Best Horror Game Franchises Ever

Summary

Resident Evil holds the spot as the king of survival horror.
Outlast innovated the ‘hide or fight’ genre with its found footage-esque gameplay.
Amnesia is an iconic horror series that introduced a generation of gamers to horror storytelling.

Horror remains a significant and enduring genre within the realm of video games, captivating players with its gripping suspense and tales woven around haunting themes. Be it the rush of adrenaline or the allure of narratives born from the most twisted imaginations, gamers will persistently seek out these experiences as long as they are produced.

Gaming enthusiasts are indeed fortunate to be nurtured by several timeless franchises. These enduring series have thrived due to their groundbreaking ideas and exceptional quality, or have sprouted rapidly into fresh fields, some with titles that can be off-putting. The following franchises, however, are notable exceptions, standing tall as some of the horror genre’s strongest representations.

10. Five Nights at Freddy’s

Indie Series Sensation

Some gamers, tired of its widespread popularity and the growing number of mascot-themed horror games, might scoff at the notion of Five Nights at Freddy’s being among the top horror franchises in gaming. However, it’s important to remember: Despite numerous similar titles appearing on Steam, the franchise being widely memed, or unwanted fan art showing up on social media feeds, Five Nights at Freddy’s remains a formidable force in the indie horror game industry.

In the aftermath of its initial launch, being overshadowed by subsequent criticisms, it’s important to remember just how impactful the original “Five Nights at Freddy’s” game was. It based on a seemingly simple idea – monitoring security cameras in a haunted knock-off Chuck E. Cheese – and executed it brilliantly, sparking widespread fascination and a flood of fan theories. Although they have numerous flaws, with the ‘white woman jump scare’ being one of them, it would be unfair to dismiss these games as mere jokes. They hold significant cultural relevance for their fans.

9. Outlast

Found Footage Horror

In the initial pair of Outlast video games, along with the DLC for the first game, a distinctive feature was introduced that revolutionized the ‘hide-or-flee’ subgenre in horror gaming: the camcorder. This device allowed players to document their gameplay in a style reminiscent of found footage, while also serving as a tool to brighten the numerous dark areas within the games using its night vision. The pixelated green images of glowing-eyed adversaries lurking in the shadows quickly became a signature symbol for the series, setting it apart visually.

The Outlast Trials has innovatively redefined the game’s traditional format by incorporating cooperative play elements into its reverse survival gameplay. Furthermore, it delves deeper into the series narrative with its Cold War-era institutional backdrop. Since the Outlast franchise is relatively new and undergoing continuous development, fans can anticipate a wealth of future content in the upcoming years.

8. Amnesia

Unforgettable Horror

The game series titled “Amnesia” by Frictional Games doesn’t require an introduction, having made its debut fifteen years ago with its latest version released in 2023. This horror series captivated a new generation of gamers and introduced many to the genre for the first time through numerous YouTube playthroughs that emerged following its release.

Each episode in the series focuses on a hapless character grappling with amnesia, trying to maneuver through terrifying and perilous situations. The collection spans from the gloomy gothicism of “Dark Descent” to the confined environments of World War I trenches and underground fortifications. While other games by Frictional Games, like “Soma” and “Penumbra,” are equally captivating, it’s their “Amnesia” series that has gained the most recognition and enduring popularity.

7. System Shock

An Immersive Horror Sim

System Shock played a crucial role in the emergence of the elusive immersive sim genre, sparking the development of popular games such as Deus Ex and BioShock. Although BioShock could have justifiably claimed this position among the top horror game series, considering its exceptional qualities, it seemed more fitting to save this spot for its predecessor.

In each installment of this franchise, players navigate through space stations teeming with monsters under the control of the famous AI, SHODAN. Although there are five games in total, three of them are revamped or enhanced versions. Despite the admiration for these updated editions, fans eagerly anticipate a fresh, original addition to the series, as it’s been over two decades since a new original title was released.

6. Alan Wake/Remedy Universe

A Twin Peaks Inspired Universe

In simpler terms, the “Connected Universe” within the horror game genre is relatively new and not as well-established compared to other series. The game “Control”, released in 2019, serves as a distinct start for this franchise, separating it from “Alan Wake”. Despite its youth, both games have impressed many with their quality. “Control” offered an engaging supernatural government thriller that has left fans excitedly anticipating its sequel. The upcoming game, “Alan Wake 2”, further develops the story inspired by “Twin Peaks” from its predecessor in a captivating manner.

In contrast to previous narrative-centric releases, the newest addition to the series, titled “FBC: Firebreak“, brings players back to the mind-bending environment of the Oldest House, which is known as the setting for Control.

5. Alone In The Dark

Granddad Of Survival Horror

Despite its questionable overall standing, the impact and influence of “Alone in the Dark” on subsequent survival horror games is undeniable. This series was instrumental in the use of fixed camera angles and tank controls, and it introduced players to a gaming experience centered around limited inventory systems and puzzle-solving. In essence, these elements paved the way for future survival horror games like “Silent Hill” and “Resident Evil“.

In 2024, the franchise returned with “Alone in the Dark,” a game that, although not flawless, represented a positive move towards recovery for this beloved series.

4. Fatal Frame

Spooky Photography

The “Fatal Frame” series is a collection of Japanese horror video games, primarily standalone narratives rooted in the nation’s folklore. In these games, players delve into various decrepit manors and towns, confronting and vanquishing spirits throughout their journey.

What sets Fatal Frame apart is not just its chilling ambiance and supernatural adversaries, but also the way players accomplish their objectives. Unlike typical games that rely on weapons like guns, players in Fatal Frame use a Camera Obscura to exorcise ghosts by taking pictures of them, essentially using photography for defense. The game’s distinctive gameplay and folklore-inspired visuals make it a must-play for any horror enthusiast.

3. Dead Space

Twisted Monstrosities In Space

Dead Space revolutionized the survival horror genre by transporting it to outer space, where players found themselves stranded on haunting space stations and alien planets teeming with grotesque aberrations, along with sentient obelisks engineered to spawn flesh-based planetary monstrosities. The game is particularly renowned for its visceral body horror, epitomized by the Necromorphs, its primary adversaries, as well as its meticulously crafted survival horror mechanics. However, this description applies mainly to the first two installments of the series.

Similar to Resident Evil, the Dead Space series shifted towards cooperative action games in the 2010s, which seemed to halt its progression. The upcoming remake of Dead Space, though, may signal a comeback for the series to reclaim its past greatness – someday.

2. Silent Hill

Cerebral Survival Horror

After its second game, the Silent Hill series is primarily known for its survival horror genre, where the narrative takes a backseat to explore the disturbed minds of the characters more deeply. The games offer a mental journey through their protagonist’s turmoil, using the recurring location of Silent Hill as a canvas to depict this emotional trauma. This focus on character psychology has contributed significantly to the series’ success, making it an engaging, thought-provoking, and chilling experience.

Regrettably, much like several top-tier horror game franchises, the quality of the Silent Hill series has declined with its more recent releases. However, the remake of Silent Hill 2 and the upcoming Silent Hill f appear to be aiming to reverse this trend.

1. Resident Evil

King Of Survival Horror

In essence, one could say that “Resident Evil” is undeniably the monarch of the survival horror realm. Establishing and defining the survival horror genre as far back as 1996, the series consistently delivers top-notch zombie horror games even today.

Absolutely, the Resident Evil series experienced a lull in its development for several years following the release of Resident Evil 5 and before Resident Evil 6. However, Capcom steered the franchise back on track with Resident Evil 7 in 2017. Since then, fans have been treated to a continuous stream of high-quality AAA survival horror games, whether they are new titles or remakes. This trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

2025-08-02 09:35