The Best Horror Games With Minimalist Design

Horror relies on visual and sensory media to mess with people, doing everything possible to make them uncomfortable as they witness a harrowing tale unfold. In the medium of video games, this usually requires players to be invested in a title that can pull the rug from under them and terrify them in new and ingenious ways. As a result, it can be hard to picture horror games that do a great job in this regard while relying on minimalist design.

Related

6 Creepy Games To Trigger Pareidolia

These games play on the human tendency to see faces and other patterns in their surroundings, using it to send shivers down players’ spines.

As such, it can feel great to find a gem of a horror game that relies on minimalist design and visuals to keep players engaged as they’re whisked into a world of scares and eerie moments. When done properly, this minimalist approach adds to the brilliance of the horror games that players get to enjoy, ensuring that they’ll have a great time with unique titles that leave a lasting impression.

5

Paratopic

A Short, Simple Horror Game With Retro Visuals

Systems

Released

September 6, 2018

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Players who want to check out the video game equivalent of a fever dream will love what Paratopic brings to the table. The game can be hard to understand at first, with events playing out of order in a calculated bid to keep players confused. This works, especially since the retro graphics and simple gameplay are riveting enough to keep players engaged as they await what happens in the next scene.

The minimalist visuals and game design ensure that players can focus on the plot and arrange events for the narrative to make sense. The game is short and focuses on three main characters, letting players enjoy a great story that is full of weird, off-key moments.

4

Milk Outside A Bag Of Milk Outside A Bag Of Milk

A Visual Novel Depicting The Horrors Of Psychosis And Trauma

• Platform: PC
• Release Date: December 16, 2021
• Developer: Nikita Kryukov

After the huge popularity achieved by Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk, the developer decided to release a sequel that was bigger and bolder than its predecessor. This makes Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk a refinement of the first game’s simple formula, which combined simple visual novel gameplay with a horrific atmosphere.

Players accompany a girl on what should be simple tasks, only for her psychosis and trauma to get in the way and turn every single action into a harrowing affair. Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk does a great job of doing a lot with very little, ensuring that the haunting vibes and great writing will keep players hooked as they select various dialogue choices to steer the girl’s thoughts in the direction they want.

3

Faith: The Unholy Trinity

A Horror Game Inspired By Retro Visuals And Gameplay

Released

October 21, 2022

ESRB

t

Retro games have a charm of their own that is hard to deny, and Faith: The Unholy Trinity preys on a player’s nostalgia by combining these visuals with survival horror gameplay that is genuinely terrifying. All players have to defend themselves with is a crucifix as they slow demons down and outrun them by any means necessary.

Related

9 Horror Games with Revolutionary Co-Op Mechanics

Some horror games with a focus on cooperative play feature mechanics that have revolutionized the genre and the experience of teamwork.

This is easier said than done, with the game refusing to give players a breather even if they pause during an encounter. The old-school visuals and riveting gameplay do a great job of keeping players engaged as they slowly but surely make progress across all three chapters of Faith: The Unholy Trinity.

2

Iron Lung

A Simple Horror Game About Surviving Inside A Submarine

Indie Games

Adventure

Simulation

Systems

Released

March 10, 2022

ESRB

t

Despite being an experience that can be completed in well under an hour, Iron Lung is a kind of horror game that sticks with players long after they’re finished playing. The only environment players can explore is the inside of a submarine that they control using complicated machinery. This induces a sense of claustrophobia that is further enhanced by the game’s creepy setting.

Related

‘Go Pirate It or Something’ Iron Lung Dev Responds to Price Increase Backlash

The indie horror game Iron Lung’s developer responds to backlash over a recent price increase by stating, ‘Go pirate it or something.’

Players explore an ocean of blood on an alien world and end up being chased down by a monster not long after. The slow sinking feeling of dread as players realize the danger they’re in is handled brilliantly by this minimalist game, making Iron Lung one of the best indie horror games players can get their hands on. This title is developed by indie legend David Szymanski, further adding to its allure for players still on the fence about this gem of a title.

1

Limbo

An Atmospheric Side-Scroller With Engaging Gameplay

Released

July 21, 2010

ESRB

T For Teen due to Animated Blood, Mild Violence

Indie developer Playdead burst onto the scene with the release of Limbo, one of the most atmospheric side-scrolling horror games players can get their hands on. Players aren’t given too many clues to rely on, getting a simple run-through of their goal to chase down their sister as they avoid numerous unnerving horrors. From giant spiders to brain-burrowing bugs, Limbo is full of many oddities and terrifying horrors that players must deal with by any means necessary.

It’s impressive how Playdead managed to craft so many engaging puzzles and tense scenarios despite how simple the gameplay of Limbo is. The minimalist art style helps add to the game’s eerie immersion as players relish every hour they spend with this short and sweet title.

More

8 Horror Games That Revolutionized the Genre

The impact that these titles had on the horror game scene can still be felt even decades later.