Welcome to your nightmare, will you survive the terror?
Let’s face it you like to be scared, that is why you a reading this article. These games are not measured in points or time, but the number of blankets you hide under at night after you play them. So, turn the lights down low and lock your door because you’re about to visit the world of nightmares.
8. Routine
Release Date: unknown
Studio: Lunar Software
This is not Neil Armstrong’s moon.
Since mankind first looked up to the stars, we’ve dreamed of being on the moon. Routine puts us there, but not how we imagined. You are exploring the moon base that was mysteriously abandoned.
While this title is still in development Lunar software is promising some awesome features that will immerse players into a free roaming moonbase uncovering secrets and untold horrors. The gameplay trailer already creates a satisfyingly creepy atmosphere. Look for this game to be a must experience upon its release.
Blanket rating: 1 (for now, I mean how scary can the moon really be?)
Messy floor, dark room, eerie blue light. Oh boy, I can’t wait!
7. Bioshock
Welcome to Rapture, we hope you enjoy your stay.
Release Date: August 21, 2007
Studio: 2K Games
The second entry on our list is a first person-shooter that gave players a new reason to be afraid of the water. Bioshock puts you face to face with psychotic, mask wearing drug addicts, oversized navy divers wielding drills for hands, and little girls (why is it always creepy little girls?) with the creepiest glowing eyes you’ve ever seen with giant needle guns. All this takes place in the dark and damp underwater city “Rapture”, filled with the echoes of the dying quoting bible verses and calling for your blood.
Not scared yet? I challenge you to play this game without looking over your shoulder.
Blanket Rating: 2 (and now you will consider Jaws a pleasant dream)
Something tells me this guy is practicing without a license.
6. Doom 3
Doom 3 BFG HD, because it didn’t scare you enough the first time.
Release Date: August 3, 2004
Studio: Bethesda
I don’t care who you are, Doom 3 was a seriously freaky game. While it may have relied on the classic “jump out and scare you” technique there is something to be said about crawling through a deserted space station on Mars overrun with Hell’s worst demons, and having to choose between being able to see and being able to shoot. This feature was so intense people came out with mods to duct tape your flash light to your gun.
Doom has some of the most unnerving looking creatures of any game on the market, and I defy you to play this one with the lights off and the doors open. With the release of the BFG edition in full HD you’ll be left wondering if the screams you here were yours or the hell spawn. Let’s see how many potty breaks you take when you have to walk down the lightless hallway to get there.
Blanket Rating: 3 (also throw in a pair of slippers for the walk to the bathroom)
Ok! Do I try to bash this guy with my flashlight, or hope my muzzle blast gives me enough light to see him?
5. F.E.A.R
Release Date: October 18, 2005
Studio: Monolith Productions
That’s it I am never having daughters!
I don’t know what it is about little girls with long black hair, but they are seriously freaky. F.E.A.R puts you in control of a soldier who has about the worst day on the job you can imagine. Alma, a teenage girl used in a science experiment, has escaped her confinement and is using you as her personal target for revenge (talk about being in a bad place at a worse time).
Alma has psychic powers which she uses to throw you into visions of fire, death, and pain. Her image follows you around daring you to turn the next corner. Worst of all there is no way to tell if what you’re seeing is real. Score one for you creepy little girl; get a haircut and leave me alone!
This game is so nerve wracking you will refuse to talk to any girl with long brown hair unless she is surrounded by florescent lights.
Blanket Rating: 4 (though it won’t help you, Alma can get inside your mind).
I don’t want to be a part of the first encounter.
4. Resident Evil Revelations 2
Release Date: February 204, 2015
Studio: Capcom
Resident Evil + Abandoned Penal Colony = Bad news
Resident Evil has been the bane of our sleepless nights for twenty years. The idea of a corporation seeking to control the world by turning people into horrific creatures hits just a little too close to home. Even the subpar installments have us keeping our distance from other people when it is dark outside, and reaching around corners to turn on lights before we enter a room.
“Resident Evil: Revelations 2” brings you back in control of Claire Redfield as we wander an abandoned island penal colony. Every turn brings you closer to the edge of your seat and every sound has you curling closer into the fetal position. Seeking to revive the glory days of the franchise Capcom guarantees you will be jumping…and asking for more.
Blanket Rating: 3 (and you’ll seriously be wondering if you want to open the door for the pizza guy)
A shotgun should do the job…should.
3. Dead Space
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Studio: Visceral Games, EA
This kinda reminds me of my childhood, man I love this song!
Right from the very beginning of the game Dead Space has the hairs on the back of your neck standing up and running for cover. Aboard the USG Ishimura planet cracker Isaac Clarke fights to survive an alien infection that makes zombies look like furry kittens.
Dead Space is loaded with psychotic visions and monsters that make other games’ monsters cry to their monster mommies. If this game doesn’t unnerve you, you seriously need to seek counseling.
Blanket Rating: 5 (and now you’re happy we haven’t perfected space travel yet)
Seriously!? Now I’m a grown man that’s afraid of babies, thanks Dead Space.
2. Silent Hill 2
Release Date: 2002 (PC)
Studio: Konami
Quiet town, lots of fog, what’s the worst that could happen?
Usually horror games come with a degree of separation allowing you to distinguish between the game and real life, not Silent Hill 2. Following a letter from his deceased wife, James Sunderland travels to the worst town in history, Silent Hill. Instead of the peaceful lake town he was expecting, James is greeted with monsters, hallucinations, and fog that seems to be alive.
Playing through Silent Hill 2 will show you fears you never even realized you had; elevators, people crawling on the ground, garbage disposals, and heads shaped like pyramids. The fixed camera angles and amazing sound work make this game feel so real that even your nightmares will be scared.
Blanket Rating: 5 (include the heated blanket to ward away the fog).
Despair is a welcome improvement to the crippling fear in Silent Hill.
1. Outlast
Release Date: 2013
Studio: Red Barrels Studio
An insane asylum deep in the Colorado woods, sounds like a great vacation!
One part Resident Evil, one part Wolfenstein, and the rest is pure insane fear. Outlast gives you the wonderful opportunity to explore an Mount Massive asylum in Colorado armed with everyone’s first weapon of choice, a camera with night vision mode!
Outlast challenges you to maintain your sanity as you figure out the darkest of secrets hidden within the walls of Mount Massive. Oh and in case this one doesn’t fill your scare crave enough check out the DLC “Whistleblower”. Plus, Red Barrels has a sequel in the works!
Blanket Rating: 4 (and lets change our winter vacation from Aspen to somewhere tropical)
Please tell me that’s Bigfoot, cause if not I wanna go home.
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