The Hidden Horror Games You Missed
With the final hours of this generation coming closer, it´s the perfect time to count down the most horrifying gaming experiences I had and you might have overlooked.
This list contains the creepiest and darkest games that give you goosebumps while playing and haunt you even after you finished them.
If this generation of horror games has perfected one thing: the Scooby Do gameplay. Running away from your stalker and hiding in closets until it´s safe. Which is mostly after 5-10 seconds. So most horror game antagonist seem to suffer from a very acute form of Amnesia. In hindsight it seems to be a common video game protagonist illness, but this is a topic for another list.
So let´s kick off our list with….
World Of Horror
“The slightly animated images amplify the horror even more while you click through your ever-changing adventures.”
Graphics made in MS Paint, Pokemon Red like gameplay and horror inspired by Lovecraft and Ito. Welcome to the World of Horror. A roguelite horror RPG.
The game´s 1-bit graphics make it look like a mix of old-school adventure games and panels from a manga. What really sold me was the gritty horror manga aesthetic combined with a desperate atmosphere. The art-style is quite impressive, especially considering it was all made in MS Paint…and this is not meant as a meme. This game was really painted in MS Paint.
As a fan of the horror genre and retro visuals done right, I was sucked into a world (of horror) by this constant sense of dread & suspense. A feature I missed in a lot of horror games recently.
The slightly animated images amplify the horror even more while you click through your ever-changing adventures. The set up is simple: We must solve mysteries and strange occurrences in a small Japanese town to stop the elder gods from returning into our world. Sounds simple enough.
The haunting atmosphere, where you never know what awaits you around the corner, combined with the “choose your own adventure” gameplay makes every playthrough a new fright fest filled with morbid curiosity and the fear of the unknown.
There are no flat-out jump scares, the story and gameplay are all about building tension and dread through the atmosphere.
It is one of the better indie games to come out in recently and is a gift that keeps on giving, and I have to get back to it to win the race against the clock and stop unspeakable horrors from being unleashed upon the world.
Lost In Vivo
“…in all honesty, this game had a few of the most effective jump scares this generation, and the soundtrack and setting gave me some serious Silent Hill 2 vibes.”
The John Wick low poly horror simulator. After my trustworthy companion dog gets sucked into the sewers. I do the only responsible thing: jump down there and f up all the monsters in my way…and save the good boy. At least that what I love to tell my friends.
But in all honesty, this game had a few of the most effective jump scares this generation, and the soundtrack and setting gave me some serious Silent Hill 2 vibes.
Its excellent sound design, and slow evolution from what seems to be a walking sim into a Silent Hill-esque action horror game with low poly graphics were fantastic.
And here is a hint for you: if you finished the game. Start a new playthrough between midnight and 1AM. You can thank me later.
The game turns into some kind of roguelike-inspired horror game with a dark, mystical spin instead of modern urban decay. Magic swords, dark dungeons, oddly twisted tunnels and gazing faces. One of the best easter eggs ever.
If you wanna get PTSD from being chased by an old man in a skimpy outfit and our only option of defense is to throw household items at the elderly than Remothered is the perfect game for you…
Remothered: Tormented Fathers
“If this generation of horror games has perfected one thing: the Scooby Do gameplay”
Remothered has perfected the Scooby Doo gameplay. Run in different directions and hide under or in objects until your stalker looses interest, which most of the time happens after 6 seconds (attention span of a goldfish).
A full playthrough will roughly take about 3 to 4 hours and Remothered keeps up the tension throught the whole playthrough. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and the fact that there is a looming threat almost at all times means you never feel safe.
It´s one of the most atmospheric indie horror games I have ever played, and indeed one of the better horror games of the past couple generations (similar to Haunting Ground) owing to it’s intense atmosphere and it’s emotions-provoking story, filled with mystery and unexpected plot twists ambushing you from the most unexpected directions.
The soundtrack and the real life like story really carried this experience. It has these cinematic cutscences with great voice-acting and an amazing atmosphere. I would highly recommend a playthrough when the dusk sets in…
Next up we have a fun ride! But is it really? The all-enveloping darkness and creaking of abandoned yet living park rides carry this creepy adventure in…
The Park
“The mix of the classic fairy tale Hansel and Gretel with deeply personal horrors really did the trick for me!”
This dark horror tale makes good use of an abandoned theme park as its initial setting. Depression and hopelessness with Lovecraft and Slender Man references, atmospheric audio (wear headphones), and effective jump scares. I enjoyed this theme park experience and being taken along for the ride. The mix of the classic fairy tale Hansel and Gretel with deeply personal horrors really did the trick for me!
The Park is First Person Horror title with a surprisingly dark story. The horror is very well done as it relies on the environment, instead of jump scares. The story dives deep into the psyche of the main protagonist, and the less you know about it….the better.
Keep in mind this is a really short game with a playtime of around only 2 hours! But the twist ending really hit home in this this spooky little walking sim. If you can get it on a budget price I highly recommend it for a Halloween playthrough.
A disturbing psychedelic experience that tells a tragic story of art making, family breaking apart and obsession.…
Layers of Fear
“Game has also very effective visual style and sound design is pretty nice too however, for me the strongest aspect of the game is it’s story elements and the way they are presented to the player!”
Game is essentially a walking simulator with few simple puzzles and choices, however to me it doesn’t feel like your typical run of the mill walking simulator, with a few unique twists…like its ever changing environment, reacting to paths you choose, ads this sense of fluidity and liveliness that constantly keeps you wondering if you did the right thing, or chose the right object. Game has also very effective visual style and sound design is pretty nice too however, for me the strongest aspect of the game is it’s story elements and the way they are presented to the player.
Through excellent pacing, mind bending psychological effects, and wonderful sound design, Layers of Fear managed to scare the heck out of me
Layers of fear had me glued to my computer seat. It´s a great and terrifying game. Layers of Fear is everything a mature, modern horror game should be. Subtle, smart, unnerving and genuinely intriguing.
Bulb Boy
“This game is completely unique, and I can’t compare it to any other. The only thing slightly similar is Ren & Stimpy, an old school MTV cartoon.”
This is a very cute puzzle/horror game, with adorable art, a cute little family of characters and some horror elements and creepy atmosphere. This game is completely unique, and I can’t compare it to any other. The only thing slightly similar is Ren & Stimpy, an old school MTV cartoon.
The gameplay is a little on the easy side, but I enjoyed it, and to be honest the real selling point is the gruesome, dark and somewhat goofy fairy tale like story full of grotesque monsters. The humor is morbidly funny, the only downer was that the game is fairly short.