Summary
- Horror and dating merge in video games for an intense and unique experience.
- Visual novels like Doki Doki Literature Club! And Catherine: Full Body offer surprising and engaging experiences.
- Unique games like Slay the Princess and Sucker For Love: First Date create an intriguing blend of fear and love.
Finding a niche in the video game industry is a tricky prospect these days, and many developers are not averse to blending genres to stand out. Games merging horror with elements of dating simulators are not unusual, and it makes sense, given that horror and romance are complementary themes. They are polar opposites when a date goes well, but a bad date or outright rejection can feel like psychological torture.
Best Psychological Horror Games For Beginners
Prepare for beginner friendly thrills and chills with these psychological horrors.
Much like horror, going on dates makes people feel vulnerable, which extends to the audience when their character is dating in a video game, only adding to their apprehension. These are the best horror games for going on dates, ranked based on a combination of their overall quality and popularity, plus how effectively they fuse horror and romance.
Speed Dating for Ghosts
Find Companionship & Enjoy Frank Discussions With the Deceased
Speed Dating For Ghosts
- Released
- February 14, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Copychaser Games
- Publisher(s)
- Copychaser Games
- Genre(s)
- Casual, Indie, Simulation
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch
Described more as wholesome horror, if such a thing exists, Speed Dating for Ghosts is one of the best dating simulators of the last decade. Apart from a few spirits with disturbing characteristics and some sinister subject matter, there are no real frights like a traditional horror game.
Branching dialogue and a short runtime mean that it is highly replayable, with many trying to see how different choices affect the outcomes of each date. Covering a wide range of topics in honest discussions, the game is often humorous and sometimes heartbreaking, but the quirky cast of wraiths, phantoms, and specters certainly leave an impression, whether a date goes well or turns sour.
Deadly Premonition
Falling in Love in Surreal Places
Deadly Premonition
- Released
- February 23, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Access Games
- Publisher(s)
- Ignition Entertainment, Marvelous Entertainment, Rising Star Games, Aksys Games, Numskull Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Inspired by the works of David Lynch, Deadly Premonition is a highly polarizing cult classic, following Detective Francis York Morgan as he aims to solve a mysterious murder case. Among the surrealism of the Other World, the creepy murder case, and conducting interviews around town, York starts to develop feelings for one of Greenvale's locals, Emily Wyatt.
The two of them get together regularly for lunch or car rides, getting to know one another better on a personal level, and a subtle romance blossoms. She even attempts to cook meals for York in side quests if he brings some ingredients. This budding romance between York and Emily is explored even further in the sequel, A Blessing In Disguise.
Until Dawn
Try to Survive & Strengthen Relationships
Until Dawn
- Released
- August 25, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Supermassive Games
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Genre(s)
- Horror
- Platform(s)
- PS4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
While it would be hard to describe much of the proceedings in Until Dawn as “dates,” there are certainly some heartwarming moments and burgeoning romances among the traumatizing events. Player choices make a big difference in this regard, not only determining whether characters live or die, but also how each character perceives one another by the time things conclude.
8 Best Horror Games With Multiple Protagonists
For those who enjoy experiencing games from more than one perspective, here are some great horror titles that feature multiple protagonists.
Especially in the early chapters, there are more romantic encounters and activities resembling dates, but it becomes more of a battle for survival later in the game. The potential love story between Chris and Ashley is a particular favorite among fans of the game, likely due to their relatable awkwardness.
Sucker for Love: First Date
Summon & Date Feminized Lovecraftian Entities
Sucker for Love: First Date
- Released
- January 21, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- DreadXP
- Publisher(s)
- DreadXP
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A parody of dating sims, Sucker For Love: First Date forces players to perform rituals from a pink copy of the Necronomicon, summoning kawaii versions of Lovecraftian monstrosities, such as a busty Cthulhu. This is largely tongue in cheek, but there are still some effective moments of terror, since dating Eldritch creatures can be risky.
The game is played as a visual novel with many secrets to discover and some decisions changing how the game proceeds, leading to different endings. It can feel like trial and error, but it does add to replay value. The sequel, Date to Die For, is also worth checking out for its similar horror-themed dating and multiple possible endings.
Catherine: Full Body
Nightmares & Love Triangles
Catherine: Full Body
- Released
- April 24, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
Catherine: Full Body is the re-release of Catherine, with additional content and multiple different endings depending on Vincent's choices throughout the game, most of which will leave somebody heartbroken. Already having doubts about his relationship with Katherine, suddenly another mysterious woman named Catherine appears (along with another called Qatherine in the Full Body release).
In the daytime, Vincent can interact with other characters in the Stray Sheep bar, choosing from dialogue options in encounters with NPCs. At night, he is haunted by nightmares, climbing block towers that are collapsing beneath him, and often being pursued by hideous creatures. For many players, the thought of hurting a love interest's feelings may be scarier than the dreams that plague Vincent.
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
Unlock Love Across the Universe Mode
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
- Released
- January 12, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Spike Chunsoft
- Publisher(s)
- NISA
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel
- Platform(s)
- PS4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A murder mystery involving 16 high-school students and the returning robotic bear, Monokuma, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is not a horror game in its strictest sense but features plenty of psychological horror and tension. Despite the stylized graphics, some of the grisly murders and their implications are incredibly disturbing, even heartbreaking at times.
10 Best Spike Chunsoft Games, Ranked
From visual novels like Danganronpa to fighting games like Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, here are the best offerings of Spike Chunsoft.
After completing the main game, players unlock “Love Across The Universe” mode, which features no more killing and allows the protagonist to take their fellow students on dates. The goal is to raise one or every character's affection to the maximum level, but failing to do so with any results in a rather grim ending for Shuichi.
Slay the Princess
An Unconventional Love Story With a Princess Who Must Be Slain
Slay the Princess
- Released
- October 23, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Sent to a cabin with only one goal, the Hero must track down and Slay the Princess, making the player the killer as the name suggests. A visual novel that changes as decisions are made, the protagonist will struggle to make choices due to his own inner monologue, the voice of the narrator, various other unknown voices, and the honeyed words of the eponymous Princess all conflicting with one another.
Exploring love from many different angles, ranging from supportive to manipulative, deciding what to do is tough, and some choices lead to the Princess taking on horrific forms. The hand-drawn art style is stunning and adds more tension to the already creepy atmosphere while interacting with the definitely completely normal Princess.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
Just Monika, Only Monika
Doki Doki Literature Club!
- Released
- September 22, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Salvato
- Publisher(s)
- Team Salvato
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel, Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Beginning as a very cutesy dating simulator in the opening hours, Doki Doki Literature Club soon turns into one of the most distressing psychological horror games ever made, even breaking the fourth wall and showing signs of self-awareness at times. Each decision can go from feeling lighthearted to a landmine ready to explode if not chosen carefully.
The game deals with some unsettling themes, but it is most frightening when the player feels like they are no longer in control, either due to the game reading files on their PC, altering its own files, or taking control of the cursor to force certain decisions. It's one of the most intriguing, unexpected, and unique gaming experiences out there.
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