Simulation Games With Horror Elements

Simulation games have carved a respectable niche for themselves in the gaming industry. Players love the idea of overseeing every minute detail pertaining to real-life activities that range from a person’s daily life to factory operations and everything in between. This may not seem like a compelling gameplay loop, but fans will be surprised to see just how many excellent simulation games make these routine activities so captivating.

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Some simulation games are so accurate that they are a fantastic representation of real life.

This is especially true in the case of simulation games with horror elements that serve as a great way to immerse players in a game world. This is achieved by either scaring the wits out of people or slowly injecting a sense of dread into an experience that makes certain games all the more compelling.

8

Dredge

A Fishing Simulator With A Lovecraftian World That’s Quite Sinister

There’s a reason why Dredge has become such a massive success. The game’s popularity makes it clear that players love the combination of fishing simulator gameplay with Lovecraftian elements. Players control a fisherman who decides to operate in a small hamlet, only to realize something sinister brewing around them.

Dredge‘s unnerving atmosphere ensures that players will be on the edge of their seats, even if the moment-to-moment gameplay is nowhere near as challenging as fans wanted. The idea of staying out for too long at night is a disturbing one that most players would prefer to avoid as they play it safe and rake in a decent chunk of money with their consistent fishing efforts.

7

Home Safety Hotline

Players Control A Telephone Operator Who Must Deal With A Variety Of Disturbing Calls

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Home Safety Hotline

Systems

Released

January 16, 2024

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Players who want to know how it feels to be a 911 operator who must answer disturbing calls will love what Home Safety Hotline brings to the table. The game is pretty creepy from the get-go but slowly eases players into the experience with simple cases, only for a horrifying curveball to come out of nowhere.

Hearing the dread in someone’s voice as they try to communicate the nature of a threat breaking into their home while trying to be as silent as possible will send chills down a player’s spine. Giving callers the response they need to tackle a threat is important and can be pretty challenging, but players shouldn’t have too many issues nailing solutions after struggling early on.

6

Five Nights at Freddy’s

Step Into The Shoes Of A Security Guard And Keep An Eye Out On Rabid Animatronics

Players who think that the work of a security guard in the night is easy will sing a different tune after Five Nights at Freddy’s. Sure, horrifying animatronics may not be a reality, but this game will hammer in just how harrowing it can be for a lone guard to figure out that there’s a threat spotted by the cameras.

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Players must keep their eyes on the cameras at all times to ensure that none of the creepy animatronics try to chew them up during the night. The simulation gameplay may be a veneer to make the scares more effective, but it got the job done given how massive this multimedia franchise has become courtesy of the first game that was a viral hit.

5

Project Zomboid

The Way Players Develop Skills In This Game Emulates The Feel Of A Life Sim

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Project Zomboid

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Released

November 8, 2013

Developer(s)

The Indie Stone

Players who feel like Project Zomboid is nothing special based on its run-of-the-mill visuals will be singing a different tune after experiencing this title’s gameplay loop for themselves. Surviving in a zombie apocalypse was never going to be easy, but Project Zomboid is jam-packed with so many mechanics that a few deaths are required for players to understand what this title is all about.

Soon enough, most people will learn to prioritize certain skills early on as they help their chosen survivor educate themselves by any means necessary. Supply runs can be nerve-wracking every single time, but players will find this task to be easier once they improve the survivability skills of their character.

4

Graveyard Keeper

The Horror Aesthetic Isn’t Meant To Be Too Scary And Lends A Unique Atmosphere To This Cemetery Management Game

Not everything in the horror medium needs to make people feel a sense of unease. Sometimes, horror games are all about the vibes, with Graveyard Keeper being a great example of the same. Managing a cemetery may not seem relaxing, but players will be singing a different tune after investing a few meaningful hours in this title.

Restoring an overgrown cemetery and tending to its graves is more relaxing than players would assume. It takes a while to grow on players, but the cozy horror vibes of Graveyard Keeper make it a great simulation game players can check out.

3

Green Hell

Encountering A Predator Or Hearing Voices In A Hostile Jungle Is Quite Unnerving

Players who have dreams about living in the Amazon rainforest won’t be looking forward to this activity anytime soon after playing Green Hell. This open-world survival simulation title pulls no punches as players must battle predators and diseases at the same time.

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For those that want a rewarding simulation experience, the Factory Sim is a beloved niche within the genre.

There’s nothing more harrowing than struggling to survive for hours only to come face-to-face with a panther or hear the chanting of cultists. The hallucinations that occur when the player’s mental state is fragile don’t help, adding to the creepy factor of this game.

2

Mirthwood

A Dark Medieval Fantasy Game Where Players Simulate The Life Of A Character Who Can Be Anything They Want

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Mirthwood

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Released

November 6, 2024

Developer(s)

Bad Ridge Games

An underrated video game that more people will love checking out after it fixes some of its issues, Mirthwood is a charming life simulator in medieval times where players can be everything from a farm owner to a traveling adventurer. It helps that the world is dark and foreboding enough to keep players interested.

Exploration can lead to some creepy findings that players may find daunting to check out. Once the bugs in Mirthwood are patched out, players can enjoy an amazing survival title that boasts a ton of replayability and promise.

1

Cultist Simulator

A Card-Based Management Simulation Where Players Pursue Knowledge From Dark, Eldritch Beings

• Platforms: PC, Mobile, Nintendo Switch
• Release Date: May 31, 2018
• Developer: Weather Factory

The idea of using cards to dictate a person’s life may not seem all that engaging, but the immaculate vibes of Cultist Simulator ensure that simulating the life of a citizen in a Lovecraftian setting feels amazing.

Players must join cults and attain revelations while avoiding the ire of the authorities. Progression is gated by everything from obtuse rituals to human sacrifices, which makes for a unique gameplay loop that makes this title one of the best simulation games with horror elements players can check out.

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