Summary
- Players who enjoy horror games can find comfort in titles where they have the means to defend themselves.
- The Evil Within 2 and Alan Wake 2 offer improved gameplay and combat experiences for horror fans.
- Games like F.E.A.R. and Dead Space provide intense firefights and innovative combat mechanics for players seeking a thrill.
It can be a tall order for people to check out a horror game, with these games boasting tense and uncomfortable atmospheres that may not sit right with many fans. However, players with nerves of steel can check out some of the best gaming experiences they can expose themselves to if they can stomach the terrors of these games.
Related
7 Best Stories In PS3 Horror Games, Ranked
These PlayStation 3 horror games were not only scary but also shined in the storytelling department thanks to their great stories.
Tentative players can choose to play horror games where they have the means to defend themselves. It seems like a small change but plays a huge role in helping players enjoy a twisted sense of comfort in the fact that they can always whip out a powerful ranged weapon and keep foes at a distance as they rip them to shreds.
Games will be ranked based on the overall quality of their ranged combat and the variety of options at their behest.
8
The Evil Within 2
The Combat In This Game Can Get Intense When Everything Clicks
- Released
-
October 13, 2017
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Shinji Mikami is one of the most important personalities in the video game industry, forming the foundation of the Resident Evil series that has grown to become one of the most popular survival horror franchises around. After leaving Capcom, Mikami decided to channel this expertise into a new horror video game that was compelling in its own right.
The Evil Within was a great game in its own right, with the sequel improving on most facets of the gameplay to let players enjoy an excellent video game. The various open zones coupled with numerous weapons that Sebastian can whip out to save his hide against nightmarish foes ensure that players will have a blast playing through The Evil Within 2.
7
Alan Wake 2
The Gameplay Is Vastly Improved From The First Title And Makes Every Encounter Tense
- Released
-
October 27, 2023
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
While the first Alan Wake game was decent in its own right, some people felt that the game suffered from a lack of compelling combat that turned every encounter into a reload fest. These problems were addressed by embracing survival horror design for its sequel.
Players must shine a light on the Taken to make them vulnerable to their bullets, but the lower number of enemies coupled with the tougher combat ensures that these encounters are more memorable. As a result, the ranged combat of Alan Wake 2 is a notable step above its predecessor and shows why players can’t get enough of this incredible sequel.
6
F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon
The Groundbreaking AI Makes For Some High-Octane Firefights
- Released
-
October 18, 2005
- Developer(s)
-
Monolith Productions
Players who want to check out a great first-person horror game with classic FPS gameplay will love F.E.A.R. This title wowed players back in the day with its advanced AI, where enemy forces could flank players and employ complex tactics to take out the Point Man.
Related
6 Best Horror Games with Inspiring Hero Journeys, Ranked
The protagonists in these horror games provide light and hope amidst darkness and despair.
The first game is hailed by many as the best in the series, with the firefights being incredibly cinematic. Taking out enemies while figuring out the game’s central mystery makes for a compelling gameplay loop that players can’t stop raving about to this day.
5
Metro Exodus
Exploring A Hostile World And Dealing With Mutants Pushes Players To Their Limits
- Released
-
February 15, 2019
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
Metro Exodus is one of the best sequels that shifts the series to an open-world setting without any issues. Exploring hostile landscapes and encountering various horrifying mutants never ceases to be engaging.
The game combines open-world and linear design to help its combat shine in both scenarios. Players must ensure that they don’t suffer any unnecessary damage since their equipment can be damaged in a tough battle which will force them to find a replacement before time runs out.
4
STALKER 2: Heart Of Chornobyl
With A Good Weapon, Players Will Gain The Confidence They Need To Tackle Tougher Foes
- Released
-
November 20, 2024
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Fair
Heart of Chornobyl was released against all odds and wowed both old and new fans with its compelling open-world survival horror gameplay. While the game has its fair share of technical issues, there’s no denying that the combat is a blast under all these bugs.
Encountering mutants in the Exclusion Zone and using guns with limited ammo to take them down is a tense experience every single time. Players must ensure that their loadout covers all bases if they want to explore some of the tougher areas in this hostile zone, especially since pseudogiants and raiders can whittle down the player’s health in no time if they aren’t prepared.
3
Dead Space
The Innovative Limb-Tearing Gameplay Has Aged Like A Fine Wine
- Released
-
January 27, 2023
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
The Dead Space remake felt unnecessary in the eyes of many, but EA silenced everyone with a faithful update to the original adventure that expanded the levels and gave Isaac more options in combat. The end result is a compelling action-packed horror game where players deal with necromorphs of all shapes and sizes.
Related
8 Best Horror Games Where The Main Story Is Not The Priority, Ranked
A rich horror story is always effective, but these games don’t make it a priority, instead focusing on solid gameplay, audio, and organic scares.
These monsters have flailing limbs that must be hacked down to inflict substantial damage. Isaac has various weapons that help him achieve this goal, letting him cut these enemies down to size in tense encounters where a single slip-up can lead to some brutal deaths that players are better off avoiding.
2
Resident Evil 4
The Updated Combat Is Excellent And Lets Players Experience This Masterpiece With Modern Improvements
- Released
-
March 24, 2023
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
The original Resident Evil 4 is one of the most important video games ever released, setting a template for future third-person shooters to follow. While the remake was not going to be as innovative, it made up for it with a visual upgrade for the ages coupled with excellent combat that was faster than its predecessor.
Encounters didn’t need to be so static, with Leon being more than capable of moving around while aiming his weapon to take out numerous foes without putting himself in a tough spot. The game’s combat scenarios get bigger and better as players tackle tougher foes and use Leon’s enhanced suite of weaponry to take out his foes in style.
1
The Last Of Us Part 2
Boasts The Best Ranged Gameplay Ever Seen In A Naughty Dog Game
- Released
-
June 19, 2020
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Regardless of one’s personal opinions on the story of The Last of Us Part 2, there’s no denying that the game’s combat is off the charts. Every encounter is a tense and exciting prospect as players use the tools at their disposal to take out foes in style.
Players can either take everyone out from the shadows or use their weaponry to eliminate enemies from a distance. While melee combat is significantly improved in The Last of Us Part 2, ranged combat is the bread-and-butter of this title that players must master to deal with the toughest encounters without breaking a sweat.
More
These analog horror series are the most frightening shows the genre has to offer.