Most Distressing Horror Games, Ranked

Summary

Horror games rely on disturbing lore, not just jumpscares.
Games like Mouthwashing use psychological horror elements to unsettle players.
Alien: Isolation and P.T. deny players the ability to fight, creating intense fear.

Different players may find various aspects appealing in horror games; everyone has unique preferences for their gaming experiences. Some might enjoy being pursued by bizarre, unfathomable creatures, while others might prefer a more subtle form of terror such as text-based psychological horror that provokes questions about one’s own existence.

This list examines eight games situated at opposite ends of the spectrum, as well as those in between, all sharing one common trait: their unsettling quality. Although not every game includes gruesome visuals or terrifying creatures, each one effectively makes the player feel uneasy, on edge, and a bit queasy.

8. Mouthwashing

Take Responsibility

In late 2024, I found myself captivated by an extraordinary psychological horror game titled “Mouthwashing.” This game was quite a sensation, sending shockwaves through the horror genre. The story revolves around me, a crew member of a wrecked spacecraft, struggling to maintain our spirits as resources become scarce. Adding to our troubles is the grotesque and still living captain, confined in the medical bay to keep him pacified.

A troubling aspect of the game “Mouthwashing” arises from perplexing hallucinations, stemming from a sense of guilt and overindulgence in strong alcoholic mouthwashes. Notably, discussing “Mouthwashing” necessitates acknowledging a stark, sobering revelation: the character controlled by the player is not only responsible for the crew’s predicament but also exhibits monstrous qualities comparable to any horror genre creature.

7. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Welcome To The Family, Son!

In a chilling turn for the popular Resident Evil series, the initial first-person perspective game, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, delivers numerous tense scenes. Witnessing Ethan Winters’ dismemberment, along with other characters being beheaded, disemboweled, and mutated into the infamous creatures of the franchise, is just a part of it. What makes this experience even more immersive is the option to play it all in Virtual Reality.

The reboot of Biohazard (Resident Evil) revitalized the franchise by returning to its original horror elements, breaking the monotony it had fallen into. However, some suspense is lost when players obtain a weapon and begin fighting back. Yet, this hardly diminishes the intensely unsettling ambiance that pervades the game.

6. Outlast

Only One Way Out

In essence, “Outlast” stands out as one of the most authentic found-footage horror games available today. It excels at delivering this experience by placing you in an eerie mental institution with nothing but a camcorder for protection. The game’s success lies in its high level of immersion, as it eschews traditional health bars and typical heads-up displays (except when using the camera).

In the game “Outlast“, players are not offered a chance to engage in combat; rather, they must employ strategies such as hiding, sneaking, and fleeing to evade and survive against the relentless, inhuman adversaries pursuing them.

5. Alien: Isolation

Something’s On This Station. Something You Wouldn’t Believe.

Much like Outlast, Alien: Isolation places the player in a situation where they cannot engage directly with the primary menacing entity, which takes the form of the Xenomorph. Instead, players must navigate through a deteriorating space station, evading aggressive androids and panicked humans while being relentlessly pursued by an unyielding alien threat.

The alien frequently ambushes you, and since it’s equipped with advanced AI technology, it can stay hidden nearby most of the time. This makes playing the game incredibly nerve-wracking because you never know when the Xenomorph might attack. While it may seem distant at times, it’s always close enough to keep you on edge and prevent any sense of comfort or relaxation.

4. The Mortuary Assistant

It’s Not A Life I Would Want For Anyone

In this list, you’ll find an exceptional indie horror game titled The Mortuary Assistant, which isn’t part of any established franchise and was independently created by a single developer. This makes it a standout in the indie horror genre. The game puts you in the role of the main character, who happens to be a mortuary assistant, tasked with embalming bodies. Although this might seem straightforward, it takes on a grim twist when you encounter numerous demons that have taken over the corpses, and even your own character is not immune to possession.

In The Mortuary Assistant, the gameplay resembles that of a walking simulator, reminiscent of Outlast. However, what sets it apart is its procedurally generated storyline, ensuring each playthrough offers a fresh experience. This means the chilling encounters leading to various endings will always keep players guessing and on their toes. Additionally, the creature design in The Mortuary Assistant significantly amplifies an already unsettling atmosphere that arises simply from being inside a morgue.

3. Silent Hill 2 (2024)

In My Restless Dreams, I See That Town

Almost every gamer has likely encountered Silent Hill 2, the suspenseful survival horror game located in the eerie town of Silent Hill, where a thick fog rolls in, carrying with it terrors beyond imagination. The 2024 remake of the 2001 favorite heightens what made the original so beloved, enhancing the chilling creatures that once haunted dreams and making them appear even more lifelike.

In addition to the chilling fog-shrouded horrors that contribute to the unsettling ambiance in Silent Hill 2, it’s the game’s exploration of human nature, guilt, and the revelation that James may not be the devoted husband he portrayed, as well as its immersive environmental design, which makes the eerie town feel even more desolate and isolating.

2. I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream

We Were All Heroes. In Spite Of Ourselves.

The eldest game on this compilation, titled “I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream“, is a reinterpretation in point-and-click format of the well-known Harlan Ellison short story bearing the same name. This narrative unfolds in a post-apocalyptic epoch, where the last five human beings are detained by AM, an artificial intelligence, who prolongs their lives solely to inflict endless torment upon them.

If you find the premise itself disheartening, be prepared that the game’s and story’s ending (as suggested by the title) is often ranked among the saddest narrative conclusions in horror genres. Despite the player’s efforts to be a hero throughout, only one of the seven possible endings offers any semblance of hope for humanity’s future.

1. P.T. (Silent Hills)

The Only Me Is Me. Are You Sure The Only You Is You?

The last item on the list is “P.T.”, a game that can only be played if one manages to find a PS4 from 2014 with the game already installed. Originally intended as a “playable teaser” for a project called “Silent Hills”, which was subsequently canceled, “P.T.” consists of the player walking through the hallways of a house. The path repeats indefinitely, with each loop introducing fresh horrors and storyline developments.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but express my awe for the chilling impact of P.T., even though it was just a teaser. Its haunting atmosphere, reminiscent of the classic Silent Hill series, has earned it a reputation as one of the scariest games ever created. From the eerie presence of a crying fetus in the bathroom sink to the bone-chilling “Lisa,” P.T. transformed an ordinary corner into one of the most nerve-wracking decisions in horror gaming. Many fellow gamers share my sentiment, expressing regret over the cancellation of the full game release.

2025-01-07 09:34