10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren’t Scary

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

Clearly, horror video games aim to provide an intensely frightening journey. Players anticipate encountering their deepest fears and suspense as they navigate through harrowing situations that no one would desire for even their most hated adversaries.

In truth, certain games occasionally fail to deliver on the element of suspense or fear – to the point where they can even seem comical within their respective genres.

Some of these games might excel if moved out of the horror genre, since they may not offer an enjoyable experience within the horror category due to subpar gameplay, storyline, or a lack of emotional resonance.

Truth be told, these “horror” games are simply not scary at all.

10 Agony

Absolutely Agonising to Play

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

In “Agony,” players find themselves immersed in a chilling first-person survival horror experience, set within the depths of Hell itself. Regrettably, this game manages to create an atmosphere that leaves players feeling as though they’ve been drawn into its terrifying realm.

Despite cramming in excessive content, it unfortunately fails to keep one’s interest, leaving even the engaging atmosphere unable to rescue it. In fact, so many gamers give up on it that they abandon the game just a few hours into playing.

To put it simply, this game seemed rich in creative concepts and possibilities, yet it struggled to translate them effectively into gameplay. It’s almost as if it was designed more for shock value than for satisfying gameplay experiences, a level of gore that even dedicated Mortal Kombat enthusiasts might find unsettling. Moreover, the narrative is intricate but questionable in its execution, relying heavily on religious motifs that some may perceive as cheap or exploitative.

As a devoted gamer, I must confess that stealth in this game is no walk in the park. It’s merciless and intense, with a pitch-black environment that makes it hard to make out anything at all. The result is a gameplay experience that’s more frustrating than frightening. It seems like an endless cycle of trial and error, and I’m finding myself repeating the same actions over and over again. Frankly, I’m not sure if the payoff is worth the energy invested in this Groundhog Day-like loop.

9 Ju-On: The Grudge

A Cheap Haunted House Simulator

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

Enthusiasts of Japanese horror were eagerly anticipating the release of Ju-On: The Grudge, a highly acclaimed Japanese horror franchise, in the form of a Wii game. Unfortunately, their expectation was met with disillusionment instead.

Kayako and Toshio Saeki, despite their best efforts, struggle to maintain the terror as their frightening moments eventually lose their impact and become predictable.

Essentially, for individuals seeking a frightening experience similar to a haunted house without leaving their homes, they would certainly enjoy playing this game. However, if one prefers a more subtle, horror-based experience, they might find this game excessively loud and annoying.

Initially, the jumpscares are quite unsettling, but once you find yourself playing as yet another relative burdened by the same curse, it becomes rather monotonous.

8 Silent Hill: The Short Message

An Insult to the Silent Hill Franchise

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

The renowned horror game series, Silent Hill, has been attempting to adapt to current gaming trends. However, its initial attempt, Silent Hill: Brief Notification, didn’t have the smoothest debut.

Although Team Silent’s heavy hitters like Masahiro Ito (monster designs) and Akira Yamaoka (soundtrack) were present, their efforts were somewhat limited due to the underwhelming narrative and character development.

With its visually appealing atmosphere, even the most dedicated fans can only appreciate the aesthetics of Sakura Head, as its gameplay lacks excitement and offers a basic experience.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the Silent Hill series usually handles dark themes with a level of sophistication and subtlety that’s truly admirable. But The Short Message seems to overstep this mark, making its themes painfully obvious in a way that feels cheesy. This lack of finesse not only weakens its own message but also tarnishes the overall reputation of the series.

frankly, it seems as though this game was designed like a well-meaning but misguided anti-suicide awareness campaign, often found in public schools – devoid of real emotion or depth. Luckily, the Silent Hill 2 Remake is so captivating that fans can easily overlook this game and focus on the remake instead.

7 Deadly Premonition

Odd, Bizarre, and Full of Camp

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

In discussions surrounding controversial video games, Deadly Premonition is often brought up by gamers. Some view it as an iconic cult favorite, while others find fault with it in every aspect – yet, both perspectives hold validity and deserve recognition.

In simpler terms, this game shares a resemblance with the enigmatic world of Twin Peaks. You assume the role of a detective pursuing a serial killer, making it an intensely chilling experience.

The game becomes rather aggravating due to its tricky controls and persistent chases with rigid camera angles. Additionally, the dialogue is downright bizarre, bordering on incomprehensible. While it contributes to the surreal atmosphere of the game, the execution leaves much to be desired, making it merely strange instead of enhancing the overall experience.

To be straightforward, it’s uncertain whether this game intends to be serious or not, as its overall mood seems inconsistent. It might be that the game itself is unsure about its seriousness as well.

6 Resident Evil 5

This is Just Action

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

Back in 1996, Resident Evil essentially pioneered the survival horror genre within video games. Over time, it has gained immense popularity and recognition as a key player in the broader horror genre. To date, they continue to produce outstanding, heart-pounding games.

Nevertheless, the franchise experienced a challenging phase, and this struggle became particularly noticeable starting from Resident Evil 5.

This game significantly contributes to the narrative of the series and offers an enjoyable gaming experience, particularly in its multiplayer mode. However, despite the monstrous creatures appearing rather gruesome, neither Chris nor Sheva encounters any genuine fear, given their extensive weaponry that seems to neutralize all threats.

This game deviates significantly from the survival horror genre and even general horror. Instead, it focuses solely on action, offering enjoyable action sequences, undeniably, but action remains its core aspect.

5 Poppy Playtime

Mascot Horror is Ineffective

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

In recent years, we’ve witnessed a significant increase in the popularity of Mascot Horror, with a focus on mascots designed for children. This trend, while financially lucrative, seems to dilute the horror genre. There’s no better illustration of this than Poppy Playtime.

In simpler terms, Poppy Playtime is a game that combines puzzles and horror elements, set in an abandoned toy factory. The player must navigate this eerie environment using a multi-purpose device called the GrabPack, which comes in handy during gameplay to advance further. However, the initial idea might not be as captivating beyond its basic premise.

This game appears to be primarily focused on earning money from children, as it seems devoid of substantial content. Even Bluey, a cartoon character, might find room for improvement here. Instead of embodying the essence of Mascot Horror, it seems to have missed the mark in all aspects, coming across as overly sanitized and lacking any real edge or authenticity.

There’s a noticeable contrast when creating a horror game with a cute appearance, as the underlying atmosphere can feel eerie and disconcerting. On the other hand, marketing a toy commercial as a horror game is an unexpected twist.

4 Until Dawn

Wacky Hijinks Ensue

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

Everyone adores cheesy teen horror films, especially during Halloween with all the slasher movies and monster flicks. That’s why fans anticipated Until Dawn to deliver a similar thrill; however, they were left disappointed as the game offers more campiness than actual horror.

As a devoted horror movie enthusiast, I find this film sorely lacking in the spine-tingling character it should possess. Instead, it seems to elicit more unintentional laughter than genuine fear. Frankly, I can’t fathom the reason behind its widespread acclaim.

As a gamer, diving into this game feels like a rollercoaster ride of over-the-top facial expressions, cheesy dialogue delivered in exaggerated tones, and downright zany antics that leave you struggling to maintain any sense of suspense or fear. While there’s undeniably an appeal to its quirkiness, it’s misleading to label this as one of the scariest games around when it’s more likely to elicit laughter than terror from players who are being truthful with themselves.

The most genuinely chilling creatures in this game are the Wendigos, serving as its primary monsters. Frankly, one can only hope the film adaptation surpasses the game; it appears to be a more suitable platform for such a terrifying concept.

3 Dead Space 3

Horror Shouldn’t Be Hidden in Lore

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

Many enthusiasts of Dead Space 3 concur that the game is excellent, perhaps even outstanding, yet they strongly critique it for failing to live up to expectations as a Dead Space title and as a horror game.

Similar to Resident Evil 5, this game deviates significantly from the survival horror fundamentals that initially endeared the series, instead veering heavily towards the action genre. The horror aspects are subtly incorporated within the game’s narrative, primarily accessible to those who delve deeply into the lore.

Additionally, this game significantly alters several characters from the original series, causing some Dead Space enthusiasts to ignore it as if it never existed. However, those who do acknowledge it generally concur that it fails to be frightening.

Although it has impressive features that make it enjoyable, its overall impact is less significant than people recall. Unfortunately, what stands out most is the scarcity of frightening elements and depth.

2 Five Nights at Freddy’s Sequels

Too Big For Its Britches

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

The initial installment of the Five Nights at Freddy’s series significantly transformed the landscape of independent horror games, though some might argue it has been excessively hyped. Indeed, it pioneered the concept known as Mascot Horror, but it offered a unique and invigorating gaming experience that was previously uncharted territory.

Despite all the subsequent installments, they appear to miss the mark that the original’s freshness was its key to popularity. Now, gamers find themselves struggling to draw a breath amidst the overwhelming presence of the Five Nights at Freddy’s series.

By the time it got to Sister Location, the franchise had long become a joke, releasing far too many unnecessary sequels that play more or less the exact same. Plus, trying to tone down the horror for the sake of being meme-able ruins its own narrative, and the legacy of the first game.

When players start playing a FNAF game, they anticipate shocking jump scares accompanied by boisterous humor that can be quite jarring.

1 Hello Neighbor

Nothing Short of Laughable

10 Terrible Horror Games That Just Aren't Scary

It’s delightful when creators show such enthusiasm for their work, but in the instance of “Hello Neighbor,” it might have been better if both the zeal and the game were kept under wraps.

This game is a massacred mess from start to finish, littered with bugs, poor gameplay, a corporate art style and lazy direction. There is nothing that can be considered scary about this game, simply because it’s so bad.

The game seems to be aiming to become a favorite among YouTubers/Streamers, but regrettably, it’s widely ridiculed in the horror genre. Its major drawback lies in its scarcity of guidance, which can be frustrating, and its stealth and horror elements are poorly implemented, leading to inconsistencies.

It’s an empty game with an empty soul, to which the idea of playing it is absolutely nonsensical.

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2024-11-22 18:09