The Scariest Horror Game Remakes, Ranked

The Scariest Horror Game Remakes, Ranked

Key Takeaways

  • Many horror remakes have succeeded in enhancing scares through eerie environments and terrifying enemies.
  • Remakes like
    Resident Evil 2
    bring back the fear factor by creating realistic and horrifying zombies.
  • The Silent Hill 2 remake masterfully replicates the atmosphere and suspense of the original.

As a seasoned horror enthusiast who has braved countless haunted houses, abandoned asylums, and creepy forests, I can confidently say that these remakes have truly outdone themselves in delivering an immersive, terrifying experience. The way they’ve managed to replicate the original games’ atmospheres, suspenseful encounters, and unique enemy designs is nothing short of remarkable.


Over the past few years, there’s been something of a resurgence in remaking classic horror video games. This gives developers an opportunity to subtly enhance elements like the game’s setting, monsters, and plot, making them even more chilling and eerie – which is exactly what dedicated horror enthusiasts crave.

Although remakes of horror movies have differed in their level of fear, there’s no denying that some have managed to create chills by immersing players in terrifying situations they must escape from. If you’re seeking a contemporary horror game brimming with frights and shocks, you should definitely give the following games a try.

7 Alone In The Dark

A Horror-Filled Showcase Of Body Horror And Deary Atmosphere

In its remake, “Alone in the Dark” may not be perfect in gameplay, but it delivers plenty of spine-tingling encounters and pulse-quickening moments. It effectively creates this atmosphere by keeping players shrouded in darkness throughout many levels, amplifying ominous sounds to keep them alert, followed by sudden appearances of terrifying creatures.

Incorporating grotesque body horror is something many horror games do, but Alone in the Dark takes this concept to an extreme, with almost every monster appearing as a disturbing amalgamation of body parts that leaves a lasting impression even after they’ve been vanquished. The game can sometimes lack a consistent tone and its characters may seem rather absurd at times, which can diminish the fear factor. However, when Alone in the Dark aims to scare the player, it usually succeeds quite effectively.

6 System Shock

The Unnerving Voice Of SHODAN Will Remain With Players Long After System Shock’s Ending

1994 saw the debut of the pioneering horror game, System Shock, which is frequently hailed as one of the most crucial and impactful in its genre. A significant portion of this acclaim can be attributed to SHODAN, a cryptic AI character who remains eerily unsettling, particularly in the remake, given that her voice and appearance have been upgraded with contemporary technology.

Traversing the desolate Citadel Station as a gamer, I find myself confronted by grotesque ghouls and mutants, corrupted by SHODAN’s malevolent influence. Armed with a variety of potent weapons, I must navigate this cyberpunk-horror world and brace myself for encounters that will challenge my nerve and sanity. The chilling depiction of SHODAN looms large over every corner, making each step forward a test of courage and resolve.

5 The Last Of Us: Part 1

A Survival Horror Classic Featuring Improved Audio And Grotesque Enemy Designs

It turned out that Sony and Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part 1 isn’t just a remaster, but a complete remake – a new version built from scratch based on the original game. Even though the first one was already quite frightening, this remake takes the terror to another level, particularly with the innovative 3D audio that makes every shriek and scream from the infected sound so close it triggers immediate fear as players struggle to pinpoint where the enemies are approaching from.

In The Last of Us Part 1, Joel gradually gathers a few weapons over the course of the game, but these enemies are rarely taken out swiftly due to limited ammunition and scarce crafting resources. This maintains an ongoing tension that persists from start to finish, peaking significantly during scenes where Joel and Ellie must carefully maneuver through rooms teeming with Clickers.

4 Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 May Have The Most Realistic, And Terrifying, Zombies Of Any Video Game

In a refreshing twist, the remake of “Resident Evil 2” succeeded in making zombies terrifying once more. For quite some time, zombies in video games had lost their initial fear factor due to overuse, but Capcom cleverly brought back the dread by placing players within the confined and claustrophobic halls of the R.P.D. once again, thus restoring the chilling essence of these ravenous creatures as they originally appeared.

As gamers navigate through the R.P.D., sewers, and lab, they’ll encounter new types of adversaries and a variety of daunting bosses to conquer. Refuge areas might offer brief respite, but eventually, players will be compelled to move on to the next zone, brimming with horrors born from the Raccoon City contagion outbreak.

3 Project Zero 2: Wii Edition

Players Are Dropped Into A Dark Haunted Village Surrounded By Ghosts And Evil Spirits

“Project Zero 2 for Wii” is a reimagining of the 2003 PS2 game, “Fatal Frame 2”. For those well-acquainted with the series, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this isn’t a game for the timid. The narrative follows twin sisters Mio and Mayu as they traverse a ghostly forest and village. To ward off the spirits, you must use the franchise’s iconic mystical camera, but beware, as each spirit exhibits unique behaviors, making it challenging to handle them.

Some individuals might choose to keep their distance and avoid being filmed, while others will aggressively approach the player, causing a sudden fluster to manipulate the Wii remote. Combined with a disquieting soundtrack and a conclusion that’s among the bleakest in any horror game, this results in an ordeal that only hardcore horror enthusiasts can endure to the very end.

2 Dead Space

Dead Space’s Unique Intensity Director Ensures Players Never Feel Fully Safe

In video games, few creatures can match the sheer terror of Necromorphs. These grotesque multi-limbed beings move faster than typical zombies, and it’s a bit of luck for Isaac that he finds himself aboard a ship swarming with them. The Dead Space remake stands out in horror games for its exceptional audio design, allowing players to hear the Necromorphs scuttling through ventilation systems and following their every move. As Isaac’s sanity deteriorates, the eerie whispers in his earphones grow louder and more unsettling throughout the game.

Attempting to replay the game doesn’t help alleviate the fear as the game possesses an unusual ‘Intensity Director’. This is a system that assesses how effortless the player has found the game so far. If the player has accumulated excessive ammo and is smoothly progressing through levels, additional Necromorphs will be added unexpectedly during their journey to prevent any overconfidence.

1 Silent Hill 2

A Masterclass In Atmosphere And Suspense That Manages To Replicate The Horror Of The Original

When it became known that Bloober Team was reimagining Silent Hill 2, a game often hailed as the best horror game ever created, few anticipated they would execute it as successfully as they did. Remarkably, this ground-up remake captures the eerie ambiance and heart-stopping enemy confrontations of the original masterfully. A significant factor behind this achievement is the combat system, intentionally designed to be challenging and difficult to manage, leaving James vulnerable and seemingly powerless against the grotesque beings he faces.

The game skillfully employs lighting to cast deep shadows over locations such as apartment buildings and hospitals, generating an unrelenting atmosphere of suspense. Players who think the game will become less frightening as it progresses may be in for a harrowing experience, as each new setting only escalates the sense of unease, mirroring James’ own tormenting ordeal.

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2024-11-21 14:35