If You’re Trying To Get Into Horror, Don’t Start With These Games

Summary

Choice-based horror games like Until Dawn are great for beginners due to interactive but not overly complex gameplay.
Alien: Isolation stands out as the best game in the Alien franchise, but its smart Xenomorphs can make it challenging for beginners.
Days Gone is an intense open-world horror game with hordes of zombies, which may overwhelm beginners due to fast-paced combat and resource management.

As a self-proclaimed horror movie enthusiast turned gamer, I must admit that the allure of horror video games occasionally grabs me by the throat. Diving into the world of gaming can be quite an investment – whether it’s shelling out for a console or building a gaming-worthy PC. But once you’re there, the real challenge begins: choosing the right game to start with.

There’s no shortage of pure horror and horror-themed games that are perfect for newbies like me. These games offer chilling experiences that take the excitement of watching horror movies to a whole new level. So, if you too are a fan of things that go bump in the night, I suggest giving these games a try. They’re sure to satisfy your cravings for all things terrifying!

As a fellow gaming enthusiast, I’d say that immersive story-driven games like “Until Dawn” or those from “The Dark Pictures Anthology” are fantastic because they engage you without overwhelming with excessive complexity. They don’t demand prior knowledge about video game mechanics to enjoy, making them accessible for everyone.

However, when it comes to horror games, while they’re cherished by veteran players, they might not be the best starting point for beginners due to their challenging elements or intricate gameplay.

Alien: Isolation

Xenomorphs Are Too Smart

Isolation” stands out as the most impressive video game inspired by the Alien film series. It effectively portrays the intense fear associated with the Xenomorphs. The story follows Amanda Ripley, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, who embarks on a journey to locate her mother. This quest eventually leads her to board the Sevastopol spacecraft.

The difficulty of endorsing Alien: Isolation for beginners lies in the fact that Xenomorphs exhibit an intelligence level that’s almost uncanny. Known for its exceptional enemy AI, this game delivers an impressive level of fear, but it also ramps up the challenge. Even with radar usage and stealth tactics, players might find themselves hunted by the alien horror, as it can track them down relentlessly. Acquiring the equipment needed to fight back takes a considerable amount of time.

Among Ashes

Managing Too Many Mechanics

Among Ashes” is a contemporary indie horror game that seamlessly integrates reality with the classic horror gaming experience of PC. During home gameplay, a friend sends players mysterious messages about an obscure online game. The game then switches between the player’s apartment and this new online game, as bizarre occurrences persist.

The idea behind it is intriguing, yet it might be challenging for novices to grasp fully, especially the complex meta puzzle-solving system it employs. Even seasoned gamers found Among Ashes difficult at times, which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a negative aspect, but it hints that it may not be suitable for beginners.

Days Gone

Hordes Of Problems

One of the Few Horror Games Set in a Post-Apocalyptic World with a Zombie Outbreak: Days Gone is known for its terrifying gameplay. The zombies in this game swarm players in huge numbers, much like ants leaving their hill after a rainstorm. This makes it one of the most frightening zombie games ever created.

This game could be challenging for players who aren’t accustomed to dealing with swift-moving enemies in large numbers, which can be tough to defeat. Moreover, the gameplay involves managing resources like ammo and fuel, as well as maintaining the protagonist’s motorcycle, which might not appeal to everyone.

Deadly Premonition

This One Is For The Weirdos

As a seasoned gamer, I’d be hesitant to suggest Deadly Premonition to fellow horror enthusiasts like myself. The gameplay can feel a bit rough around the edges at times; controlling the vehicle feels like maneuvering a tank, and taking shots is as effortless as a Sunday stroll. This seesaw of challenge leaves me reeling, with tough car sections followed by laid-back action sequences that don’t quite match up.

As a dedicated fan, I’d say this game truly shines with its captivating storyline and memorable characters. It might even boast the most impressive NPC lineup in any horror game out there! For those diving into something as unconventional as this, it’s important to first familiarize yourself with the genre. Trust me, understanding the nuances will make the experience all the more terrifying and enjoyable.

The Last Of Us

Adding Stealth To The Mix

The post-apocalyptic video game titled The Last of Us, now more prominent than ever due to its successful transformation into an HBO series that received critical acclaim and high viewership, offers compelling writing. The bond between the characters Joel and Ellie stands out as particularly poignant, while the combat is demanding yet gratifying.

In this gritty post-apocalyptic world I’ve found myself in, ammo is incredibly sparse compared to your typical horror game. It’s peculiar because no matter how much extra ammunition I stumble upon, Joel just won’t carry more than his gun can hold. It doesn’t quite fit the survivalist vibe of this setting, if you ask me.

And let’s not forget about the stealth sections – they’re abundant and might be a bit tricky for new players like myself to navigate through. I’ve had to learn quickly how to lurk in shadows and make strategic moves to avoid being detected. It adds an extra layer of challenge, but it can definitely feel frustrating at times.

Outlast

No Way To Fight Back

If you find the concept of stealth in The Last of Us difficult, then Outlast offers a challenge that surpasses it significantly. In this game, players take on the character of a journalist named Miles, who ventures into the deserted Mount Massive Asylum to gather evidence of wrongdoings, making for an experience far more demanding than stealth in The Last of Us.

In this game and series, the asylum certainly isn’t deserted, and there are numerous monstrous creatures, mutated from what they once were, who seek to harm Miles. Unfortunately, Miles can’t engage in combat; his sole means of survival is to flee and hide whenever danger looms. This is one reason why horror enthusiasts appreciate

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

A New Era For The Series

In a notable shift from the traditional style of the series, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard adopted a feel reminiscent of independent horror productions, specifically drawing inspiration from Outlast. This game is played from a first-person perspective, with the player taking on the role of Ethan, who embarks on a search for his lost wife within what initially appears to be an abandoned farmhouse.

Inside, he encounters the Baker family who are incredibly warped. Ammunition is sparse in these games, and even weapons aren’t easily found until players have almost finished the game’s extensive opening act. This challenge was something that established fans were ready to tackle, but it’s tough to imagine someone new to this genre being so patient.

Returnal

A Horror Roguelike

In a distinctive fusion of horror and role-playing game elements, the game “Returnal” merges third-person shooting action with a roguelike format. The protagonist is Selene, an astronaut stranded on an alien-infested planet after a crash landing. Each time Selene perishes, she resurrects back at her crash site, discovering that she’s trapped in a recurring timeline.

The combination of different styles in “Returnal” made it incredibly popular on PS5, however, the roguelike genre can be challenging to recommend due to its difficulty. Compared to other games in this category, Selene’s upgrades between runs are relatively limited, which means that a significant portion of progress relies on the player’s own skill. After experiencing multiple deaths, new players might find themselves feeling discouraged.

2025-09-01 06:29