5 Best Anthology Horror Game Series, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Corpse Party: Book of Shadows offers an anthology of tales across timelines, serving as a prequel and sequel.
The Dark Pictures Anthology provides deep-space horror with survivors facing alien threats.
Stories Untold presents an anthology based on puzzles and adventure with a mind-blowing ending.

As someone who has spent countless hours navigating through dark corridors and creepy mansions, I can confidently say that the anthology of horror games is one of my favorite genres. Each title offers a unique blend of fear, suspense, and mystery that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

The horror genre is highly favored by many gamers due to its ability to deliver thrilling, heart-pounding narratives and chilling moments that trigger an adrenaline rush. Additionally, the variety within this genre is vast, ranging from solitary games designed to exploit fear of the unknown, to widely acclaimed franchises. There’s always a fresh experience to be had in the world of horror gaming.

In most horror series, titles often share links through recurring characters, locations, or stories. However, some games in the genre offer standalone narratives with no connection to one another. Here are some highly-regarded anthology horror game series, listed in order of quality.

5 Corpse Party: Book Of Shadows

A Scary Series Of Tales In Various Timelines

Platform(s): PC, PSP, PS Vita, iOS
Released: September 1st, 2011
Developer(s): Team GrisGris, 5pb, MAGES
Genre(s): Adventure game, Adventure
Eight different timelines
An anthology that acts as a prequel and sequel

Corpse Party: Book of Shadows is a game that stands out due to its design, storyline, and overall concept. It offers players an anthology experience, functioning not only as a sequel but also a prequel, and even presenting an alternate universe narrative compared to other Corpse Party games.

This game is structured around eight distinct segments – Encounter, Purgatory, and Shangri-La among others. It explores multiple timeframes, enhancing the gameplay by introducing an element of intrigue and making it all the more captivating.

In theory, “Corpse Party: Book of Shadows” might not meet the criteria for being classified as a horror anthology game due to its structure. However, since it indeed contains various short horror stories, it remains a valid choice. Though not universally acclaimed like other games on the list, it delivers an engaging experience for those who appreciate horror games.

4 The Dark Pictures Anthology

Something Lurks In The Shadows Of The Galaxy

Survivors of a crashed ship must face an unknown alien threat
Amazing anthology covering deep-space horror

Since the release of the “Alien” movie in 1979, stories featuring mysterious alien predators attacking stranded travelers in outer space have gained significant popularity. This is precisely why “The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020” stands out as an exceptional addition to this subgenre.

Upon the unforeseen collision of spacecraft Cassiopeia onto Tau Ceti f, a secretively malevolent entity lurking in the shadows will pose an unknown danger to the crew members aboard. The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020, with its chilling deep-space terror, also delivers an engaging anthology narrative that seamlessly integrates with the game’s central theme.

3 Layers Of Fear

A Painter’s Quest To Finish His Best Work Yet

Wonderful color palette and grim setting that works amazingly well with the game’s concept
Six different chapters to explore and complete

Regarding top-tier psychological horror games outside the AAA category, Layers of Fear stands as one of the finest ever produced. Players find themselves stepping into the footsteps of a tormented artist on a mission to finish his ultimate masterpiece, navigating a chilling Victorian-era mansion that gradually unveils its dark past. Offering an immersive first-person perspective and primarily focusing on problem-solving and exploration, Layers of Fear promises hours of captivating gameplay.

1 Title Structure: The title is organized into six primary sections, where players will search for assorted items to ultimately recreate the artist’s masterpiece. The game environment is somber, ominous, and foreboding, providing a fitting backdrop that heightens its theme and offers an unforgettable, heart-pounding adventure.

2 Amnesia

A Series That Has Given Players Nightmares For Years

The Amnesia series is known for spine-chilling moments and hideous monsters
Amnesia: The Bunker is arguably the title with the fewest connections to other games in the series

For this specific article, we’ll zero in on “Amnesia: The Bunker,” a game from the expansive “Amnesia” series that, it could be said, has a less direct connection with the other titles.

The Bunker” set during World War 1 or 2 can be a harrowing experience due to their historical darkness. In this game, players control a French soldier named Henri Clément who is pursued by a creature known as “The Beast”. His mission is to survive and escape the bunker while conserving light and collecting ammo for self-defense against this otherworldly danger.

In the game titled Amnesia: The Bunker, although it may not be as large in its genre compared to others, it’s packed with details that players might easily overlook while trying to evade the terrifying Beast. While some gamers suggest that certain aspects of Amnesia: The Bunker could potentially link to other titles within the Amnesia series, this is often a contentious issue and generally lacks substantial evidence. For those seeking an intense and chilling experience as they navigate through a haunting bunker inhabited by an unidentified supernatural entity, Amnesia: The Bunker should be their top choice.

1 Stories Untold

A Game That Perfectly Combines Horror, Puzzles, And Adventure

Four episodes for players to enjoy
Mind-blowing ending that connects many dots

Tales Unveiled is a collection of tales centered around mysteries and exploration, consisting of four distinct chapters. Each chapter presents its unique narrative thread. For those who embark on this journey, they will uncover an astounding revelation at the game’s climax that will undoubtedly catch them off guard. It is advised for players yet to finish the game to halt their reading here, as there are spoilers lurking beyond this point.

Initially, it might seem like each of the first three parts in this game are unrelated and can be played independently. But, when players advance to the fourth and concluding episode, they’ll find that all segments are interconnected. So, even though the game itself isn’t an anthology, it feels like one until you reach the end of the game, making it a worthy addition to the list.

2024-11-29 08:14