One of the most anticipated horror releases has recently come out on October 20th. Amnesia: Rebirth aspires to continue in the footsteps of the original Dark Descent game, which undoubtedly helped define the future of survival and psychological horror. For its time, it became the scariest game known to most horror fans, and it was a well-deserved title.
However, before getting to Amnesia: Rebirth, there’s a few other classic horror games that have become popular and iconic over the years. In the season of Halloween especially these title are sure to get anyone into a spooky mood. From survival horror titles using limited weapons to counter enemies to full on hide and seek games, here’s a few select titles to keep players entertained until Amnesia: Rebirth.
10 Resident Evil HD Remake
When it comes to great horror, sometimes old is gold. That’s especially the case with titles like Resident Evil HD Remake, which brings the original spooks and atmosphere of the game that started the entire series to life. Sure, it has aged quite a bit, but for retro game lovers it’s a gold mine.
The atmosphere of the first game is actually a bit similar to how the first Amnesia game felt like, as the player finds themselves confined in a mansion fighting off some of the franchise’s most iconic monsters and dealing with inconvenient camera angles.
9 Observer
For a more recent title, Observer is an excellent game. Set in a futuristic Poland, it paints the picture of a dystopian society where a special police can access the brain implants of citizens for interrogation purposes.
It’s a dark, sci-fi survival horror tale with a psychological twist sure to hook any Amnesia fans in as well. While it might not have a historical twist like the original Amnesia game or even Rebirth, it introduces cool gameplay features and a disturbing story lived from the perspective of a Polish Observer detective.
8 SOMA
When a brain scan gone wrong sends Simon far into the future of mankind, he finds himself stuck in an underwater research facility combining humanity’s last survivors. But, as per usual, something has gone horribly wrong, and it’s up to him and Catherine to set things right.
SOMA has become one of the most frightening games in recent years. It builds a fantastic futuristic and claustrophobic atmosphere, where players can only hide and run away from some of the most horrifying and twisted monsters. Survival horror doesn’t get better than this!
7 Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs
One game in particular which became known as a slight letdown for some fans was A Machine For Pigs, the second installment to the Amnesia franchise. Granted, the creators for this game were a different team with a different vision, although gameplay mechanics remained very much the same.
A Machine For Pigs is one man’s, Mandus’ chase for his sons who are reportedly stuck within a machine he once built underneath his home. Although the game feels repetitive and the scares aren’t that fantastic, the atmosphere and the twisted storyline that leaves some aspects up for interpretation compensate for it.
6 Outlast
Players with a weak stomach and a faint heart beware, because Outlast is one of those games that doesn’t take any hostages when it comes to scare factor. When investigative journalist Miles Upshur enters a mental hospital to figure out what strange events have taken place within, he’s in for a rocky ride.
Outlast is a game inspired by many found footage horror movies, bringing the whole genre alive in an interactive fashion. As the camera batteries die, the player is left defenseless to figure out their survival in complete darkness while manic half beasts chase after them with various torture weapons.
5 The Forest
It would be difficult to describe a game like The Forest with just one word, simply because there’s so much more to this game than one expects at first glance. It’s a survival horror game, yes, which drops the player on to unknown land where they must find their missing son.
That being said, it’s also about building and thriving in nature, while dealing with the local native tribes. With mods, the game expands even more. How the game feels and is played depends totally on the player themselves, who can set the pace as they wish. Still, no one can deny the creepiness of being alone in the forest, in the dark, while the locals stare from the bushes.
4 Blair Witch
If forests seem like the scariest feature, why not try the Blair Witch? Inspired by the cult classic The Blair Witch Project movie that revolutionized the found footage horror genre, the game seeks to bring a similar vibe to the player in a much more interactive way.
The game itself historically takes place two years after the events of the movie, and centers around the search for a missing boy. Assisted by his dog Bullet, the main character, a seasoned former police officer, will need to piece together a bunch clues gathered from a highly atmospheric and surprisingly non-linear open-world environment.
3 Penumbra
Before Amnesia, there was Penumbra, and boy was Penumbra as a series something else. It’s definitely a retro horror game by now, but for older players who were around at the time and who can appreciate an oldie but goodie will absolutely fall in love with the look and feel of this franchise.
The franchise has three games, each of which have different storylines. However, the first game, Penumbra: Overture, still holds surprisingly well in terms of graphical performance. Centered around Philip, who receives a message from his father beyond the grave and is led to the cold north of Greenland, into what seems like an abandoned facility.
2 Layers Of Fear
A great story is what really drives a horror game home, and Layers of Fear really knows that. It’s no wonder the game even received a sequel despite being a relatively small indie publication, given how well executed it was gameplay and storytelling wise.
The original game tells the tale of an artist who returns to finish a masterpiece in his studio. By interacting with his environment, the player is able to find more clues and objects to solve the various puzzles and riddles. It’s definitely less about survival and more about puzzles and wits in this game.
1 Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Of course, why play Amnesia: Rebirth if one hasn’t even played the original Amnesia: The Dark Descent? This is the king of horror games, one step above Penumbra and now somewhat aged compared to some of the newer, fresher titles. That being said, it’s still just as creepy as it once used to be.
Daniel, the main character, wakes up with a headache and no memories in an old, dark castle. His mission is to figure out what exactly is happening and how he’s even made it to this place. The truth is stranger than one would imagine, and there’s quite a few spooky challenges sprinkled along the way, from patrolling, growling beasts, the darkness itself, and an invisible water monster.
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