Horror is one of the most popular genres in all forms of entertainment, including movies and video games. It engages the human psyche and makes people feel immersed in the experience. Viewers and players are filled with dread and dread while also being thoroughly entertained.
In a saturated genre with no cohesive plots and full of cheap jump scares, it’s hard to find video games that really capture the player’s imagination.
However, over the years, several titles have defied the stereotypes of mediocrity of their peers and have done justice to the horror genre.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the opinion of the writer.
Alien: Isolation, The Evil Within and 8 other horror video games that are timeless classics worth revisiting in 2022
1) Survive
Developed and published by Red Barrels in 2013, Outlast was a breath of fresh air in the horror genre. At a time when horror-themed video games were becoming formal and old, the game revived the genre through its first-person perspective with a camcorder view.
Outlast follows Miles Upshur, an investigative reporter who receives an email about shady practices at a mental hospital. He decides to investigate these incidents, but ends up in life-threatening situations. The game is purely based on survival and offers an immersive horror experience.
With Outlast: Trials slated for release in late 2022, now is the perfect time to revisit this survival horror classic.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Linux, Nintendo Switch
Fashion model: Paid
2) Resident Evil 7
Resident Evil is possibly the most popular franchise in the horror video game genre. Traditionally, the games are third-person survival horror shooters with puzzle solving elements.
Resident Evil 7, released in 2017, was a soft reboot of the series and completely restructured its approach to gameplay. The game is played from a first-person perspective and places more emphasis on escape and survival rather than fighting. It’s also much more focused on delivering a compelling story as the main character tries to save his estranged wife from a murderous family.
Resident Evil 7 received much critical and commercial success. With the remakes of the classic video games making the series relevant again, it’s important that we recognize Resident Evil 7’s role in the franchise’s revival.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Windows, Stadia, Nintendo Switch
Fashion model: Paid
3) Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation, based on the iconic film by Ridley Scott, is a survival horror video game released by SEGA in 2014. It is one of the most unique entries on this list because it is purely based on survival, with no combat elements present. .
Players take on the role of Amanda Ripley, the daughter of the original film’s protagonist, as she attempts to escape the ineradicable xenomorph aboard their starship. The xenomorph’s AI is extremely advanced and adaptive, as it relentlessly hunts players.
The constant fear of being chased and stalked creates a chilling and compelling environment. This makes the game stand out among its ilk in the survival horror genre.
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows, Linux, OS X, Nintendo Switch
Fashion model: Paid
4) Until sunrise
Until Dawn, developed by Supermassive Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2015, is an interactive survival horror game based on the butterfly effect concept.
This means that every choice made by players in the game has lasting consequences and determines the course of the story. Players can control one of eight playable characters as they try to survive life-threatening situations in Blackwood Mountain.
Until Dawn exceeded all expectations, with an emphasis on branching storylines, immersive third-person gameplay, entertaining quicktime events and compelling characters. With the plethora of choice-based adventure video games these days, this game is definitely worth revisiting to experience the genre at its best.
Platforms: Playstation 4
Fashion model: Paid
5) Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Released in 2010 by Frictional Games, Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a classic in the genre of first-person survival horror video games.
Players control Daniel, the protagonist, as he navigates Castle Brennenburg while solving puzzles and dodging danger. The dark environment of the game is made even more immersive by the sanity mechanic. Players need to make sure Daniel’s fear of darkness doesn’t drive him crazy.
The foreboding atmosphere created by the overwhelming darkness makes the game a truly terrifying experience without relying on cheap jumpscares.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch
Fashion model: Paid
6) Dead space
Developed by Visceral Games and published by EA, Dead Space is a series of futuristic horror games, the first installment of which was released in 2008. The franchise has been acclaimed by critics and inspired a variety of spin-off media, including movies and novels.
Dead Space is set in the 26th century. It follows Isaac Clark, who is plagued not only by undead horrors, but also by a religious cult that believes the government is hiding information about aliens.
The game was praised for its sound design, atmosphere, combat mechanics, and the creative HUD, with Isaac’s suit serving as the health bar indicator. It is widely regarded as one of the best video games ever made and is getting a modern-gen remake.
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows
Fashion model: Paid
7) The evil within
The Evil Within is the brainchild of Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami. Developed by Tango Gameworks and published by Bethesda, it is a survival horror game played from a classic third-person perspective.
The events of the game follow Sebastian Castellanos, a police sergeant who is dragged into a mysterious world full of nightmarish horrors while investigating a murder.
Despite its flawed shooting and combat mechanics, the game’s atmosphere and character design were praised by critics. The sinister environment creates an ever-present ominous sense of tension.
With a sequel available on the previous generation of consoles, The Evil Within is well worth revisiting in 2022.
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Fashion model: Paid
8) Face:
Visage, independently developed by SadSquare Studio, is a Kickstarter-funded horror game played from a first-person perspective. The developers drew inspiration from video games such as PT, which garnered the admiration of fans for their compelling narrative design.
Similar to PT, the game takes place in a mysterious suburban house where the protagonist tries to discover its history and also tries to get out of it alive. The game also borrows the sanity mechanic from the Amnesia series, which means players should avoid staying in the dark for too long.
The constant state of fear that builds up in the game leaves no room for cheap jump scares, making it one of the best horror video games to revisit in 2022.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Fashion model: Paid
9) The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan
Developed by SuperMassive Games and published by Bandai Namco, Man of Medan is an interactive survival horror game, which is part of eight planned video games in The Dark Pictures anthology.
Players can control one of five playable characters, including four students and the captain of the boat they are on. During their journey, they face not only life-threatening situations with pirates, but also supernatural encounters with a ghost ship.
The title has been praised for its take on the choice-based mechanics often used in horror video games, where players make decisions based on the character’s head or heart.
With an extensive slew of sequels planned for the future, Man of Medan is worth revisiting in 2022 to prepare for future releases.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Fashion model: Paid
10) Five nights at Freddy’s
The original Five Nights at Freddy’s is one of the most creative versions of the horror video game genre. It has inspired countless sequels and spin-offs. Developed and published independently by Scott Cawthon, the game has built up a cult following over the years.
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Players take on the role of a security guard at a fictional pizzeria known as Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. They must defend themselves against the evil murderous animatronic mascots that come to life at night.
The gameplay is extremely simplistic, with players using point-and-click mechanics to keep evil at bay. However, this only serves to make the atmosphere more tense and immersive.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch
Fashion model: Paid
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