Classic Horror Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays - September 2024

Key Takeaways

Older horror games may struggle with dated controls & mechanics, making them challenging for modern players.
Classic horror titles like Resident Evil may feel less enjoyable now due to improvements made in the genre.
Titles like Alone in the Dark & Sweet Home, while genre-defining, face gameplay issues when revisited.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of video games, spanning decades and genres, I must admit that revisiting these classic horror titles can be both enlightening and exasperating. These games, pioneers in their time, have left indelible marks on the genre, paving the way for the survival horror masterpieces we know today.

Although horror games might initially seem like a smaller niche, they’re becoming more popular and successful among gamers. With a rich history, this genre houses several timeless classics that have influenced not only other horror games but the entire gaming industry. However, some groundbreaking horror experiences haven’t aged as well as others in the vast collection of horror games.

Over time, certain video games have become challenging for contemporary players because their original control schemes, mechanics, and conventional gameplay elements have evolved significantly since they were first released. Originally invigorating, these aspects now feel outdated, making some iconic titles difficult to engage with today. This difficulty may stem from the evolution of controls, mechanics, and genre norms over the past few decades.

Since these installments are recognized as ‘timeless horrors’, it is implicit that those labeled ‘poor’ during their initial release won’t make the cut.

6 Resident Evil

The Tank Controls & Cramped Location Are Improved By Its Remake

Classic Horror Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays

1996 saw Capcom unleash Resident Evil, offering gamers yet another chilling universe to immerse themselves in, as well as introducing an innovative gameplay style seldom seen within the industry. Over the past 25 years, however, both competitors and Capcom have expanded and refined the game’s movement and setting.

Capcom’s temporary Nintendo-only remake of the initial Resident Evil game makes adjustments to the tank controls from 1996 and broadens the sometimes claustrophobic atmosphere of Spencer Mansion. This transformation, when viewed alongside the 2002 remake or modern adaptations like the 2019 Resident Evil 2, can make it challenging for players to reacclimate to the original Resident Evil game.

5 Silent Hill

This Original Survival Horror Title Is Overshadowed By Its Sequel

25 years after its debut, the first “Silent Hill” game continues to be hailed as a top-tier lesson in creating spine-chilling atmosphere and suspense by gamers. Three years following this, the 2003 launch of “Silent Hill 2” solidified the eerie New England setting of Silent Hill as an enduring horror icon within the gaming world.

Since its debut, the gaming community has predominantly preferred the sequel to Silent Hill, with many criticizing the original’s flaws and shortcomings. While combat in the initial release had slow movement and momentum, the more polished method in Silent Hill 2 slightly dulled the luster of the original. Additionally, the title’s puzzle design centered around fetch quests provided a sturdy base for the sequel to expand upon, but it has faced heavy criticism looking back.

4 Clock Tower

Its Controls & SNES Port Can Frustrate Modern Players

Although the point-and-click genre hasn’t achieved the same widespread popularity as first-person shooters or platformers, it still boasts a dedicated fanbase, particularly within the horror genre. With the Japan-only release of Clock Tower in 1995, horror enthusiasts were left to rely on fan translations and imports to experience this classic game.

Despite the 2024 launch of the remastered version of the game, “Clock Tower: Rewind,” which signifies its initial release beyond Japan, the point-and-click genre has yet to gain widespread popularity among gamers. Even those eager to experience the original will find themselves grappling with controlling a cursor using a Super Famicom D-Pad or a DualShock controller.

3 Sanitarium

Its Controls, Hated At Launch, Have Worsened Over Time

Translating a point-and-click game title beyond its original PC setting is often a challenging task similar to Sisyphus pushing his boulder uphill, because of the specific need for player interaction inherent in this genre’s namesake. For instance, when the well-regarded 1998 horror game Sanitarium, which initially thrived on PCs, was moved to mobile devices in 2015, its strong points were brought into focus, but so were its weaknesses.

The gripping storyline, eerie tone, and chilling atmosphere of Sanitarium, crucial elements for a successful horror game, remain unspoiled in its transition to mobile devices. Unfortunately, the controls, which were already difficult to handle in its PC version, are even more problematic in recent releases. This issue has led modern critics to harshly criticize the title, as the lack of innovation in control design transforms a potentially terrifying experience into one that is excessively frustrating to navigate.

2 Alone In The Dark (1992)

Its Genre-Defining Placement Cannot Disguise Its Clunky Gameplay

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the unique allure of the “Alone in the Dark” series, a phenomenon that seems almost unmatched within the horror gaming realm. Its impact extends far and wide, shaping not only the foundation of the genre itself but also laying the groundwork for iconic franchises like “Resident Evil.

The fixed camera angles, tank controls, puzzle elements centered around fetching items, and spooky mansion setting played a significant role in shaping the survival horror genre back in the day. However, when revisiting Infogrames’ classic game in the 21st century, it feels more like a historical artifact than an engaging modern experience. Although its design was groundbreaking for the early ’90s, numerous subsequent games have built upon and advanced its initial concepts significantly.

1 Sweet Home

Despite Its Legacy, The Game’s Temperamental 8-Bit Gameplay Is Finnicky

7 years prior to the launch of “Resident Evil”, Capcom had already created and distributed a Famicom horror spin-off that would become one of the key influences for the most prosperous horror series in the gaming industry. This 8-bit role-playing game with horror elements, launched exclusively in Japan in 1989, coincided with a Kiyoshi Kurosawa-directed movie of the same name. It offered extensive party management, permanent character death mechanics, and rudimentary quick time events.

Although Sweet Home boasts numerous innovative elements and significantly shaped the horror genre, revisiting this game is a challenging endeavor. Unfortunately, Sweet Home has not been released outside of Japan, making it difficult for many gamers to experience its groundbreaking horror aspects. Despite its pioneering influence, the game’s demanding difficulty level and sometimes perplexing puzzles can deter even dedicated fans of the genre.

2024-09-22 18:34