Scariest Games That Aren't Horror

Video games in the horror genre aren't for every player, but they have a loyal audience — and a variety of quality titles available. Some horror games lean into jumpscares, while others prefer something more cerebral that messes with the player's psyche.

However, many other games, despite not being part of the horror genre, still manage to deliver an equally terrifying experience. Whether it's the story's darker atmosphere, or elements that trigger players' phobias, these titles can ensure good scares and tension without outright horror dominating the entire gaming experience.

10 Minecraft

The Anxiety Of Nighttime Cave Explorations

Minecraft may seem like an innocuous game with its blocky aesthetic and building/crafting gameplay, but nighttime explorations in dark caves can be surprisingly scary — especially in older versions of the game. The oppressive silence and sudden sounds of hostile mobs, like zombies and spiders, create a constant atmosphere of tension.

Exploring deep caves and encountering unexpected enemies, especially when players are poorly equipped, can turn a quiet gaming session into a nerve-wracking experience. Additionally, the vulnerability of being blown up by a Creeper and losing all progress, particularly in hardcore mode, can make the game's experience even more intense.

9 What Remains Of Edith Finch

Not A Horror Game, But It's Creepy

With an interesting yet brief narrative, What Remains of Edith Finch takes players on an exploration of the Finch family home and the mysterious causes of each person's death. Some occur more subjectively, while other scenes are more graphic and disturbing.

For fans of classic thrillers, one particular character's story is told to the players like a horror comic book, with classic clichés that still heighten the tension. Additionally, the narrator's voice and the music, which seems inspired by Friday the 13th, further contribute to the unnerving atmosphere.

8 Grounded

Insects Can Be Even More Terrifying

Inspired by Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Grounded features cartoony graphics and a colorful base-building style, which might make it seem like a simple and cozy game for many players. However, for those with entomophobia or the unprepared, the game reserves moments of pure horror.

Related

Grounded: Best Mutations, Ranked

These mutations will make traversing the world in Obsidian's Grounded a bit safer.

Posts

By  Jerrad Wyche

The main characters have been shrunk, making the small insects that inhabit the game gigantic in comparison, which is already concerning. Spiders, for example, which are already scary for many in real life, become even worse, surprising players with jump scares — or guarding small caves. Even with the option to reduce the level of arachnophobia, facing these creatures is still a terrifying experience.

7 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

Future Hyrule Can Be Disturbing For Some

The Zelda franchise games vary with each release, from mechanics to artistic direction, with some titles leaning towards horror. Despite the first half of the game with young Link presenting a more fun and colorful Hyrule, the protagonist's trip to the future completely changes the tone of Ocarina of Time.

Even while Link is still young, there can be moments of pure terror, especially for players experiencing it for the first time. After all, if Link stays outside Hyrule Castle Town at night, skeletons will climb from the ground to attack him. Moreover, the Shadow Temple, with its eerie atmosphere and disturbing enemies, stands out as one of the creepiest locations in the game.

6 Control

Psychosis And Mystery In The Oldest House

Control, developed by Remedy Entertainment, offers an experience that mixes high-flying action and psychological suspense. The setting in the Oldest House, headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Control, is full of paranormal phenomena and inexplicable events that keep players constantly on edge.

Players take on the role of Jesse Faden, exploring the shifting corridors of the building while facing chanting, supernatural enemies and unraveling disturbing mysteries. The surreal atmosphere and bizarre visual elements create a constant sense of discomfort, making Control a surprisingly scary game.

5 Fallout: New Vegas

Vault 22 Holds Some Surprises For Players

Fallout: New Vegas has an incredible narrative and is one of the best games in the Fallout franchise. Throughout players' journey through the Mojave Wasteland, they encounter different challenges, one of which is understanding what happened to Vault 22. The location, designed to combat global hunger before the Great War, has a sign at the entrance reading: "Stay Out! The Plants Kill."

This warning is no joke, and as players explore the location, they should prepare for an exotic experience. As they advance through the dark and narrow corridors, frightening sounds echo off the walls, with enemies emerging from the ground's plants to attack the Courier. The cramped spaces further enhance the feeling of claustrophobia.

4 Half-Life 2

Ravenholm And Unforgettable Terror

The journey in Half-Life 2 takes players through various scenarios, but few are as terrifying as Ravenholm. Originally a thriving mining town, the region was taken over by headcrabs, transforming its inhabitants into zombies. The place is a true nightmare, with dark corridors and sinister sounds echoing off the walls, terrifying players to this day.

Related

9 Horror Games That Make You Feel Defenseless

The sense of not being able to fight back can be a powerful feeling in horror games. These are some of the titles that do it the best.

Posts

By  Andy Chapman

In addition to the scary setting, the city is full of deadly traps and contraptions created by its sole survivor, Father Grigori. Encounters with zombies and the creatures' screams increase the tension at every corner, while the precarious lighting and thick fog keep players constantly on edge. Ravenholm is undoubtedly one of the scariest moments in the game.

3 BioShock

Terrifying Encounters In The Depths Of Rapture

BioShock, while not exclusively classified as a horror game, offers a genuinely scary experience in several moments. Set in the underwater city of Rapture, players face Splicers, genetically modified and psychotic humans, who roam the decaying, dimly lit corridors of the city.

One of the scariest moments of the game occurs in the Medical Pavilion, where players explore a dark hospital full of unpredictable enemies. The combination of unsettling music, decaying settings, and a constant sense of impending danger makes BioShock a truly terrifying experience.

2 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

Sound Experience Contributes To The Haunting Atmosphere

Set in a universe heavily inspired by Norse and Celtic mythology, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has an atmosphere filled with dark fantasy elements, which already contribute to some thematic scares. However, the work done by the developers on the game's sound design greatly enhances this effect.

Senua, the main character, has psychosis, so players who opt for spatial sound headphones will spend much of their time hearing the same voices that the protagonist herself hears. Throughout the game, this creates an immersive and unnerving atmosphere, with the voices constantly scolding, encouraging, and fearing for Senua. Though fair warning — Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice does include multiple segments that deliberately delve fully into the horror genre.

1 Subnautica

High Tension Moments In The Deep Sea

Subnautica is a scifi survival game that leaves players crashlanded and stranded on an alien ocean planet, where the main focus is the character's own survival. However, as the story progresses, it's possible to learn more about the location — specifically, the countless dangers that inhabit the region.

After a few hours, players are invited to explore the deeper parts of the ocean, and like Earth's own oceans, this alien world hides many secrets and hidden dangers. Some creatures, such as the Leviathan, can emerge unexpectedly from the darkness, causing unforgettable and terrifying moments for players.

More

Best Story-Driven Horror Games, Ranked

Just because a horror game's main job is to scare us doesn't mean it can't entertain with a good story at the same time.

Posts 5

By  Robbie Mitchell