Horror is arguably one of the most popular genres in all of gaming, as it has helped define the industry itself. This could be attributed to a number of factors, but one of the most important is the sheer freedom of creativity the medium offers. There isn’t one formula for horror titles to follow, as they transcend a variety of popular archetypes such as RPGs, first-person shooters, and even turn-based strategy games. Though one has to wonder, with so many different types of horror games, which ones are the best in each genre? While some video games such as Resident Evil 2 helped define the survival-action genre, there could be an argument to be made that other games have perfected it better. However, it’s important to recognize that both the medium and culture around horror games has changed over the years. What was scary in the 90s can be seen as laughably silly today.
So, when deciding our list we factored in the time period that these titles released in and how much of an impact they had. We are looking for games that don’t just offer terrifying moments but build upon the foundations of each archetype in new and exciting ways. They have to not only feel like that specific type of game but have rock solid controls and nearly perfected gameplay. It’s also important to understand a lot of games will fall under similar genres, so not every great horror game may make it onto this list. That being said, these are the horror games that perfected each genre.
 Role-Playing Game
Bloodborne
Starting out with a newer title, Bloodborne is as much a horror game as it is an RPG. There is an uneasy feeling when you first step out onto the streets of Yharnam, as if a feeling of dread has washed over the entire world. While the game is full of monsters that jump out of the shadows, it’s the masterful way that Bloodborne plays with your mind and expectations. Â Luring you into false senses of security, only to have an abnormal beast rip it away from you in a bloody display. The constant cycle of inching your way forward after each new death both instills a sense of pure victory and foreboding horror as you gaze into a brand new empty room.
However, Bloodborne is also an extremely well made RPG, with multiple builds and hidden quests to accomplish. Combat is precise and the concept of trick weapons always keeps the combat fresh and unique. There’s also a treasure trove of secret bosses, areas, and hidden items to discover along your macabre journey. Bloodborne is a defining game in the horror RPG archetype and is one of the best titles From Software has ever produced.
First Person Shooter
Condemned: Criminal Origins
There haven’t been a plethora of horror based action games, as the addition of guns and explosions usually kills any sense of tension being built up. However, Condemned: Criminal Origins switches up the formula, forcing most of the combat to be far more up close and personal. Melee fighting is encouraged, so the enemies are either right up in your face or scuttling around in the shadows behind you.
What makes Condemned a bit different is that most of your enemies in this game are actually human, adding a more gritty and brutal feeling to the combat. Sure, there are supernatural elements, but the game makes great use of balancing between traditional horror and more crime based elements. It also helps that the combat is incredibly refreshing and responsive, making every engagement a tense affair.
Strategy Game
Darkest Dungeon
The strategy genre is probably one that you wouldn’t think is able to produce a solid horror game, yet Red Hook Studios has certainly pulled it off. Darkest Dungeon forgoes traditional jump scares for the tense, unsettling nature of Lovecraftian horror. This turned-based game sees a group of adventures battle with a wide variety of horrific creatures that are really only interested in eating you alive. That is, if your characters aren’t driven to the brink of madness along the way. See, Red Hook Studios didn’t just make each battle based around a rock, paper, scissor mechanic but balancing the well-being of each fighter. Each one can slip into madness, gain a variety of psychological disorders, and are permanently killed if they die in combat.
This raises the stakes and creates truly harrowing situations where you dread entering the next room in a dungeon. For added effect, name all of your heroes after friends and family, because why not put your loved ones in harm’s way?
Action-Adventure
Silent Hill 2
Debatably the greatest horror game ever made, Silent Hill 2 is a perfect blend of combat, survival, and exploration. The story is twisted and warped, playing with the minds of both main protagonist James Sunderland and the player. Looking back on it today, Silent Hill 2 may not seem like a terrifying title, but it defined the genre in 2001. Having monsters rush out of the fog at you and being constantly stalked by Pyramid Head was a rush that few games today still can’t replicate.
It also had some truly inventive puzzles that helped break apart the combat and more action focused moments. Silent Hill 2 also has one of the most complex and interesting stories ever put into a horror game that to this day it feels like a crime to spoil the ending. If you haven’t played this game before, do yourself a favor and give it a shot.
Survival
Don’t Starve
Now when we say “survival”, we mean a game that forces the player to eat, drink, or maintain a standard of living to keep their character alive. Many games can be considered “survival horror,” but we are looking at this in a more literal sense. While games like The Forest do offer some great moments, Don’t Starve is a survival game that is both challenging and horrific. Much like Darkest Dungeon, the real fear comes from the perma-death mechanic that will cost you all of your hard work after one wrong choice. Thanks to a deep crafting system and beautiful art direction, Don’t Starve is instantly recognizable. Just make sure to bring a lot of torches with you, the last thing you want to do is be alone in the dark.
Action
Dead Space
One of the earliest  games released on the last generation of consoles, Dead Space balances the mold between action and horror masterfully. Encounters are tense, but the unique dismembering mechanic adds new flavor to the battles. Every type of necromorph is extremely deadly, forcing you to quickly adapt to ever-changing battles. There is also a fantastic variety of different weapons to choose from along with the stasis ability which slows down time immensely.
Dead Space also has fantastic sound and level design, especially since the necromorphs can literally appear out of any air vent or misplaced ceiling tile. It helps instill a panic and distrust in the player as they question every slightly skewed opening throughout this derelict space ship. The story is also very well paced, giving you small windows to catch your breath until the next twisted abomination jumps out at you.
Walking Simulator
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Okay, so it’s more of a run and hide simulator, but the first Amnesia is one of the best examples of this genre. While games like Outlast went for a more frantic, hell on wheels approach; Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a horror game that builds suspense from the word go. You could be wandering for hours until you run into your first real threat, which only helps to highlight the game’s underlying theme of paranoia. Amnesia does a great job at psychologically torturing the player to the point where they are always checking over their shoulder.
You can’t fight back, so your best bet is to just hide in a dark corner, praying that the warped cenobite doesn’t find you. Â There are also some fun puzzles, but the real treat is exploring the Victorian castle and slowly putting the main story’s pieces together. Just make sure to not hide in the dark for too long, who knows what kind of damage it can do your mind.
Educational
Typing of the Dead
Sure, this isn’t the scariest game ever made, but you try learning how to type when a horde of zombies are barreling down at you. Based off of the widely popular arcade shooter House of the Dead 2, Typing of the Dead replaces all of the guns with, what else? Keyboards. Okay, so there isn’t a ton of horror based educational games, but this one is surprisingly well crafted. The game is challenging, but never feels overly difficult, and the addition of zombies always made it far more entertaining than it should be. If you love video games and really want to get better at typing, this isn’t your worst choice for educational software. Plus it’s on Steam, which is always a plus.
While there are surely other amazing horror games out there, these are the titles that helped define their respective genres. Whether through gameplay, story telling, or just building upon previously established mechanics, all of these games are horror staples. Now all we need is an undead based driving game and then they can truly dominate every genre. After all, what game isn’t better with the addition of zombies?
Published: Jun 28, 2016 10:30 am