Horror Games That Are Set In Forest Towns

Horror Games That Are Set In Forest Towns

Key Takeaways

  • Creepy forest settings in horror games are full of hidden secrets and supernatural activity.
  • Games like
    Gleaner Heights
    and
    Silver Falls
    explore eerie, wooded locations with mysterious happenings.
  • Horror classics like
    Deadly Premonition
    and
    Resident Evil 4
    feature dark forces and sinister creatures in rural settings.

As a seasoned gamer and ardent fan of all things eerie and enigmatic, I wholeheartedly concur with your suggestions. Having delved deep into the labyrinthine worlds of these psychological thrillers, I can attest to their ability to send chills down one’s spine while keeping one hooked until the very end.


Video games that instill fear often feature eerie environments, varying from densely populated cities to remote woodlands, extraterrestrial spacecraft to mystical domains. One such setting is the forest, which can be both alluring and evasive due to its enchanting qualities. Numerous beings and puzzles dwell among these trees.

As a fearless gamer, I’ve found myself drawn to the eerie allure of games set deep within untamed wilderness. At first glance, these locations appear serene and peaceful, but like the dense foliage that envelops them, they harbor their own chilling mysteries. These secrets could be anything from deranged killers lurking in the shadows to strange extraterrestrial activities or even a sentient car or two. Here are some fantastic horror titles that dare you to venture into the woods and uncover the hidden horrors that lie within.

8 Gleaner Heights

Digging More Than Just Crops

PlatformsXbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Linux
ReleasedFebruary 21, 2018
DeveloperEmilios Manolidis
GenreFarming Sim, Surreal Horror

In simpler terms, Gleaner Heights is like if Stardew Valley was set in the town of Twin Peaks. This peaceful village lies within a lush forest and offers opportunities for mining and gathering food resources. The atmosphere seems calm with its diner, general store, cozy hotel, and residents carrying out their normal lives.

In Gleaner Heights, appearances can be deceiving. It seems everyone has hidden agendas or secrets. Strange occurrences are taking place within the town as well: mysterious lights glowing over the water and a possible dark cult lurking. Moreover, an old, run-down house opposite the farm conceals its own enigmas.

7 Silver Falls: Episode Prelude

Strange Things Happen In Silver Falls

PlatformsNintendo Switch
ReleasedMay 6, 2021
DeveloperSungrand Studios
GenreHorror, Action-Adventure

As a die-hard gamer, I’ve found myself drawn to the enigmatic world of the Silver Falls franchise. Though it may not be as mainstream as some triple-A horror titles, it delivers a chilling experience that rivals them. From the Switch, 3DS, Wii U (yes, the old-school Wii U), to even retro handhelds, this series has a vast array of games that have kept me on edge for hours.

In the game series, every title transpires in Silver Falls, a town nestled in Washington State. It has had its share of unexplained light phenomena and Eldritch beast encounters. The prelude to the Silver Falls saga, titled Silver Falls: Episode Prelude, showcases a minor scuffle with some of these eerie creatures, as an odd riddle unfolds when a food delivery to a distant home transforms into an unusual mystery. In Silver Falls, it’s wise to avoid venturing out alone.

6 Pacific Drive

Lost In The Woods

In the world of entertainment, there are numerous intelligent vehicles like Herbie the Love Bug and Optimus Prime. One such vehicle is a self-aware car that a solitary driver navigates through the government-imposed quarantine zone of the Olympic Anomaly Zone as depicted in the movie titled “Pacific Drive“.

In this area, the woods undergo perpetual changes due to a peculiar spatial anomaly. A mysterious vehicle requires continuous upkeep, which can be achieved by a complex crafting process using resources found at various spots throughout the exploration of the zone, as well as solving the enigma surrounding ARDA Corporation. The Zone seems like it’s straight out of an X-Files episode, and this comparison isn’t far off.

5 The Evil Within

Evil? EEEEEEVIIIIIIIILLLL!!!!!

The Evil Within is the offshoot of Resident Evil 4. It was helmed by Shinji Mikami, who collaborated on Resident Evil 4, and it features a third-person perspective with gameplay reminiscent of its counterpart. The narrative follows Detective Sebastian Castellanos as he probes a mass murder at a psychiatric hospital, but soon finds himself pursued by a slayer capable of teleportation, along with a maniac armed with a chainsaw.

In the end, he accidentally wanders into a forest and eventually reaches Elk River village. Creatures resembling zombies (or “the Haunted”) are aimlessly moving about, searching for their next victim. Sebastian discovers mirrors that mysteriously transport him to a hospital room, leaving him unsure of where the real world ends and his nightmares begin.

4 Deadly Premonition

Dark Forces And Damn Fine Coffee

Anyone who’s a fan of David Lynch’s iconic series Twin Peaks should definitely give Deadly Premonition a try. This game follows the adventures of FBI psychic detective Francis York Morgan, along with his imaginary friend Zach, as they delve into the supernatural and interrogate potential suspects. Plus, just like in Twin Peaks, our detective gets visions while gazing into his coffee cup.

Initially, gamers encounter Detective York in the Pacific Northwest town of Greenvale, Washington, encompassed by pine forests. In the surrounding woods, a chilling murder with ritualistic overtones has occurred. This crime is linked to ominous forces, as York becomes ensnared by red vines within structures and encounters shuffling zombies intent on attacking him. Moreover, the Raincoat Killer, an urban myth with a seemingly personal vendetta against York, relentlessly pursues him.

3 Silent Hill 2

The Town That Gets Inside Visitors’ Heads

Tucked by Toluca Lake in Maine lies the town of Silent Hill, which is shrouded in fog for most of the year with scant sunshine to speak of. Over time, a significant portion of this town has fallen into disrepair and neglect. Throughout the long-standing history of the Silent Hill series, it has attracted numerous visitors.

One character among these visitors is James Sunderland, who encounters a letter seemingly from his deceased spouse, an event that transpires three years prior. Throughout his adventure in Silent Hill 2, he’ll confront treacherous creatures, some of which reside within his own psyche.

2 Alan Wake

Peaceful Town By Day, Supernatural Terrors By Night

The Alan Wake series belongs to the connected gaming universe of Remedy Entertainment, teeming with supernatural events and puzzling realms. Although Alan Wake wasn’t Remedy’s biggest money-maker, fans have stuck by it for over a decade, navigating darkness, until recently, there was a release of Alan Wake 2 last year, which received tremendous praise.

A significant portion of the series centers around Bright Falls, a tranquil town in the Pacific Northwest known for its annual Deer Fest, marking the start of deer hunting season. This picturesque locale is inhabited by an array of eccentric residents such as Alan Wake’s ardent fan from the Oh Deer Diner, the heavy metal band Old Gods of Asgard, and a questionable psychologist. In this town, Cauldron Lake harbors a malicious entity that seeks to enlist Wake in its release from its watery confinement. It additionally controls groups of locals to thwart Alan’s attempts to thwart its schemes.

1 Resident Evil 4

¡Gloria Las Plagas!

Capcom’s Resident Evil didn’t originate the survival horror genre, but it kickstarted a cherished series teeming with zombies, mutants, and campy dialogue. Over time, this franchise has undergone numerous transformations, consistently delivering chills alongside some well-timed humor.

The initial significant revamp for the original series was Resident Evil 4, which transitioned from a fixed camera view to an over-the-shoulder perspective and seamlessly combined action and terror. In RE4, Leon S. Kennedy, the protagonist from Resident Evil 2, is sent to a secluded forest region in Spain with the mission of finding the President’s daughter. Upon arrival, he encounters a rural village where inhabitants have been manipulated by the deadly Las Plagas parasites, giving them an intelligence level beyond typical zombies.

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2024-10-27 09:04