Most Influential Horror Games From The 90s

Key Takeaways

Dark Seed set the standard for graphic quality and cutscenes that became common in video games.
Blood’s dark Lovecraftian themes influenced modern retro shooter games.
The House of the Dead revitalized the zombie genre and introduced fast-running zombies to pop culture.

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours navigating through the dark and terrifying worlds of various video games, I must say that these three games have left an indelible mark on my gaming journey.

In the 1990s, the horror genre gained prominence in gaming, with iconic titles being launched that propelled video games into the thriving global industry we recognize today. Some of the decade’s most impactful games belonged to the horror genre, setting new standards for technology, gameplay mechanics, and narrative storytelling while simultaneously sending shivers down the spines of players.

Many popular video games, ranging from timeless classics to global sensations, have spawned successful series that continue to thrive today. The current gaming world would be significantly altered without numerous titles from this list. Remarkably, several of them have undergone modern remakes, enabling a fresh audience to encounter the terror, gore, and excitement that established these games as genre icons.

7 Dark Seed

A Forward-Thinking Horror Experience

Back in 1992, the Point-and-Click adventure genre wasn’t as common in mainstream gaming as it is today, but Dark Seed stood out as a game before its time. Renowned Swiss artist H.R. Giger was at the helm, bringing his distinctive and eerie style to the game.

Dark Seed stood out for its advanced graphics, pre-made backgrounds, and scenes (a feature later adopted by numerous video games, giving the game a cinematic feel). The player takes on the role of Mike Dawson, who uncovers a sinister alternate world in his new residence. The game is notoriously difficult, as much of the action transpires within a brief timeframe. If players fail to act quickly, it’s game over.

6 Blood

A Cult FPS Classic

Over time, this first-person shooter game featuring horror elements became popular among dedicated fans and significantly impacted the Weird West genre in gaming. The player assumes the role of Caleb, a vengeful undead gunslinger seeking retribution against a demon who murdered his family. The game’s setting is not explicitly defined, and it incorporates various pop-culture nods, excessive violence, and an extensive arsenal of weapons, some with multiple attack options.

The game significantly impacted numerous contemporary retro shooters, such as Dusk and Cultic, due to their shared Lovecraftian motifs and western backdrop. Additionally, it sparked the creation of the manhwa Priest, later brought to life on the big screen in 2011.

5 The House of the Dead

The Original Arcane Sensation

“In the 90s, The House of the Dead was one of the most popular arcade games. In 1998, it made a successful move from arcades to consoles with its Sega Saturn version. The game’s narrative centers around two agents trying to prevent a zombie pandemic, as throngs of the undead are set free. Players utilize a light gun to shoot hordes of attacking zombies while avoiding human targets and saving hostages.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve gotta say, although the mechanics might be straightforward, The House of the Dead is a blast! This shooter game left an indelible mark, playing a crucial role in rejuvenating the zombie genre, not just in video games but also in films. It was this game that brought the concept of swift-moving zombies into mainstream entertainment. Before it, the undead were typically the slow-moving type made famous by George Romero.

4 Alone in the Dark

A Genre Defining Release

Alone in the Dark, originally, stands out as one of the pioneers in survival horror genre and is recognized for being the first 3D game within this category. Despite not achieving the same widespread popularity as games like Silent Hill or Resident Evil, its impact on horror gaming remains significant. It paved the way for many mechanics that are now standard in survival horror, such as a limited inventory and puzzle-solving. Interestingly enough, it had a considerable influence on the creation of the first Resident Evil.

The game titled “Alone in the Dark” centers around the character navigating their way out of a vast mansion in Louisiana. Set in the 1920s, it draws inspiration from the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, where the player confronts diverse supernatural entities such as ghosts and monsters. This game launched a popular series, featuring multiple games, movies, and even a modern reboot of the original game, which was released in 2024.

3 System Shock

Innovating the Genre

As a dedicated gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the profound impact that System Shock had on the gaming world. This groundbreaking title, with its intricate mechanics and ominous ambiance, left an indelible mark on modern gaming. Its influence is still evident in games like Soma, Bioshock, and Cyberpunk 2077, and it played a pivotal role in popularizing emergent gameplay for gamers everywhere.

In System Shock, gamers assume the role of a security hacker on a mission to halt a malevolent AI that has seized control of a space station. This game was notable for its advanced physics system and non-traditional gameplay structure, which helped it gain recognition as a key title in the immersive sim genre. In 2023, the game underwent a successful remake, introducing this captivating and ominous depiction of the future to modern gamers.

2 Silent Hill

A Psychological Horror Classic

Silent Hill, known as one of the most influential games in the survival horror genre, delivers a heavy dose of psychological terror. It offers a chilling and mature gaming experience that kick-started a prosperous franchise. The game revolves around Harry Mason, who ventures into the eerie town of Silent Hill, on a mission to find his adopted daughter.

The storyline of Silent Hill delves into some incredibly grim territories, both in terms of its setting and psychological depth. The game’s dismal aesthetics align flawlessly with the plot, establishing an unrelenting ambiance that seldom lightens up. Its impact on contemporary gaming is immense, evident in numerous survival horror games that followed suit. In a field once dismissed as simplistic or childish, Silent Hill played a pivotal role in elevating video games to an art form.

1 Resident Evil

A Worldwide Phenomenon

The long-running video game series known as Resident Evil is renowned as one of the most profitable in gaming history. It centers around the malicious Umbrella Corporation, their research into biological weapons causing widespread zombie infestations. Essentially, Resident Evil played a significant role in reviving the popularity of zombies within video games and cinema, making it a pivotal milestone in the survival horror genre.

The game involves a special operations team exploring a puzzling mansion where the deceased have been reanimated and are lurking in the hallways. Pioneering in-game narrative storytelling, Resident Evil adopted a more cinematic style with its live-action introduction and engaging cutscenes. Although the series has undergone numerous transformations, the original Resident Evil continues to be a quintessential survival horror adventure.

2024-10-14 05:03