Monsters and jump scares aren’t what make a horror video game truly scary – it’s an immersive story that does. Let’s see which titles excel in this category!
A solid story adds to the atmosphere of a game, no matter the genre. But regarding horror, it becomes the most powerful tool in the hands of developers if wielded effectively. Players can find themselves immersed enough to believe in the surrounding world and the consequences of their actions – which is pretty scary when you think about it. Fancy the best story-driven horror games? There you go!
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Observer System Redux | 2020 | Adventure | Bloober Team |
 | The Evil Within 2 | 2017-10-13 | Adventure | Tango Gameworks |
 | The Evil Within Bundle | 2014-10-13 | Horror | Tango Gameworks |
 | Dead Space Remake | 2023-01-27 | Action | Motive Studios |
 | Dead Space 2 | 2011-01-27 | Horror | Visceral Games |
 | Dead Space 3 | 2013-02-08 | Adventure | Visceral Games |
 | Alan Wake | 2012-02-16 | Adventure | Remedy Entertainment |
 | Alan Wake 2 | 2023-10-27 | Action | Remedy Entertainment |
 | Soma | 2015-09-21 | Adventure | Frictional Games |
 | Until Dawn | 2024-10-04 | Adventure | Supermassive Games |
 | Resident Evil 7 Biohazard | 2017-01-23 | Horror | CAPCOM |
 | Silent Hill 2 | 2024-10-08 | Adventure | Bloober Team |
 | Still Wakes The Deep | 2024-06-18 | Adventure | The Chinese Room |
 | The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter | 2014-09-25 | Adventure | The Astronauts |
 | Layers Of Fear | 2023-06-15 | Adventure | Bloober Team |
 | Amnesia The Dark Descent | 2010-09-08 | Adventure | Frictional Games |
 | The Cat Lady | 2012-12-01 | Adventure | Harvester Games |
 | Yuppie Psycho Executive Edition | 2019-04-25 | Adventure | Baroque Decay |
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
| Release date: | 2010-09-08 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Frictional Games |
Daniel willingly lost his memories. Now, the man wanders the gloomy corridors of an ancient castle in search of answers to multiplying questions. Will he discover the origins of the nightmare that led him to this situation?
The Dark Descent is one of the most terrifying horror video games, combining an omnipresent sense of danger with extraordinary writing. Just remember to play this title with headphones!
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Until Dawn
| Release date: | 2024-10-04 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Supermassive Games |
Inspired by classic B-horror movies, Until Dawn follows a group of teenagers reuniting at a mountain cabin where their two friends vanished a year earlier. Soon, this seemingly ordinary evening descends into a nightmare.
Until Dawn is an unforgiving game in which every mistake can result in irreversible consequences. The gameplay focuses on making choices – those influencing the plot flow are marked with a butterfly icon.
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Silent Hill 2
| Release date: | 2024-10-08 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Bloober Team |
This remake of the legendary horror game follows James searching for his sadly deceased wife in the spooky town of Silent Hill. It’s an ideal choice if you crave a psychological horror set within a tragic love story.
Considered a masterpiece concept, SH2 lets players immerse in the turmoil of James’ tortured mind. In this game, unimaginable monsters merge with a dramatic storyline, so it’s an excellent recommendation for those seeking a more complex adventure.
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The Cat Lady
| Release date: | 2012-12-01 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Harvester Games |
This 2012 PC game reveals the story of Susan Ashworth, a lonely woman preparing to end her life. Everything changes when she learns about the arrival of five psychopaths in town.
The Cat Lady is a brutal, thought-provoking video game revolving around challenging decisions affecting the plot. Play it if you feel ready for mature themes of depression, mental illness, isolation, and anguish.
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Yuppie Psycho: Executive Edition
| Release date: | 2019-04-25 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Baroque Decay |
Fancy dark humor, horror, and psychological distress set in surprisingly uplifting visuals? That’s Yuppie Psycho in a nutshell!
Yuppie Psycho is an unsettling adventure following young Brian Pasternack navigating a toxic workplace environment. Enriched with a generous dose of gripping puzzles, the storyline of this less popular title leaves an unforgettable impression.
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Conclusion
Story-driven horror games let us believe the line between these worlds and real life is thinner than it initially seems. While the human mind tends to think that way, scary stories allow us to explore dark themes of life without risking any harm in the process. It’s like the best recipe for both sweet thrill and perfect immersion.