Summary
- Dead Space blends horror and action, with the third title focusing more on action-packed gameplay.
- The Resident Evil franchise evolves with each entry, shifting from survival horror to third-person shooter.
- The Amnesia series injects creativity with The Bunker by removing sanity mechanics and adding randomness.
Horror gaming can be a tough genre to get into for many fans. The scare factor of these games is so immense that most players prefer to check out other genres that won't stress them out that much.
10 Best Horror Games Based On True Stories, Ranked
These horror games, all inspired by true stories, create an unmatched sense of dread and unease by tying in closely with real events.
However, this mentality will prevent players from enjoying some of the best video game franchises that have strived to change with each entry. These titles are a blast to play, especially when players witness this evolution firsthand.
8 Dead Space
The Focus On Action Slowly Increased And Was Cemented With The Horror-Focused Third Title
Dead Space
- Released
- October 14, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Visceral Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Best Games: Dead Space, Dead Space 2
Dead Space is one of the best video game trilogies that fans can get their hands on. The emphasis on horror was more pronounced in the first game, while the second title had a greater focus on action, which made its set pieces feel larger than life.
The third game may be the least favorite one in the eyes of many, but this game should still be commended for trying to bring co-op to the series. The experiment may take away from the game's horror elements, but that still shouldn't stand in the way of players who are invested in the overarching Dead Space story and want to see more of what this narrative has to offer.
7 Resident Evil
The Franchise Has Tried To Reinvent Itself Numerous Times
Resident Evil
- Released
- March 22, 1996
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), Sega Saturn, Nintendo DS, PC
- Best Games: Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Capcom should be commended for making huge strides with the Resident Evil series. The first three games did a great job of establishing the classic survival horror formula that became a staple on the PS1. However, the company didn't rest on its laurels with the dawn of a new console generation, with Resident Evil 4 making a huge splash and setting the third-person shooter template that other games would build upon.
The next two games focused on action over horror with mixed results, causing Resident Evil to go on the back burner for a while. Thankfully, P.T.' S success gave Capcom the confidence it needed to reinvent the Resident Evil formula, shifting to a first-person perspective for the first time in the series with the advent of Biohazard.
6 Silent Hill
Konami Has Tried Several Times To Appeal To Modern Audiences
Silent Hill
- Released
- January 31, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- Best Games: Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill 4: The Room, P.T.
Silent Hill is one of the most popular horror franchises, and fans are grateful that Konami hasn't given up on this series yet. Silent Hill was a revolutionary horror game that worked around its draw distance issues with its iconic fog, while the sequel was a masterclass in video game storytelling, horror or otherwise.
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A great soundtrack can do a lot for a horror game's immersion. From absurd ambiences to subtle, tense tunes, these horror game soundtracks deliver.
Later games also had their unique changes, such as The Room's eponymous setting, making for a claustrophobic game. However, nothing comes close to the sheer amount of innovation in P.T., a teaser that could've set the stage for something special in the series had it not been for Kojima and Konami's fallout.
5 Amnesia
The Bunker Adds A Semi-Open World And Removes The Sanity Mechanic
Amnesia The Dark Descent
- Released
- September 9, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- Best Games: Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Amnesia: The Bunker
Elements of the immersive sim genre have been prevalent in the Amnesia series, with the first game being one of the most successful titles released by Frictional Games. Later sequels tried to replicate this formula with minimal changes, but it was clear that this franchise needed an injection of creativity to remain relevant.
This was achieved with the advent of Amnesia: The Bunker, which removed the sanity mechanic and added randomized elements to the game. This ensured that players would experience something new with each playthrough in the claustrophobic bunker, which makes for a major change of pace from what players usually expect from the Amnesia series.
4 Five Nights At Freddy's
The Franchise Has Taken Several Wild Turns
Five Nights at Freddy's
- Released
- August 8, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Best Games: Five Nights At Freddy's, Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted
Five Nights at Freddy's is one of the most popular horror franchises that has become a major hit with fans. The first game was known for its challenging gameplay and spine-chilling jump scares, and a lot of what made this game special was replicated in the sequels.
Along with this, Five Nights at Freddy's has also expanded to include games with RPG elements, VR gameplay, and free-roam elements. The franchise's insistence to reinvent itself further down the line is a huge part of what makes fans go crazy over this series, even if the gameplay can be all over the place at times.
3 Outlast
The Latest Game Focuses On A Co-op Experience
Outlast
- Released
- November 4, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Red Barrels
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Linux, macOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Best Games: Outlast, The Outlast Trials
Outlast is one of the most immersive and nightmarish horror games players can get their hands on. The game is not for the faint of heart, with players being chased down by deranged maniacs who will rip them apart the second they get their hands on the hapless protagonist.
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These great horror games pull you in with their incredible atmospheres, immediately immersing you in detailed worlds and dynamic threats.
The gameplay loop in the first two games was fairly similar, but The Outlast Trials decided to move things in a completely different direction. It added co-op gameplay, making for memorable moments as players try to evade scary enemies and make progress while having a great time being scared together.
2 Metro
The Last Game In The Trilogy Implements An Open World With Splendid Results
Metro 2033
- Released
- March 16, 2010
- ESRB
- M // Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Developer(s)
- 4A Games
- Publisher(s)
- THQ, Deep Silver
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Best Games: Metro 2033, Metro: Last Light, Metro Exodus
Metro is one of the best FPS horror games players can get their hands on. Having to manage Artyom's equipment as he's chased down by mutants is a harrowing experience, but this heightened difficulty is precisely why fans can't get enough of this title.
The first two titles were linear experiences, so fans were amazed to see the open-world approach taken in Metro Exodus. It could've spelled disaster for the game, but the sandbox retains the sinister edge of past games while also letting players explore some riveting linear levels from time to time.
1 Parasite Eve
Each Game In This Underrated Horror Series Changes Things Up Quite A Bit
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- Best Game: Parasite Eve
The very first Parasite Eve game was surprising enough as is, with this JRPG bucking many trends in the genre. It was a relatively short game set in New York City, where players control a single protagonist in a turn-based combat system with real-time elements.
The sequel tried to emulate the success of Resident Evil by integrating tank controls and a focus on real-time combat, although this alienated some fans of the original. However, nothing could've prepared them for the risks the third game took, with the numerous gameplay changes and some questionable design choices turning it into the worst Parasite Eve game that failed to live up to the heights of the first game.
26 Best Horror Games On Steam
Steams offers countless horror games that fans of the genre are sure to love. Here are some of the best ones available on the platform.