The Best Horror Games Only Available On The PS1

Summary

• PS1 introduced new terrifying horror games.
• Some exclusive PS1 horror games remain iconic.
• PS1 horror games continue to offer unique experiences.

While horror games existed long before the PlayStation 1’s existence, the release of Sony’s console ushered in a new era of terrifying titles, offering new, scarier experiences. Although the console is now relatively old and outdated, even (to the dismay of some gamers) being demoted to “retro” status, there are still a number of worthy titles that keep the PS1 relevant.

Many games were released on multiple platforms, and became so popular that they warranted remakes or remasters on newer consoles – take the Resident Evil franchise, for example – but others remained exclusive to the original PlayStation. These are some of the best horror games only available on the PS1.

This list does not include PS1 titles that are available to play reverse compatibly on other consoles via the PSN store, such as
Silent Hill
(1999),
Clock Tower
(1996), and
Parasite Eve.
This list will also include survival horror games.

9 Clock Tower 2: The Struggle Within / Clock Tower: Ghost Head

A Point-And-Click Horror Adventure

• Release Date: March 12, 1998
• Developer: Human Entertainment

Clock Tower 2: The Struggle Within (or Clock Tower: Ghost Head in Japan) is the third entry of the Clock Tower franchise. The player takes on the role of high school student Alyssa, afflicted with an evil alter-ego, visiting her father’s friends. When her cousin is found dead, they must control both Alyssa and her alter-ego to investigate the house and discover the truth about her family.

Although not one of the most polished games in the series, The Struggle Within gained somewhat of a cult following and deserves a spot on this list for its contribution to point-and-click horror adventure gaming. The game even has a whopping 13 potential endings.

8 Shadow Tower

Encounter Horrific Monsters Through Dungeon-Crawler Gameplay

Today, FromSoftware is most widely associated with the Dark Souls franchise (and the subsequent popularization of “Soulslike” games), as well as newer titles like Elden Ring and Sekiro. As such, their earlier titles fly, undeservedly, under the radar.

Shadow Tower is a dungeon crawler where the player must fight demons to rescue his hometown after it is pulled into the underworld. Amid the satisfying and simple gameplay are some genuinely disturbing monster designs that make turning every corner a nerve-wracking experience.

7 …Iru!

Escape School, And Whatever Is Stalking Its Hallways

• Release Date: 1998
• Developer: Soft Machine
• Publisher: Takara

…Iru! is a survival horror game set in a school. The player takes on the role of a young exchange student, Tatsuya, who finds himself trapped with other students who stay behind to finish festival preparations. The catch is that dangerous monsters are roaming the building, killing everyone in their path. The player must escape by exploring, completing puzzles, and hiding from threats.

Although survival horror games are now much more advanced in terms of graphics and mechanics, …Iru! is still a worthy contributor to the genre and an interesting, shorter experience for fans of the likes of White Day: A Labyrinth Named School.

6 Countdown Vampires

Rescue Survivors Of A Strange Vampire Epidemic

• Release Date: December 22, 1999
• Developer: K2 LLC
• Publisher: Bandai

Countdown Vampires begins in a horror-themed casino when a strange liquid from the sprinklers begins turning everyone into vampires. It has all the cheese of a PS1 action game – a shirtless buff protagonist, fun gunplay, and a cliché backdrop – without overpowering the horror aspect.

The player, a bodyguard, must kill the vampires, or use “white water” to cure them. There is also a variety of other enemies, including werewolves, giant insects, and bats. Despite accusations of ripping off Resident Evil, from its timed sections to camera angles and combat, Capcom would later acquire K2 to work on their games.

5 Galerians

Use Psychic Powers To Defeat A Super-Human Race

Galerians is a sci-fi survival horror game following Rion, who has woken up with amnesia and brand-new psychic powers. Fighting their way through the hospital, the player will discover where his powers have come from, and just how dangerous they are.

This entry differs from a lot of other games of its era and discourages combat, offering no experience or items upon killing enemies. Galerians is one of many great horror games, like Soma and System Shock, that explore the risks of developing technology and artificial intelligence.

4 Mizzurna Falls

Solve A Mysterious Disappearance Before Time Is Up

• Release Date: December 23, 1998
• Developer: Human Entertainment

Gamers familiar with Human Entertainment will likely associate the developer with the Clock Tower series or their myriad of sporting games. However, they have developed some other fantastic games, including the Twin Peaks-inspired horror mystery, Mizzurna Falls.

In this game, Matthew Williams must search the titular town for his missing classmate amidst other mysterious goings-on. The player only has seven days to uncover the truth, with each NPC having its own routine, meaning that Mizzurna Falls has high replay value if players want to experience all events and endings. Overall, this is a dark and grim title with a lot to offer for a PS1 game.

3 Fear Effect

An Action-Packed Survival Horror Game

Fear Effect follows three mercenaries, each a playable character, attempting to find and kidnap a triad mob boss’s missing daughter for ransom. The mission goes awry, and the player must navigate both human and supernatural threats when they are thrust into hell.

The health bar, or “fear meter”, can be replenished by executing stealth kills and completing puzzles, meaning players are forced to use different types of playstyles. Fear Effect is notoriously difficult, at times brutal, but stands out as one of the more tension-filled and visually unique PS1 titles. Despite a remake being announced in 2017, it was later canceled, leaving Fear Effect in 2000.

2 Echo Night

Investigate A Nautical Mystery With Some Chilling Surprises

• Release Date: August 13, 1998
• Developer: FromSoftware

Another FromSoftware entry, Echo Night is an intriguing rendition of a survival horror game. After discovering a secret crawlspace at his father’s recently burnt-down house, the protagonist, Richard Osmand, finds himself embarking on an ominous journey into the past. The player must explore a ship haunted by friendly and hostile ghosts, saving spirits while managing resources.

The interweaving of storylines is compelling in its own right, but where Echo Night really exceeds is in ambiance. With a day and night cycle, a range of interesting locations, and different ghost designs, this is a must-play for gamers who enjoy all things Victorian Gothic.

1 Alien: Resurrection

Escape A Sci-Fi Nightmare FPS Style

• Developer: Argonaut Games

Alien is a well-known title in the world of horror – a franchise complete with numerous films, books, and games stemming from the original 1979 movie by Ridley Scott. While Alien: Isolation is today praised as one of the scariest stealth horror games, its precursor was just as terrifying.

Alien: Resurrection is based on its film counterpart, primarily following Ellen Ripley in her attempt to escape the USM Auriga that has become overrun with escaped Xenomorphs. The player can use a range of awesome weapons, from flamethrower to grenade-launcher, but despite being more combat-focused than the 2014 game, Alien: Resurrection still inspires the same spine-tingling dread as newer titles.