With the anticipated release of several new horror video game titles in 2022, it is becoming increasingly clear that one particular element has always been the heart of the genre: stories. Good lore may compel players who are familiar with simpler, narrative-heavy games to give horror a try, be it the most recent title or one of the classics.
Nevertheless, even within the genre, there is a range of intensity. Some games come with open worlds and higher stakes, while some guide their players every step of the way. Regardless, each caters to a different set of preferences for those who are eager to start somewhere.
Nerve-Racking
Among The Sleep (Mild)
Created by Krillbite Studio, Among The Sleep follows a toddler as he explores his surroundings through an innocent and fantastical lens. The game mechanics are simple enough, and players have a stuffed toy that guides them throughout. The game’s main appeal is the dissonance between the gorgeous, magical visuals and its dark themes which, as the story progresses, build up to a shocking video game ending.
The elements of survival horror might not be as intense as some of the big titles out there, but keep in mind that the only playable character is a toddler who can either crawl or teeter while the monsters roam the night, hunting and searching.
Detention (Moderate)
While nothing much can go wrong if the player’s movements are restricted by a fixed narrative, developers at Red Candle Games managed to find other ways to stress players out. The game’s movie and TV adaptation have merits of their own, but neither can replicate the hyper-surreal aesthetic and the creepy marionette-like motions of the characters.
Apart from the eerie atmosphere, the dread of being trapped in an abandoned school building, and the grim subjects, players also get to be chased down by or play stealth with ghosts in the dark hallways, which is nothing but anxiety-inducing.
Little Nightmares 1 & 2 (Moderate)
Some players might argue that this franchise should be ranked next to Among The Sleep. After all, both titles involve child protagonists who hide or run away from gigantic monsters, or in the case of the Little Nightmares series, villainous adults.
But Tarsier Studio’s titles feature puzzle-platform mechanics, which can be tricky for players who are more familiar with first-person or 2D games. The pacing is quick and tense, sometimes offering little to no time for breathers. On top of that, the “monsters” are a special brand of twisted. It will take some god-tier zen-like energy to not break into a cold sweat throughout this game.
We Happy Few (Severe)
When Compulsion Games released an action survival horror video game in 2016, it turned out to be one of the most unsettling and bizarre titles, spanning multiple genres. Its dystopian premise put a satirical spin on social order in a world where being happy is a civic obligation and its stunning, psychedelic visual and jaunty music add to the charm.
All these things paint a nightmarish landscape when things take an awful turn. Players almost have to be constantly on the move and keep an eye on their health status while being attacked and hunted by strangers and police officers.
Pathologic 1 & 2 (Severe)
The story of Pathologic begins as the players end up in a small town that has fallen prey to a strange plague. Their objective is to complete their quests and stay alive within 12 in-game days, while the odds are stacked against them. Even in this virtual world, no one is immune to what can kill.
The first installment of the franchise, developed by Ice-Pick Lodge, came out more than a decade before the second one. The reviews for both games are mixed, mostly because they are extremely challenging. Its grim realism makes critics and fans alike wonder if video games are supposed to cause misery, but it is also one of the highlights of this tense, unnerving masterpiece.
Relatively Chill
Year Walk
Its developer, Simogo took inspiration from an ancient Swedish ritual of the same name. First released as a mobile game and later reworked and released via Steam, the game features two woven-together timelines, folklore, and interesting puzzles. Despite the spooky undertone and occasional jump scares, it remains a relaxing game and is pleasing to the senses.
One thing in which Year Walk excels is its element of cosmic horror. Gently and kindly, it takes the players on a beautiful trip through the snowy woods and leaves them in the cold, haunted by what they have learned.
Fran Bow
Placing Killmonday’s first and most popular horror title in the “relatively chill” category might seem like a mistake. But compared to survival horror or other point-and-click games in the genre, Fran Bow has a whiff of child-like wonder, and the main character is an absolute delight.
The aesthetic is a strange combination of wondrous naivety and macabre, with lots of gore. Yet all these elements fit together perfectly. The game follows a strict narrative structure. Players move on from one chapter to another and the mini-games in between can be skipped, as failing them is of little to no consequence.
The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter
Red leaves murmur in the wind and a dark secret resides in the depth of a scenic valley. Created and published by The Astronauts, this first-person game takes place in an open world.
Players have to roam the seemingly-idyllic setting, collect clues, and find out what happened to the Carter family. If they can see past the confusion and lack of direction, the game is enjoyable. Though there are puzzles that allow no room for failure, they are largely balanced out by the soothing atmosphere and slow pace.
Sara Is Missing
In 2016, Kaigan Games released its first horror game, kicking off its Simulacra franchise. It fits comfortably into the lost phone genre, in which players are expected to interact with a missing girl’s phone and her AI assistant in order to track her down. It is perfect for those who wish to try out a found-footage-style horror game but don’t have much time to spare.
The phone interface is realistic, and so are the videos, photos, and messages from the characters, lending the experience a sense of voyeuristic guilt. There are some small jump scares and details that add to the creepiness. However, the game should come with warnings, for the flashing and flickering screen is a potential health hazard for some.
The Medium
Every player who has tried out Bloober’s most recent release would agree that it is a plot-heavy game that focuses on telling a story more than anything else. One of its unique features is its split-screen which presents both the spirit world and the mortal realm at the same time as the protagonist, a spirit medium, unearths the truth behind a massacre.
In spite of the disturbing visuals and harrowing lore, they likely won’t cause nightmares or traumatize players so much that they refuse to go to the toilet at night. The stealth sections are somewhat easy and its cut scenes are a cinematic feast. But before anyone gets to it, they should be warned of the sensitive subject matter addressed in the game.
