The Best Forgotten Horror Games On Game Pass

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Xbox and PC Game Pass has been fantastic for bringing older, beloved games back into the spotlight, making them accessible to more players at an affordable price. The service boasts a surprisingly strong selection of horror games, including many hidden gems that players may have forgotten – or never even knew existed.

By Casey David Muir-Taylor

Best Triple-A Horror Games That Are Genuinely Scary

Indie horror games are dominating the genre currently, but these triple-A titles are guaranteed to provide enough scares to justify their budgets.

Horror game lovers have a lot to enjoy, from groundbreaking titles that really pushed the boundaries of the genre, to unusual games that tried completely new things with fear, and even some unique experiences that tackle dark subjects in fresh ways. With new games constantly being added to Game Pass every month, it’s a perfect time to rediscover some of the best hidden gems the horror world has to offer.

Carrion

Becoming The Villain

  • A reverse horror game where the player is the monster.
  • Gory action with pixelated visuals.

In Carrion, you play as the monster, offering a fresh take on the horror genre. Unlike typical horror games where you try to survive, you’re free to explore and devour anything you encounter. But you’ll still need to be strategic, planning your movements and avoiding threats to advance.

In Carrion, you can upgrade your creature, evolving it into an even more terrifying form. These upgrades let you move more quickly or gain protective armor. While it doesn’t rely on typical horror scares, Carrion offers a fresh experience with its striking visuals and unique way of playing – you are the monster.

Doom 3

Overshadowed By The Rest Of The Series

  • First-person action/horror hybrid.
  • Darker feel and more claustrophobic environments.

Doom 3 was a significant shift for the series, moving away from fast-paced action to a slower, more suspenseful horror experience. This change makes the game genuinely frightening and more intense than previous installments. Limited visibility means even one enemy lurking in the shadows can be a serious threat. The sound design is exceptional, with subtle noises adding to the feeling of dread and creating an incredibly immersive, almost claustrophobic atmosphere.

Replaying this game is such a trip – it’s like stepping into a totally different world compared to the newer Doom Eternal games, which are all about non-stop action. Back when Doom 3 came out, it really tried something different. It wasn’t just about blasting demons; it created this incredibly creepy, oppressive atmosphere full of horror and dread, but it still felt like a Doom game at its core, keeping that classic shooter feel we all loved.

Limbo

Sidescrollers Can Be Scary Too

  • Simplistic aesthetics yet still deeply unsettling.
  • Puzzle-oriented gameplay revolving around moving objects and avoiding enemies without combat.

Limbo is a scary and atmospheric adventure game that focuses on creating fear through imagery and shadows rather than detailed graphics. Its stark black-and-white style immediately establishes a haunting mood, and the detailed backgrounds offer plenty for players to notice and become frightened by.

The game thrives on creating a feeling of tension. Players can’t really fight back, so they have to rely on smarts and avoiding threats instead of confronting them directly. In many ways, Limbo feels like a return to older horror games, focusing on puzzles and careful observation rather than fast-paced action and shooting.

Alice: Madness Returns

Anything But A Fairytale

  • Reinventing the classic story with a darker twist.
  • Dark world-building and deeply psychological themes.

Alice: Madness Returns reimagines the classic story of Alice in Wonderland, turning it into a dark and unsettling experience. Wonderland isn’t the whimsical place we remember; it’s depicted as a decaying and gloomy world, with familiar locations now feeling creepy and sinister. Even beloved characters like the Cheshire Cat are twisted into frightening versions of themselves, demonstrating how the game transforms even the most iconic figures into sources of horror.

Unlike the whimsical adventures of the original Alice stories, this game is much more action-packed and violent. Players will constantly battle enemies, and the dark, unsettling visuals create a consistently frightening atmosphere. The game offers no moments of peace, keeping players on edge from beginning to end.

The Evil Within

Survival Horror At Its Best

  • Classic survival horror feel.
  • Psychological themes mixed with zombie-like enemies.

The Evil Within is a clear homage to classic horror games, but it also brings fresh ideas to the genre. This makes sense, considering it was created by Shinji Mikami, who also directed the original Resident Evil. The game plunges players into terrifying mental landscapes, from deserted cities and overrun villages to the depths of the human brain. Players must battle waves of diverse and dangerous creatures. Gameplay is reminiscent of Resident Evil 4, blending intense action with strategic inventory management amidst truly frightening scenarios.

The game steadily increases the fear and dread, pulling players into a terrifying and mentally challenging experience. You’ll face hordes of zombies and grotesque creatures, and you’ll need to either blast your way through them with overwhelming firepower or make a quick escape. While the sequel is smoother and more refined, the original delivers a rawer, more intense horror that’s genuinely scarier and more unsettling.

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2025-11-29 03:07