The Best Horror Games That Start Off Fast

Summary

Horror games like Alan Wake, The Evil Within, and others start with intense action sequences to immerse players quickly.
Players face relentless enemies from the start without much preparation, creating intense and chaotic intros.
Quick-paced introductions in horror games like Dead Space and Resident Evil 4 set a thrilling tone from the beginning.

Many horror video games begin gently to help players adjust to the atmosphere and storyline, but not all do so. Some popular, high-quality horror games start their journeys by flooding the player with enemies right away. This approach forces players to learn the game’s controls swiftly if they hope to survive.

As a thrill-seeking gamer, diving headfirst into a chilling horror game at breakneck speed draws me in instantly, keeping me captivated mere moments after hitting play. However, if the introduction is botched, it could become irritating, but when developers strike that initial hour just right, it’s enough to keep me hooked till the very end. Here are some of the finest horror games for those who can’t wait to jump straight into the heart-pounding action.

8. Alan Wake

Alan Is Forced To Face The Darkness In The First Few Moments Of His Game

When gamers initiate a fresh save in the original Alan Wake title, they take charge of the main character without prior knowledge about the storyline or characters. The initial 10 minutes are utilized to familiarize players with the game mechanics, particularly emphasizing the crucial role of light as a means of warding off the adversaries that have been engulfed by Darkness.

At the outset of the game, players charge towards the lighthouse for cover, encountering several foes on their journey, using Alan’s reliable flashlight. Unaware of the nature of these grotesque creatures and the actual threat posed by the Darkness, this chaotic beginning serves a dual purpose: it introduces the gameplay, helping players familiarize themselves with its embedded mechanics and systems.

7. The Evil Within

What Should Have Been Another Day On The Job For Sebastian Quickly Turns Into A Living Nightmare

As a dedicated fan, I found myself stepping into the shoes of Detective Sebastian Castellanos, who thought he was just having an ordinary day on the job. However, things took a terrifying turn when we, along with my fellow officers, ventured into a perplexing hospital to investigate a grisly crime scene. Suddenly, we were set upon by a shadowy figure cloaked in mystery.

When I came to, I found myself in the grim confines of a butcher’s factory, and the opening moments of our journey saw us fleeing for dear life from a madman brandishing a chainsaw, with no means to defend ourselves whatsoever.

In tight corners filled with hidden dangers, this introductory scene in today’s horror games is extraordinarily intense, leaving players feeling utterly vulnerable. Fortunately, Sebastian soon finds a revolver, adding a dramatic start to the game.

6. F.E.A.R. 2

F.E.A.R. 2 Opens With A Gory Opening Level Full Of Gruesome Imagery And Action

In the sequel to their widely acclaimed F.E.A.R. game, Developers Monolith aimed to intensify the horror elements. However, there’s enough action to keep gamers engaged as well. This is evident from the very beginning, which in the storyline, happens just before the original game’s ending. Here, players take on the role of a Delta squad operative who lands at Aristide’s penthouse.

As I tread through this seemingly deserted building, it doesn’t take long for the silence to be shattered by enemies leaping from hidden corners, armed to the teeth and ready to ambush me. And let me tell you, there are some downright chilling sights around every corner in this opening level – a reminder that Alma is always lurking somewhere nearby.

5. Fatal Frame / Project Zero

Players Are Given Barely Any Time To Prepare For The Ghosts That Await Them

In the initial Fatal Frame game, players are thrust immediately into confronting ghostly adversaries without much time to steady their nerves first. Immediately following a brief introductory scene, they find themselves exploring a vast, ominous abandoned temple teeming with spectral beings. These specters can only be vanquished using the Camera Obscura.

With a stationary screen overlay and ghosts casually wandering about, this part is incredibly intense and genuinely frightening to experience. Essentially, it serves as a trial for players’ courage, as those who struggle with this initial segment may find the rest of the game challenging due to its escalating terror.

4. Silent Hill: Homecoming

Homecoming Gets Players Into The Action Much Faster Than Other Games In The Series

In contrast to most Silent Hill games that begin with a gradual escalation of fear, Homecoming deviates from this pattern. After gaining control over Alex, there’s a brief moment for exploration, but it doesn’t last long. Players will quickly encounter one of the series’ famous adversaries, the Nurse, who is just as menacing as she was in Silent Hill 2.

Since players appear to step into the Otherworld immediately upon starting the game, they find themselves confronted with numerous Nurses right from the beginning of the game. This opening is unique in the Iconic survival horror series, offering a particularly frightening welcome to players.

3. Dead Rising 2

Players Are Free To Slice Apart Hordes Of Zombies On A Motorbike At The Beginning Of Dead Rising 2

In Dead Rising 2, players are quickly thrust into the heart of the action. Within just a few minutes of the narrative, they have the opportunity to engage in the grisly television spectacle called Terror is Reality. Here, players can roam a sprawling arena on a motorcycle fitted with chainsaws at both ends. The objective is to climb up the leaderboard by slaying as many zombies as they can. Although it might not be particularly terrifying, it’s undeniably an exhilarating part of the gameplay experience.

In addition, this game effectively conveys Chuck’s character and his determination to earn money for his daughter’s safety by showing who he truly is. Notably, Dead Rising 2 maintains a swift tempo without ever slowing down. However, the initial segment of the game is particularly noteworthy due to its suddenness and thrilling nature.

2. Dead Space

Isaac Only Gets A Minute Or Two To Relax Before The Necromorphs Make Their Introduction

A fan of horror games will never forget the instant they approached the main entrance of the USG Ishimura in the original Dead Space. Once they stepped onto the massive space station, players were given approximately two to three minutes to familiarize themselves with the surroundings before the hideous, mutated Necromorphs made their presence known.

In the chaotic scene unfolding, as grotesque creatures break through the ceiling and dash from air vents, Isaac is compelled to flee, thus losing track of Kendra and Simmons. The nerve-wracking speed of the introduction in Dead Space effectively communicates the sheer menace of the Necromorphs, while the gruesome condition of the Ishimura – overrun by these monsters by the time Isaac arrives – underscores the dire situation.

1. Resident Evil 4

Just As Players Have Gotten To Grips With The Controls, Leon Is Swarmed By An Army Of Ganados

In the opening minutes of Resident Evil 4, players find themselves thrust headlong into a frenzied slaughter, even though they’re woefully underprepared for the harrowing ordeal ahead. Initially, Leon confronts a handful of infected townsfolk during his rescue operation, but as the mission progresses, he unwittingly uncovers an overwhelming horde of weapon-toting Ganado, who are determined to annihilate him completely.

This leads to one of the most famous opening stages in gaming history, as players must utilize all their saved resources just to survive, given the overwhelming number of enemies pursuing them. In both the original game and its remake, this is a part that consistently gets adrenaline pumping, but it’s particularly shocking during the first playthrough, catching the player off guard when they least suspect it.

2025-06-07 13:35