Best Horror Games Where You Play the Killer

Summary

Play as the killer in select horror games, including Slay the Princess and Dead by Daylight.
BioShock 2 allows players to be the feared Big Daddy rather than combat it.
Carrion provides a unique “reverse-horror” experience where players become the monster.

As a gamer, I often find myself plunged into the chilling world of horror games, assuming the role of an unlucky soul who’s been dropped smack-dab in the heart of a nightmarish predicament. It’s all about using my quick thinking and whatever resources I can scavenge to stay alive, rather than being the relentless terror that stalks others.

In some horror games, things aren’t always what they seem. There are certain games where the usual roles are reversed, giving players the opportunity to take on the role of the villain – the killer. Sometimes, this is already known at the beginning, but in other cases, it’s a surprising revelation towards the end.

Caution Notice: Certain items in this list could potentially reveal significant plot details, even by their mere presence. Proceed at your own risk.

8. The Beast Inside

Certain Endings Lead to a Tragic Murder

A cryptanalyst named Adam, working for the CIA, decides to swap the city’s chaos with his wife Emma, for a secluded, rustic home in the countryside. He envisions this as the perfect setting to solve a challenging military code that could significantly impact the Cold War. However, their peaceful retreat is disrupted when they find an old diary in the attic belonging to Nicholas Hyde, who lived there previously. This discovery dramatically alters Adam and Emma’s lives forever.

The game concludes just as it starts, with Emma bound and under interrogation. In an unexpected twist, it’s Adam doing the questioning. Several endings of the game depict him murdering her, a scenario foreshadowed at the game’s outset. Given his loyalty throughout most of the game, players were taken aback to discover that the initial suspect wasn’t someone they were meant to apprehend, but rather the player character themselves.

7. BioShock 2

Become the Big Daddy

In the initial “BioShock” video game, Big Daddies presented the greatest peril, being significantly more harmful and terrifying than the splicers. Players often encountered difficulty when confronting these towering figures in dive suits, who could effortlessly eliminate an ill-prepared player. Even those confident they were well-equipped would likely exhaust their resources, including their nerve.

Next came the follow-up, where players stepped into the role of one of these terrifying killers, tearing apart those who dared approach their Little Sister. It was refreshing to experience the gameplay as one of these creatures instead of a helpless and unlucky human trapped in Rapture.

6. Slay the Princess

The Player is Tasked With Her Assassination

This hand-drawn horror game, titled “Slay the Princess,” initially presents a straightforward scenario: venture into the forest cabin, locate the princess imprisoned in the cellar, and carry out her execution. If she manages to escape, catastrophic consequences may ensue for the world. Despite offering various choices to shape the outcome, the game’s title serves as a hint of its grim objective.

By navigating certain stages within the game, players could discover hidden aspects regarding the princess’s situation – such as why she’s feared and locked away, and why the player is compelled to eliminate her. It transpires that the princess might be more menacing than her outward image implies, and the player, though acting as a killer, may actually be saving lives for the greater good.

5. Carrion

Kill All Humans Who Stand in the Way

In a chilling game reminiscent of “The Thing,” an abominable creature has escaped its confinement. Typically, horror games would place you as either a scientist or armed guard, instructing you to eliminate or capture this monstrous entity. However, Carrion flips the script by casting you as the very creature itself, navigating your way through the facility in an attempt to flee.

In Carrion, players will find themselves on the opposite side of typical horror games, as they grow increasingly powerful and must overcome obstacles by eliminating any humans in their path. Skills like the ability to dash through barriers and expand in size are developed along the way. This unique “reverse-horror” experience is perfect for those who have grown weary of assuming the role of the survivor, offering a refreshing take on horror gaming.

4. Dead by Daylight

Players Choose Between the Role of Survivor or Killer

In the long-lasting, action-packed multiplayer horror game known as “Dead by Daylight“, four players assume the role of survivors who must outwit a single, powerful killer in a deadly trial. The goal for the survivors is to evade capture, accomplish objectives, and ultimately escape unscathed. Meanwhile, the killer’s mission is to catch the survivors and either hook them to be sacrificed to an entity or use a unique “mori” to slay them in a clever fashion.

On either side of this game, there’s an obvious contrast in play styles, and the array of unique killers adds to this diversity. This is one of the key attractions of playing. Moreover, players can engage with legendary horror figures like Michael Myers from the Halloween series, Ghostface from Scream, and even Springtrap from Five Nights at Freddy’s.

3. Visage

A Tragic Cycle of Death

One example of rephrasing the given text could be: Visage is one of many independent horror games that were inspired by the extremely successful but ultimately tragic game PT. In this dark and somber title, players take on the role of Dwayne Anderson, who tragically committed suicide before the story begins. Upon waking up in his house, surrounded by grisly reminders of his actions, he quickly starts looking for a means to escape.

It’s not as straightforward as just strolling to the front door and entering, as bizarre occurrences start taking place, with players encountering the grim ends that previous residents experienced within this house, each having their own chilling tales associated with them. Whether these events serve as a passageway to the afterlife or a personal inferno for him is open to interpretation.

2. Manhunt

Its Violent Content Led It to Be Banned in Several Countries

In the imaginary city of Carcer City, death row prisoner James Earl Cash is scheduled for execution by lethal injection. However, instead of poison, the syringe contained a tranquilizer, as a person called the Director had different intentions for Cash – to grant him liberty, but only if he agrees to perform certain tasks.

As a gamer, I find myself executing the Director’s targets ruthlessly, with no room for compromise or mercy. I’m tasked with eliminating the gangs in such a brutal manner that several countries have outlawed this game. Yet, somehow, those who’ve managed to secure a copy are immersed in an unforgiving horror experience that leaves no room for sugarcoating. The grim comfort lies in knowing I’m not snuffing out the lives of the innocent; at least, not directly.

1. Silent Hill 2

The Tragic Finale Reveals the Truth

James Sunderland is recalled to the once cherished holiday spot he shared with Mary: Silent Hill. Despite Mary reportedly passing away from an illness three years prior, he receives a message from her urging him back to their special location. Although he acknowledges it’s implausible, he returns nonetheless, embarking on a quest to find her within this town that has transformed into a haunting landscape teeming with monsters instead of people.

Throughout the entire game, players trust what James shared about Mary’s demise. However, a videotape uncovered near the game’s end discloses the genuine story behind her death – that James took her life with his bare hands. He had concealed this fact all along, suppressing both his guilt and sorrow until the players witness the truth, which became one of the most startling twists in horror gaming history.

2025-07-30 07:05