30 Horror Classics You Must Experience Before You Pass

As we commemorate a significant milestone in gaming history, it’s an opportune moment to look back on the defining moments that have molded the industry. With the launch of a new Resident Evil installment, we delve into the captivating realm of horror video games. Few genres have undergone such transformation as horror. It has given rise to iconic franchises like Silent Hill, Castlevania, and Resident Evil, along with contemporary masterpieces such as Dead Space, Bloodborne, and Mouthwashing. We explore 30 horror classics, alongside the multitude of titles that have influenced them and left us trembling in fear. 1. Shadowgate (1987) The nascent era of horror gaming was characterized by minimalistic, text-based adventures like Mystery House and Transylvania, alongside the maze-like Haunted House and the anxiety-inducing Space Invaders. However, Shadowgate, released in 1987, defied this trend by becoming one of the most engaging early horror games. It featured a unique first-person viewpoint set against a cryptic backdrop, enriched by excellent writing and challenging environmental puzzles that would later influence titles such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill. ICOM Simulations, the creators of Shadowgate, later produced a sequel called Beyond Shadowgate and ventured into other horror-themed games inspired by Dracula and Are You Afraid of the Dark before closing their doors in 1997. Despite receiving a well-received remake in 2014 and a port to the charming Playdate handheld last year, it remains outside the realm of franchises that frequently release new titles. Nonetheless, it stands as an early masterpiece that paved the way for future horror gaming. 2. Doom (1993) Today, we primarily connect Doom with its groundbreaking role in the first-person shooter genre, delivering intense action and chaos since its debut in 1993. However, its significance to horror is equally noteworthy, drawing inspiration from films like Alien and Evil Dead. Within its dark, claustrophobic corridors, players encounter zombified foes, mechanical spiders, and demonic entities, all fitting for a game that kicks off with the chapter titled “Knee Deep in the Dead” and culminates in a difficulty level called “Nightmare!” The protagonist, armed with a chainsaw, faces blood-soaked battles, epitomizing the essence of horror. As the Doom series continued to evolve, it skillfully balanced its horror elements with its signature power fantasy. Doom 3, released in 2004, took players into genuinely dark territories, utilizing shadows and sudden scares to instill fear, while later installments amplified the original's violence, expanding level designs and scale. Doom, building on the success of Wolfenstein 3D from 1992, forever changed the landscape of first-person gaming, but its contributions to the horror genre should never be overlooked. 3. Clock Tower (1996) The 1996 PSX installment of Clock Tower, a sequel to the original title from 1995, transformed the 16-bit point-and-click adventure with full 3D graphics, high-quality voice acting, and a deeper exploration of its antagonist, Scissorman. This game delivered a genuinely unsettling atmosphere. Although horror games at the time weren't intentionally sparse, Clock Tower's minimal soundtrack heightened the tension, allowing players to experience long, eerie silences punctuated by shocking cinematic moments. Drawing inspiration from classic Italian giallo films like Suspiria and Phenomena, Clock Tower follows a female protagonist navigating a bizarre and perilous world. Unlike conventional horror films, it offers multiple endings across various story arcs. Despite spawning several sequels and spiritual successors, it never quite matched the success of its peers, largely overshadowed by the release of another iconic horror title. 4. Resident Evil (1996) Setting the gold standard for horror, the eerie mansion in Resident Evil serves as an archetypal backdrop for terror. Films like The Haunting and The Changeling, alongside games like Maniac Mansion, understood this trope well. The original Resident Evil, a spiritual successor to Tokuro Fujiwara’s 1989 game Sweet Home, encapsulated the essence of horror with its creepy settings and suspenseful atmospheres. Resident Evil masterfully combined the zombie hordes reminiscent of Romero’s Night of the Living Dead with a mansion-sized puzzle, inviting players to explore and survive the night. It amalgamated the finest aspects of horror from various mediums and redefined them into a groundbreaking experience. Its cinematic presentation, characterized by fixed camera angles that often obscured lurking threats, coupled with clunky controls, limited resources, and a chilling soundtrack, established it as one of the greatest horror games ever upon its release in 1996. Capcom’s remarkable 2002 remake for the GameCube enhanced the graphics and introduced new narrative elements, further solidifying Resident Evil’s status as a masterpiece. While 1992’s Alone in the Dark laid the groundwork for Resident Evil's gameplay mechanics, it never reached the same heights, as many of its sequels struggled critically. In contrast, the Resident Evil franchise has continued to innovate and evolve through the years. 5. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997) While earlier titles like Ghosts ‘n Goblins and Castlevania established a foundation for horror-themed platformers, 1997’s Castlevania: Symphony of the Night raised the bar significantly. By merging nonlinear gameplay with exploration, players could traverse a vast castle, battling classic movie monsters and uncovering unique items to unlock new areas, overcome challenging bosses, and ultimately experience a surprising twist that redefined the game’s narrative.