Horror Games Worth Playing Just For Monster Designs

Highlights

Horror games offer the thrill of the unknown in dark, infinite corridors, making the experience unforgettable.
Designing monsters in horror games must strike the balance between terrifying and goofy to be effective.
Games like The Evil Within, Silent Hill 2, SOMA, Dead Space, and Bloodborne offer unique and spine-chilling monster designs.

As a seasoned gamer and horror enthusiast who’s spent countless nights huddled under blankets while playing these terrifying titles, I can wholeheartedly say that each of these games has left an indelible mark on my heart… or perhaps my nightmares!

Horror games, it seems, are widely cherished among gamers worldwide. The allure lies in venturing into a perpetual, pitch-black passage with an enigma hidden at its end. It’s the suspense and adrenaline rush of the unknown that captivates players, but when additional features are top-notch, the gaming experience becomes truly unforgettable.

Designing enemies for a horror game can be a bit tricky, as there’s a very thin line between creating a monster to haunt players’ nightmares and a shapeless creature with too much going on or that ends up looking goofy rather than terrifying. Luckily, many studios over the years have managed to hit the nail on the head, giving life to some of the most spine-chilling monsters in gaming history. Here are horror games worth playing just for their monster designs.

5 The Evil Within

Large Creature Variety

Grim world design that will keep players on their toes
Excellent creature design

Upon reaching a grisly hospital crime scene, Detective Sebastian Castellanos and his associates discover only one living individual. Examining surveillance footage later, Castellanos identifies the victims as having been brutally slain by an enigmatic, hooded assailant who subsequently assaults both Castellanos and his comrades.

As a gamer, I find myself running for my life, dodging perils in decrepit structures, ominous woods, and other oppressively dark and enclosed locales, all while trying to break free from the horrifying nightmare I’ve found myself in. The game creators have really outdone themselves with monstrosities like The Keeper, Laura, Shigyo, and Amalgam Alpha – these terrifying entities are sure to fill my dreams with dread for weeks to come. That alone makes playing The Evil Within an exhilarating, spine-tingling experience that I can’t resist.

4 Silent Hill 2

Unique Creature Design In A Grim Setting

Unnerving boss and creature designs that complement the game’s ambiance
Anxiety-inducing survival game mechanics

Silent Hill is probably among the top 5 most successful horror franchises in the world. This is not only admirable because of how big an accomplishment that is, but also because it retains the title despite some major hiccups, like the 2006 movie, along the way. Silent Hill 2 follows the story of James Sunderland as he makes his way through the cursed town of Silent Hill in search of his dead wife.

One noteworthy feature of this game is that it lacks a heads-up display (HUD) unless players choose to pause, and the maps James navigates through require sufficient light or the use of his flashlight for readability. This design choice heightens the horror experience by making it simple for players to feel bewildered and disoriented in an unforgiving environment.

In the realm of chilling pop-culture monsters, including Pyramid Head, Mary, and the Bubble Head Nurse, as well as lesser-known but terrifying entities such as Abstract Daddy and Flesh Lip, Silent Hill 2 offers a thrilling experience for players as they flee from danger in confined areas.

3 SOMA

An Underwater Facility Filled With All Kinds Of Horrors

Grim ending that denies players satisfaction in a good way
Constant state of anxiety and the feeling of being chased

Located in a secluded underwater research station, SOMA immerses you in a science fiction environment with advanced machinery and technology. In this grim setting, machines seem to have surpassed human limitations, exhibiting a level of self-awareness. You’ll step into the shoes of Simon Jarrett as he navigates the ominous facility throughout the game.

In SOMA, Simon’s story takes a grim turn that unfortunately doesn’t end on a positive note. This twist only intensifies the terror within the game, while also imbuing a sense of despair. One of the standout features of the game is its diverse creatures, such as Proxies, Fleshers, Robot Heads, and the haunting Terry Akers. Despite SOMA not providing the cheerful conclusion some players may anticipate after experiencing the tension of a good horror game, the imaginative premise and the creatures Simon interacts with during his journey make the experience more than worthwhile.

2 Dead Space

Necromorphs Make The Game

Necromorphs are the soul of the game
Great combat mechanics and a perfectly designed horror environment

Developers often bring together seemingly contradictory aspects to create an end product that entertains players. However, this approach can lead to either a triumph or a flop, with little room for subtlety in between. Fortunately, the game Dead Space was a huge success when it merged horror and outer space with advanced weaponry. This fusion not only generated substantial revenue for Visceral Games initially but also sparked a franchise that remains popular and cherished by fans today.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at the many aspects that make Dead Space shine. From its immersive gameplay mechanics and intense combat, to the intricately designed world that seamlessly complements the narrative, and the captivating protagonist we can’t get enough of controlling. But what truly sets this franchise apart is the Necromorph threat. These unique enemies, with their original design, challenge players in innovative ways, pushing us to improve our aiming skills and maintain composure throughout the game. The Necromorphs are not just a mere obstacle, but the heart and soul of the Dead Space experience.

1 Bloodborne

The Ultimate FromSoftware Monster Experience

Every monster is nightmare fuel
The beasts in Yharnam are in deep, constant suffering

To close this list, there’s Bloodborne, one of the few console-exclusive games developed by FromSoftware, and by many players’ standards, the best horror game in the Soulsborne universe. Set in a decaying Gothic-Victorian era in the fictional city of Yharnam, Bloodborne follows a hunter as he progresses through a world full of blood-borne diseases that, over time, transform those who have them into disfigured, nightmarish beasts.

Bloodborne, unlike Dark Souls, boasts quicker combat and a unique storyline that provides a chilling, intense gaming experience for those who conquer it. Among FromSoftware’s games, this title showcases the most terrifying creature designs, with each one surpassing the last in horror factor. To make matters even more unsettling, many of the creatures in Yharnam seem perpetually tormented, which amplifies the psychological terror inherent in the game’s already haunting visual and auditory aspects.

In order to succeed, players must exhibit great courage and constantly monitor their rivals, since the game imposes harsh penalties on those who are excessively cautious or impulsive in their offensive strategies.

2024-08-22 07:05