The Best Horror Games That Are Too Short

Highlights

Short horror games like
Resident Evil 3
pack a punch in just six hours, keeping players on edge with Nemesis lurking.
Outlast’s
five-hour asylum nightmare terrifies players with twisted inmates and memorable characters to flee from.
Still Wakes The Deep
delivers classic horror vibes in a short but chilling four-and-a-half-hour experience on an oil rig.

As a seasoned gamer who’s seen my fair share of heart-stopping moments and terrifying creatures lurking in the shadows, I must say that these short yet intense horror games have left quite an impact on me. From the chilling isolation of “Still Wakes The Deep” to the reverse-horror experience of “Carrion”, each game offers a unique spin on the genre that keeps me on my toes.

Games like “Alien: Isolation” and “Resident Evil: Village” offer more than ten hours of terrifying gameplay, but there are also shorter games that deliver an effective horror experience. These brief yet impactful horror titles have given both independent and major game developers the opportunity to gain recognition in the gaming industry and move forward with larger and more impressive projects.

As a horror enthusiast, I find that brief, spine-tingling horror experiences can linger in my memory just as vividly as lengthier games. It’s almost surreal how these games manage to captivate me, leaving me yearning for more once the credits roll and the chilling adventure comes to an abrupt end.

8 Resident Evil 3 Remake – 6 Hours

Nemesis Makes Up For The Short Story

The Best Horror Games That Are Too Short

In approximately six hours of gameplay, the remake of Resident Evil 3 delivers a chilling experience that rivals its predecessor, Resident Evil 2, which kept players entertained for nine to eleven hours. This is all thanks to Capcom’s masterful use of tension and dread, particularly through the relentless pursuit by the infamous monster known as Nemesis, one of the most iconic antagonists in the Resident Evil series.

In the game, Resident Evil 3, we follow Jill Valentine’s story, as it coincides with the same fateful day as in Resident Evil 2. This narrative offers a glimpse into the terror faced by others during Raccoon City’s downfall. Though Resident Evil 3 is a captivating sequel, some might be slightly underwhelmed by its shorter narrative arc compared to its predecessor.

7 Outlast – 5 Hours

A Mad Night At Mount Massive Asylum

Experiencing sheer terror while navigating an asylum in Outlast is unmatched. This game shares a common strategy with numerous first-person horror games of its era, with the primary objective being to move through Mount Massive Asylum and employ stealth to evade the deranged patients who now control the facility.

The monstrous, mutated beast ready to attack the player and the mad surgeon are just two examples of the constant fear that Outlast instills. Across its five-hour playtime, you’ll find nothing but anxiety, terror, and in some instances, revulsion. Despite being a short indie game, it has birthed an even scarier DLC, a longer sequel, and a multiplayer spinoff as well.

6 Still Wakes The Deep – 4.5 Hours

Harking Back To Classic Horror Movies

Numerous terrifying video games have been praised for drawing inspiration from old-school horror films, and this is true for the game “Still Wakes The Deep“. This hidden gem caught gamers off guard with its gruesome body horror, reminiscent of John Carpenter’s “The Thing”, combined with elements similar to “Deep Rising”. The setting, an oil rig in the heart of the ocean, adds a distinctive touch.

Experiencing solitude, coupled with the awareness of something lurking in the corridors, makes “Still Wakes The Deep” a truly petrifying journey. Nevertheless, many gamers felt that the game concluded prematurely, even though it was filled with nerve-wracking instances and an engaging narrative.

5 Carrion – 4 Hours

Four Hours Of Fear… For The NPCs

Carrion distinguishes itself by presenting a unique twist on the genre: instead of playing as a human character, you assume the role of a bloodthirsty monster in this reverse-horror game. The gameplay resembles a Metroidvania, with its non-linear levels that encourage exploration and accomplishing objectives to advance through the story.

In this game, the player ruthlessly defeats their opponents, much like the amorphous creature in the movie “The Blob.” This blood-red, blob-like monster, made up of flesh, keeps growing larger. The game’s retro pixelated aesthetic adds charm to its challenging puzzles and traversal mechanics that are hard to resist, offering a brief yet delightful gaming experience. (Paraphrased from the original text)

4 The Mortuary Assistant – 2 Hours

Creepy Night Shifts Made Worse By Demons

Working in a mortuary can be spooky enough, but a game set in a haunted one promises chills down your spine. However, “The Mortuary Assistant” offers an intriguing twist: instead of mere fear, you’ll be investigating as a player, examining various corpses to unravel the mystery of the ghostly presence that haunts the building every night.

In my enthusiastic take, I’d put it like this: “I adore ‘The Mortuary Assistant,’ a compact two-hour gem that sets itself apart by offering randomized corpses in each playthrough, ensuring a unique horror experience every time. It’s no wonder this indie gem has garnered so much acclaim! And here’s the best part – there are six distinct endings to the game, urging me to replay it multiple times for a 100% completion.”

3 Slender: The Arrival – 2 Hours

When Slender Man Ruled The Internet

For several years, the Slender Man figure held a position of terror on the internet, notably in the independent gaming community, beginning with the brief game titled “Slender: The Eight Pages“. Subsequently, Slender Man was provided an opportunity to excel and surpass expectations with “Slender: The Arrival“, a game that demonstrated Slender Man’s capabilities as both a formidable physical and psychological antagonist.

Spectators found it remarkable how brief the game “Slender: The Arrival” turned out to be, considering the intense buzz surrounding it. However, within the span of two hours, it delivers an overwhelming amount of elements designed to scare players, including the titular villain, his menacing acolytes, a non-linear level layout, intriguing backstory, and an oppressive ambiance. This game received a remastered version ten years later.

2 Oakwood – 1.5 Hours

The World Needs More Dinosaur Horror

In gaming, most things are better with dinosaurs, and that can be said for both survival horror and a lesser-known game called Oakwood. It’s a very simple premise, with someone exploring Oakwood forest only to discover that dinosaurs are on the prowl.

In several aspects, Oakwood shares similarities with Slender: The Arrival and Outlast in gameplay mechanics. However, it offers a glimpse of what fans anticipate for Jurassic Park: Survival. The thrill of being pursued by a Dilophosaurus in the sewers, or escaping from the footsteps of a T-Rex, instills fear and keeps players on edge. Despite its brief runtime of about an hour, the game never becomes monotonous or repetitive.

1 Iron Lung – 1 Hour

Sixty Minutes Of Claustrophobic Tension

The central element in the story of “Iron Lung” lies in its atmosphere, as a submersible navigates through a strange planet that consists solely of a vast ocean of blood. From start to finish, “Iron Lung” was lauded for being chilling and disquieting due to its unique setting, all of which unfolds within the confines of a submarine. Players can only catch glimpses of the outside world by taking photographs or utilizing sonar.

In an hour of play with the “Iron Lung” game, players found themselves tensing up in anticipation of jump scares or monster attacks. However, the game continues to build tension instead. The sound effects and pace are crucial elements that make “Iron Lung” a terrifyingly memorable horror game. In fact, it’s so impactful that a well-known YouTuber, Markiplier, has decided to transform it into a live-action movie.

2024-08-12 08:34