8 Scariest Games Ever Made

Halloween is just around the corner, and in celebration, MenStuff has decided to take a look at those games that make the most steel-nerved players cower in fear. These are the games that stand out from the pack and have redefined the horror genre, with compelling fright factors and tense moments that keep you awake at night. Here are the top eight scariest games out there:

Resident Evil 2 (PS2, Gamecube)

The original Resident Evil set the bar for the horror genre, and then Resident Evil 2 pushed the limits by raising heart beats among players of all ages. Creepy police stations, deserted streets, abandoned schools and some of the scariest creatures made the game something to be afraid of, and even if you switched discs (there were two playable characters and storylines) you couldn’t escape the horrors that awaited.

The Evil Within (Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4)

A brand new entry into the horror genre, but one of the scariest ever nonetheless. The Evil Within comes from the mind behind Resident Evil, Shinji Mikami, and delivers enough frights to keep you awake, forever. From the disturbing creatures to the spine-chilling environments and traps, The Evil Within pulls no punches with its horror delivery. Being chased by a chainsaw-wielding thing with a safe for a head is one too many reasons to prepare yourself for the sheer creepiness that awaits you in this new adventure, and the super-sharp next-gen graphics only heighten the terror.

F.E.A.R. (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

The name says it all. F.E.A.R. came into the ring as an action-packed bullet-time inspired shooter which was set to reignite the first-person shooter (FPS) genre. Little did anyone know this game was freaking scary! Crazy paranormal events and an incredibly frightening little girl by the name of Alma put F.E.A.R. in a league of its own by placing the player inside of a Japanese-inspired horror flick, with all the guns and heart-pounding action of a Western FPS.

Doom 3 (PC)

Doom 3 may not seem so scary now, but upon its release it was one of the most terrifying experiences you could have as a gamer. The id Tech Engine 4 was the peak of gaming technology when Doom 3 released, which helped the game produce the most realistic looking zombies, flying skulls and monsters around.  But one thing made Doom 3 stick out more than other games – the lighting. The tech behind Doom 3 gave the game incredible depth in terms of lighting, making every dark nook and cranny a hiding spot for eager creatures; and your flashlight running out of battery power doesn’t help.

Silent Hill (PSX)

Silent Hill was, at a point, the benchmark of all things spooky. Everything about Silent Hill screamed tension and fear, from the eerie fog to the static over the radio as monsters approached.  Silent Hill scored big in the horror department and even built a cult following of fans, who to this day still consider it one of gaming’s scariest titles. The dual-shock rumble even followed the lead characters heart-beat, which always seemed to sync with whoever was playing i.e. 100,000,000 bpm.

Alien vs. Predator – 1999 (PC)

OK, OK, so Alien vs Predator (AvP) isn’t essentially a horror game (like the more recent Alien: Isolation), it revolves around more action-orientated gameplay and even allows you to take on the role of a Predator. Although, when playing as the marines, players can’t help but to scream and shake with fear from the incredible shock-tactics and fright moments AvP has to offer.  Whether it’s being stalked or sprung upon by a leaping Alien or hearing the crackling clicks of a Predator, players will find themselves clenching their keyboard and mouse, waiting for that uncontrollable outburst of pure fear.

The Suffering (PS2, Xbox, PC)

The Suffering is one of the most underplayed and underrated horror games of any generation. Not only does the game throw all types of freakish monsters at you, but it also pulled strings on your psyche throughout play.  Set on a prison island, a horrible event occurs which results in some terrible creatures crawling around the compound. The monsters are all inspired and represent certain ways of death, such as the Slayers, which are the embodiment of decapitation and run around with large machetes attached to their limbs. All of this, in combination with Torque, the lead character, who is dealing with his own demons of whether he murdered his family or not, plays into the game’s strengths and makes The Suffering a fearful experience.

Dead Space (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

While two following sequels are pretty damn scary, the original Dead Space takes the prize for coming out of nowhere and leaving gamers trembling. EA’s insatiable shot at the horror genre went on to create one of the most cinematically frightening and hair-raising games of all time.  Early in the game you notice blood stained walls which read: “Cut off their limbs” letting the players know they’re in for a good ride. Unique dismemberment, spine-chilling set-pieces and absolute uncertainty of what and where your next enemy might be, places Dead Space as the number one scariest videogame.

What do you think are some of the scariest games of all time? Let us know in the comments section below.