Horror Games That Shouldn’t Have Been Horror

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Summary

  • Dead Space 3 lacked impact due to repetitive enemies and forced co-op, losing its edge in the horror genre.
  • The Quarry suffers from slow pacing, diluting the horror experience, possibly benefiting from a shift to comedy.
  • Callisto Protocol could have thrived by fully embracing hack-and-slash gameplay, distinguishing itself from Dead Space.

In light of the rising popularity of horror games in recent times, it’s essential for any developer entering this genre to create a game that distinguishes itself from the competition. Although there have been numerous terrifying, engaging, and thrilling horror games launched, some have fallen short when it comes to delivering enough fear and tension to keep players captivated throughout their gaming experience.

It seems that several of these games might have garnered more positive responses if their approach had been slightly modified, perhaps by focusing on a genre more aligned with the gameplay and visual style. Essentially, these horror games could have been more effective in different genres. Although this doesn’t automatically make them poor games to play, they could have greatly improved had they chosen a different development path.

7. Dead Space 3

Fans Were Already Too Accustomed To The Necromorphs By The Time Dead Space 3 Was Released

Despite Dead Space and Dead Space 2 being highly praised horror games that continue to be well-loved within the genre, their third installment tends to spark debate among fans. The reason for this is that it doesn’t introduce many new enemy types, making the Necromorphs seem too predictable to some players who have already battled these creatures extensively in the previous two games. Additionally, the incorporation of co-op mode dilutes the intensity of the gameplay experience and can come across as an afterthought, rather than a seamless integration into the overall design of the game.

An alternative approach for the developers to address the increased emphasis on action over horror in the new game might be fully embracing its exaggerated gameplay style. Instead of focusing excessively on creating scares, they could transform it into an action-packed, shooter-slash hybrid that allows multiple enemies to be attacked simultaneously in expansive environments. This could have added a thrilling dynamic, especially when playing cooperatively with a friend.

6. The Quarry

The Quarry’s Sluggish Pacing Can Dampen The Scares

The Quarry isn’t a poor game by any means, yet it falls short in one key aspect: pace. Although the visuals are stunningly impressive, the game lacks consistent tension that is typically expected from a horror title. While these extended periods of calm do allow players to bond with the charming characters, the scarcity of frightening moments might have been better utilized in crafting a comedic and eccentric ensemble piece.

Instead of having several antagonists to heighten fear, it might have been more impactful if they’d focused on just one, like a werewolf. If one of the characters secretly was a werewolf, this could create a humorous twist where dialogue choices remain crucial, but the overall atmosphere and distinctive feel of the game would be significantly altered, veering away from the typical style usually associated with Supermassive Games.

5. The Callisto Protocol

Callisto Could Have Differentiated Itself By Leaning Into The Hack-And-Slash Genre Even More

The Callisto Protocol seems to have been launched during an inopportune moment, as it faced comparisons with the recently released Dead Space Remake, stirring somewhat negative responses from gamers eager for a new horror title. However, it does boast a distinctive gameplay mechanic that emphasizes engaging enemies at close range using various melee weapons, a feature less common in horror games.

Although the fighting in the game is incredibly enjoyable, it seems a bit lacking, which could have made it more thrilling if it had been fully developed into an action-packed hack-and-slash title. This might have helped differentiate it from the Dead Space comparisons. Instead of focusing on horror elements, branding the game as a spooky beat ’em up would likely have boosted The Callisto Protocol’s appeal. However, players can only speculate about how this change could have affected the gameplay experience.

4. Amy

Ditch The Horror, And This Could Have Been A Pretty Unique Game About Bonding

For those who may not be aware, given that the game was largely overlooked upon its release, “Amy” is a 2012 video game where players assume the role of Lana, a guardian protecting a young girl named Amy who is immune to a widespread zombie contagion. The narrative bears some resemblance to “The Last of Us,” and as demonstrated by that game, the dynamic between guardian and child can be both effective and moving. However, unlike “The Last of Us,” the horror aspect in “Amy” doesn’t enhance its appeal in this regard.

The awkward gameplay and strange enemy battles take away from the enjoyment rather than adding to it. A stronger emphasis on the connection between the two main characters would have made the game more engaging. This could be done without resorting to excessive gruesome content, but given the popularity of horror games during that time, it’s understandable that Vectorcell chose to follow the trend.

3. OverBlood

OverBlood Barely Even Warrants Being A Survival Horror Game

Reflecting on the fact that OverBlood was initially launched in 1996, it’s challenging to hold the creators accountable for their bold attempt at something innovative and experimental. However, the concept of blending action-adventure and survival horror genres resulted in a somewhat confusing experience. Although players may encounter some spooky adversaries and ominous environments occasionally, these elements can easily be overshadowed given that the game predominantly focuses on solving puzzles, interacting with NPCs, and navigating long corridors that seem to go on forever.

Regardless, the game OverBlood remains remarkably ambitious given its release era. Yet, the forced integration of horror elements in gameplay feels awkward and even discordant. Despite this, it’s absolutely worth giving a try, particularly for gamers who enjoy revisiting classic titles on the original PlayStation console.

2. Alone In The Dark (2024)

A Fresh Reboot Could Have Taken The Franchise In A Different Direction

The initial “Alone in the Dark” game is frequently recognized as the originator of the survival horror genre, yet because the series has had extended periods of inactivity, it ultimately lost some of its luster to games like “Resident Evil” and “Silent Hill.” When news broke that a modernized version of the original would hit shelves in 2024, fans were undoubtedly thrilled, but there was much discussion about how different the revamped game might be, given how outdated the original had become.

Although the game remains enjoyable due to its engaging dual protagonists with distinct narratives, it lacked the necessary thrill and surprise for a modern horror title. The creatures weren’t particularly frightening, and the imprecise controls occasionally disrupt the immersive atmosphere. As a reboot, there was an opportunity to emphasize elements centered around crime-solving, enabling players to truly embrace the role of a detective without being incessantly bothered by supernatural entities during their investigation.

1. Hello Neighbor

Hello Neighbor’s “Horror” Becomes Laughable After A Few Hours

The neighbor’s franchise, titled “Hello Neighbor,” has had an unusual journey. The early alpha version of the original game garnered praise from horror enthusiasts due to its innovative concept – exploring a stranger’s house and unveiling their hidden, sinister secrets – which was relatively unique in the genre. However, the magic quickly faded when the full game was launched, as the gameplay turned out to be overly repetitive. This repetition made the horror aspects lose their edge, becoming predictable and even comical instead.

The initial shock of your neighbor suddenly springing up from his seat to catch a player in the act is an effective jump scare, but when it happens repeatedly due to players trying to figure out where they should go next, it transitions more into annoyance than fear. To add to that, the excessive dramatic music can border on being comical due to its frequent usage. If one considers the game’s strong base, it would have been better if the developers had concentrated solely on creating a fully immersive stealth experience. This approach would have allowed them to dedicate more time to developing various ways for players to navigate through the house and their surroundings, rather than focusing on making everything as scary as possible.

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2025-07-20 05:34