Highlights
- The PS3 offered some intense horror experiences, from Clive Barker's Jericho to The Evil Within , keeping players on edge.
- Dead Space , F.E.A.R 2 , and Resident Evil 4 HD are some standout horror games that made a mark on the PS3 console.
- While the PS4 took over, titles like Goosebumps: The Game still found a place on the PS3, wrapping up its horror legacy.
Horror has been a large part of gaming for many generations, with some of the most classic horror titles being first released on the PlayStation 3. Even three generations of consoles later, many players still return to their PS3 to experience some of the most intense horror titles they have ever had the chance to play.
Best PS2 Horror Games
These horror games from the PlayStation 2 are the genre's best titles from the console's era.
While some of these games have eventually received remastered versions of themselves, it will never beat playing the game for the first time on the original console it was released on. Ever since the PS3 was first made available in 2006, the console has had some incredible horror games. These are by far the best horror games of each year of the PS3's life.
10 2007 - Clive Barker's Jericho
Metascore: 63
Clive Barker's Jericho
- Released
- October 23, 2007
- Developer(s)
- MercurySteam
- Genre(s)
- FPS , Survival Horror
Although the PlayStation 3 was released in November 2006, the first official horror games began to be released in the following year. There were countless interesting titles to choose from, but one of the best of that year had to be the horror experience called Clive Barker's Jericho. Fans of horror literature may know the name Clive Barker due to him being considered a leading horror writer of that time.
With his story and the work of MercurySteam, the first-person shooter and survival horror title made its way to the PS3. It may have received mixed reviews at the time, but it can't be denied that Jericho's dark story was one to be praised.
9 2008 - Dead Space
Metascore: 88
In 2023, Dead Space received its first remake. However, the original game was first released on the PS3 in 2008, and the horror title truly amazed players. Controlling the character Isaac Clarke, players have to explore the gory sight that was left behind by the mining ship known as the USG Ishimura while he looks for his wife.
The ship has been taken over by strange monsters that the player must fight through if they want to find answers. Even on the PlayStation 3, Dead Space had players on the edge of their seats through various intense moments.
8 2009 - F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin
Metascore: 79
F.E.A.R is another horror series that ruled the PlayStation 3, with the first title released in 2003, with the second title, F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin, released not long after. This psychological horror combines the scares with a first-person shooter, as players must fight their way through an apocalyptic world in hopes of finding the clues needed to destroy Alma Wade, a powerful psychic who wishes to seek revenge for the inhumane experiments that were done to her.
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F.E.A.R 2 continues this authentic experience as the game is not only filled with action but also full of intense moments as players take on all sorts of grotesque monsters.
7 2010 - Dead Rising 2
Metascore: 80
Dead Rising is another well-known video game series that has survival horror elements to it. While the first game wasn't available on the PlayStation 3, Dead Rising 2, with its new main character, was. Chuck Greene is attempting to not only survive for himself but also for his daughter, who needs to take the medicine known as Zombrex due to her being bitten.
While players are attempting to complete the story of Dead Rising 2, they will need to remember their daughter so that she doesn't become one of the many bloodthirsty zombies the player is more than certain to encounter, as well as many other ominous moments.
6 2011 - Resident Evil 4 HD
Metascore: 84
Resident Evil 4 was initially released for the GameCube in 2005, but since then it has been re-released multiple times, with the HD version of the title released for the PlayStation 3 in 2011. While some players may argue that the Resident Evil series isn't that scary, Resident Evil 4 is still considered a Survival Horror title as players must fend off the infected people and monsters they encounter.
Players are once again given control of Leon Kennedy, one of the sole survivors of Racoon City. He is now on a mission to find the kidnapped daughter of the President, who has been thought to be in a secluded European village, but the locals there don't seem right.
5 2012 - Silent Hill HD Collection
Metascore: 70
- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
- Released: 2012-03-20
- Developer: Hijinx Studios
- Genre: Survival Horror
Silent Hill is another classic horror title that was remastered for the PlayStation 3. Players were able to play all Silent Hill games, though while some of the titles had the original voice acting, others, like Silent Hill 3, had new voices. While some players were divided about this game at the time due to technical difficulties, it cannot be denied that the HD Collection is one of the best ways to experience this classic title.
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If you're a horror gaming aficionado looking for something to sink your teeth into on the Meta Quest 2, these games are your best bets.
With the promise of another Silent Hill remake in the future for the PlayStation 5, some players may be tempted to go back to one of the best horror games of the year 2012 and play the Silent Hill HD Collection.
4 2013 - Lone Survivor: The Director's Cut
Metascore: 84
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PlayStation Vita, PS4, Wii U, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2013-09-24 (PS3)
- Developer: Superflat Games, Curve Studios
- Genre: Survival Horror
The PlayStation 3 isn't the only console for classic horror games, as it has also had plenty of other amazing and fresher survival horror titles made for it. Lone Survivor was first released on PC in 2012 but then was released on the PlayStation 3 as the Director's Cut by Curve Studios.
This pixel game may look simplistic at first, but players instantly love the intense survival horror gameplay as the player explores a city that has fallen into ruin because of an infectious disease that has turned people into mutants. While trying to survive alone in an apartment, time passes through sleeping, which causes the game to save, as players also witness the psychological torment of being alone at such a scary moment in time.
3 2014 - The Evil Within
Metascore: 75
The popularity of survival horror games for the PlayStation 3 continues as a new horror series begins its popular climb on the PS3. The Evil Within is another intense survival horror filled with all sorts of scary situations and gory moments as players encounter the different monsters of this title created by Tango Gameworks.
The game is described as being a true classic survival horror that manages to bluntly entertain its players with bold horror features that never grow old.
2 2015 - Goosebumps: The Game
Metacritic User Score: 5.6
Goosebumps: The Game
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch , PS4 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , Nintendo 3DS
- Released
- October 13, 2015
- Developer(s)
- Wayforward
- Genre(s)
- Adventure , Puzzle , Casual
By 2015, the PS3 was nearing the end of its lifespan, with the PS4 already being out for two years. This meant that many of the remaining horror games were now being exclusively released for the next generation of gaming.
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Many horror games benefit from playing with a keyboard and mouse due to the quick thinking and reactions needed to survive.
Goosebumps: The Game is a point-and-click title based on the horror novels by R. L. Stine. While it may not be a player's usual horror experience, Goosebumps: The Game contains plenty of nods to these horror novels as well as an interesting story to explore.
1 2016 - The Walking Dead: Michonne
Metascore: 67
The Walking Dead Telltale Series was incredibly popular throughout the entire lifetime of the PlayStation 3. That's why it's fitting to see that the PS3 ceased to be manufactured in 2016. The best horror game available on the platform that year was The Walking Dead: Michonne.
The game was released episodically, and every episode had players experiencing the life of the fan-favorite of the TV Series. Being able to experience the past life of Michonne during the start of the outbreak made for an interesting adventure title with horrifying moments that were also very touching.
Best Games That Are Both Survival And Horror
From Don't Starve to Subnautica, here are some great survival titles that have some distinct horror elements.
