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The horror game genre offers players a distinctive experience. While some enjoy the action and survival elements, others prefer to immerse themselves in the story.

When it comes to terrifying users, this genre gives developers the freedom to experiment. Every horror game emphasizes action and story, and the Resident Evil series is the best example of this.

While the Resident Evil franchise is known for its zombie and survival horror elements, many other titles rely more on atmospheric and bleak plot elements. Jumps are not necessary for all horror games to be creepy, but some use them in exciting or inventive ways.

Horror game jumps are extremely controversial as often relying on this theme involves sacrificing effective tension building and the deeper psychological elements of the genre. Effective jump scares, on the other hand, can enhance a horror game if used sparingly.


Five horror games exaggerate the startle reactions, but make it land

5) Amnesia: The Dark Descent

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  • Publishers: Friction Games
  • Platforms: Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android

In 2010, the PC debut of Amnesia: The Dark Descent was released. In the Amnesia series, players take on the role of a defenseless protagonist whose only option is to hide and flee.

On the other hand, The Dark Descent introduces a gameplay element that prevents a protagonist who is afraid of the dark from going crazy even though the darkness is his only protection from the creatures that prey on him. The title is incredibly tight and there are always new dangers.


4) Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul

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  • Publisher: VRWERX
  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Oculus Quest, PSVR

The most extraordinary images from PSVR give gamers the impression of being in a haunted house as they explore it. The audio and visuals of the title are beautifully combined, giving them a captivating experience.

The concerns of the users are taken into account when they hear banging, movement or footsteps on the floorboards above, which makes the game much more gruesome than the original material (film).


3) Resident Evil 7

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  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Luna, Stadia, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Resident Evil 7 was the first time Capcom used a new strategy to scare players, aside from the game’s action/horror base. Rather than having them kill zombies, the title puts a strong emphasis on terror and terrifying aspects.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard offers a fresh first-person perspective and one of the strongest graphics engines of the generation. All versions of this title are gruesome, but the PlayStation VR version is one of the best.

In addition to the terrifying family of mutants, the game also has unpredictable jump scares that increase the tension as it progresses. The development of the title’s RE engine gives it a strong background and visual score.


2) Survive 1 & 2

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  • Publisher: Red Barrels
  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, OS X, Nintendo Switch

The gaming community has a devoted following for this series. Outlast 1 is still highly respected as one of the best horror video games ever made.

Such titles are notorious for their jump scare features in addition to their hide and seek. The only way out for users is to hide the environment and use it to their advantage to create gaps; therefore the voltage is constantly high.

A lifetime of blood and gore can be found in Outlast’s truly terrifying gameplay moments. The terrible villains only serve to increase the terror.


1) Home Sweet Home

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  • Publishers: Yggdrazil Group Co., Ltd
  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

The first few minutes of Home Sweet Home are a fantastic illustration of how to create fear. This straightforward first-person horror game with influences from Thai mythology is set in a series of illogical tunnels that twist and turn in increasingly disorienting ways.

Home Sweet Home is about Tim, a man still grieving the loss of his wife, who finds himself in the twisted circumstances described earlier when he wakes up one day. He must get out of this terrible maze and discover why he is there in the first place.


5 horror games that chill innovative to the bone

5) Fatal Frame Series

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  • Publishers: JP: Koei Tecmo (Tecmo), Nintendo, EU: Microsoft Game Studios, Nintendo, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Wanadoo
  • Platforms: PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Wii, Wii U, Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

On the PlayStation 2, the Project Zero/Fatal Frame series debuted in 2001. It approaches horror and terror in a way reminiscent of the Silent Hill movies. It also borrows a few tricks from Japanese horror movies.

Over time, the horrors and fears increase. In addition, they have been made more powerful as players are put in the role of a protagonist equipped only with the enigmatic Camera Obscura.

Her only protection from the attacking evil spirits is the camera.


4) Blair Witch

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  • Publishers: Bloober Team, Lionsgate
  • Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Oculus Quest, Xbox One, Meta Quest 2, Microsoft Windows, Amazon Luna, SteamOS

The Blair Witch video game, set in the same universe as the classic horror movie The Blair Witch Projectmakes the impression clear and then offers users options to take advantage of it.

In 1996 the title was played at Burkittsville Woods in Maryland. A small child is missing in Blair Witch’s woods.

Ellis, a police officer with mental health problems, is played by gamers. A dog named Bullet follows him on his journey and helps him through the various challenges of the game.

There are sections of flashlight fighting that are remarkably effective. The found footage of The Blair Witch Project still lives in the form of paranormal webcam puzzles.


3) PT

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  • Publisher: Konami
  • Platform: AFTER

PT, which became available as a demo for the PlayStation 4 in 2014, served as a “playable teaser” for the now-cancelled Silent Hill revival. Hideo Kojima and famed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro collaborated on the production.

Although it was only a demo, PT was actually disturbing as players were haunted by a violent ghost named Lisa in a suburban house. Until they solved the last riddle, the corridors and corridors kept intertwining.

Unfortunately, the team stopped working on the full title and closed the demo despite the rave reviews, and the reason is that Kojima left Konami.


2) Alien Isolation

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  • Publishers: Sega
  • Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Linux, OS X, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Luna, Android, iOS

In 2014, Alien Isolation was made available for the PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4. It is still the most comprehensive and accurate Alien video game adaptation to date.

Gamers take control of Ellen Ripley, the main character’s daughter, in the game, which takes place 15 years after the events of the original film.

The tension and themes of the first film carry over to the title’s ambient level and sound design, as well as the hide-and-seek gameplay.

The Xenomorph’s artificial intelligence reacts to the user’s activity in a realistic and unpredictable way, which really heightens the tension.


1) Silent Hill 2

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  • Publisher: Konami
  • Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows

Silent Hill 2 continues to raise the bar for psychological jump scares in the horror genre. Konami first made it available for the PlayStation 2 in 2001.

The deep psychological terror components in the gameplay keep players’ attention throughout the game.

The atmosphere and slowly intensifying horror are flawlessly done, and the story itself has stood the test of time. The unpredictable aspect of the title adds to the effectiveness of the fears.

James wanders helplessly through the titular city in the game’s opening moments, with one of the first jump scares.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the opinion of the author.


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