The Top 5 Survival Horror Games of All Time

Horror games have played a considerable role in the video games industry for what feels like forever. Over time, countless sub-genres have spawned. The most prevalent of which is the survival-horror niche. A significant contributing factor to the overnight infamy of the gruesome side-genre is the meteoric rise of the zombie craze. A morbid-mania that for better or worse has oversaturated the market. The term was first coined to categorize Biohazard, the Japanese version of the original Resident Evil, released in 1996.

 

Since then though, many long-standing franchises have departed from the true essence of survival horror. Mainly, to incorporate action and drama into the mix. With that in mind, this list is one for the purists. Primarily, the focus here is on games dripping with atmosphere and suspense. But also, puzzle solving elements and player handicaps. The way every survival horror should operate. So, strap yourselves in for a nerve-shredding rollercoaster of dread. Be afraid, be very afraid.

 

Dead Space

 

Dead Space is a rare-breed of horror, in that it brings sci-fi into the fold. What’s more, the despicably disturbing survival-horror contains perhaps the most hideously grotesque foe in all of video games history. Say hello to the Necromorph. These vile, reanimated corpses that defy death have infested a mining ship. In true horror fashion, it’s your job, to send these obtuse abominations back to the afterlife.

I’m’ ashamed to break it to you, but that’s not going to be plain sailing. Firstly, Necromorphs cannot be dealt with by conventional means. That said, a bullet to the head is not going to cut it. To make matters worse, Necromorphs move at lightning speed and can regenerate limbs. Horrifically, these gruesome ghouls even give birth to a litter of rancid, rapid-moving, infant Necromorphs. Aww, how sickeningly sweet.

 

If that wasn’t enough to contend with, players are unable to pause the action. A limitation that makes juggling inventory items a tense and suspenseful act. Worse still, ammo reserves are few and far between. Thus, these restrictions make for a nail-biting experience. A great way, to jumpstart this list of the top 5 survival horror games of all time.

 

Alien Isolation

 

Next, on the list, we have Alien Isolation. After the foul flop that was Colonial Marines, the pressure was firmly on to deliver. Thankfully, Sega rectified past wrongs. Finally, a game that does supreme justice to the perfect organism depicted in the movies. Instead of being blessed with raw firepower, players are forced to evade the creature, armed with little more than a tracking device.

As the beast stalks its prey, the sonar indicates its presence. Inevitably, this leads to some pulse-racing action, as you sneak around to avoid detection. In stark contrast to horror games that have come before it, Isolation forces you to avoid confrontation. In turn, this eliminates a sense of control. And, instills a feeling of fear in the players’ mind.

 

Furthermore, the scarcity of ammo, coupled with superb lighting effects set a terrifying tone. All the while, the advanced alien A.I fabricate some of the best atmospheric chills in living memory. A must play for horror fans. Undoubtedly, one of the top 5 survival horror games of all time.

 

Silent Hill 2

 

No game bestows a greater sense of fear and foreboding on the player than Silent Hill 2. The worst manifestations of your darkest nightmares rolled into one. In truth, it’s a creepy combination of factors that make this game such a stand-out horror. Prepare to have your pants scared clean off you.

In truth, this is a game flooded with such a malevolent mood and caked in an atmosphere so inherently evil, that it would make Edgar Alan Poe wet the bed in sheer terror. Worse still, the monster designs are the freakiest obscenities ever. And the deep psychological themes entrenched within will have you sleeping with the light on throughout adulthood. Indeed then, a worthy addition, to the top 5 survival horror games of all time.

 

Resident Evil 2 Remake

 

Fourth on our list of the top 5 survival horror games ever is the Resident Evil 2 remake. Although, the most recent to stake its claim, the remake revisits the core principles of what made this genre-defining game great. It’s back to basics, and the franchise benefits in turn. The result of which is a horror experience that will make crimson run cold.

Masterfully, the less than generous item limit and severe lack of ammo cause the player to continually monitor and ration provisions. Not only that but wave after wave of ultra-realistic, flesh-eating zombies keep you on edge. Hence, further forcing you into uncompromising positions at every turn. A real terror-fest in every sense, and a true tribute to the series that brought the genre to life, way back in the ’90s. I urge all horror fans to give this a go. That is if you’ve got a natural resistance to stomach-churning gore.

 

Amnesia

 

Finally, we have Amnesia. Indeed, a game that epitomizes survival horror like no other. Instead of cheap jump-scares, Amnesia delivers heart-stopping tension, through clever use of sound and atmosphere. Add to that, the inability to defend yourself and the anxiety begins to smother the soul. It’s enough to drive you insane with fright.

Then comes the sanity system whereby players are forced to look away from the heavily disfigured creatures. Then, the game becomes a traumatic fight for survival and a chaotic carnival of terrors — a fitting end, to the top 5 survival horror games of all time.

 

That caps-off our list of the top 5 survival horror games of all time. What titles of the sub-genre chill you to the core? Let us know in the comments. Your thoughts matter to us.