The Best Horror Games Where The Main Story Is Not The Priority

Sometimes, a horror story doesn’t have to be the focus of a game for that game to be effective. While having a meaningful story might help strengthen a player’s connection to its characters and world, which can then make the scares a little more powerful, sometimes the scariest or most exciting parts of a game lie outside the main story. There are plenty of horror games that allow the player to investigate things outside the story, and those experiences can be some of the best that the genre has to offer.

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Of course, straying away from the main story can also be what keeps a game from being something special. It’s always good to know which of horror games are the best at this; knowing which ones to steer clear of can help players avoid wasting their time with a title that just isn’t worth it. That’s why this list ranks the best horror games that don’t focus on the main story.

8

Dying Light

Scary Fun

• The open world allows for fun side missions
• The main story is fine, but the characters are fleshed out in the side content

Dying Light is not strictly a horror game as it heavily focuses on action. Putting players in the shoes of a survivor in an open world infested with zombies, this game gives players the tools to explore and kill the undead with ease. However, there are horror moments that help this game earn its place on this list.

With its open-world structure, there are many things to do that are not centered on the main story. The story itself is fine, but it’s nothing more than the typical “looking for a cure” zombie plot. Therefore, some of the best stuff in the game is in the side content, where players can learn more about the world and characters.

7

In Silence

Best Be Quiet

• Unique, fun gameplay loop
• Each match feels fresh in little ways

While many games populate the genre of asymmetrical horror, In Silence has a little something that makes it stand out. Having to keep quiet from a blind monster that uses sound to hunt, the game becomes much more tense than it has any right to be. It’s basic, but fun, and players should give it a chance.

It also boasts zero stories for players to get into, which isn’t a bad thing. Much like other entries on this list, it relies on its simple premise to achieve great effect. It’s an impressive game that can give players hours of fun.

6

Slender: The Eight Pages

Simple, Spooky, Scary

• A basic formula that creates serious scares
• The story is minimal

The game that really heralded the popularity of Slender Man in the early 2010s, Slender: The Eight Pages is a simple game. It asks players to explore a small, enclosed forest area to find eight pages before the titular monster catches them. The more pages players collect, the more aggressive Slender Man will be in his pursuit.

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There isn’t much of a story at all in this game, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t scary. That feeling of constantly being chased is always with the player, and Slender Man can teleport right in front of them at any moment. With the risk of going insane after looking at him for too long, it’s a tough balance to try and keep tabs on him while also not looking at him directly.

5

The Forest

Survive And Hide

Systems

Released

April 30, 2018

Developer(s)

Endnight Games

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

• Survival is the name of the game
• Cannibals make for effective antagonists

Having to survive in a forest that is also inhabited by cannibals makes for an uneasy feeling. The Forest takes the typical survival game formula and puts a horror spin on the entire thing. While there is a bit of a main story to follow, the focus is on surviving and avoiding the cannibals at all costs.

It’s a fun twist on the survival genre that boasts plenty of scary moments. It has hours of content for players to sink their teeth into, which is always a good thing, and they can have a great time without ever really interacting with the main story elements.

4

Phasmophobia

Simple Ghost Hunting

Systems

Early Access Release

September 18, 2020

Developer(s)

Kinetic Games

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

• No story to be found in the game
• Excellent sound design to amplify scares

Phasmophobia was a sensation in 2020 that took over the gaming world thanks to a really basic formula that has players going into various locations and trying to discover what kind of supernatural presence is haunting them. There is no story to be found in the game; it is all about hunting different ghosts on a variety of maps and leveling up.

The scares in the game, though, are some of the best out there. Specifically, the sound design of this game is exceptional, and it allows players to truly feel like they are not alone in the house. It’s well worth the time to gather up a few friends, turn the lights off, and let the spooks come.

3

Returnal

Mind-Bending And Bizarre

Systems

Released

April 30, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

• While the narrative is interesting, the game is all about the gameplay
• An absolute blast to play

Coming out soon after the release of the PlayStation 5, Returnal surprised a lot of players by being one of the console’s marquee exclusives. This is due to some silky smooth gameplay, a wide variety of weapons to experiment with, and some exciting and challenging bosses.

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While the main story of the game is interesting and engaging, it does occur in the background for the most part. It’s all about the moment-to-moment gameplay and how players build out their character during each run. That’s what it comes down to and that’s more than enough for players to dedicate their time to.

2

Prey

A Sci-Fi Adventure In Horror

Systems

Released

May 5, 2017

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

• Some fantastic writing that deserves to be seen
• Exploring the world outside the main objectives is a treat

Prey is truly a fantastic game, one that has a powerful main story that players will surely be dedicated to seeing through to the end. However, that does the rest of the game an immense disservice. There are a lot of small things that lie outside the main story objectives that flesh out the game’s world in a beautiful fashion.

It’s a really wonderful experience rooted in science fiction that deserves to be explored to its fullest. Arkane made something truly special with this game, and it’s a vision that deserves to be seen to its fullest.

1

Bloodborne

A Deep Story That Has To Be Discovered

Systems

Released

March 24, 2015

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

• FromSoftware always has exceptional and well-hidden lore
• Possibly the best game they’ve ever made

There is a reason that fans of Bloodborne have been clamoring for a remake or remaster for years. The game has some of the best combat, level design, and overall feel of any FromSoftware game, with clear inspirations from the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft. It’s a masterpiece of a game with some incredibly deep lore for players to get into.

However, that lore is hard to find in the classic FromSoftware style. This means that the story just isn’t the focus for a majority of players. It’s really about the gameplay, and Bloodborne is second to none in that department. Because of this, it earns the top spot on this list easily.

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