As a total horror hound and a complete nerd, I not only like to indulge in scary flicks, books, and comics, I also enjoy immersing myself in the macabre, blood-and-guts world of spooky video games. Yes, I'm aware that I'm a middle-aged man who likes to play video games. I also play Dungeons & Dragons and read fantasy novels. I'm a nerd with fun hobbies. Sue me.
Anyway, I've been diving lately into the recent remake of Resident Evil 2, which made me nearly leap out of my athletic shorts on more than one occasion. I got to thinking — if you smelled smoke, now you know the source — about the scariest games I've played and thought, you know, I can't be the only old guy gamer Catholic conservative on the planet. Why not share a few recommendations in hopes of finding my people, my tribe, and providing them with a valuable service?
And thus, I bring you this list of 3 bone-chilling games. You're welcome, America.
So without further ado…
Until Dawn (2015)
Developers released this bad boy on Playstation 4 and delivered one of the best cinematic gaming experiences I've ever had. This isn't your typical video game. The developers brought in actual actors, like Rami Malik of Bohemian Rhapsody fame, who performed all of the motion capture and voice over work for the game. And that's just the start of what makes this such a blast to play.
Until Dawn's storyline pulls together horror tropes from every top-notch scary film ever made. Take core ingredients from Evil Dead, The Shining, Resident Evil, Scream, and Saw, sprinkle in some Heavy Rain and stir to perfection. That gives you the game in a nutshell. Also, the graphics will blow your mind. The characters actually display real, human-like emotional expressions and body language.
The game creatively uses the PS4 controller to simulate actions in the game. Need to light a match? Drag your finger across the touch pad in the middle. Need to scroll through a smartphone for clues? Do the same thing. The developers didn't design this as a shoot-em-up kind of game. They made it highly interactive. They also divided it into chapters that recap previous events and help you follow the narrative. I highly recommend Until Dawn if you like interactive stories and have ever dreamed of participating in your favorite movie.
Resident Evil 4 (2005)
While I don't believe the perfect video game actually exists, Resident Evil 4 comes about as close as any game can get. Many gamers consider it a masterpiece. I agree with them. If you have any previous experience with the Resident Evil franchise, this installment will win you over. Even if you don't, the game plays so well it almost feels separate from Resident Evil, so everyone can find something to enjoy.
Oh, and in the tradition of its predecessors and the entries that followed, it'll shave about a decade off your lifespan with how scary it gets. Which makes it just that much cooler. The developers placed the game in a rural mountainside reminiscent of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Blair Witch. Desolate forests, old run-down houses, a church on a hill surrounded by a graveyard — it has everything you need to create the perfect horror atmosphere.
Your mission in the game? A crazy cult kidnapped the president's daughter and you must rescue her. Instead of fighting brain-dead zombies, you face brainwashed townsfolk armed to the teeth with pitchforks, torches, and axes. Of course, the scariest sound in the game, aside from the raging thunderstorms, comes from a chainsaw revving up in the darkness. Give it a try, if you have the intestinal fortitude.
Silent Hill (2000)
Konami gave us another classic Playstation title with Silent Hill, a game that will leave you scarred for life. In fact, while playing it, you'll feel like you should quit, like your delicate soul shouldn't experience something this disturbing. And yet, you'll keep playing anyway, despite the hefty therapy bill sure to come later.
The violence gets graphic, so this isn't a game for the littles. In fact, if you even let them see some gameplay, you might end up answering calls from Child Protective Services. You've been warned. As Resident Evil mirrors Night of the Living Dead, Silent Hill channels The Exorcist. Yes, it really gets that scary. Those with heart conditions should probably stay away.
The story follows a father's desperate search for his daughter after a harrowing car crash. His search brings him to the town of Silent Hill, which sits almost completely deserted. The music, creepy sound effects, and unsettling lighting create an atmosphere so intense you could eat coal and a diamond would pop out the other end.
What also makes this game so spooky is how the story slowly blurs the line between fantasy and reality as you progress. You start to question whether your character actually experiences these events or if he's slipping into madness. Add terrifying creatures into the mix, along with puzzles and a deep storyline, and you have yourself a heck of a good time.
If you have anxiety, you might want to pass this one up. It might just be the scariest video game developers ever created.
