Summary
- Hype can make or break horror games: anticipation can lead to triumphs, but over-hyping without execution spells trouble for developers.
- Despite disappointments, many horror games offer unique and memorable experiences worth revisiting.
- Titles like The Evil Within 2, The Medium, and Call of Cthulhu manage to deliver distinct experiences amid mixed reviews and rocky starts.
In the horror genre, hype can be a double-edged sword for a game's success, as a healthy amount of anticipation can lead to huge triumphs, while an over-hyped product without the polish to execute on its promise can be a significant problem for the developer.
10 Obscure Horror Games You've Likely Never Heard Of
Let's look at some of the strangest, most mysterious, and most criminally underrated horror games in existence.
Yet even among a slew of disappointments and troubled launches, many titles still manage to deliver distinctive and memorable horror experiences that are worth revisiting. Whether through atmosphere or intriguing storylines, there are so many gems in the genre that are hiding behind mixed reviews or a shoddy start that overshadowed the actual greatness of the game.
The Evil Within 2
Survival Horror That Leans Heavily Into The Psychological
The Evil Within 2
- Released
- October 13, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Tango Gameworks
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
The Evil Within 2 had the difficult task of following up the uneven but ambitious original by providing something new to the series while keeping the DNA that made the first game so good intact. Marketed as a major evolution in horror storytelling and design, the sequel leaned into a semi-open world structure that clashed with expectations for tightly scripted scares.
Despite that, the game remains a highly worthwhile horror experience, thanks to its psychological themes and grounded emotional core, lending it a surprisingly deep narrative. The surreal environments and effective set pieces make it a standout in the genre, and while it didn’t quite redefine horror, it offered a haunting and memorable journey for those who looked beyond the marketing.
The Medium
Split Realities In A Dark, Gloomy World
The Medium
- Released
- January 28, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bloober Team
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
The Medium gained attention for its dual-reality mechanic and promise of psychological horror inspired by Silent Hill. However, upon release, its gameplay was relatively limited, with passive puzzle-solving, light stealth, and little interactivity. Alongside this, the horror itself was restrained, focusing more on tone than outright fear, which left some fans wanting more intensity.
Even so, The Medium offers a compelling narrative and a masterfully crafted atmosphere that not only serves as a technical achievement but also supports the thematic depth of trauma and loss. Combined with a haunting score and an exploration of some darker themes, it delivers a uniquely somber and reflective take on horror, despite its shortcomings.
Call Of Cthulhu
Cosmic Horrors With Plenty Of Puzzles To Solve
Call of Cthulhu
- Released
- October 30, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Cyanide Studio
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Expectations were high for Call of Cthulhu, an adaptation of Lovecraftian horror that aimed to blend detective mechanics with cosmic dread. While the final release managed to capture the oppressive mood of the source material, it faltered mechanically. Clunky stealth segments and inconsistent pacing dampened its ability to fully immerse players in its universe, and the overall reception ranged from mildly positive to a complete disregard for the title.
Still, the game excels in its narrative and tone, with the decaying environments and slow-burn descent into paranoia aligning well with Lovecraft’s original vision. Its branching dialogue and investigative structure lend weight to player choices, and the game succeeds in conjuring a unique form of horror, one built not on jump scares but on psychological decay and existential unease.
Observer: System Redux
Cyberpunk Horror Wrapped In A City Of Decay
Observer: System Redux
- Released
- November 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Bloober Team
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, PS5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Observer aimed to merge cyberpunk aesthetics with psychological horror, and it succeeded artistically, but it wasn’t the mainstream breakthrough some hoped for. Its sluggish pacing and abstract narrative design left some players disoriented or disengaged, keeping a lot of the appeal in a more niche segment of the market.
8 Horror Games That Reimagined The Genre
The horror gaming scene has gone through many different iterations. Sometimes a certain game completely changed what the genre would become moving forward. This list looks at the horror games that redefined the horror genre.
Yet as a horror experience, the game offers something rare. The world is one of the most vividly realized in horror, and the performances of the characters add a layer of gravitas to a deeply introspective narrative. The game’s haunting dream sequences, visuals, and commentary on surveillance culture combine to create an unsettling, cerebral experience that rewards patience and observation.
The Callisto Protocol
Gory Space Horrors From A Genre Veteran
The Callisto Protocol
- Released
- December 2, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Striking Distance Studios
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Marketed as the spiritual successor to Dead Space, The Callisto Protocol generated immense anticipation. However, the game suffered from an uneven launch, with technical issues and design choices that frustrated players, especially its heavy reliance on melee combat and repetitive enemy encounters. Its short runtime and lack of innovation left many feeling underwhelmed after what was supposed to be a return to greatness.
Despite these flaws, the game delivers a brutal and atmospheric horror experience full of grotesque creature design and environmental details. The oppressive prison-planet setting builds an authentic sense of isolation, and the game’s gruesome tone is consistent throughout. Though it failed to match its ambitious comparisons, it still offers a compelling sci-fi horror experience that deserves recognition on its own terms.
Amnesia: Rebirth
Trading Cheap Scares For A Haunting Story
Amnesia: Rebirth
- Released
- October 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Frictional Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Amnesia: Rebirth followed in the footsteps of one of the most influential horror games of the 2010s. With that legacy came expectations for intense fear and innovative design, but instead, Rebirth leaned heavily into storytelling, with fewer scares and more slow-paced exploration, which for some was a letdown.
10 Best Horror Games With Difficult Moral Decisions
Some horror games are all about jump scares and gore, while others are about deciding who lives, who dies, and what it really takes to survive.
However, this change in focus allowed the game to explore deeper emotional and existential themes. Set in a desolate desert filled with forgotten ruins and ancient horrors, the game uses its setting and story to craft a feeling of dread rooted in identity, memory, and loss. It trades panic for sorrow and shock for despair, proving that horror can be just as powerful when it’s quieter and more narratively driven.
Silent Hill: Downpour
A Troubled Return To A Legendary Series
Silent Hill: Downpour
- Released
- March 13, 2012
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Vatra Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
As the last mainline Silent Hill title before the franchise went dormant, Downpour arrived with heavy expectations. With so much weight on its shoulders, having technical issues and awkward combat left fans divided, as many felt it lacked the polish and psychological edge that defined earlier entries in the series.
Yet the game still contains flashes of Silent Hill’s signature brilliance. The game’s rain-drenched town is oppressive and haunting, with a strong visual design and a commitment to surrealism. Its story tackles themes of guilt and redemption with surprising depth, and certain side quests reflect the series’ tradition of personal, twisted horror. While far from perfect, it remains an ambitious and underappreciated entry in one of horror's most iconic franchises.
Horror Games That Use Players' Microphones
Using the player's microphone in gameplay is an excellent way to increase immersion and tension in horror games. Here's which titles did it the best.