Top 10 Horror Games That Need More Love

#10: “Lone Survivor” (2012)

There aren't many 2D that do horror well. While "Lone Survivor" does have a few shortcomings, it does more to make up for it. You take control of an unnamed man who wakes up to find the city infested with zombie-like creatures. From there, you'll have to find other survivors and figure out just what in the hell happened. While "Lone Survivor" doesn't hone its horror as strongly as it probably should have, it compensates with a unique and bizarre story. Sure, the game is beatable within a night or two, but the five different endings are more than enough reason to play it again.

#9: “Illbleed” (2001)

"Illbleed" is certainly one of the more bizarre experiences on this list. As Eriko, you must rescue your friends from a horror theme park that's divided into six stages, each bringing its own unique set of objectives. At the time of its launch, critics had a major problem with the game's controls and camera. However, players managed to have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of "Illbleed" due to its multiple endings and cheesy, "B-movie" dialogue. If this sounds like a game for you, we've got some bad news - this was a Dreamcast exclusive. Hope you already got one laying around. Otherwise, this might be hard to find.

#8: “Silent Hill 4: The Room” (2004)

When discussing the best “Silent Hill” games, the first three games almost always come up. But what about the fourth? While “Silent Hill 4” saw a mixed bag of critical scores at launch (mostly due to straying a bit from the series formula), it received praise, nevertheless, for its unique approach, for its consistent tension, challenging puzzles, and haunting imagery. It also implemented a few improvements to the series such as tighter controls and a better combat system. It may not be as nonlinear as previous titles, but “Silent Hill 4” was something to terrify newcomers and veteran players.

#7: “Until Dawn: Rush of Blood” (2016)

Are you a fan of developer Supermassive Games? Are you looking for a VR experience that will make your spine tingle or scare you out of your pants? Then, have we got a title for you. "Rush of Blood" puts players in a roller coaster where they can view frightening environments while fending off psychotic, bloodthirsty killers. One might shy away from it being another VR shooting gallery, but what makes "Rush of Blood" so special is its presentation, and the experience is way better with headphones plugged in. Just make sure you take breaks if you find yourself getting too scared.

#6: “ZombiU” (2012) (aka “Zombi”)

Given how common zombie games are, we can't blame people for not giving "Zombi" a go. (After all, it was a Wii U launch title.) Although, there's more to "Zombi" than meets the dangling eyeball. The game focuses a bit more on survival and roguelike elements. Players will have to complete tasks to maintain their safe house while looking for a cure and bring an end to the zombie apocalypse. There's just one problem - if you die, your character becomes a zombie, and your next survivor will have to kill them to retrieve your inventory. It may seem like a slower-paced game compared to other titles, but "Zombi" has a lot going for itself.

#5: “Observer” (2017)

Before Bloober Team gave us the surprisingly remarkable "Blair Witch" game in 2019, they introduced their own original horror game, "Observer". This psychological horror puts players in the shoes of Daniel Lazarski, a detective who can hack into people's brains implants with a doo-dad called the Dream Eater. Oh, and he's played by Rutger Hauer of "Blade Runner" fame. Whereas most horror games will focus on hunting the player, "Observer" is more focused on its puzzles and stories, and it does them well. Between Hauer's acting and the game's eerie music, "Observer" will do just enough to possibly keep you awake at night.

#4: “Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion” (2014)

Say hello to the cutest horror game ever made! Formerly known as "Spooky's House of Jumpscares", players explore a massive, maniacal mansion that holds more than a thousand floors of terror. Adorable monsters may try to scare you as you creep down narrow passages, and you may find yourself face-to-face with creatures based on video game myths. (Of course, "Ben Drowned" is referenced!) What makes the game so exhilarating is the chase as you'll find yourself mashing the run button, using up every bit of your stamina as you eyeball how many floors you have left before the next checkpoint. Oh, and it's free on Steam, or you can pay ten bucks for the “HD Renovation”!

#3: “The Suffering” (2004)

Do prisons scare you? Do abandoned jails and decrepit penitentiaries make you uncomfortable? Then, you may not make it to the end of “The Suffering”. Set in a fictional penitentiary off the coast of Maryland, players assume the role of Torque, a murderer who has been put on death row for slaying his ex-wife and children. One earthquake later, and Torque finds that mysterious creatures have murdered almost every guard and inmate in the prison. With its brilliant sound design and macabre atmosphere, “The Suffering” was one of the best overlooked titles of the sixth generation.

#2: “The Thing” (2002)

Considering this game came out at a time where movie tie-in games were utter garbage, This sequel to the 1982 cult classic film of the same name, was more than a pleasant surprise. As Captain J. F. Blake, you command a team of US Special Forces as you explore Outpost 31 and hunt down the Thing. However, you must maintain your team’s trust if you want them to follow orders. The higher their fear or mistrust is, the more likely they are to believe you are the Thing, and they will gun you down! “The Thing” found enough critical and commercial success to get a sequel, but unfortunately, it got canned in mid-development after developer Computer Artworks went under in 2003.

#1: “Clock Tower 3” (2003)

While the first few “Clock Tower” games have aged like month-old bread, “Clock Tower 3” has aged like a fine wine. The first and only “Clock Tower” game to be developed by Capcom, “Clock Tower 3” tells the story of a young girl named Alyssa, who sets out to search for her mother while avoiding the towering killer known as Sledgehammer as well as other psychotic murderers. With its dark, morbid environments, exceptional camerawork, and compelling writing, “Clock Tower 3” is a memorable experience, yet overtime it seems to have been overshadowed by its predecessors. It’s certainly worth a 2nd chance if you’ve played any of the earlier titles.