Summary
Horror is one of the most successful and popular gaming genres around.Big franchises, such asResident Evil,Five Nights at Freddy’s,andSilent Hill, dominate the genre with big-budget releases, widespread marketing campaigns, and film adaptations. However, some of the best horror games are less well-known and are likely never to see a sequel.
These titles span the indie and AAA worlds, from niche horror titles to immersive cinematic experiences. Horror games are more than just jump scares. These games show a broad range of themes, gameplay, and tones, creating some of the most memorable releases in video game history. Yet, they’ve never gotten a follow-up.
Ad Infinitumtakes players into the troubled mind of a man broken by his experiences during the First World War. The monsters in the game represent his inner demons as he comes to terms with traumatic memories that have affected his entire life and family.
Ad Infinitumis a solid horror experience that dares to tread into difficult territory. While the game doesn’t add anything new to the genre, the narrative, atmosphere, and design of the game work well.Ad Infinitumis a self-contained solo story that will likely never see a sequel. However, horror fans should enjoy the inventive creature design and compelling backdrop.
WhileMoons of Madnessmay not be agroundbreaking release, its unique take on the survival horror genre makes it a worthy addition to any gamer’s library.Moons of Madnesstakes Lovecraftian horror into a sci-fi setting. Players control Shane Newehart, an engineer working at a remote Martian facility.
The game offers a lot of atmosphere, tense horror moments, and engaging puzzles. This isn’t a game where players can go in guns blazing.Moons of Madnessdeals more with the psychological than action. While the game is a standalone narrative and not a sequel, it also shares a universe with theSecret WorldMMO. However, a sequel seems unlikely anytime in the near future.
Survival horror fans will enjoy this atmospheric video game based in the same universe as the found-footage movie classicThe Blair Witch Project(1999). In the game, players control former police officer Ellis Lynch as he helps in the search for a missing boy. He soon discovers there is more to the woods than he initially thought.
InBlair Witch, players explore a semi-open world, usingstealth to avoid enemies, and the character’s dog to find clues and solve puzzles. The game has an eerie atmosphere, with the character primarily using his flashlight to ward off enemies. The game delves into the psychological state of Ellis Lynch, and the choices players make can affect the ending of the game. WhileBlair Witchis a part of an established film franchise, it is a standalone game and unlikely to see a direct sequel.
Days Gonetakes the open-world formula and adds hordes of ravenous zombies into the mix. Players control Deacon St. John, a drifter navigating thepost-apocalyptic world, where the undead are the dominant threat, as he searches for his missing wife.
Highly influenced by zombie hits likeWorld War ZandThe Walking Dead,Days Goneoffers a large open world to explore, filled with settlements, roaming bandits, and countless zombies. The undead can act like a swarm in large numbers, moving together as one. WhileDays Gonedoesn’t revolutionize the genre, most horror fans will enjoy the immersive nature of the game, as long as they also enjoy open-worlds.
While not constantly focusing on horror,Days Goneincorporates enough elements from the genre to warrant a mention.
World of Horrortakes the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft and Junji Ito and creates a unique indie adventure horror game. In the game, players must solve five mysteries spread out through different playthroughs to defeat the old god threatening the town.
The game is played with turn-based combat and a text-based narrative. The 1-bit art style creates a bleak tone, while the comic-like design gives the feeling of an interactive manga.World of Horrorcould only come from the indie gaming scene, and offers an immersive experience that will not be for everyone. Indie gaming fans will love this cosmic horror release that is unlike any other game.
From the developers of theDark Pictures Anthologyseries andUntil Dawn,The Quarryis a fun horror game that plays like an interactive movie. Players control a group of young adults who have just finished working at a summer camp in the woods and are waiting to be picked up.
They soon discover that a terrifying beast is hunting them one by one. Players control different characters throughout the game while making dialogue choices and beating quicktime events. Decisions matter, as the game has over a hundred different endings. Any of the characters can die due to the player’s choices.The Quarryis a fun, immersive game witha great cast and tense and gory scenesthat works well as a standalone game.
Darkwoodis unlike most horror games, but is a must-play experience for horror fans. This eerie survival horror is slow-paced and challenging. Enemies can kill the player easily, and nothing is explained. This is a game that doesn’t hold the player’s hand.
InDarkwood, players control a man stuck in a mysterious and dangerous wood who must attempt to escape. Throughout the game, players must explore the region and build and collect items to survive while uncovering secrets that will allow the player to progress further. The game’s bleak atmosphere and terrifying sound design create a constant feeling of isolation and claustrophobia.Darkwoodis a hidden gem that is unlikely ever to see a sequel, as its developers are on indefinite hiatus. However, for horror fans, the game is amust-play experience.
Visagefollows in the same vein as the classic first-person survival horror gameP.T. The game revolves around a haunted house and is split into three chapters, with a final section concluding the game. Each chapter tells the tragic story of someone who lived in the house and how they met their grisly end.
A chilling atmosphere permeates every second ofVisage, which is elevated by strange bangs, doors closing, and lights turning off on their own. PlayingVisagegives a constant sense of uneasiness. Its three stories are unique and present tough challenges and puzzles.Visageis a fantastic horror game that fans of the genre are sure to love. WhileVisageis a cult favorite, there is no word or rumor about a possible sequel.
Made by the same developers as the classicAmnesiaseries,SOMAis a standalone sci-fi horror game that delves deep into the mind of its protagonist. The game follows a man who wakes up in the future, in a deep underwater facility with no memory of how he got there.
SOMAhas become a classic thanks to itsunique setting, terrifying enemies, and psychological horror. The game deals with ideas of identity, humanity, and consciousness, and while these sound like complex ideas, the game is never pretentious. While Frictional Games are known for their horror releases, they have publicly stated they are moving away from scary games, which means aSOMAsequel is unlikely.
Bloodborne, FromSoftware’s action horror classic, takes players into the gothic streets of Yharnam, where beasts roam in darkness and blood is the main currency.Bloodbornebrings the horror of classic literature, such asDraculaandDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and mixes in a Lovecraftian twist, where ancient gods and hidden cults rule beneath the surface. The game follows a hunter who must defeat the beasts and uncover the secrets plaguing the city’s population.
Bloodborneis a popular classic with a dedicated player base. It was released as a Playstation exclusive and has remained a must-have title for fans of theSoulsseries. With the release ofElden Ring, the game enjoyed a resurgence as new players discovered the tough challenges ofBloodborne. While a long-rumored remake has yet to appear, a true sequel is unlikely to happen. Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoftware have stated they prefer new games to sequels and do not own the IP ofBloodborne.
