Finally, scary is trending, and horror is the hit genre. It’s time to dive into bone-chilling stories, watch hair-raising movies and play nerve-racking games.
Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to horror, especially about whether books, movies or games incite more terror. Personally, I think games sell the horror genre most effectively. Reading a scary book or watching a scary movie makes you feel as if you are a bystander witnessing these events. Scary games, however, set you in the world with a certain connection that causes you to actually feel like it is you in danger.
What better way to get spooked than immerse yourself inside a well-produced, spooktastic game that will keep you up all night? The following are a few horror titles that have earned their spot in horror lovers’ memories.
“Outlast” is a great horror game for beginners. It drops you in an insane asylum where you have no choice but to unravel the mystery around you. You must hide in your surroundings, which comes in handy knowing that hiding is your only form of defense. Imagine yourself in a life-or-death version of hide-and-seek.
“Amnesia: the Dark Descent” is another horror game that sets the bar high. Similar to “Outlast,” you have no way to defend yourself, which will force you to run and hide from the “friends” you make. As a bonus, this game uses sanity as a form of health. The more your sanity is drained, the more you hallucinate and hear monsters that are not there.
“Soma” is a newer game, so there’s a chance some horror fans haven’t gotten a chance to see or play it. The same creators who brought us “Amnesia,” have developed it so horror fans have high expectations. You wake up in an underwater facility immediately after a brain scan. Confused yet curious, you can explore your hostile surroundings cautiously. “Soma” delivers a powerful story full of choices and excellent, atmospheric sounds.
Since the movie “Alien” was a success, there have been a couple games released over the years featuring the alien world. “Alien: Isolation,” which was released last year, brings players on a spaceship crawling with xenomorph aliens. The game allows players to defend themselves with a few tools, or you can wait for them to grab you from a vent above.
How about a horror game that gets crazier as you play? “The Evil Within” is definitely one of the most haunting horror games. This game will scare you with horrifying creatures in insanely twisted environments. The game feels like one never-ending nightmare, where you can’t help but feel alone and confused. You won’t be walking away from this one easily.
“Dead Space” is a little older, however, it does deliver a powerful, third-person horror experience. You play as an engineer who was sent on a routine repair mission. The situation immediately takes a turn for the worse as you realize this has become a survival mission. Being alone in space is one thing, but being alone in space with alien-zombie monsters is what “Dead Space” is all about. The game is known for its variety of scare tactics that are sure to get a reaction every time.
Finally, there’s the “Bioshock” series. Dive into the underwater city of Rapture, where tough decisions, genetic enhancements and jump scares await you. Use any combination of guns, melee weapons, superhuman abilities and the environment to make combat extraordinary. I strongly recommend starting with the first one.
There are many other horror titles I haven’t included that are worth playing, such as “Bloodborne” and “Killing Floor 2.” If you’ve never played horror games, then I definitely urge you to challenge yourself in the spirit of the holidays.
