The gaming landscape is blessed with quality offerings, with the horror category also having a wide range for players to choose from. Resident Evil has perfected almost every facet of this genre, with the original games being a blend of horror and action. Resident Evil 4, 5, and 6 veered primarily toward action with the occasional scary moment, while Resident Evil 7: BioHazard returned to horror but shifted to a first-person perspective. Village aimed to find a middle ground between the two, largely succeeding in the process; in the meantime, Capcom has revisited a few classics through generally fantastic remakes.
Resident Evil is undoubtedly the most famous horror gaming franchise of all time, to the point that there might be fans of Capcom's series that have largely neglected most of the genre's other offerings. Consequently, they are missing out on some of the best horror games like Resident Evil.
Updated October 13, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Resident Evil Requiem is still about three months away, so you will need to look elsewhere if you want to get your thrills on. So, we have added two more horror games similar to Resident Evil that might be able to fill that void. They are both a bit rough (Maid of Sker and Daymare: 1998), but they have their positives.
The Last Of Us Series
Post-Apocalyptic Horror Masterpiece With Strong Writing
The Last of Us
- Released
- June 14, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
One of the most decorated video game properties of all time, Naughty Dog's The Last of Us envisions a world that could realistically be Resident Evil's worst outcome if the viruses were allowed to spread unchecked. Beyond the somewhat similar monsters, the 2013 release is a third-person shooter that is somewhat similar to Resident Evil 4, albeit with a heavier focus on stealth; nevertheless, gameplay-wise, Resi fans should not find it too difficult to adapt to The Last of Us's rhythm, and that also holds true for the sequel.
Narratively, Naughty Dog focused more on the games' characters, taking them on personal tales that lean into elevated and psychological horror territory rather than b-movie entertainment. One type of story is not necessarily better than the other, but it does make for very different tones.
Outlast
An Influential And Very Scary Horror Game
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 not particularly similar to classic Resident Evil, Outlast might have influenced Capcom's attempts to soft reboot the franchise with the seventh entry, which marked a shift to a first-person perspective. Resident Evil 7's Baker Family section shares quite a lot in common with Red Barrels' games, including revolving around a protagonist who is largely defenseless against roaming enemies. Capcom found a way to shake up the formula to create an experience that is 100% Resident Evil, but fans of Ethan Winters' first horrifying adventure will want to check out 2013's Outlast and its sequel, assuming they enjoy the first entry.
18 Outlast Characters That Chilled Us To The Bone
Good horror games create characters that are absolutely terrifying, and the Outlast series succeeded in giving us figures to flee and hide from.
Set in Mount Massive Asylum, Outlast revolves around a journalist who wants to discover what exactly happened in this hospital before it was closed down. Trapped inside with only a camera, players will constantly find themselves scrambling in the dark to try and stay away from the various horrors that exist within this hell. While some beats can be missed during a playthrough, Outlast tells a fascinating story that is rich in (gruesome) lore.
Maid of Sker
Resident Evil 1 Vibes
Maid of Sker
- Released
- July 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due to Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Wales Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Horror
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Now, let's go for a game that is slightly less known than the likes of Outlast or The Last of Us. Maid of Sker is out on most major systems, and it is a solid and short first-person horror game that seems to take some pretty obvious inspiration from the early Resident Evil games. The story takes place on the grounds of a hotel, and you steadily go through the creepy location while solving puzzles and mostly trying to avoid enemy encounters. Combat is very limited and not something to be relied upon, although it is an option in dire situations.
Similar to the original Resident Evil, Maid of SKer does a great job of immersing you in a nightmarish but familiar world, forcing you to face the dread head-on using occasional weapons but mostly your mind. While I would recommend keeping expectations slightly low, horror fans should seek this one out.
Crow Country
A Fresh PS1 Throwback
Crow Country
- Released
- May 9, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- SFB Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
While not hiding its influences, Crow Country does a great job of expanding and evolving them to create something modern and unique. Due to its stylistic backdrops and doll-like character designs, SFB's game instantly screams "1998 PS1 survival horror," and an appreciation for classics like the original Resident Evil trilogy will likely be someone's main motivator to pick up this 2024 indie release. However, Crow Country sets itself apart in a few key ways.
Perhaps most importantly, despite what its visuals might suggest, the game wisely opted against copying tank controls, instead delivering a fairly modern interpretation with a few backward-looking nods. The campaign primarily focuses on puzzles, with combat taking a backseat and being largely avoidable if players just want to sprint past enemies. The amusement park setting is a horrifying treat that encourages exploration through its three main regions.
Alien: Isolation
Intense Sci-Fi Horror Game
Alien: Isolation
- Released
- October 7, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
A contender for the best Alien game of all time, Alien: Isolation is a survival horror masterpiece. While not completely devoid of weapons, players spend large chunks of the game trying to avoid the Xenomorph.
Alien: Isolation takes one of horror's most iconic villains and revitalizes them, re-establishing this intimidating creature as a force to be reckoned with. This is the Xenomorph from Alien, not Alien vs. Predator. Although not all that comparable to the third-person Resident Evil games, Alien: Isolation should strike a chord with fans of Biohazard and, to a lesser extent, Village.
Shadows Of The Damned
More Comedy, Less Horror
Shadows of the Damned
- Released
- June 21, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Grasshopper Manufacture
- Genre(s)
- Action, Third-Person Shooter
Produced by Shinji Mikami and Grasshopper Manufacture, Shadows of the Damned went through a tough development cycle that saw it practically transform into a different game by the end. The finished product plays like a comedic version of the action-focused Resident Evil titles, as players guide a demon hunter through the underworld to save his girlfriend.
Putting aside some mini-games that do not deliver, Shadows of the Damned plays fine for a third-person shooter. The game’s stunning environments and creative monster designs are the true stars, although the characters are pretty fun too.
Devil May Cry
Born Out Of Resident Evil's Ashes
Devil May Cry
- Released
- October 16, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
As fans of both franchises surely know, Devil May Cry originally started as Resident Evil 4. Ultimately, Hideki Kamiya’s team took the project in too different of a direction to pass as another entry in the horror series, leading to the creation of 2001’s Devil May Cry.
Every Devil May Cry Game, Ranked According To Difficulty
The Devil May Cry games have always been known for their difficulty, but some are incredibly brutal and unforgiving in their overall challenge.
Split into missions and pushing action to the forefront, Devil May Cry moves at a blistering pace as players seek to stylishly take out all sorts of enemies by mastering Dante’s various weapons and moves. Similar to Resident Evil, Devil May Cry features plenty of puzzles and a ghoulish setting. The series would expand on the combat in later entries, but the original Devil May Cry is the closest to Resident Evil.
Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare
Adopting Resident Evil's Blueprint
Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
- Released
- June 18, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
1992's Alone in the Dark was a landmark release in video game horror, and it almost certainly influenced later projects like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. However, the franchise lost steam quickly, and by 1994 and its third numbered entry, Alone in the Dark's core concept felt tired. The IP would not return until 2001, and The New Nightmare debuted in a very different climate than its predecessors. Unsurprisingly, the game took some ideas from the popular PS1 survival horror games that redefined the genre, all the while still respectfully retaining the sense of atmosphere that characterized the original Alone in the Dark.
In a franchise that largely consists of great but hard-to-revisit (1992's Alone in the Dark) or terrible releases (Illumination), The New Nightmare might just be the best Alone in the Dark game, or at least the one that modern players might struggle the least to enjoy. Featuring two playable characters and an island setting, the 2001 game is visually impressive for its era, particularly its lighting effects.
Daymare: 1998
A Resident Evil Clone That Has Issues, But Also Charm
Daymare: 1998
- Released
- June 1, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
To be frank, I'm hesitant to recommend the Daymare games (1998 and 1994 Sandcastle). They are both deeply flawed horror games that pay respect to Resident Evil without really coming close to capturing their magic. They are clunky, rough, somewhat buggy, and prone to frustrating rather than fun moments. The games lean a bit too much into action territory, too, but the combat is not quite good enough to carry that side of things.
Yet, the developer's love for Resident Evil shines through during every single moment, particularly in the creature design and locations. Therefore, if you are a die-hard fan of Capcom's franchise and do not mind a somewhat rough adventure, Daymare: 1998 and its sequel/prequel are worth consideration.
Dino Crisis Series
Resident Evil With Dinos (& By Capcom)
Dino Crisis
- Released
- August 31, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- Sega Dreamcast, PC, PlayStation (Original), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PS Vita
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Basically Resident Evil but with dinosaurs, Dino Crisis retains many elements that helped make Capcom’s zombie franchise so beloved. Puzzles, limited inventory, tank controls, and tight spaces are present and accounted for in the original Dino Crisis, and the dinosaurs produce plenty of memorable encounters even if they are not especially terrifying.
Dino Crisis 2 is more of a straight-up action game, and it is perhaps the best in the series. While the franchise would go on to produce one more main entry and a spin-off, they are not great and should only be played for completionist purposes.