Top 10 Horror Games That’ll Scare The Pants Off You
8. F.E.A.R.
An unlikely mix of balletic first-person shooting and Japanese horror, F.E.A.R. remains as relevant today as it was upon its release in 2005.
Playing as Point Man, F.E.A.R. tasks you with hunting down Paxton Fettel, a man that has telepathically taken control of a small army of supersoldiers and seized the headquarters of Armacham Technology Corporation. Upon your arrival at Armacham, it soon becomes clear that all is not what it seems, and that the supernatural presence of a girl named Alma may actually be pulling the strings.
F.E.A.R.‘s biggest achievement is its exemplary pacing: marrying moments of suspenseful horror, gunplay and exploration to always keep you guessing just what’s around the next corner. It’s just a shame that its two sequels never quite lived up to the benchmark that is set for the horror-shooter genre.
7. Condemned: Criminal Origins
A launch title for the Xbox 360 way back in 2005, it says a lot that Condemned is still highly regarded in the horror genre. When a game manages to be highly original and thoroughly engrossing though, it’s no surprise.
Playing as FBI agent Ethan Thomas, Condemned successfully blended investigation, exploration and brutal melee combat to create an experience still dissimilar to anything on the market today. The vicious and graphic combat, combined with clever enemy A.I., created a tremendous atmosphere in which progress was always made with trepidation. While the slow build-up of supernatural elements leading up the game’s climatic finale leaves you questioning Ethan’s mental health.
One level in particular, featuring a shopping mall and a plethora of mannequins, cements Condemned in many a horror gamer’s memory, ensuring that this game will remain beloved for years to come.
