Halloween is the perfect time to dive back into titles that marked the genre with their chilling atmosphere and captivating narrative. Indie games or bigger budget games, there is something for everyone. From the twisting corridors of an artist’s mind to the misty forests of Bright Falls, these six works promise dozens of hours of tension and anguish punctuated by startles for thrill-seekers.
Layers of Fear : the demons of creation
The Polish studio Bloober Team invites us into the tormented mind of a painter in search of his masterpiece and obsessed with perfection. Very difficult to live with psychologicallythis title released in 2016 on PC (available on Steam), PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, pushes the limits of reality in a Victorian mansion whose architecture deforms to the rhythm of the growing madness of the protagonist. The corridors lengthen infinitely, the doors multiply, the paintings come to life and we wonder what will be hidden behind each new door.
The game shines with its very heavy atmosphere, its gloomy atmosphere and its visions of horror that will keep you in suspense until the last touch of paint. Namely, the game benefited from a new version in 2023, rather original since it is not even a remaster or a simple remake. The developers have taken the work a step further by offering a total reinterpretation of the original game, its DLC and its sequel Layers of Fear 2all running under the sublime Unreal Engine 5.
Silent Hill 2 : the hell of the mist
Konami made video game history in 2001, releasing Silent Hill 2, a dizzying dive into the abysses of guilt. James Sunderland, a tormented widower, receives a letter from his deceased wife inviting him to join her in Silent Hill. What follows is a psychological descent into hell where each monster, each environment reflects the inner torments of the protagonist.
The game revolutionized the genre with its mature narrative and deep symbolism, carried by Akira Yamaoka’s masterful soundtrack. The remastered version of 2024, also developed by Bloober Team is available on PCPlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, managed to enhance this timeless work with breathtaking graphics. The town of Silent Hill, shrouded in thick, ever-present fog, will likely haunt you for years after you visit it.
SOMA: the horror of being
Frictional Games, creator of the legendary series Amnesiapushed the boundaries of the genre once again in 2015 with this dystopian underwater adventure. In the PATHOS-II station, the player embodies Simon Jarrett, an ordinary man thrown into a post-apocalyptic future.
Between the rusty metal passageways and the unfathomable abysses into which you will be plunged, SOMA brilliantly questions the nature of consciousness and human identity. Are we truly ourselves if our memories can be altered or erased? Does consciousness exist through our body, our mind, or something more intangible?
The game stands out for its concealment system which avoids traditional combat in favor of permanent tension, reinforced by an exceptional sound atmosphere. In SOMA, you will be preyed upon and will have no means of defenseif not flee to hide as quickly as possible. Available on PCPS4 and Xbox One, SOMA is one of the rare games that has managed to combine visceral horror and deep philosophical questions.
The Quarry : the homage to slashers
Supermassive Games delivered to us in 2022, the spiritual heir ofUntil Dawn. This ambitious production follows nine summer camp counselors trapped in a bloody night at Hackett’s Quarry. We are rather close here to the interactive film rtaking the codes of classic horror films from the 1980sespecially slashers like Halloween, Friday the 13th Or The Claws of the Night.
However, the game is a real success, particularly thanks to its choice system who will change the scenario in your favor… or not. Each decision will have an impact on the course of the story and could lead to the survival or brutal death of the characters.
The production is top-notchserved by a cast including David Arquette and Brenda Song, a brilliant soundtrack and a terribly oppressive atmosphere. The title is available on PCPS5, PS4, Xbox Series and Xbox One.
Blair Witch : the sylvan terror
In 2019, Bloober Team (again!) seizes the cult license to deliver an exceptional experience in the Black Hills woods. Ellis, a former police officer accompanied by his faithful dog Bullet, searches for a missing child in a cursed forest. Blair Witch excels in its depiction of disorientation and growing paranoia, enhanced by an oppressive sound design that transforms every snap of a branch into a potential threat.
Armed with a simple camcorder, you will be able to manipulate reality, reveal hidden clues and create links with the past. You will be very happy to be accompanied by your doggie, a real character in his own right who will bring you the necessary comfort in the heart of this claustrophobic forest. Available on PCPS4, Xbox One and Switch, if you like games that invite you to slow exploration, Blair Witch will certainly delight you.
Alan Wake 2 : the triumphant return
Remedy Entertainment hit very hard in 2023 with this sequel long awaited by fans of the series (13 years of waiting all the same!). Alan Wake, still a prisoner of the Dark Place, now shares the bill with Saga Anderson, an FBI agent investigating ritual murders in Bright Falls.
The game revolutionizes the original formula by fully embracing survivalist horror, while retaining its light-based combat mechanics. Indeed, one of your main weapons is… a flashlight which you will use to illuminate the environment, but above all to repel your enemies. The powerful Northlight engine enables stunning lighting effects and realistic character modeling.
Available on PCPS5 and Xbox Series, Alan Wake 2 did not disappoint: a complex and metafictional narrative inspired by David Lynch, very careful artistic direction and excellent gameplay. Here we have a title that borders on perfection on many aspects.
From pure psychological horror to more cinematic narrative experiences, each of these titles has brilliantly contributed to the building of the survival-horror genre. These six works prove that video games are now more than fertile ground for explore our deepest fears. Most of these titles are, moreover, offered at a ridiculous price on Steam until November 4 (except Alan Wake 2) for the event Steam’s Scary Halloween.
- Some games explore madness, consciousness and deep fears to deliver a gripping horror and psychological experience.
- Cult works have been revisited to offer fans even more gripping adventures.
- The stories of certain titles propel the player into atmospheres worthy of the best horror films.