Summary
- Memorable characters, nerve-wracking gameplay, and engaging stories define iconic horror games.
- The lore in horror games draws players in and enhances the eerie atmosphere.
- Deep lore in games like Bloodborne creates a compelling world, captivating players with tragic tales.
There are many reasons why a horror game ends up lingering in the back of a player’s mind after they’re done playing through it. Memorable characters, nerve-wracking gameplay, and engrossing stories play a huge role here, and they tend to leave a lasting impression when they’re done well.
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However, most horror games would be ineffective without the lore that draws players into these experiences. These small stories and background details go a long way in making games feel eerie, especially if the integration of said lore is done deftly. However, when it comes to horror games, their lore is often deeply disturbing and befitting of the terrifying experiences they deliver.
8
The Cat Lady
Susan And Mitzi’s Backstories Are Harrowing
- Platform(s)
-
Linux
, Microsoft Windows - Released
-
December 1, 2012
The Cat Lady is one of the most interesting adventure games players can get their hands on. Susan’s supernatural journey after she comes back from the dead is full of nightmarish encounters where she must play according to the rules of the sinister being who revived her.
The Queen of Maggots is a mysterious villain who gives Susan the goal she follows throughout The Cat Lady. Her history is quite nightmarish and enriches the game world, while the backstories of Susan and Mitzi end up being compelling reasons to justify their motivations in the game.
7
Silent Hill 2
The Town Of Silent Hill, Coupled With The Horrific Story Surrounding James’ Journey, Is Engrossing
Survival Horror
Horror
Adventure
Action
- Released
-
October 8, 2024
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
The interesting lore of the Silent Hill series is a huge reason why players love these games so much, especially when it comes to the second mainline entry. Seeing Silent Hill 2‘s remake get the treatment everyone wanted is great news for both old and new fans.
The town of Silent Hill serves as the setting for another mystery that is steeped in psychological horror. The machinations of James’ mind slowly unfurl as the mystery of Silent Hill 2 rears its ugly head, delivering a tantalizing story that is quite possibly one of the best video game tales ever told.
6
Iron Lung
The World Of Iron Lung Is Bleak, Depressing, And Very Detailed
Indie Games
Adventure
Simulation
For a game that can last under an hour, it’s amazing to see just how much lore is present in the universe of Iron Lung. Despite humanity’s best attempts at colonizing space, The Great Rapture decimated most of the species and only left certain individuals alive who were lucky enough to be on space stations or starships.
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The only hope for humanity’s survival is gathering resources from a desolate moon covered in an ocean of blood. It’s a harrowing environment that players barely interact with courtesy of the small submarine they must navigate, with this claustrophobia adding to the nightmarish vibes of Iron Lung.
5
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
A First-Person Horror Masterpiece With A Ton Of Engrossing Lore
Survival Horror
Indie Games
Adventure
Action
Puzzle
- Released
-
September 8, 2010
Most people feel that Amnesia is a series that became popular mainly because of its focus on chases and jumpscares. While the viral nature of this title can be explained by these elements, horror game aficionados hold this title in high regard because of its incredible atmosphere and tantalizing lore.
Controlling a protagonist who has lost his memories makes it easy for players to slowly learn about themselves, Brennenburg Castle, and the central mystery that surrounds the existence of the twisted patients, the orbs, and The Shadow that stalks them. Players who love deep lore in their horror games will love what Amnesia: The Dark Descent brings to the table.
4
Bloodborne
FromSoftware’s Take On Gothic And Lovecraftian Horror Is Full Of Tantalizing Lore
- Released
-
March 24, 2015
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
FromSoftware is a master of using deep, intricate lore to wow players as they experience some of the best action-adventure titles in the industry. While they dabbled with horrific settings and otherworldly threats in the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne is where Miyazaki decided to experiment with all-out horror.
The world of Bloodborne introduces players to its gothic elements before slowly integrating elements of Lovecraftian horror that will send chills down a player’s spine. However, it’s the tragic lore of Bloodborne‘s world and how the Hunter’s Nightmare came to be that makes it clear why horror fans have such a soft spot for this game.
3
Five Nights At Freddy’s
The Series Has Blossomed Into A Phenomenon Courtesy Of Its Ever-Expanding Lore
- Released
-
August 8, 2014
- Developer(s)
-
Scott Cawthon
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
When Five Nights at Freddy’s came out, the game became a hit because of its terrifying jumpscares and how players’ favorite content creators reacted to these frights. After being a massive success, developer Scott Cawthon decided to capitalize on this popularity in the best way possible.
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While some of the games in the series may seem phoned-in, the detailed lore of Five Nights at Freddy’s has gone a long way in ensuring this series’ longevity. Every animatronic, and the twisted world they exist in, has been explained in painstaking detail to let players slowly become a part of the ever-growing FNAF fanbase.
2
Dead Space
A Sci-Fi Horror Series With Some Chilling Stories Playing Out In The Background
- Released
-
January 27, 2023
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Most sci-fi horror media features compelling lore to draw people into a terrifying experience. Dead Space is no exception here, with a simple routine visit to a broken down spacecraft turning into one of the scariest adventures players can enjoy.
The purpose of the Markers and their connection to the Unitologists, coupled with humanity’s growing presence in space, are just a few of the many interesting lore tidbits that make every Dead Space game a joy to play. It’s a shame that this series won’t be moving forward anytime soon, since the tantalizing lore makes it clear that players will gobble up a new title’s story if it ever came into existence.
1
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
Numerous Terrifying Stories Play Out Across Different Timelines
- Released
-
June 24, 2002
- Developer(s)
-
Silicon Knights
With a story spanning four time periods that lets players control numerous playable characters, it’s easy to see why the lore of Eternal Darkness is one of its strongest aspects. This game is an underappreciated survival horror classic that tries to break the fourth wall and scare players in unique ways.
The combat-heavy sections of the game can be a pain to deal with, but players won’t mind enduring them as long as they get to uncover more of the series’ tantalizing lore. Eternal Darkness may be hard to get a hold of these days, but players should make the effort if they want to enjoy one of the best lore-heavy horror games of all time.
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