The technology that’s present in the current video gaming generation allows for an unprecedented level of immersion and the scope and artistry of releases have never been bolder. These improvements have allowed certain gaming genres to thrive and it’s encouraging to see the changes that have helped rejuvenate survival horror.
The survival horror genre has become elevated from a niche curiosity into one of the most popular areas in the industry. Horror games might seem polarizing to certain audiences, and it can feel like there’s a difficult barrier to break through. But there are some essential titles that need to be experienced by anyone who’s curious about the genre.
10 Resident Evil 4 Is A Genre Triumph That Pushes Survival Horror Into The Mainstream
Resident Evil 4 came out nearly a decade into the franchise’s run, but it’s widely regarded as not only one of the best games in the survival horror series, but also one of the greatest video games of all-time. This legacy has led to Resident Evil 4 being ported more than ten times across unexpected consoles, all of which is a testament to the demand that exists for the title. Resident Evil 4 turns up the series’ action impulses, though that never comes at the expense of the horror. RE4 features a strong story, engaging gameplay, and memorable bosses.
9 Alien: Isolation Embraces An Iconic Movie Monster For Peak Claustrophobic Horror
The moody Alien film franchise has had a rich relationship with the video game industry. Alien games have been coming out for decades, but Alien: Isolation is the first time that any of these releases get anywhere close to the terror of the movies. Alien: Isolation properly expands upon the lore of the original films, but what makes the game such a terrifying success is the robust AI of its Xenomorph. Players are forced to hide and be on constant defense from this looming threat. It’s a unique and effective experience that’s so much more frightening than simply charging at a Xenomorph with a powerful arsenal of weapons.
8 Dead Space Is A Grim Descent Into Darkness Cast Against The Sterile Nature Of Space
There’s often a symbiotic relationship between the horror and science fiction genres and Dead Space is one of the better examples of how to seamlessly merge these worlds together. Dead Space is certainly indebted to the moody, sterile, claustrophobic environments of Alien, not to mention how the game’s central dismemberment concept brings John Carpenter’s The Thing to mind.
Dead Space 3 slightly loses its way, but the first two games are still extraordinary exercises in tension. A modern remake of the original Dead Space is on the way, so it’s the perfect opportunity to visit the original titles and understand why they were such a breakthrough during the 2010s.
7 Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water Pushes Its Signature Ghost Hunting To New Heights
The Fatal Frame series combine photography with cryptic folklore and ghost hunting to create some truly foreboding games. Fatal Frame has strangely become a regular presence on Nintendo consoles and the series' latest entry, Maiden of Black Water, is the easiest entry to find and play on the Switch. The game is full of terrifying visuals, but the Camera Obscura-driven gameplay is distinct from standard survival horror fare. Admittedly, the first two Fatal Frame titles are the strongest in the franchise, but it's consistent throughout its run and Maiden of Black Water is still a satisfying representation of Fatal Frame and its signature horror.
6 The Evil Within Mixes Creepy Creatures With A Horrific Hero’s Journey
The Evil Within marks the return of Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil and Dino Crisis fame to the survival horror genre. There were lofty expectations in place for The Evil Within, but Mikami does not disappoint and he crafts a wicked world that's full of haunting imagery and intimidating monsters. The Evil Within almost feels like a hybrid between the action-based horror of Resident Evil and the psychological trauma that's inherent to the Silent Hill series. The Evil Within deserves to be experienced if for no other reason than the nightmare fuel enemies that the game popularizes, such as The Keeper, Sadist, and Reborn Laura. The game's success also spawned a sequel in 2017.
5 Eternal Darkness Gets Into The Player’s Mind Through Clever Sanity Tricks
Most survival horror games pull from a standardized formula, but Eternal Darkness immediately makes an impression through its brilliant Sanity Meter. The more horrors that the player experiences, the more that the game’s presentation of reality begins to melt away. These varied effects translate into a fun, immersive horror experience. There’s also heavy inspiration from the works of H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe, which give Eternal Darkness a distinct energy.
Granted, Eternal Darkness remains exclusive to Nintendo’s Gamecube, so it’s not the most accessible survival horror game. Still, it’s such a unique and satisfying experiment that it deserves to get singled out. It’s a retro title that’s worth the extra effort to play.
4 Clock Tower Unleashes A Blade-Wielding Murderer On The Audience
Clock Tower is an underrated survival horror series that has its roots all the way back as one of the few horror titles for the Super Famicom. The tense horror franchise has been dormant since the PlayStation 2's Clock Tower 3, but these are still formative titles that deserve to be given a shot if the player has the proper hardware.
Clock Tower for the original PlayStation is a fully-formed experience that mixes a murder mystery into the standard survival horror trappings. Scissorman, a deranged serial killer who perpetually chases the protagonist, is an early precursor to Nemesis from Resident Evil and other behemoths that turn a horror game into a cat-and-mouse exercise in anxiety.
3 Amnesia: The Dark Descent Immerses The Player In Dark Thoughts And Twisted Turns
Amnesia: The Dark Descent truly feels like the player is lost in a nightmare that may have no exit. Frictional Games has done exceptional work with the Amnesia series and they've turned their creepy franchise into a heavy-hitter that can easily compete against survival horror juggernauts like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a testament to the importance of atmosphere. The player slowly loses their grip on reality as they're increasingly bombarded with frightening obstacles. The labyrinthine nature of the game and its methodical, intimate approach when it comes to getting under the audience's skin is unparalleled.
2 Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Accentuates Visceral Horror Through An Intimate Makeover
One might argue that one Resident Evil game is enough representation for the series, but Resident Evil 7: Biohazard helped save the survival horror series during a painful period of transition. Biohazard brings the series back to its horror roots and incorporates an intimate, first-person approach to the unnerving experience. Resident Evil 7 is a satisfying continuation of what makes the series work, but it’s also the perfect entry point for newcomers. The first-person perspective has remained throughout the future of the franchise and feels like a true turning point. Resident Evil 7 feels like a completely different type of horror experience than Resident Evil 4, but they’re both distinctly Resident Evil.
1 Silent Hill 2 Highlights How The Greatest Horrors Are The Ones Inside Of A Fractured Mind
The Silent Hill games have frequently lived in the shadow of the more action-focused Resident Evil games, but the psychological horror heights of Silent Hill are cited as the survival horror genre’s greatest triumphs. There’s a messy track record throughout the later Silent Hill sequels, but the first four games are all moody masterpieces. It’s hard to compete with Silent Hill 2, which combines creepy imagery with genuinely moving emotional melodrama. There are also Pyramid Heads, one of gaming’s greatest monstrosities. With rumors that a new Silent Hill may finally be on the way, it’s never been a better time to revisit the franchise’s creative apex to see why this property still has such a legacy.