Polarizing Horror Game Franchises

Key Takeaways

Most horror game franchises pump out sequels & spin-offs, but not all maintain the same quality.
Hits like Five Nights at Freddy’s can become overused, losing interest as sequels pile up.
Even prominent horror franchises like The Last of Us face backlash due to unnecessary remakes.

As someone who grew up with controllers in my hands and countless nights spent navigating through haunted mansions and zombie-infested cities, I can attest to the highs and lows of these iconic horror game franchises.

The feeling of fear, and the fight or flight response it kicks into people, can be a truly exhilarating feeling that horror enthusiasts can just never get enough of. Lucky for horror game enthusiasts, most great games in a great franchise manage to deliver consistent scares using the developers’ settings, world, and characters.

Just as every genre has its share of quality and less popular works, so too do franchises vary greatly. Some don’t resonate with a wide audience, while others might disappoint devoted fans due to one or two underperforming installments. Yet, there can still be enjoyment to be derived from these franchises, despite not achieving the universal acclaim that studios initially anticipated.

7 Five Nights at Freddy’s

Spawned Many Sequels, Prequels, and Spin-Offs Resulting in Fatigue

The “Five Nights” series took off almost immediately from its debut, quickly becoming the top pick among content creators and streamers, introducing it to a younger demographic than perhaps initially intended. The pizzeria setting has a nostalgic feel, echoing the early days of dining at Chuck E Cheese alongside the eerie animatronics. Few animatronics can match the terror found in “Five Nights at Freddy’s”, which only served to expand their roster with each new installment.

Nevertheless, the franchise’s popularity was a double-edged sword: On one hand, it led to a surge in new projects, with other developers capitalizing on the trend, creating unauthorized spin-offs or imitations. However, the novelty started to wear off as players grew tired of repetitive mechanics and familiar jump scares. Despite some fans moving on, the games continue to exist.

6 Silent Hill

Team Silent Didn’t Handle all the Games, and PT’s Departure Still Stings

As a die-hard gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for the iconic horror franchise, Silent Hill. The first four installments are often hailed as some of the greatest games ever made, though there’s still debate surrounding Silent Hill: The Room. However, the shift in creative direction away from Team Silent, who were the masterminds behind the series’ finest moments, has been a bone of contention among fans. Many feel that subsequent releases lacked the enchantment of the originals and even went so far as to commit unforgivable sins like introducing the terrifying Pyramid Head into games outside of James Sunderland’s narrative.

The cancellation of the game Silent Hills, which was eagerly awaited by many fans, remains a significant letdown. Despite the recent remake of the second entry offering some optimism for the Silent Hill series, it doesn’t erase the past disappointments. Recent titles like Silent Hill: Ascension have received criticism from long-term fans, but there’s always hope for future games to make up for these setbacks.

5 Layers of Fear

Style over Substance

The Bloober Team garnered unprecedented acclaim following their exceptional remake of Silent Hill 2, which ventured into uncharted territory for them – incorporating puzzles, combat, and overall gameplay. Prior to this, they were primarily recognized for their contributions to the psychological horror game Layers of Fear. This series currently includes two main games and an expansion pack. In the initial installment, a painter is attempting to replicate his deceased wife’s likeness; in the expansion, it features the painter’s daughter, while the second game presents an actor on board a ship.

The “Layers of Fear” series boasts stunning visuals that showcase Bloober Team’s artistic prowess. From every perspective, there are captivating sights to behold. However, the gameplay may lack depth, primarily consisting of moving from one point of interest to another. Occasionally, you’ll encounter surreal events like doors disappearing or being trapped in a room with persistent knocking from outside. The term “walking simulator” is often used for games like “Layers of Fear,” which is neither intended as a compliment nor a criticism.

4 Bendy and the Ink Machine

Lost Itself in Follow-Up Titles

Initially, “Bendy and the Ink Machine” was quite a hit when it debuted, even though it didn’t appeal to everyone universally. After all, there isn’t any game out there that captivates every gamer on the planet. Its aesthetic was reminiscent of classic old-time cartoons like Betty Boop and Steamboat Willie. It delved into themes about 2D animation becoming alive and the influence of the ink, especially the ink machine, which held significant importance.

This issue arises due to an excessive focus on aesthetics at the expense of content. Initially, gamers expected a light-hearted, visually appealing experience with the original game. However, subsequent releases didn’t garner the same enthusiasm. By the time Dark Revival arrived, Bendy seemed almost unrelated to its initial self. Instead of capitalizing on its distinctiveness, it attempted to emulate games like BioShock. Unfortunately, this imitation weakened the overall quality and diluted a series that was already straining under its own weight.

3 The Last of Us

Unnecessary Remakes and a Controversial Character (But First Game Is All-Around Adored)

In a novel approach to the post-apocalyptic genre, particularly in the zombie subgenre, the game The Last of Us was widely perceived as an invigorating addition to the gaming world, following the tale of Joel and Ellie, a girl believed immune to infection. For the most part, this assessment proved accurate. Both the initial and sequel games offered engaging gameplay experiences, allowing players to witness the evolution of both familiar and new characters over time. However, this success unfortunately gave rise to some issues within the franchise.

Both original games were updated for modern platforms like consoles and PC. However, given their age at the time of these updates, some felt they weren’t necessary, particularly since a PS4 remaster of 2013’s The Last of Us had come before a PS5 version. Additionally, Abby from The Last of Us Part II is a character who sparks strong opinions in the horror genre, and while some people may love or hate the second game, its gameplay is generally well-regarded as excellent.

2 The Evil Within

Elements of the Game Were Praised, but the Series is Far From Perfect

In these games, as foretold, there exists immense wickedness. They feature horrifying creatures that players must battle using their available weapons. Assuming the role of a detective, they possess the necessary skills and resources to endure…perhaps. Critics frequently lauded its gameplay mechanics, which grew even stronger in the sequel, titled “The Evil Within 2.” The series was also admired for its enemy design, with monsters like the Butcher and Laura being some of the scariest ever encountered in gaming history.

While everything seems promising, The Evil Within could have provided a richer experience. Regrettably, its narrative was lackluster, appearing fragmented and complex, which hindered players from becoming fully invested and absorbed. Additionally, the game’s sudden surges in difficulty often resulted in frustration instead of fun.

1 Resident Evil

Even This Famed and Successful Series Has Had Its Ups and Downs

Resident Evil serves as Capcom’s main series, offering gamers an experience set within a universe where unscrupulous scientists and pharmaceutical corporations carry out horrific acts, including creating viruses that give rise to monstrous creatures and zombie-infected individuals with dangerous bites. The franchise boasts a roster of well-known characters from past games, like Jill Valentine and Leon Kennedy, and it stands among the longest-lasting horror game series, having numerous titles to its name.

Generally speaking, Capcom has been quite proficient in crafting some of the finest survival horror games ever made, ranging from the initial Resident Evil game set within the oppressive Spencer Mansion to Resident Evil 7, which effectively utilized southern horror elements. However, there are titles such as number 5 and 6 that prioritized action over horror, resulting in less-than-stellar AI, and numerous spin-offs that blatantly disregard the essential aspects of the core Resident Evil games.

2024-10-27 03:24