We've seen some incredible horror games make headlines in the last decade. From a successful Resident Evil 2 remake to even brand new titles like Outlast completely changing the way survival horror is experienced, there's definitely no shortage of amazingly scary horror games for fans of the genre to try.
That being said, there are also a handful of games out there that have completely flown under the radar. As a result of some minor flaws, they haven't fared amazingly in terms of Metacritic scoring either, but that doesn't remove the fact that they're still 100% worth playing.
10 Call Of Cthulhu - 63
Based on H. P. Lovecraft's stories and the various role-playing games that have been inspired on his work, Call of Cthulhu dives deep into the grimy 1920s America, where strange, insanity-inducing things happen. The rise of mysterious and evil forces beyond the comprehension of mankind leads detective Edward Pierce to Darkwater Island.
The game plays very much like a Call of Cthulhu RPG, with a whole skill system and dialogue options to choose from. Some options get unlocked through hints or information that's been uncovered previously. The game relies a lot on stealth and puzzle-solving in true Lovecraftian fashion, which is why it's so great.
9 Haunting Ground - 67
A classic survival horror game, the Japanese title Haunting Ground puts the player into the boots of Fiona, accompanied by Hewie. As she awakens in a cage within a strange castle, she needs to survive and find her way out when faced against terrifying, scheming enemies who are after the one things she carries within herself: Azoth, an element.
Haunting Ground hasn't been without its controversies. Known for objectifying the main character, it faced a lot of criticism. If players can look past that, however, Haunting Ground is a classic and iconic survival horror game that defines the genre much in the way Silent Hill does.
8 The Land Of Pain - 68
More recently, a brand new indie game was published on Steam, known as Land of Pain. This game is also inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's work, as it introduces players to a horror that cannot really be seen, but simply is there and hunts them down. This is the most terrifying form of horror: the unknown.
Land of Pain might be an indie title, and it hasn't received much attention aside from being played by YouTuber Shirley Curry. That being said, the game itself is gorgeous and full of detail, and really delivers where many mainstream games miserably fail these days.
7 Silent Hill: Downpour - 68
Silent Hill: Downpour is the tale of Murphy, a convict who manages to escape during a bus crash into the nearby town of Silent Hill. While there, he uncovers events from his past, which led him to the predicament he's in. Through classic Silent Hill style puzzle solving and rudimentary combat, Murphy has to confront his own demons.
While many fans of the Silent Hill franchise believe that any of the truly good games ended somewhere around Silent Hill 4, it would be a shame not to recognize the potential in this game. Not only are the graphics and gameplay fluid, but the violent and taboo themes explored in the game in true Silent Hill fashion are truly captivating in Downpour.
6 Blair Witch - 69
Inspired by The Blair Witch Project, a campy found footage horror movie, Blair Witch has very much the same vibes as the movie. Equipped with a camcorder, a police officer sets out to investigate the disappearance of a young boy in the local woods, assisted by his trusted dog.
The game looks gorgeous and relies on dark, slow horror. It has the appearance of a high quality horror game, and won't freak the player out with old jump scares. It was criticized for being far too psychological in style, but sometimes that's exactly the kind of horror we need to deliver a compelling story.
5 Clock Tower 3 - 69
Things change drastically for Alyssa when she's about to turn fifteen. When her mother sends her a letter to tell her to hide, Alyssa rushes back home to find answers. However, she's instead confronted by a mysterious stranger and sent back in time to confront evil subordinates and find her mother.
Clock Tower 3 was the first game in its franchise to be fully three-dimensional. The game really emphasized survival and hiding above all other things, as well as solving puzzles while running away from much stronger creatures. Challenging yet almost Sailor Moon-like during its boss fights, it's a must-play for any survival horror fan.
4 Corpse Party - 71
A great game doesn't always have to be three-dimensional, and Corpse Party definitely proved that. Not only did this game start out as a budget creation through the famous RPG Maker software, but it actually grew from its campy beginnings into something absolutely massive.
Corpse Party is the story of a group of high school friends, who perform a ritual of closeness. As a result, they're transported into a dark dimension of their school, haunted by grizzly ghosts. Through puzzle-solving and dialogue, the player needs to ensure everyone survives and gets back to reality.
3 Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs - 72
When the original Amnesia: The Dark Descent became a staple of survival horror, it was clear that replicating its success would be tricky. An attempt was still made, and the game that followed, A Machine For Pigs, was something that didn't quite live up to the hype but still left an impression on many. The game focuses largely on story-telling, and the enemies were considered somewhat lackluster.
Oswald Mandus awakens from a feverish state that he's been in for some time, hearing the voices of his children speak to him. Upon receiving a strange call from the Engineer, who claims he has Mandus' two sons trapped within the Machine underneath the house, Mandus sets out on a journey to help them.
2 Fatal Frame - 74
When it comes to really unique game concepts, the Fatal Frame franchise definitely nailed it. While the franchise is no longer seeing any Western releases, its earlier installments were absolutely brilliant in the classic Japanese-style ghost horror they delivered. The first game in particular is an underrated masterpiece.
When Mafuyu goes missing upon investigating the disappearance of a famous novelist in an abandoned, haunted mansion deep in rural Japanese mountains, his little sister Miku sets out to go look for him. Armed with a special camera that has the ability to see ghosts, she tracks down her brother while uncovering the story of Himuro mansion.
1 Until Dawn - 79
For just how popular Until Dawn was, it's a bit appalling that Metacritic's rating of this game is so insanely low. While the game and the story itself isn't perfect, it did something truly important for games in general by popularizing the butterfly effect system in storytelling.
One year after the tragic death of two sisters, the group of friends reunites at a mountain lodge. While tension among friends rises, they're also being hunted down by what seems to be a crazed killer of sorts. Through puzzles, gathering hints and receiving hints for the future, the player must make the best (or worst) choices in order to keep everyone alive. Their actions are what determine which ending will follow.