Over the past few years, we’ve seen survival horror games really come into their own. Many developers have dipped their toes into the genre giving us countless hours of terrifying experiences and heartwarming stories packaged into some lovely 4k graphics.
We previously explored The Finest Survival Games on ps4, and we’ve shown our appreciation for gaming art styles like that of the survival horror Saturnalia; now, let’s explore survival horror games you need to play.
Why Survival Horror Games Are Intriguing
The most intriguing thing about horror games is how they stick with you; even after switching off your PC or console, you get a sense of those well-designed characters following you everywhere.
The survival horror genre will continue to grow, and as the new decade continues to evolve, the gaming landscape will undoubtedly crave more and more definitive survival epics to keep fans entertained.
Survival games are awesome for putting us in the character’s shoes and really creating a sense of do-or-die at every turn. Scenarios like being stuck alone in a haunted cave, wadding through a grim asylum and being 2 minutes away from starving to death with a horde of zombies surrounding your cabin feel equally breathtaking and jarring.
This immersive experience that horror survival games bring is what die-hard fans worldwide seek. All the games on this list have done an awesome job of providing that experience.
Think of looking through the eyes of a character in a haunted mine shaft miles underground with no sunlight and realising I’m controlling this character; those are the little things we love about survival horror.
Without further ado, here are the best survival horror games based on the story, concept art, gameplay and overall experience.
List Of Survival Horror Games
Alan Wake
Alan Wake is about a best-selling crime author suffering from the mental fatigue of writer’s block. Just when he thinks It can’t get any worse, he finds himself solving a mystery that involves a blackout episode and the disappearance of his wife.
And in typical horror fashion, there’re a few creepy shadow monsters he has to hunt. This acclaimed game is both terrifying and captivating to play.
The game was recently remastered in 2021, making it perfect for exploring today.
Tormented Souls
Tormented Souls is a horror survival game with disturbing creature design and a dread filled atmosphere.
You play the role of Caroline Walker in an abandoned mansion full of tormenting secrets. Oh and she’s searching for two missing girls. Prepare for some resident evil-style combat, puzzles and frustrating camera angles.
Outlast
If you’re looking for a good scare, then the survival horror game Outlast is definitely worth checking out.
The game puts you in the shoes of investigative journalist Miles Upshur, who finds himself investigating the mysterious Mount Massive Asylum. With its creepy atmosphere and jump scares galore, Outlast is sure to send a chill down your spine.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
In Resident Evil 7: Biohazard you play as Ethan Winters as he searches for his missing wife Mia in the fictional town of Dulvey, Louisiana. The game is set in the present day and follows the story of Ethan Winters as he searches for his wife Mia, who has been missing for three years.
The game is played from a first-person perspective and features survival horror elements. The player can use firearms and melee weapons to defend themselves from enemies
SOMA
SOMA is a game about puzzles, exploration, and survival horror. You awake on board the PATHOS-2, a remote research facility studying the ocean floor. It quickly becomes apparent that something has gone terribly wrong. The station is empty and there are strange creatures lurking in the shadows. You must find out what happened to the crew and figure out a way to escape.
SOMA is a unique mix of survival horror and puzzle-solving gameplay that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. If you’re looking for a game that will keep you up at night, SOMA is definitely for you.
Dead Space
Space is a scary place. There’s no air, no light, and no way to know what’s out there waiting for you. But in the game Deadspace, you’re not afraid of space. You’re a badass engineer who knows how to take down aliens with your trusty plasma cutter.
The game Deadspace is all about survival. You’re stranded on a mining ship that’s been overrun by aliens, and it’s up to you to find a way to escape. With limited resources and a hostile environment, you’ll need to use your wits and your weapons to make it out alive.
With its mix of action and horror, Deadspace is a unique gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. So suit up and get ready to fight for your life in the deadliest place in the universe.
Resident Evil 2 Remake
When it comes to scary games, there are few that can match the terror of the Resident Evil 2 Remake. Based on the original game released in 1998, this remake is a completely new experience that will send chills down your spine. Featuring updated graphics and gameplay, as well as new environments and characters, Resident Evil 2 Remake is a must-play for any horror fan.
So what makes this game so scary? For starters, the atmosphere is incredibly tense, and the setting – a desolate city overrun by zombies – is perfect for inducing panic. The zombies themselves are also quite disturbing, with their rotting flesh and blank stares. But perhaps the most unsettling aspect of Resident Evil 2 Remake is the sense of isolation that it creates. As you play, you’ll constantly feel like you’re being watched, and the game does an excellent job of making you feel alone and vulnerable.
If you’re looking for a truly harrowing gaming experience, Resident Evil 2 Remake is definitely worth checking out. Just be sure to keep the lights on…
Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation is a game that will make you laugh, scream, and maybe even cry. You play as Amanda Ripley, the daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she tries to survive against an Xenomorph aboard a space station.
The game is suspenseful, scary, and at times frustrating, but it’s also one of the most unique and interesting games you’ll ever play.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a horror game that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You play as Daniel, who wakes up in a castle with no memory of how he got there. As you explore the castle, you will start to piece together what happened, and why you are there.
It’s a game full of suspense and scares and will keep you guessing until the very end. If you’re looking for a horror game that will keep you up at night, Amnesia: The Dark Descent is the game for you.
System Shock 2
System Shock 2 is a game that will make you think twice about what you thought possible in video games. It’s a thinking person’s shooter, where the environment is as deadly as the enemies you face. With an immersive storyline and cutting-edge graphics, System Shock 2 is a game that will keep you coming back for more.
So what is System Shock 2? In a nutshell, it’s a sci-fi horror game set on a space station that’s been overrun by an AI gone rogue. As you might expect, things aren’t looking too good for the human race. It’s up to you, as the player, to see if you can find a way to stop the AI and save humanity.
While System Shock 2 might not be for everyone, those who appreciate a challenging and thought-provoking game will find a lot to love here. If you’re up for the challenge, we think you’ll find System Shock 2 to be an unforgettable gaming experience.
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2 is one of the most popular and well-loved video games of all time. The game is set in the town of Silent Hill, which is a place full of dark secrets and eerie mysteries. Players take on the role of James Sunderland, who is searching for his missing wife in the town.
Filled with psychological terror and horror, the game provides an interesting experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Darkwood
Darkwood is a game about managing your fear while exploring a dark, foreboding wood. The goal is to survive the night by building a fire, crafting weapons, and keeping your sanity in check.
It’s a challenging and unique game that will keep you on your toes. So light a candle, grab your torch, and venture into the darkwood. Just don’t let the monsters get you.
BioShock
Bioshock is a first-person shooter video game that was released in 2007. The game is set in the year 1960, in an alternate history where an international conflict has led to the United States’ involvement in a nuclear war.
You (the player) take on the role of Jack, a man who has been rescued from a plane crash by a man known as Atlas. Jack is taken to the underwater city of Rapture, where he must find a way to escape.
The game’s graphics and setting were praised by reviewers, who also noted the game’s strong story and characters. Bioshock was a commercial success, selling over four million copies worldwide.
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
There are few games that are as atmospheric and creepy as Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth. Based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, the game puts you in the shoes of an investigator who must solve a series of increasingly bizarre and horrifying crimes.
With its eerie soundtrack, brilliant graphics, and well-written story, Call of Cthulhu is a game that will keep you up at night.
F.E.A.R.
F.E.A.R. is a first-person shooter video game developed by Monolith Productions and published by Sierra Entertainment. The game’s story follows a group of soldiers who are dispatched to investigate strange events at a remote research facility, only to find themselves battling an unstoppable supernatural force.
F.E.A.R. is notable for its use of atmospheric horror elements, which create a feeling of unease and suspense in the player. The game also features some innovative gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to slow down time to better aim at enemies.
If you’re looking for a shooter game with a healthy dose of scares, then F.E.A.R. is definitely worth checking out!
Layers Of Fear
Layers of Fear is a horror game that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its eerie atmosphere and jump scares, it’s sure to give you nightmares. But it’s also a game with an interesting story that will keep you guessing until the very end.
If you’re looking for a horror game that will keep you up at night, Layers of Fear is the game for you.
There you have it, our list of classic survival horror games you definitely need to play. Stay tuned as the genre evolves and offer many more epics towards the end of 2022 and 2013.