What do you fear? Ghosts, aliens, monsters, or what you can’t see? These ten scariest games of all time deliver such an immersive, frightening experience that many gamers have been too scared to finish them. Can you?
10. Alien: Isolation
Released in 2014, Alien: Isolation is an immersive horror experience that gives the player the same eerie, claustrophobic feeling of isolation the Alien movies captured. In fact, this game is probably the best sequel to the 1979 film masterpiece. The technology in the game simultaneously feels futuristic and like something out of the 80s.
9. Resident Evil Remake
Resident Evil Remake refers to the 2002 remake of the 1996 game Resident Evil. It’s considered the scariest game in the series, as well as one of the best. The rustic atmosphere is unique and spine-chilling. The graphics and gameplay are significantly improved, making it the most visually impressive in the series. An HD remaster was released in 2015.
8. The Evil Within 2
The Evil Within 2 from 2017 is far superior to the 2014 original. It’s definitely scarier. The graphic content is not for the faint of heart. Be prepared for loads of jump scares that will catch you unprepared. The visuals and atmosphere are excellent. For fans of the survival horror genre, this one shouldn’t be missed.
7. Dead Space
Dead Space is a 2008 survival horror gem that takes its inspiration from Resident Evil 4, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Dead Space is far scarier. It’s set on a spaceship infested with extremely dangerous and horrifying alien creatures. The atmosphere is tense, but players have enough tools to feel they have a chance of surviving.
6. Outlast
While the sequel to 2013’s Outlast has a more interesting story and improved visuals, the original is much more frightening. Set in a remote mental asylum filled with psychotic patients, the tension is unrelenting. Players use a night vision mode on a camcorder with a limited battery to progress through the game. Worse, players have no means to defend themselves.
5. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Capcom made the wise decision in 2017’s Resident Evil 7: Biohazard to emphasize horror over action, and the result is one of the scariest games ever. The best frights live in the game’s VR mode which takes the scares to another level. The horror takes a bit of a backseat in the second half, but the first half is epic.
4. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
The second installment, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, cemented the legacy of the trilogy as one of the best horror series ever created. Its story has little relation to the original title and it’s better for it. The series revolves around taking photographs of ghosts, and then using exorcism to release their spirits. It’s wonderfully creepy and terrifying.
3. Silent Hill 2
The second installment of this enduring series, Silent Hill 2 is her survival horror masterpiece. It’s psychological horror at its finest. The visual storytelling and atmospheric fog maintain a suffocating tension that never relents. “The nurses,” are one of the most frightening and iconic enemies in the horror genre.
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2. Until Dawn
A masterful interactive horror experience, 2015’s Until Dawn is one of the scariest gamers will find. Many have tried this game but have been too afraid to see it through until the end. Each character the player controls has an interesting backstory and an important role to play. Intense choices leave players questioning whether they’ve picked the right option.
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1. Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Horror doesn’t come more hair-raising than 2010’s Amnesia: The Dark Descent. The player is left alone in the dark amid an omnipresent threat of murderous monsters. The game’s so frightening many players have been unable to finish. It’s not all scare-fest. There are exciting puzzles to solve. But for pure terror, this is the most horrific game you’ll find.
