10 Highly Reviewed Horror Games That Are Overrated

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Subjectivity in horror makes it challenging to evaluate and reach consensus, as what may scare one person might not faze another at all. For instance, something that sends shivers down your spine could be just a casual stroll for someone else, while the opposite could also hold true.

In essence, there are horror video games that rise above the consensus and tower in their genre, as evidenced by their OpenCritic scores showing how cherished they are. However, it’s worth noting that some of these towering horror game titans might be overrated. For this compilation, I will restrict my selection to games scoring 75 or higher.

It’s worth noting that if I find a game to be overrated, it doesn’t necessarily make it a poor game. People continue to love these games for valid reasons, and there’s nothing wrong with appreciating and engaging with them.

It just so happens that some of these games get a little too much attention.

10.
Visage

Opencritic Score: 78

Despite my personal opinion that Visage merits greater appreciation, many horror enthusiasts tend to differ in this viewpoint. Their rationale is rather straightforward: they feel that Visage doesn’t even come close to matching the excellence of P.T., the tragically short-lived Silent Hill project.

Many people who found enjoyment in the game admit that its inventory system is incredibly aggravating and difficult to navigate, often ruining the overall gaming experience. Despite the genuine fear the game instills, its gameplay mechanics have driven some players away from finishing the story.

Furthermore, much of the gameplay in Visage is rather obscure, which enhances the eerie atmosphere, but unlike P.T., Visage isn’t just a demonstration – it’s a complete game. As such, there ought to be a bit more transparency regarding the objectives.

The nickname “P.T.-Copycat” stuck, and let’s be clear about it: P.T. excelled at what they did, surpassing others in their field.

9.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Opencritic Score: 77

When Amnesia: The Dark Descent was released, it significantly transformed the independent gaming world, inspiring fresh takes on traditional scary themes. Regrettably, things soon got out of hand.

The game of Amnesia swiftly gained popularity and flooded the horror genre market with imitations, sequels, and remakes. Additionally, it rapidly garnered a cult following among the let’s-play community, as it seemed every YouTuber wanted to give it a try.

Instead of becoming excessively popular and dominating the entire horror genre, it unfortunately overreached and is now on its way to becoming a forgotten trend, a footnote in gaming history.

Each subsequent installment seemed to be almost identical to the original game, lacking any novelty in terms of game mechanics or visuals – while they were skillfully made, they ultimately felt repetitive and tiresome.

8.
Alan Wake Remastered

Opencritic Score: 80

Rarely does a sequel make its predecessor redundant, especially when it’s enhanced with superior quality. Yet, Alan Wake II has surpassed the original Alan Wake in every aspect imaginable, making the remastered version of Alan Wake feel more like a trip down memory lane than an essential playthrough.

The game Alan Wake Remastered made its debut on PlayStation, having been exclusive to Xbox for all those years, yet the timing seemed less than ideal. In truth, it’s barely two years later and the release of Alan Wake II has diminished the remaster’s value as a collectible item, much like how a thermos might lose its utility when a newer model arrives.

It primarily functioned as a tasty prelude, keeping players engaged until the sequel dropped; it was enjoyable, yet not the full meal. Additionally, upon closer comparison, many aspects such as mechanics, story depth, and overall game quality seemed less substantial in this version compared to its subsequent one.

Initially, it was quite enjoyable, yet upon comparison with its successor, it turned out that it didn’t have much more to offer in terms of depth or quality.

7.
The Last of Us Part II

Opencritic Score: 93

Sometimes, it’s more satisfying to let a tale conclude on its own, as seen with the masterpiece, The Last of Us.

In the first game, every aspect was thoughtfully crafted, creating a true work of art. Its conclusion hinted at a sequel, yet I believe it could have remained unresolved. Sadly, The Last of Us Part II lost the emotional depth for which it was so admired, leaving a heartbreaking impact.

Currently, there’s a wide array of feedback for The Last of Us Part II, covering aspects like gameplay mechanics, characters, plot progression, and most notably, the narrative which seems to have been hastily concluded. It appears as though the acclaim for The Last of Us may have inflated Neil Druckmann’s ego, causing him to resemble M. Night Shyamalan in the world of gaming with the unveiling of the sequel.

Instead of attempting to surpass the original game, adding unwarranted shocks, and addressing various complaints, The Last of Us Part II clearly demonstrates that certain narratives should remain untouched, regardless of our desire for more.

6.
Resident Evil 2 Remake

Opencritic Score: 92

In the original Resident Evil 2, it raised the bar for survival horror genre, providing an engaging gameplay that encouraged multiple playthroughs. You could choose between two characters, Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, and there were two distinct modes (A or B) to explore. Every playthrough offered a unique experience.

In essence, character Mr. X, a ruthless figure, is introduced in Side B of the game. He follows the player relentlessly throughout the game’s progression. Typically, players initially control Leon A and then switch to Claire B later on. This sequence often delays their first encounter with Mr. X until their second playthrough, anticipating another confrontation with William Birkin. However, they are instead surprised by a fresh and equally frightening experience.

In the Resident Evil 2 Remake, Mr. X is consistently present for both characters on both sides of the scenario, and this disrupts the flow of events. Over time, it diminishes the horror element because instead of being scared, players grow increasingly annoyed as they listen to him stomping through RPD.

Absolutely, his AI shines brighter in the remake, but it doesn’t necessitate his presence throughout each gameplay session. Contrarily, if they had restricted him to the B-side, as originally designed, he would have been more chilling.

5.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit

Opencritic Score: 84

Initially, I found the first Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) game surprisingly enjoyable despite initial impressions. If you weren’t part of the horror gaming scene when it was released, you might not understand the significant impact it had, much like a large stone thrown into a pond causing ripples that spread outwards throughout the community.

Initially, it skyrocketed to fame almost overnight, and since then, its unyielding hold on the media world has been like an iron fist. Now, with numerous games, literature, and films following in its footsteps, the horror mascot’s franchise has lost some of its initial charm due to overexposure. Even though FNAF: Into the Pit was another hit, by now, I find myself growing weary of that pesky bear.

I recall enthusiastically viewing the FNAF2 trailer on my iPod, brimming with excitement over what it promised – however, now I’m not so sure that Scott Cawthon has a clear direction for the story. The game “Into the Pit” seems like just another restart in the narrative.

Over time, the continuous release of unneeded Five Nights at Freddy’s sequels led to audience fatigue, as they grew tired of frequent appearances of the franchise. Moreover, it wasn’t just a case of prolonged waiting between game launches – new installments were being published frequently, across various formats.

For more than a decade now, FNAF hasn’t shown any signs of fading or slowing, but many of us long for the day it might. The unsettling aspect of this series is that we’re looking at potentially five full decades of Freddy’s presence.

4.
Little Nightmares II

Opencritic Score: 82

The inaugural Little Nightmares game was nothing short of an artistic masterpiece, captivating from start to finish. It’s unlike anything else, with its haunting atmosphere, grim undertones, and a self-contained spirit. I strongly feel that sometimes, less is more when it comes to storytelling, and Little Nightmares II follows suit in this regard.

In the second installment of Little Nightmares, the narrative and universe grow more extensive, shedding light on each character’s background and the overall meaning. However, I found it unnecessary for their stories to be elaborated upon. Some mysteries are best left unsolved, and I would have preferred that the characters’ backstories remained shrouded in mystery.

Despite its initial performance, the subsequent installment surpassed expectations significantly, eclipsing the original game. Regrettably, this pattern is often seen in horror series, where the first games tend to be overlooked despite their quality. In truth, the first game is a hidden treasure worth appreciating.

The games are designed to create an experience that feels like living through a child’s most terrifying nightmares. With the addition of the sequel, players find themselves questioning whether the child in the game might be suffering from persistent trauma rather than temporary nightmares.

3.
Alien: Isolation

Opencritic Score: 81

Let me make it clear that I’m a big fan of the game Alien: Isolation, and for good reason. This game has significantly transformed enemy A.I., creating one of the scariest alien encounters ever, capable of sending chills down your spine right from your living room.

To put it simply, I found myself growing weary of the gameplay remarkably swiftly due to its repetitive nature, given that the Xenomorph character seems to grasp concepts at an alarming pace. Consequently, the core gameplay loop boils down primarily to Run-and-Hide, leaving little room for variety. Moreover, the game fails to provide any respite from this constant tension, which can escalate rather rapidly into a frustrating experience.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the balance of this game seems skewed, leaning heavily towards being difficult, bordering on unfair given the frequency of your character’s deaths. Frankly, even the Souls series might feel a bit envious.

This game is ideal for those who find intelligent AI truly chilling; it’s an experience I wholeheartedly endorse. But if you’re a player who gets frustrated easily with repeated gameplay sequences, you might want to give it a pass.

2.
Outlast

Opencritic Score: 77

I found Outlast quite unsettling, and I must warn you, it’s a brief game that may not appeal to all players, particularly those with a sensitive stomach. The horror escalates significantly as you delve deeper into the creepy Mount Massive Asylum, becoming increasingly grotesque.

This game was released during the peak of Amnesia’s popularity, imitating its mechanics almost exactly, but using a video camera instead of a lantern. Consequently, it felt like an imitation, making it even more disappointing for those who weren’t fond of Amnesia in the first place.

Upon its release, the sequel seemed less like a continuation of the story and more a platform for creators to explore the most extreme and gruesome possibilities. While such elements can certainly fit within the horror genre, I personally prefer not to view them as integral aspects of horror itself.

Additionally, considering it as an intense game of hide and seek can make it amusing instead of escaping from real danger. Personally, I find running and hiding as a gameplay tactic to be rather simplistic in horror games, particularly when it’s the main focus, but that’s my opinion.

1.
Until Dawn

Opencritic Score: 79

Despite its widespread acclaim, Until Dawn doesn’t quite live up to the hype as a groundbreaking horror game. It lacks both greatness and genuine fright, making it seem more like an ordinary addition to the genre. However, the “Don’t Move” mechanic does manage to create some authentic tension. Unfortunately, the rest of the game is so overly dramatic that it’s hard to take it seriously.

It seems as though playing Until Dawn is like being in a cheesy slasher film set in a cabin in the woods, complete with all the familiar cliches and elements that teenagers use for their drinking games. I appreciate the camp aspect in horror, it’s an integral part of the genre, but Until Dawn tries too hard to be serious while still retaining its campy nature.

The characters thankfully possess a good level of complexity, with your decisions shaping the game significantly, yet there’s an abundance of humor that seems unintentional. Instead of worrying about their well-being, I find myself eagerly anticipating the absurd events that will inevitably unfold as they concoct their next harebrained scheme.

Until Dawn is the epitome of an overrated horror game, and I will die on this hill.

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2025-04-30 19:41