Players have been drawn to horror games for a long time due to their spine-chilling atmosphere, heart-pounding gameplay, and unforgettable scares. As people enthusiastically engage in these compelling experiences, some games are particularly exceptional and have made a significant impression.
Some great horror games still need to get the sequels they deserve. Get ready to delve into the world of horror once again and find out which spine-chilling stories should be brought back to scare gamers once more.
10 SOMA
Made by the creators of the critically acclaimed Amnesia, SOMA is a game that focuses more on puzzle-solving than combat. Players are put into the shoes of Simon, an everyday Joe who finds himself trapped in an underwater research facility. He must find a way to escape and survive the mechanized horrors that stalk the halls.
SOMA does not hold the player's hand; it encourages them to look for clues to solve the puzzles. The graphics are superb, and the ambient sound creates a scary atmosphere that will make players pray for light.
9 Darkwood
Darkwood is a primarily 2D, top-down game set in Poland, where a plague ravages the land. Players must traverse the forest to escape the disease while trying to survive its hellish landscape. Additionally, players will have to think of what items will better help them survive as their inventory space is limited.
The game has an interesting premise, tense gameplay, and an eerie atmosphere that will keep players on their feet. Furthermore, its unique art style is perfect for the game providing that additional layer of horror.
8 Doki Doki Literature Club!
Few games have dared to break away from the typical video game formula to offer a unique and unexpected experience; Doki Doki Literature Club is one of them. What starts as a seemingly innocent and light-hearted visual novel gradually unravels, suddenly flipping on players and becoming a dark and disturbing tale. This happens when the player least expects it, catching them off guard.
The game's brilliance lies in its superb setup and execution, not settling on one particular method of horror but a combination that keeps players glued to the screen to look for the slighted hint or clue. Additionally, the contrast between the initial cheerful atmosphere and the sudden shift into psychological horror creates a sense of unease that keeps players engaged. Doki Doki Literature Club is a game that once the player experiences, they will oddly want more.
7 Pacify
Immersive, chilling, and suspenseful, players take on the role of paranormal investigators tasked with exploring a haunted house. Their objective is to cleanse the home of an evil entity by finding and burning possessed dolls scattered throughout the house. The game ends when Emilia is pacified by burning all the dolls or if all the crew members have been turned into dolls.
Playing Pacify is an intense and gripping experience that effectively delivers, with its unsettling atmosphere cranked up by eerie noises. However, the real fear comes from the constant threat of encountering Emilia as players navigate through the game's environments. One of the most exhilarating aspects of Pacify is playing it with friends. The cooperative gameplay and the need to work together to survive intensify the sense of camaraderie and create memorable moments.
6 The Witch's House MV
The Witch's House MV places players in the role of Viola, a girl trapped in a witch's house. They must navigate a meticulously crafted and supernatural environment, solving puzzles and evading traps. Along the way, they will encounter quirky and potentially dangerous characters within the haunted house, relying on a talking black cat to save their progress. The game features user-friendly controls for exploration, object examination, and item collection.
The Gameplay of The Witch's House MV involves trial and error, heightening suspense and leading to darkly amusing and gruesome deaths. The pixel art visuals of the characters combine elements of gore, horror, and cuteness distinctly. Unlocking the "true ending" reveals a shocking twist and unlocks the challenging "Extra Mode." The game demonstrates that a great horror experience can be achieved without a large budget or flashy graphics. It delivers a satisfying and eerie adventure with well-timed scares and clever puzzles.
5 Call of Cthulhu
Immersive and atmospheric, Call of Cthulhu envelops players in its terrifying world through the masterful use of sound effects, music, and visuals. Based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, the game explores the concept of cosmic horror and the insignificance of humanity in the face of unfathomable forces. The game's excellent writing and design and its easy-to-learn yet flexible rules create a truly compelling experience.
However, what truly makes the game stand out is its puzzle-solving and detective-work sections. These segments pay homage to classic pen-and-paper RPGs, offering deep, thought-provoking puzzles requiring careful consideration and problem-solving. Call of Cthulhu's clever and challenging puzzles are a breath of fresh air in a gaming landscape dominated by simplistic puzzles.
4 Blair Witch
The Blair Witch video game captures the franchise's essence through its eerie woods and atmospheric setting. While the gameplay is straightforward, it heavily relies on the engaging plot and immersive environment. The puzzles are generally straightforward, but including a helpful dog companion named Bullet adds an enjoyable dynamic.
On the other hand, the camcorder mechanic introduces a clever twist, allowing players to affect the real world by playing tapes found in the game. The final scene is thrilling but stretches too long, losing some of its impact. However, the game effectively combines regular scares with psychological horror, providing an enjoyable experience for fans.
3 The Crooked Man
The Crooked Man is a gripping 16-bit horror game centered around a compelling plot that tackles the relatable anxieties of disappointed expectations and loss. Its story-driven approach leads to a gratifying happy conclusion earned through confronting personal demons and failures. Additionally, players actively engage with the game's themes through consequential dialogue choices, compelling them to contemplate and acknowledge the thematic content beyond mere mechanics.
The game, in particular, excels in sound design, which enhances the terror themes. The steady murmur of wind produces an unsettling atmosphere, periodically mixed with delicate, lifelike noises. Furthermore, infrequent but terrifying screams break the silence, leaving an unforgettable mark on the players.
2 Neverending Nightmares
Neverending Nightmares immerses players in a psychological horror experience, where they encounter a loop of nightmarish visions. The protagonist, Thomas, confronts terrifying nightmares within his house and an asylum filled with cannibals and mutilated bodies.
Throughout the game, a black-haired girl takes on various forms, both as a motivation to continue and as a means of escape from the nightmares. The game excels at capturing unsettling details, with rooms undergoing transformations and eerie sounds heightening the horror experience.
1 Song of Horror
In Song of Horror, a cursed song drives listeners to madness and violence. Players step into the shoes of publisher Daniel Noyer and other characters who delve into the disappearance of an author researching this mysterious melody. The game embraces fixed camera angles and challenging puzzles reminiscent of classic horror titles like Resident Evil. Additionally, character deaths are permanent, making each decision carry weight and intensify the tension.
The constant presence of malevolence and shadowy creatures amplifies the sense of being relentlessly stalked. Its gameplay involves skillfully evading the Presence and solving puzzles through item gathering. Uncovering clues and exploring character thoughts throughout the levels bring depth and individuality to the cast. The most thrilling puzzles incorporate the Presence, resulting in heart-pounding moments.