Summary
Horror gaming can be a tough genre to get into for many fans. The scare factor of these games is so immense that most players prefer to check out other genres that won’t stress them out that much.
However, this mentality will prevent players from enjoying some of the best video game franchises that have strived to change with each entry. These titles are a blast to play, especially when players witness this evolution firsthand.
Dead Spaceis one of the best video game trilogies that fans can get their hands on. The emphasis on horror was more pronounced in the first game, while the second title had a greater focus on action, which made its set pieces feel larger than life.
The third game may be the least favorite one in the eyes of many, but this game should still be commended for trying to bring co-op to the series. The experiment may take away from the game’s horror elements, but that still shouldn’t stand in the way of players who are invested in the overarchingDead Spacestory and want to see more of what this narrative has to offer.
Capcom should be commended for making huge strides withtheResident Evilseries. The first three games did a great job of establishing the classic survival horror formula that became a staple on the PS1. However, the company didn’t rest on its laurels with the dawn of a new console generation, withResident Evil 4making a huge splash and setting the third-person shooter template that other games would build upon.
The next two games focused on action over horror with mixed results, causingResident Evilto go on the back burner for a while. Thankfully,P.T.’s success gave Capcom the confidence it needed to reinvent theResident Evilformula, shifting to a first-person perspective for the first time in the series with the advent ofBiohazard.
Silent Hillis one of the most popular horror franchises, and fans are grateful that Konami hasn’t given up on this series yet.Silent Hillwas a revolutionary horror game that worked around its draw distance issues with its iconic fog, while the sequel was a masterclass in video game storytelling, horror or otherwise.
Later games also had their unique changes, such asThe Room’s eponymous setting, making for a claustrophobic game. However, nothing comes close to the sheer amount of innovation inP.T., a teaser that could’ve set the stage for something special in the series had it not been for Kojima and Konami’s fallout.
Elements of the immersive sim genrehave been prevalent in theAmnesiaseries, with the first game being one of the most successful titles released by Frictional Games. Later sequels tried to replicate this formula with minimal changes, but it was clear that this franchise needed an injection of creativity to remain relevant.
This was achieved with the advent ofAmnesia: The Bunker, which removed the sanity mechanic and added randomized elements to the game. This ensured that players would experience something new with each playthrough in the claustrophobic bunker, which makes for a major change of pace from what players usually expect from theAmnesiaseries.
Five Nights at Freddy’sis one of the most popular horror franchises that has become a major hit with fans. The first game was known for its challenging gameplay and spine-chilling jump scares, and a lot of what made this game special wasreplicated in the sequels.
Along with this,Five Nights at Freddy’shas also expanded to include games with RPG elements, VR gameplay, and free-roam elements. The franchise’s insistence to reinvent itself further down the line is a huge part of what makes fans go crazy over this series, even if the gameplay can be all over the place at times.
Outlastis one of the most immersive and nightmarish horror games players can get their hands on. The game is not for the faint of heart, with players being chased down by deranged maniacs who will rip them apart the second they get their hands on the hapless protagonist.
The gameplay loop in the first two games was fairly similar, butThe Outlast Trialsdecided to move things in a completely different direction. It added co-op gameplay, making for memorable moments as players try to evade scary enemies and make progress while having a great time being scared together.
Metrois one of the best FPS horror games players can get their hands on. Having to manage Artyom’s equipment as he’s chased down by mutants is a harrowing experience, but this heightened difficulty is precisely why fans can’t get enough of this title.
The first two titles were linear experiences, so fans were amazed to seethe open-world approach taken inMetro Exodus. It could’ve spelled disaster for the game, but the sandbox retains the sinister edge of past games while also letting players explore some riveting linear levels from time to time.
Thevery firstParasite Evegamewas surprising enough as is, with this JRPG bucking many trends in the genre. It was a relatively short game set in New York City, where players control a single protagonist in a turn-based combat system with real-time elements.
The sequel tried to emulate the success ofResident Evilby integrating tank controls and a focus on real-time combat, although this alienated some fans of the original. However, nothing could’ve prepared them for the risks the third game took, with the numerous gameplay changes and some questionable design choices turning it into the worstParasite Evegame that failed to live up to the heights of the first game.
