Horror games are part of a niche that started to be popularized by the first series game Alone in Dark, launched in 1992. Although this game seems quite rudimentary these days, it is necessary to recognize that a good part of the elements that make up formula of a horror and suspense game are there.
In these almost 30 years, horror games have received influences from other genres and even other industries, such as cinema. Let’s see a list of the seven scariest games for Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC for you to try.
Seven scary horror games
Resident Evil 2 Remake (PS4, Xbox One and PC)
In 2019, Capcom decided to release a remake of Resident Evil 2, one of the most classic games in the franchise.
The game has some narrative liberties compared to the original, after 20 years later the way of storytelling in games has changed a lot. But the important thing is there: Limited resources, classic characters and scary creatures in a more realistic look than ever. In addition we have Mr. X, that guy who will chase you and make you tense throughout the game.
The Last of Us Remastered (PS4)
Naughty Dog took the worn-out “zombie apocalypse” theme and created a dense narrative about relationships in a game that mixes action, stealth and terror.
The remastering launched in 2014 improved the fluidity of the game that now runs at 60fps, but another highlight is its striking characters and the exciting script with the development of a fatherly relationship between Joel and Ellie as the two face adverse situations on their journey.
The game had its sequel released in 2020 with the title of The Last of Us Part II which has a darker plot involving revenge, the gameplay has evolved in several aspects and is also a recommended game.
Until Dawn (PS4)
Think of a horror movie script: a group of young people isolated in a house in the forest who start to die mysteriously. Until Dawn is it. During the game you explore scenarios, look for clues and get scared while trying to keep all the characters alive until the end. Something that probably won’t happen your first time with the game.
You define the fate of the characters through real-time choices, but not always the safest decision will guarantee survival. This unpredictability is the fun of the game and you will need to finish a few times to get to know all possible destinations.
Outlast 1 and 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch)
Here we take on the role of the journalist Miles Upshur who decides to investigate a series of bizarre incidents that are said to be happening in a madhouse. During the game, Miles must always hide and escape from the maniacs that inhabit the place. Your vision in the dark environments of the game is very reduced and using the camera’s night vision mode is an option to be done intelligently, as batteries are a scarce resource.
In 2017, it had a sequence with a plot focused on a religious cult and just like its predecessor it is challenging, violent, disturbing and not recommended to sensitive people. You can buy all games in the collection Outlast Trinity, which features Outlast 1, 2 and the Outlast: Whistlebower expansion.
Alien Isolation (PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch)
The game puts the player to survive in a space station, where we assume the role of Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley. Use stealth mechanics, where you must hide to survive and advance the story, while avoiding contact with the xenomorph, because if he finds you, death is certain.
In this game you will have the most tense save points in the history of games, after all Alien can kill Amanda before the save process is completed. Alien Isolation is a good experience and I say it is better than the recent films in the franchise.
The Evil Within (PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC)
The Evil Within was the first project by the studio of Shinji Mikami, one of the creators of Resident Evil, after leaving Capcom.
Here we take control of detective Sebastian Castellanos, who is going to investigate a violent incident in a madhouse, but things unfold unexpectedly. The game has firearms, but resources are rare and choosing a stealth strategy can be the best way to progress.
There are many references to Resident Evil, combined with claustrophobic environments and the insanity of Outlast, as well as a surreal Silent Hill atmosphere.
The game won a sequel in 2017 and is worth checking out.
Resident Evil 7 (PS4, Xbox One and PC)
The game generated suspicion for changing the perspective to first person, seeming inspired by Outlast and for not having any known character as protagonist. But your journey at the Baker family home is something that brings back the spirit of horror games with elements like: scarcity of items, exploration of scenarios and the feeling that you will be surprised in each room.
If you like horror films you will see references from some films like “The Chainsaw Massacre”, after all Bakers are a very peculiar family.
I know that many good games were off the list, but unfortunately it is not possible to name them all. Anyway, you can leave other suggestions in the comments!
The games mentioned in this text can be found in digital stores such as: Xbox Live, Playstation Store, Steam, Nuuvem among others.