Horror is a genre that has been woefully misunderstood for the longest time. Many people associate horror with cheap thrills and done-to-death jumpscares, which is just the tip of the haunting iceberg that many fans of the medium haven't explored to its fullest. In its rawest form, horror truly makes people scared and messes with them in a way that no other genre can.
With PC gaming, fans of horror can have a blast downloading several mods for their beloved video games that turn even the brightest and most-lighthearted video games into respectable horror experiences that are quite fun in their right. Keeping this in mind, here are some of the best horror mods for video games that have attained a sizeable reputation in their own right.
10 DUST (Fallout: New Vegas)
DUST is one of the best horror mods for Fallout: New Vegas, a game that is already pretty lauded as is. The changes this mod makes to the title's atmosphere and gameplay are quite brilliant.
Each and every encounter in the game is challenging and unnerving, really making New Vegas feel like a survival horror title. Players who don't mind a bit of challenge to go with their horror games should look no further than DUST.
9 Cry Of Fear (Half-Life)
Cry of Fear is a brilliant standalone horror title that was initially conceived as a mod for the original Half-Life. The game was so impressive that it ended up branching out into a whole new game with co-op elements as well!
The monsters in Cry of Fear are truly nightmarish and will frighten many players to no end. It can be a bit of a chore to play this game on modern systems, but players who put in the effort will be rewarded with a great time indeed.
8 Resident Overmind (Starcraft 2)
StarCraft 2 is a great game that needs no introduction. The title is a challenging RTS with fun gameplay that has aged pretty well, and players who want to turn this title into something completely different should look no further than the Resident Overmind mod.
The fact that this mod turns an RTS into a survival-horror game is a massive achievement in itself. It helps that this mod is chock-full with amazing level design and horror set-pieces that will scare the wits out of most players.
7 Total Chaos (Doom 2)
Doom 2 is one of the most legendary FPS games ever made, and its modding community was also pretty impressive in its own right. Players who want to see what Doom modders are capable of should look no further than Total Chaos.
The fact that this mod is for a game like Doom 2 is genuinely unbelievable to behold. Total Chaos is a masterful horror mod that will unnerve players to no end, with the game featuring several great moments that players will remember long after they're finished with this experience.
6 The Forgotten City (Skyrim)
The Forgotten City joins a long list of mods that branched out to become standalone titles. However, unlike the game it modded, The Forgotten City features absolutely no combat at all and is purely story-driven.
The mystery of this title is layered with a rich coating of horror that makes the simple act of exploration deeply disturbing. Fans of horror games are urged to check out The Forgotten City just to see what modders are capable of!
5 Whispering Hills (Fallout 4)
Fallout 4 is another Bethesda title that has been modded to kingdom come. One particular mod turns the game into a Silent Hill-esque nightmare that is rich and layered with a creepy atmosphere.
Players have to wade through the classic Silent Hill fog and tackle enemies that come out of nowhere to hunt them down. It's a genuinely great horror experience that uses the engine of Fallout 4 to create something genuinely horrifying.
4 The Screecher (Don't Starve)
The fact that The Screecher is a mod made by the developers of Don't Starve themselves is enough to prove why this horror mod is one of the very best in the realm of video games. Don't Starve can certainly get creepy at night but it's far from a horror title in that regard.
However, things take a turn for the worse once players add The Screecher mod to the picture. Not only does it change the perspective from which the game is played, but it also puts a delectable mystery on the player's lap that they need to navigate while avoiding the ire of the Screecher.
3 Nightmare House 2 (Half-Life 2)
Half-Life 2 is one of the most influential titles of all time, spawning several mods that are great in their own right. One such mod that has become legendary within the Half-Life community is Nightmare House 2.
Navigating through the levels of this horror mod is genuinely terrifying due to how oppressive the atmosphere of this mod really is. Any fan of Half-Life's great mods owes it to themselves to check out Nightmare House 2 if they haven't already.
2 AtmosFear (Doom)
Another game that has received its fair share of amazing mods is Doom. There are so many custom levels made for this game that it's downright impossible for anyone to even think about completing all the user-made content for this game.
AtmosFear is one such level that will require the player to force themselves to make every single step. This mod does a great job of flipping the script when it comes to Doom's gameplay and using this subversion to unnerve the player throughout this short yet memorable level.
1 The Bunker (Garry's Mod)
Garry's Mod is a game made solely for user-made content, with the title being a runaway success that has gathered a pretty massive community. There are many custom levels that players can download to explore in this game, with The Bunker being a highlight for horror fans.
There are some horror mods that slightly disturb the player... and then there's The Bunker, a level that is made solely to make the player scream as loud as possible. The faint of heart shouldn't try this mod out, since a single scare can cause a violent yet justified reaction that can cause some serious damage.