Horror games with the creepiest stories

Developers have different approaches to the horror genre, though many games fall into similar categories. You have your jump scare games, multiplayer horror fests, atmospheric titles, and games with a stronger narrative basis. It’s the latter we want to focus on as we feel games with cheap scares have become more commonplace than ones with a fully fleshed out story.

Sure, they’ll have some story elements mixed in, but the main focus is on the scare itself. If you’re looking for a scary story told in the dark, something that will make you think while also chilling you straight to the bone, we have a few suggestions for you. From classics like Resident Evil down to indie gems like Kholat, here are our picks for favorite horror games with creepy stories.

Horror games with the creepiest stories

Kholat

Not only is Kholat one of the rare examples of a game that’s based on a true story, it’s also narrated by the prolific Sean Bean. The gameplay is pretty straightforward where you’re able to explore through various areas and search for clues, all while trying not to die at the hands of mysterious forces. However, the story behind the game is what really sets it apart.

In 1959, nine college students disappeared while hiking through the mountains of Kholat Syakhl. Referred to as the Dyatlov Pass Incident, their bodies were found months later, their bodies painting a baffling (and terrifying) picture. What appears to have happened is that in the middle of the night, something startled the hikers, causing them to cut open their tent from the inside and run through sub-zero temperatures.

While it was evident exposure killed six of the nine hikers, the other three that were found had suffered injuries from an “unknown compelling force” according to the official report. One of the three had a fractured skull, while the other two suffered major chest fractures, while the most unfortunate of the trio was found to be missing her eyes and tongue as well.

In Kholat the game, you’re given this backstory before being thrust into the action yourself, tasked with retracing the steps the nine hikers took before meeting their fate. Even after you close out of the game, the concept of meeting your demise in the middle of the night on a cold, lonely mountain is more than enough to keep you awake in deep contemplation.

Resident Evil franchise

Resident Evil has almost 10 games to its name, has been adapted into a series of films, and in general is lauded for being one of the best survival horror franchises of all time. If you’re a horror junkie like we are, chances are you’ve played at least one Resident Evil game.

The story backing Resident Evil is pretty lengthy at this point, making it nearly impossible to summarize in a few short paragraphs for the sake of this article. However, it stands out because it doesn’t feel like an elaborate piece of video game fiction. It’s crafted so well that it genuinely feels plausible. Unlikely, yes, but plausible.

At the heart of the franchise you have the Umbrella Corporation, the creation and outbreak of the T-virus, and the inner workings of Raccoon City as viewed by different characters. Each game and each film approaches the core story differently, and it’s fascinating to see how the plot continues to unfold, adding more lore on top of a concept already rich with lore.

Alan Wake

Let’s be honest, Alan Wake is a Stephen King story in every aspect outside of the fact that it wasn’t actually penned by the man himself. The game follows writer Alan Wake as he, and his wife Alice, decide to take a vacation in the small town of Bright Falls, Washington.

Alan has been struggling with writer’s block for two years, and the trip is supposed to help despite Alan’s reluctance and frustration over being forced into addressing his current situation. Of course, things don’t go as planned during this vacation (they never do in a horror story).

His wife gets dragged into Cauldron Lake by a mysterious force, he drives his car into the lake and blacks out for a week, he’s chased by shadow creatures, there’s a manuscript forming that he doesn’t remember writing, and you as the player have to try and unpack the mystery of it all.

There are traces of Stephen King in Alan Wake, but also TV shows like Twin Peaks and The X-Files. Alan Wake is known for its story and concept, and has gone down not only as a cult classic video game, but one of the best from developer Remedy Entertainment. If you haven’t played it, you owe it to yourself to experience the creepy weirdness that is Alan Wake. Go on, find out what’s in Cauldron Lake, we dare you!

Layers of Fear

The “tortured artist” trope can feel played out nowadays, but in Layers of Fear it’s done in such a way that it never feels stale. Layers of Fear is truly terrifying and keeps you on your toes as you try and figure out what’s real, and what’s the product of an eccentric mind who’s losing grip on reality.

There are a few things you can use to try and get your bearings in the game including the “magnum opus” the painter wants to create. In the backdrop, you’ll also learn more about the painter’s wife and child who’ve suffered as a result of his obsession. You can unlock different endings depending on how you play the game, but none of the endings are what you’d call happy.

The story shows how easy it is to lose sight of what’s important along with the fact that certain things are irreversible, like black paint slapped on a canvas. Layers of Fear is a game we really don’t want to spoil if you haven’t already played it. All we can say is that while the concept is presented in a more abstract manner than titles like Kholat, it’s one that will haunt you long after you play it.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is an example of a horror game that’s done perfectly from gameplay to story. In particular, the story stands out as it buoys the gameplay and setting. You play as Daniel, a man suffering from amnesia who finds himself alone in Brennenburg Castle.

Exploring the castle, Daniel realizes he’s being tormented by a mysterious shadow who tells him he must venture into the Inner Sanctum and kill a baron named Alexander. The more you play, the more you’ll uncover about Daniel and his past in the form of notes and flashbacks.

While this premise is simple, the game builds and becomes increasingly more complex as you learn more about Alexander, the castle, orbs, and so on. Even today, we’re still reeling from all of the twists and turns presented in Amnesia’s story. It’s lauded as one of the best indie horror games, and after playing it several times over the past few years, it’s not hard to see why.

Silent Hill franchise

We can’t include the Resident Evil franchise on this list without also including Silent Hill. It’s like an unspoken rule. While it’s easy to make fun of film adaptations of video games, some have serious grounds for being made. Say what you will about the Silent Hill movie released in 2006, at least it tried to be visually interesting.

Meanwhile, each of the games feel somewhat similar in that someone gets pulled into Silent Hill before discovering their true origin. We appreciate Silent Hill as a franchise because each character’s story feels interesting, with Silent Hill being the connecting force between each installment. Every game has its own merit, though the original batch of games are arguably better than the ones that came later.

Our personal favorite is Silent Hill 2, though we also recommend playing the original to get you in the mood. If you don’t feel like going back and playing the first Silent Hill game from 1999, the film isn’t all that bad. Maybe we’re alone in feeling this way, but it’s honestly not the worst film based off a video game (looking at you Assassin’s Creed), and it isn’t the worst thing you can watch to get you in the Halloween spirit either.

What do you think? What horror games had stories that stood out to you the most? Comment below!