Horror games aren’t particularly difficult to come by. It seems every year, a new must-play game is added to the list of pants-poopingly spooky games, but it’s rare to see a series of consistently scary games. Here’s a list of the scariest series to keep you crying all the way through Halloween.
SILENT HILL
When Resident Evil game out, it was a pioneer in the horror game genre, showing what could be done with grotesque enemies and great sound cues. Silent Hill then iterated on this concept, adding in an element of unknown weirdness that wasn’t only jump-scary, but also genuinely unsettling. From low render distances, jerky movement, and a general sense of not knowing what was really going on, this series set up the concept of psychological horror games while adhering to the tried-and-true adventure/third-person shooter format. Though the later games in the series took a dip and PT, the one true shining hope of bring the series back to its former glory, was cancelled, Silent Hill remains one of the hallmarks of the horror genre.
DEAD SPACE
Though the third-person horror genre had been done to death by 2008, Dead Space somehow iterated on it enough to make it scary again. In other horror games, you unload ammo into the undead until they fall down, often with an emphasis on head/body shots. By simply changing this around to shooting off the limbs of your aggressors, Dead Space managed to make their necromorphs scary, despite really just being space zombies. The potent combo of enemies that just won’t die with jump scares and Uncharted levels of nerve-wracking quick time cut scenes, Dead Space revitalized the third person horror genre while still being planted firmly in the third person action genre.
FATAL FRAME
Where Dead Space chose to not fix what ain’t broke with the third person action mechanics, Fatal Frame took on head on. Fatal Frame puts you in a ghost-filled world that comes to life while using your one and only weapon – a camera. Initially it’s easy to get frustrated with the lower move speed and lack of variety with your armaments, especially coming from something like Resident Evil, but over time, you grow to miss these features less and appreciate (or hate in that kind of way that’s still kind of appreciate) the almost claustrophobic amount of choice. Very quickly, you’ll find yourself no longer charging in to rooms, but cautiously entering the space and leaving nothing unexamined on the way in. The sense of terror at not always being able to see your adversaries and only having a handful of things to defend yourself with is something Fatal Frame nails.
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S
If Fatal Frame’s limitation of movement and defense options is appealing to you, boy have I got a series you’re going to love. Five Nights at Freddy’s takes away nearly all movement from you and only gives you a handful of options, all of which are either resource-limited or timer-based, that don’t even hurt the enemies, just protect you from them. This lack of attack options really nails home that you’re helpless, a feeling that’s only heightened by the lack of movement. At one point or another in both Silent Hill and Fatal Frame, you feel empowered against the enemies, but FNAF makes sure you understand the animatronics are roaming cats and you’re a mouse with a twisted ankle. Best watch yourself.
Don’t forget to check out Ten Family Friendly Halloween Movies to help lull the kiddos into a candy coma! Afterward, you can set the mood with Five Albums to Flesh Out Your Halloween Playlist and huddle under the covers with Netflix and Chilling – Halloween Movie Edition. Have any suggestions? You can let us know on Twitter @SubCultured or come party like its 1599 in our Discord server!
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One of the highlights from New York Comic Con had to be the How To Train Your Dragon 2 demo at the Dreamworks booth. Equipped with an Oculus headset, and hunched over like you were riding a motorcycle, the demo gave those of us trying it out a perfect taste of what it would be like riding your very own dragon over Berk. With the wind blasting my face from the rig’s fans, and a sense of vertigo if I looked down, it was a moment that has stuck with me for over a month. How utterly wonderful to feel like you are completely immersed in a world, particularly one as beautiful as Berk, to the point where you can’t help but wonder what other games would work well with Oculus Rift. Let’s take a look at some of the franchises I think would work well:
Rendering by Christian Davis of Junction Point Studios
1. Pokemon Snap
I will NEVER let this go, Nintendo. EVER. Those of you unfamiliar with this particular game should know that the basic premise has you traveling through various terrain in the hopes of capturing the perfect Pokemon photo with a small array of tools to help you accomplish this task set by Professor Oak. Originally out in 1999 for N64, fans have been clamoring for a new installment, as it’s practically begging for an update (Kotaku even posted a video from a Youtuber who played the original via Oculus Rift). While Nintendo keeps playing with our emotions, it’s definitely at the top of my list.
Those of you that have played, imagine trying to do that goddamn Mew stage with the mapping…it’d be INSANE trying to hit that little bastard with Pester Balls. I would love to have some sort of set up that blew hot air, sprayed a light mist, what have you, depending on the different terrain levels you played through. Hopefully, we will get more than 7 if we ever see a new, and improved version!
2. Fatal Frame
Think of this game like a fucking terrifying version of Pokemon Snap. Instead of the cute animals we know and love, you get to take photos of dismembered, angry, typically Japanese, spirits inside of a ramshackle, old mansion. I’d be particularly excited (?) to feel my rig slowly pulse along with my rising heartbeat as a ghost gets near, and I love the idea of being able to literally look over my shoulder with every step! It’s pretty simplistic in terms of gameplay, but like many survival horrors, having to look for film for your camera while shaking in fear, er, excitement, will probably be where most of the frustration will lie.
3. A semi-open world game like Batman (or Dragon Age, or a fully open one like Skyrim)
Look man, these are some beautiful games, and they deserve to be looked at! Their landscapes aside, there’s a ton of ways to properly utilize Oculus in them. For example, think about tackling the Riddler’s riddles riddled throughout Gotham, or think about having to make sure you have a bad guy in sight in order to counter his attack, or even blasting a dragon with magic as you feel the wind from it’s mighty wings during a fight. They’re all perfectly fine on their own, but enhanced with the capability to actually take a real look around you is almost enough to make a mouth water (okay, maybe that’s just me). If you’re still not convinced, imaging having to investigate a crime scene in Batman, and you have to make sure you LOOK at everything at that crime scene in order to solve the mystery, or else you peg the wrong person or are unable to snag that 100% completion! Sure it might get tedious, but that feeling of accomplishment…man, there’s nothing like it.
4. Monster Hunter
HEAR ME OUT! We all know I’m a giant fangirl of this series from Capcom. I can’t deny it, but the sheer thought of being able to look up at the monster I’m currently fighting is almost orgasmic. I WANT TO FEEL THE GROUND RUMBLE AS SOMETHING CHARGES, AND I WANT TO WATCH IT TRY TO CIRCLE AND KILL ME. Plus, with the added underwater fighting in Monster Hunter Tri Ultimate, it’d make use of yet more beautiful landscape, and I’m sure there’d be some sort of perk to foraging for supplies.
Okay, fine. I’ll admit that 99% of the reason it’s even on this list is due to my love for the series. Ya got me.
5. Animal Crossing
Some of us do not like to actually go outside, but want to feel the warmth and happiness of a place that is free of judgement (unless you are wearing the wrong t-shirt, and that douchey cat neighbor named Snake laughs at you), and that is where Animal Crossing comes in. Some people refer to it as “Sims Lite,” but you know…while they may be right, I prefer Animal Crossing just a little bit more. You’re basically given a town to do with what you please, and are the Mayor (but let’s be honest, the cute dog secretary,Isabel, runs everything). I’d expect most of the fun to come from catching butterflies or fish, but I’m also thinking of the horror of being chased by a legion of bees! On the plus side, the holiday celebrations would be top tier, particularly Fourth of July fireworks across the night sky.
As we get closer to Pax South, I’m hoping to see more opportunities for some of our favorite games to reach new audiences, even if some platforms wouldn’t transfer over too well, like fighting games or first person shooters, simply because I’m looking out for your health, fellow gaming citizens! Think of the whiplash!
Tweet me your ideas for games that would be kick ass on the Oculus Rift. If you’ve never tried it, are you open to?
REVIEW | Salt and Sanctuary
PAX South 2019: Splitgate Arena Warfare, World of Horror, JackQuest, and Disjunction
PAX South 2019: Jump Force, Skellboy, A Fold Apart
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