Horror games are such a unique experience where we put ourselves in a controlled atmosphere that is meant to terrify us. These experiences, while scary, build the very core memories we carry around with us for the duration of our lives, and become the conversation pieces that build friendships and bonds. Let’s talk about five horror games that have stood the test of time and have created some of our best memories.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a cult classic that takes horror to another level in terms of immersive mechanics, storytelling, and puzzle-solving to become a master at conveying its unsettling nature. This is a hauntingly beautiful world to dive into, with sufficiently creepy enemies and characters (including the protagonist) that will make you question everything as you utilize notes and things in your environment to survive.
My experience with Amnesia: The Dark Descent is one of intense curiosity. Even when the madness took hold of the main character, and enemies were lurking about, I was insanely intrigued and giddy with excitement to unravel more of the story. Even the immersive sound design in this game is something to behold, perfectly evoking the feeling of dread required in a horror game that relies on exploration combined with trial and error.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent takes from the greats and pushes the player into the very psyche of the main protagonist, which helps this game hold up incredibly well despite its aging visuals.
Outlast
With Outlast, there’s an art to hiding — a certain je ne sais quoi, if you will. Much like Alien Isolation, you’re watching over your shoulder and constantly reminded of the impending doom surrounding you. In Outlast, you’re constantly hiding, running, and seeking cover from institutionalized murderers. And it all holds up so well because the atmosphere you’re thrown into, and the method in which you have to hide to survive it, never becomes dry or boring.
My time playing Outlast was riveting, with the sound design being one of the many things that caught my attention. The fact that the character you play as can’t fight back in any capacity is unique, and there’s something to be said for implementing that type of restriction on the player. Your only options are to run, hide, and sneak your way to freedom in this unnerving title.
The Evil Within
The Evil Within is one of my favorite games, directed by the same person who directed Resident Evil 1 Remake, Shinji Mikami. This game finds its home in psychological horror and storytelling that goes above and beyond the norm of how horror is typically executed in games, digging past how it affects you and, instead, delving deeper into the story that caused that horror. That is what makes The Evil Within equal parts fascinating, sad, and scary to experience.
Throughout my time playing The Evil Within, I was amazed that a story could carry so many intricate layers and moving parts. From the enemies, to the save points, to the main villain, Ruvik, everything blended together in a way that felt effortlessly engaging. This game not only holds up well because of Shinji Mikami’s influence, but because of the story, and the ache that is embedded into the world you’re taking part in. It's real, visceral, and timeless.
Resident Evil 1 Remake
Resident Evil 1 Remake (2002) was the first video game I ever played as a kid, and it is a huge reason for my love of video games. The remake of this classic utilizes turn-based mechanics and fixed camera angles that allow for a questioning of the player's surroundings, frequently meaning not being able to see the enemy right away and only hearing footsteps in the distance. This is why this game still holds up; it creates a compelling, evergreen dive into horror. Resident Evil created a whole genre of horror games that play on those mind tricks and utilize them to gain the upper hand.
Playing Resident Evil 1 Remake on the GameCube was so thrilling. Hearing the fire crackle in the dining hall. the sound of Jill’s shoes in the marble lobby, even Barry’s sarcastic quips… It all created core memories that made a lasting impression on the person I am today. This game is a classic not because of those one-liners (though they certainly are memorable) or even the zombies. This game has imprinted itself into the core of gaming history because it has a unique story and tone that few games can compete with.
Resident Evil originally came out in 1996. It was inspired by the game 1989’s Sweet Home. It was the first of its kind to have notes, multiple playable characters, and a definitive goal. Sweet Home inspired/s what became one of the most impactful games in gaming history. Resident Evil learned from the best.
Silent Hill
Silent Hill as a whole implements some of the best psychological horror I’ve ever seen in gaming. Creating a narrative that you have the potential to be your own worst enemy in a place where no one escapes is horrifying. The first game in the series is well-crafted and marries non-repetitive exploration and sound design beautifully to create an immersive experience. It holds up because the horror elements that were baked into its terrifying world are timeless.
Back when I experienced the first Silent Hill, I was in awe of the simplicity of its horror. Being able to play this game 27 years later is incredible and intriguing since I couldn’t play it on a console, so I had to mod it through my PC. Doing so reminded me that, through the heavy topics and metaphorical and physical walls presented in Silent Hill, there is always a way to break through the fog.
Every game on this list will not only be playable and enjoyed for years to come, but will leave lasting impressions on those who experience them. Whether it’s running from the grips of many madmen or exploring one particular madman’s brain, each of these games has a story to tell to the traveling player who will listen.
