The Best Horror Games Where You Hide From Monsters

Summary

Horror games can be divided into combat-oriented survival horror and hide-and-seek horror experiences to evoke terror.
It Steals offers players unique gameplay mechanics and a twist where the monster is hiding from them instead.
Games like Among the Sleep, Monstrum, and Still Wakes the Deep emphasize player vulnerability over combat, intensifying the horror experience.

Generally, horror games tend to fall into two categories. One type is survival horror, such as games like Resident Evil or Silent Hill. In these games, the player receives a weapon, limited ammunition, and tools for fending off enemies. The objective is usually to engage in combat, but with caution, making every bullet count and conserving resources wisely.

In these types of horror games, players find themselves without any means of defense, often referred to as “survival horror” or “hide-and-seek” horror. They are also known as “walking simulators.” When a monster appears, the player has only two choices: either flee or hide. Despite lacking the high-octane action found in other games, these titles compensate by creating an overwhelming sense of fear that feels eerily real. The horror games that effectively make players run from or hide from monsters provide some of the scariest gaming experiences available.

Honorable Mention: It Steals

Platforms	PC
Released	July 22, 2020
Developer	Zeekerss

Occasionally, a game takes an existing concept and spins it into something extraordinary. In this instance, that game is It Steals. Blending elements of puzzle games with survival horror, It Steals offers five distinct game modes, each centered around a unique mechanic. Here’s the catch: players aren’t informed about these mechanics upfront. Instead, they’re equipped with all the necessary tools to decipher them. However, figuring out the correct approach might involve a bit of experimentation and learning from mistakes.

Although it doesn’t have a specific spot on this list, it’s noteworthy because in contrast to typical games where players avoid monsters, in this game, the monsters are evading the player. From an elusive phantom to creatures that merge with the walls, It Steals offers a distinctive twist on first-person survival horror, making it quite exceptional within the current genre landscape.

8. Among The Sleep

Infantile Vulnerability

At Krillbite Studio, there seems to be a sign in the office boldly proclaiming “Player Vulnerability.” This concept is often exploited in horror games, but it’s challenging to envision a more defenseless gaming character than a two-year-old child. However, that’s precisely who the game Among the Sleep puts its players in control of. In this game, you assume the role of a toddler, one so young they can barely run for long before losing balance and falling over.

The objective for the character is to locate the mother of the child, which initially seems straightforward as it involves exploring their home. However, the adventure will lead them into fantastical settings far from ordinary reality. As expected in such a world, there are menacing creatures to encounter – specifically, two of them. Since a toddler isn’t capable of confronting these malicious beings, the player must resort to stealth tactics, like hiding under furniture to avoid detection.

7. Haunting Ground

Fiona And Hewie, Terrified Friends

As a gamer, I’d say: “I find myself immersed in the timeless PS2 masterpiece, ‘Haunting Ground.’ I play as Fiona, an 18-year-old girl who mysteriously ends up in an ancient castle after a car accident. The castle’s labyrinthine dungeon is my new reality, and I’m clueless about how I arrived or where exactly I am. Not long after, I meet Hewie, a loyal canine companion who becomes an integral part of my journey as the game unfolds. Through our friendship, players gain access to more commands to guide us both.

It’s crucial to control Hewie, as Fiona lacks many self-defense abilities. She can sprint and dodge slightly, but these actions deplete her stamina quickly. Evading confrontations whenever possible is usually the best strategy. Hewie can be deployed to distract enemies, some items can be used to harm them, and occasionally, you’ll encounter a Retaliation Point, enabling you to counterattack using the surroundings. However, these retaliation points can only be used once, so choosing when to fight requires careful consideration.

6. Monstrum

Procedurally Generated Horror On A Cargo Ship

In Monstrum, you find yourself in a survival horror experience that incorporates roguelike elements. You’re the lone survivor aboard the freighter Hisa Maru, as everyone else has met a gruesome end due to the presence of one of three terrifying monsters lurking about. The unpredictability of this game comes from the fact that you won’t know which monster you’ll encounter until it reveals itself. Each monster has its own distinctive appearance, capabilities, and artificial intelligence, leading to differences in their behavior. The Brute charges headlong at you, disregarding stealth and barriers such as doors, while the Fiend enjoys mind games, moving items and opening doors with its telekinesis.

On every voyage of the Hisa Maru, the interior arrangement varies, causing items to shift locations. This implies that for the player’s mission to escape the ship, a new strategy must be devised with each journey. The unpredictability of the layout makes it an impressively challenging puzzle. Since players can’t engage in combat, they are frequently chased through the vessel, easily getting disoriented in its ever-transforming hallways. They must then navigate cautiously to retrace their steps and locate the necessary rooms and items needed for their safety.

5. Still Wakes The Deep

The Water Is Calling

Working on an offshore oil rig may appear commonplace to some, but it’s crucial to understand that isolation is often a stark reality for those who work there. While there are colleagues present, the situation can quickly become precarious if things go awry, and the option to flee might not be as immediate as one would hope. This theme of isolation is beautifully portrayed in The Chinese Room’s game, Still Wakes The Deep. In this chilling narrative, players take on the role of “Caz” McLeary, an electrician stationed on the Beira D oil rig in the icy North Sea. When a storm disrupts all communication and something sinister emerges from the depths below, players must aid Caz in locating any viable escape routes as they navigate through the ensuing chaos.

Fundamentally, “Still Wakes The Deep” is essentially an exploration game where you control a character named Caz. Unlike traditional games, Caz doesn’t have many interactive abilities; he can walk, run, jump, and climb, and he carries a flashlight to light up dark areas. However, when monsters appear, Caz becomes defenseless, requiring him to either hide or escape. Despite its seemingly basic gameplay mechanics, the brief duration of the game and its compelling narrative in “Still Wakes The Deep” propel players forward, eagerly anticipating the game’s unexpected ending.

4. Outlast

Journalists Aren’t Welcome At Mount Massive Asylum

There’s a particular breed of reporter who voluntarily delves into a secluded and deserted lunatic asylum, seeking proof of the horrific acts that transpired there. Remarkably (or disconcertingly), Miles Upshur falls under this category, placing him at the center stage in Outlast. He arrives at Mount Massive to discover that the personnel and physicians have been brutally killed, mutilated, and strewn across the asylum’s corridors.

Utilizing only his night vision-enabled camera for illumination amidst the pitch-black insides of Mount Massive Asylum, Miles embarks on a quest to uncover answers to both his initial inquiries and fresh revelations that surface following his discovery of the gruesome massacre that transpired there. It’s important to note that a camera isn’t an effective defensive tool, so players must resort to seeking refuge in empty lockers, hiding under tables and beds, or any other suitable hiding spots they can find whenever the colossal creature called Chris Walker approaches.

3. Clock Tower

The Return Of Scissorman

Adventure games combined with horror have struggled to mesh effectively for quite some time now; this is especially true since the groundbreaking release of the original Resident Evil. Yet, one game that managed to successfully intertwine these two genres was Clock Tower, developed in 1995 by Human Entertainment for the Super Famicom console. The game places players in the role of Jennifer Simpson, a girl recently adopted by the Barrows family. Upon her arrival at their mansion accompanied by other girls, one of them is brutally murdered by an enigmatic figure known as Scissorman.

As a fan, I find myself immersed in the chilling world of “Clock Tower,” also known as the “Clock Tower” mansion. In this spine-tingling game, I navigate through its labyrinthine corridors, all while avoiding Scissorman, a menacing figure who constantly looms. To survive, I must either hide from him or cleverly use traps scattered throughout the environment to stay one step ahead.

Though time may have worn away some of “Clock Tower’s” luster, its contribution to the survival horror genre, particularly the sub-genre of walking sim horror games where combat is not an option, remains undeniable. The re-release for PlayStation 1, “Clock Tower: First Fear,” offers a more accessible experience for contemporary players, but some argue that it compromises the original game’s authentic vision.

2. Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Who Is Daniel, And Why Is He Trapped In Castle Brennenburg?

In the title’s suggestion, we find Daniel awakening within Castle Brennenburg, devoid of any recollection about his identity or purpose there. This situation forms the foundation for the storyline in Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Here, players will direct Daniel through the castle, gathering hints and deciphering puzzles throughout his journey. Yet, they’ll frequently encounter menacing creatures within the castle, leaving Daniel defenseless as he only possesses a lantern. Consequently, he’ll either need to take cover or flee when confronted with these monsters.

In the game “Amnesia: The Dark Descent,” the Sanity meter adds an extra layer of challenge. If Daniel, the protagonist, gazes at a monster for too extended a period or stays in darkness for too long, his mental state will decline. Yet, monsters are attracted to light, so darkness offers Daniel some protection when stealth is essential. This delicate equilibrium is both intricate and nerve-wracking for players. They’ll need to observe the monsters to determine their positions for sneaking by, but prolonged observation or lingering too long in hiding could deplete Daniel’s sanity, leading to a Game Over. The game’s mechanics instill a tangible sense of fear, compelling players to interact with it as if they were actually experiencing Daniel’s harrowing predicament.

Despite Amnesia: The Bunker being considered the best in its series and highly polished, it does include weapons that enable players to combat the game’s monsters and potentially kill them under specific conditions. However, due to this feature of fighting and killing, it doesn’t align perfectly with the suggested list.

1. Alien: Isolation

The Pinnacle Of Horror Enemy AI

In other words, gamers who are well-versed with Alien: Isolation won’t be taken aback to see it leading the pack in this list. In terms of games that make players hide from a relentless beast, Alien: Isolation is often the go-to example. This is primarily because of its outstanding Xenomorph AI. The game challenges players to avoid the creature at all costs, as being discovered usually means certain death. However, the Xenomorph is cunning and will recall any tactics used to evade it before. The experience of running from such a convincingly living and breathing monster is unforgettable.

In this game, players using Amanda Ripley can defend themselves against various other foes such as humans and androids, but these tactics are ineffective against the Xenomorph. The alien quickly learns not to be fooled by the same tricks. Evading and running are the primary strategies for survival, but they don’t offer complete safety. If the Xenomorph detects Amanda Ripley, there is no escape.

2025-05-31 13:36