The epitome of what I’m trying to refer to is the Playdead games (Limbo and Inside). Dark Souls and BioShock both hit on this idea but not quite so directly. The game BADLAND is also a great example of this, too. The mobile game The Silent Age also did this exceptionally well. Never quite knowing what’s going on, and maybe some tension without release, but again not straight up horror. A feeling of uneasiness is what I’m looking for.
When playing through Inside, there’s never any moments where you’re scared, but you’re never sure what’s going on and there’s always a level of unease. What are all the mindless zombie-like people? Why is everyone hunting the player? What happened to this city? What’s the goal of the character the player controls? What exactly is going on here? That’s what I’m looking for. If you know of any other games which do this, I’d greatly appreciate hearing about them. It’s a very specific niche so I’m not sure how many games do this, but the games that I’ve seen do this tend to be some form of post-disaster or dystopia. I’ve seen some great artwork do this too. Zdzisław Beksiński had done some stuff like this. Some great dystopian novels also do this quite well.
Northern Journey. It’s a hard game to put into any traditional genre. It’s a Norwegian “happysad” action-adventure game with some of the most eerie visual and sound design I’ve seen without being outright horror.
Apparently it’s already on my wishlist, though I swear I’ve never heard of it. Either way, I’ll be sure to check it out some more. If it’s a Souls-like I probably saw it in an Iron Pineapple video at some point and thought it was cool enough to wishlist it.
STALKER for that horror undercurrent, Deus Ex Mankind Divided probably has the best atmosphere of any game I’ve ever played and the fact the franchise was abandoned for that marvel brain-rot is a crying shame.
STALKER was my first thought as well. amazing atmosphere. The zone doesn’t care if you’re there or not.
Metro games are pretty good too, especially the first two for that creepy vibe.
Subnautica has some creepy overtones.
Seconding Subnautica.
It was one of the few games I’ve played where I felt sad finishing it.
The sequel does not have the same vibe, though, so be aware of that. It’s an okay game, but it definitely misses the vibe the original.
I loved Subnautica, but it was too scary and claustrophobic for me to finish because I am a weenie. The first time I had to go down to that abandoned underwater cave base shivers
I’ve heard as such. I also love nautical themes in general (no surprise given my username), so I’ve been meaning to play it for quite a while. Thanks for reminding me of this game
If you like crafting bases, this sounds like it would be right up your alley, then
Be sure to clear off the next few evenings when you start it
I usually only get one day off work at a time so I’ll use up my paid vacation to play this game 😎
I’ve been playing DREDGE and it definitely has the creepy element down. It’s gotten me hooked for sure
Second dredge.
I pirated it and then like it enough to buy it on steam.
I’ve been absolutely loving DREDGE. Picked it up in the summer sale without really knowing anything about it and I’ve been having so much fun with it.
OP, I’d strongly recommend this game but don’t look anything up, it really adds to the suspense and eerieness.
Duly noted, I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Portal series
Absolutely. I forgot to mention those in my post but I’ve played them many, many times and they’re some of my favourites. Once you leave the test rooms in Portal 2 and explore the rest of Aperture after it became abandoned is one of the coolest experiences in video games for me. I love abandoned stuff, creepy in all the right ways
Yes, the games are not especially creepy but the implications are really horror material the more you think about it. Like the reason why Aperture is abandoned, what experimentations were conducted there, what are the consequences, who is the rat man… Chills.
That’s the best way to do creepy imo. Not immediately in your face or done in a horror-type way but more subtle.
Check out Manlybadasshero’s channel, he plays a lot of games like that. CJU does as well. A lot of them are very narrative-based, which might not be what you’re looking for. The Coffin of Andy and Leyley for example, freaking fantastic game but it’s a slow creepy burn rather than action-oriented. Little Misfortune is another personal favorite, and the Tartarus Key. They also play some random ass games like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VWL4vKRp8Uwhere it’s a dystopian world and you never really find out what’s going on, which sounds similar to what you’re into.Awesome, thanks for the recommendations. I’ll definitely be checking out those channels later on. That last game you mentioned sounds exactly like what I’m looking for, so I’ll check out that video tonight or tomorrow. Appreciate it!
about Little Misfortune, i remembered of Fran Bow
The world of Scorn felt pretty alien and unnerving.
I just wish Scorn’s gameplay had been better (more engaging at least). It kinda felt like a visual tech demo.
Incredible art direction though
Vampire the Masquerade, Bloodlines. Came out before HL2 and I still go back to it ever year or two
I’m a pretty big fan of Outside Xbox and they talk about that game all the time, so I’m definitely aware of it. I bought it recently so I think I’m going to have to play it soon.
There’s one famously scary area, however.
America McGees Alice and Alice Madness Returns are both great game, the first one is very very dated, but the second game plays quite well with some manual patching. I strongly recommend Madness Returns and it has a creepy atmosphere like you’d want
My girlfriend is a huge Alice in Wonderland fan so her and I started playing Madness Returns (really just me playing and her watching but that’s what her preference is anyway). Unfortunately we got stuck due to a bug pretty early on and we haven’t continued yet, but we’ll probably try to figure it out eventually and go through the game. It’s definitely got a really cool atmosphere and art style, for sure.
Gone Home
Never heard of it but it looks cool.
I know this is gonna sound kinda goofy but luigis mansion has some of that unneasynes going for. While it is horror themed, of course its not going to be a horror game outright, you are luigi in a haunted mantion catching ghosts and trying to save mario. Its been a while since i last played it but its a very short and simple game, you catch ghost with a vacum cleaner and its a collectaton. It feels uneasy in a spooky halloween kinda way bit has an uneasyness on with the ghosts and stuff, maybe a even a little mysterius with the ghost not having clear backgroumds. Very recomended, if its not what you are lookinh for then atleast you will have a fun time with it. Im talking abouth the first one, dont really know about the 2 sequels since i havent played them. Also any of the n64 Zelda games, particulary Majoras masks. That one is kinda like being in a nightmare while not straight up turning into one, more like being a little disturbing with its art direction and themes, kinda like the movie nightmare before christmas feel going for it. I recomend it 100% even though i havent really finished it at the moment. Oh and also metroid prime.Really captures the feel of being in a hostile planet, very mysterious and atmospheric. I played the original one on gamecube but they just remastered it on nintendo switch so thats nice. A really good aspect of this one is the scanner visor with lets you scan everything from the scenario to enemies and powerups and gives you a little lore on them. Also really nice otherwordly soundtrac and being a metroidvania (obviusly) you are absolutely gonna love this one.
I loved Luigi’s mansion. Been many years since I’ve played it though. The others have been suggested by others too so I probably should look into them a bit more. Thanks for your time writing that up!
Outer Wilds. It’s better to play it without knowing much beforehand. All I’m gonna say is: it will make you feel very lonely and even vulnerable at times, although it’s not a horror game by any means. It’s a beautiful videogame with a mind-blowing story.
I agree. The DLC adds creepy.
I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews for that game, but I haven’t had any aspect spoiled for me at all. Thanks for the recommendation!
I’d recommend Control by Remedy. It’s got some SCP vibe and has liminal spaces, spooky supernatural shit and great looking environments and game play.
I’ve received lots of suggestions for Control, I think I’ll be playing it soon
Control was so unbelievably good and creepy. Can’t recommend it enough. Really recaptured the love of gaming and exploring a new world that I had started to lose.
Absolutely Control. I’ve just gotten back to it after a too long hiatus. About half way through and loving every beat. The logs and docs are 100% worth reading.
Subnautica is not a horror game, and was not intended to be scary; and yet the way it captures the dark, oppressive nature of deep waters makes it an extremely terrifying experience.
GMOD.
Something about Source engine maps set in realistic locations devoid of anything but a player has an overpowering creepy, liminal space vibe.
I wouldn’t have thought of that one. Thanks for pointing it out!
