Horror video games have had something of a revival in recent years, thanks to developers who have focused their efforts on evoking dread and suspense over more action-oriented titles which took over the industry some years ago. Gameplay can become scarier and scarier as visual technology advances, so there are plenty of horror games that will make you jump out of your skin. If making your skin crawl is something you enjoy, here are some must-play horror game experiences for you to freak out over.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
The latest chapter in the Resident Evil universe is a true return to terrifying form. Take on the role of Ethan, a seemingly normal guy, who is looking for his wife, Mia, who disappeared suddenly. After finding a mystery message from her urging him to visit a property in Louisiana after three years of no communication, Ethan heads out to discover a big, revolting, and ostensibly abandoned mansion. Circumstances then take a twist that is far more in line with the Resident Evil atmosphere we know and love. This title is fairly hardware intensive, so check out Intel’s new ARC and Iris ranges over at https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/faqs/intel/intel-graphics/ if you find your machine underperforming, and you could soon stalk Lady Dimitrescu in her full 4K glory.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
If being pursued by strange creatures in the dark is something you enjoy, Amnesia: The Dark Descent may be the perfect fit for you as the game features some of the most terrifying chase sequences from the first-person vantage point. And, if these wild dashes from danger don’t drive you crazy, the dark will likely make you insane with fear. Amnesia introduces players to a sanity mechanism that will see their character slowly lose their minds the longer they stare at gruesome sights and while they creep around in the dark. There’s only one problem. Players have to remain hidden to avoid being spotted by any of the nightmare creatures roaming around to successfully navigate the game. Since you face dangerous circumstances about as frequently as you need to find suitable hiding spots, this generates an intriguing risk or reward decision system that cannot be taken lightly.
Dead Space
Few titles can frighten you so badly that you start dreading walking down a hallway, hearing a door open, or hearing an unexplained noise. One such game is EA’s 2008 sci-fi survival horror title Dead Space. A long-time horror fan favorite, we are finally being treated to a remaster. Dead Space takes players decades into the future when humanity has drained all of the Earth’s minerals and resources, so space mining is the only way to survive. Take on the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer sent to explore a mystery involving a missing crew on a seemingly abandoned ship. Packed with suspense, action, and some of the most gruesome fights you’ve ever experienced, Dead Space is sure to keep horror fans on their toes.
The horror genre is thriving and expanding faster than ever. The genre keeps demonstrating why it is one of the cornerstones of the market and, like a good zombie, it will inevitably return from the dead for one more thrill.