6 Best Horror Games Set In Amusement Parks, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Amusement parks can turn into horror realms with games like CarnEvil, Goosebumps, and Until Dawn: Rush of Blood.
Games like Silent Hill 3 and The Park provide atmospheric terror.
Indigo Park introduces a new horror mascot in the vein of indie horror games, offering a chilling gaming experience.

As a seasoned horror gaming enthusiast with over two decades of spine-tingling experiences under my belt, I must say that each of these games offers a unique and chilling amusement park adventure.

Amusement parks, as their name implies, are destinations designed for enjoyment by people of all ages. They offer a setting where families, friends, and loved ones can create lasting memories together, some of which can even be preserved in photo booths. The excitement is abundant with rollercoasters, carnival games, and a plethora of thrilling attractions that cater to everyone who visits. Rest assured, there’s no room for horror in these vibrant, joyful environments.

However, it’s important to note that people might mistakenly believe these places offer only innocent amusement, but developers have managed to transform them into horrifying experiences. Grotesque mascots with sinister consciousness, malevolent jesters, and attractions that appear more like torment devices than entertainment options are prevalent in these locations, for the brave (or foolhardy) enough to enter.

7 CarnEvil

Brave the Terrors of the Haunted Carnival

As I sat down in front of my gaming console, whispers about an intriguing mystery echoed through the online community. They said that by inserting a golden coin into the skull of the jester perched atop the tombstone of the old carnival ringleader would summon his long-lost fairground from the ground, teeming with horrors beyond imagination. Intrigued and eager to test this urban legend, my gaming friends and I embarked on a virtual journey. Sure enough, the carnival sprang up from beneath the earth, trapping us within its eerie boundaries. Armed with our trusty shotguns, we ventured through the haunted attractions, hoping to find a way to break free from this spectral spectacle.

Three primary draws of this game are the Haunted House, Rickety Town, Freak Show, and the Grand Circus, serving as the final level. Each location presents unique frightening experiences as players engage in enemy combat using engaging light gun gameplay, offering a fresh dose of terror at every turn.

6 Goosebumps: Escape from Horrorland

Indulge in Nostalgia with a Game Based on a Classic Children’s TV Show

The beloved franchise “Goosebumps” offers spine-tingling stories for both adults and kids, featuring age-appropriate horror tales that often surprise with unexpected twists. Originating as books, it later expanded into television shows, movies, and video games, such as the popular title “Escape from Horrorland”.

In the continuation of “One Day at Horrorland“, Lizzy reaches out to our hero, informing him that her brother Luke and friend Clay have mysteriously vanished, with tickets to the horror-themed amusement park, Horrorland, being the only lead. The duo must now venture into this terrifying playground in hopes of finding the missing boys, all while avoiding the menacing creatures lurking within. This adventure is an ode to nostalgia and will undoubtedly delight fans longing for a taste of those glorious days.

5 Until Dawn: Rush of Blood

Race Through a Horror-Themed Rides in Immersive VR

Platforms: PS4
Released: October 13th, 2016
Developers: Supermassive Games

Given the tremendous success of Until Dawn, Supermassive Games recognized they had struck gold and decided to deliver more of what their fans adore. This led to the creation of Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, a VR spin-off game, designed to plunge players even deeper into the terrifying universe of horror.

This game sets the player on the trail of several terrifying rollercoasters, each designed to deliver heart-pounding adventures that will linger in your memory. You’ll encounter creatures like giant spiders, The Psycho, man-eating monsters, and Wendigos throughout your journey. As you battle these enemies, it’s essential to keep your fear and wits in check while using the gun at your disposal. Despite its brevity, the experience is intense and impactful.

4 3 The Park

Reveal the Dark Secrets of Atlantic Island Park

Platforms: PC
Released: October 27th, 2015
Developers: Funcom

If you’re seeking an engaging yet concise adventure that can be completed in a single session, “The Park” is certainly worth considering, particularly for those who appreciate a heavy dose of psychological terror. As night falls, Lorraine enters this eerie park, her worst parental fears materializing as she scours the decaying attractions and deserted structures for her lost son. The terror will only intensify as Lorraine begins to unearth disturbing truths about the park’s past.

Here, the emphasis is more on creating an atmosphere and telling a story, rather than engaging in combat or being startled by sudden jumpscares. Instead, players can expect to experience a sense of eeriness as they stroll through a solitary park, with the narrative gradually unfolding around them with each new location they discover.

2 Indigo Park

A New Horror Mascot Has Arrived on the Scene

Platforms: PC
Released: May 18th, 2024
Developers: UniqueGeese

A fresh character has made an appearance for horror enthusiasts, reminiscent of games such as Bendy and the Ink Machine and Poppy Playtime. Indigo Park was once a bustling amusement park, but it stands abandoned today. Only the AI mascot, Rambley Raccoon, and his companions call this eerie place home. The goal is for the player to bring power back to the area while navigating through the menacing mascots who seem more focused on causing harm than providing amusement to visitors.

It’s evident that a considerable amount of effort and precision has been put into Indigo Park, given its abundance of rides and attractions, which players will traverse while being pursued by terrifying enemies. The use of settings like rides and indoor jungle gyms only heightens the tension and unease that permeates each moment of gameplay.

1 Silent Hill 3

Savor the Thrills and Terror of Lakeside Amusement Park

In the third installment of the Silent Hill saga, we find ourselves picking up right where the initial story left off. The child, Harry, who was adopted at the end of the first game, has now grown into a young woman venturing out on her own. During a shopping trip at a mall, Heather is mysteriously transported into a horrifying alternate dimension filled with treacherous creatures and eerie, rusted environments tainted with blood. Upon returning home, she encounters a grim scene – her father lies dead, and a cult leader ominously informs her that she is the chosen vessel for the resurrection of their deity.

A journey of vengeance commences, leading Heather on trips to diverse locations throughout the game. One such destination is Lakeside Amusement Park, which she encounters initially in a dream at the beginning. In this park, players will delve into various attractions like Giant Robbie Rabbits, a spooky house, and a carousel, each providing their own chilling frights. Among these, Lakeside Amusement Park is likely to leave players unsettled even after finishing Silent Hill 3.

2024-10-08 04:35