can't get enough of. Scott Cawthon's magnum opus led to the rise of one of the most legendary horror franchises in gaming history that continues to dominate pop culture.
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Out of all the horrifying animatronics in this game, it's the iconic Freddy Fazbear who is the most recognizable (and horrifying) one of the lot. He, along with his fellow animatronics, loves to scare the night shift security guards working at the pizzeria.
Alma Wade
A Psychic With A Bone To Pick
F.E.A.R.
- Released
- October 18, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
F.E.A.R. Is beloved by many for its amazing enemy AI, tense firefights, and a great story that cooks in the background. Players are introduced to the threat of Alma Wade, a psychic with a vengeful spirit that lays waste to everything in her midst.
In between the game's action-packed set pieces, Alma arrives intermittently to remind players that they're playing a horror game. Her unnerving appearances turned her into one of the scariest video game characters of all time, and for good reason.
Victor Zsasz
A Serial Killer Who's As Chilling As They Come
Batman: Arkham Trilogy
- Released
- October 13, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
The Arkham games are full of creepy antagonists who have it out for Batman, but Victor Zsasz is in a class of his own. This twisted serial killer is no joke and will leave chills down a player's spine whenever they uncover his unsettling handiwork.
Hunting him down in the Arkham games is far from pleasant, since players would ideally want to stay as far away as possible from this deranged serial killer. However, as Batman, it's their responsibility to stop the people who are terrifying the people of Gotham.
Leshy
Trying To Overcome This Imposing Villain Is Just The Start Of What Inscryption Has To Offer
Inscryption
- Released
- October 19, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
Inscryption is one of the greatest indie horror games fans can check out, with its focus on deckbuilding being surprisingly easy to get into despite the game's oppressive atmosphere. Trying to beat Leshy at this game is easier said than done, with this creepy character taking players on a grand adventure where death can arrive at a moment's notice.
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As creepy as Leshy may be, he actually turns into one of the most endearing characters in the series by the end. It's a testament to how well-told the story in Inscryption is that this swerve is more than justified.
Curly
A Ship Captain Whose Disfigured Body Is Nightmarish To Behold
Mouthwashing
- Released
- September 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Psychological, Horror
Mouthwashing is a short yet terrifying experience that fans will love in no time. Players control both Curly and Jimmy in a narrative that jumps around before and after the crash of the Tulpar.
Seeing Curly's mauled body is unnerving (particularly his bulging eye) and makes it clear why he was chosen as the face of this chilling horror game. However, instead of being scared by him, it's the actions of someone else that are hard to fathom and turn him into the true villain of Mouthwashing.
Auntie Ethel
A Person Who Seems Like A Nice Old Witch Becomes The Source Of A Player's Nightmares In No Time
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Baldur's Gate 3 is full of memorable characters that fans will love interacting with. One major exception to this rule is Auntie Ethel, who personifies the trope of the seemingly friendly witch in a forest who ends up harboring a dark side.
Seeing her creepy visage in the flesh is terrifying enough as is, but trying to fight this character is even more challenging. This becomes even trickier if fans want to save her victim, causing players to repeat this chilling encounter over and over again until things go according to plan.
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