Highlights:
* There are some horror game franchises that every fan should explore once.
* Resident Evil, FNAF, and Silent Hill are some of the well-known game franchises out there.
The horror game genre is a world of its own, with numerous titles offering all sorts of bone-chilling experiences. Some horror games listen to players’ mics and force them to stay silent, while others can’t let one catch their breath with action-packed gameplay. Different horror video games cater to various audiences, but there are some franchises that everyone should try out. In the following section, check the five best horror game franchises that every player should explore.
Best Horror Game Franchises That Players Should Explore
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is the most obvious addition to this list, which every horror fan should check out if they haven’t already. The iconic game series began with the eponymous survival horror title in 1996, which set the base for a mammoth media and video game franchise. Over the years, the in-game lore expanded, and the Resident Evil franchise spawned around 30 video games, including multiple remakes. For the uninitiated, all RE titles are set in a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies, and players step in the boots of many iconic characters throughout the series.
Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF)
Five Nights at Freddy’s, also known as FNAF, is yet another iconic addition to this list with a movie adaptation. Offering a primary setting of a chain of family restaurants, FNAF captures that eerie feeling that many can get from real-life abandoned buildings. At the same time, there are tons of jumpscares with spine-chilling monsters in the form of weirdly designed mascots that belong to Uncanny Valley. FNAF is one of the most remarkable survival and point-and-click horror game franchises to explore.
Silent Hill
Having launched in 1999, Silent Hill paved the way for one of the most frightening horror game franchises that scare players to date. The anthology series also got its movie adaptations, but the video games are the real deal, whether players are looking for a solid narrative or an immersive horror gaming experience. Each title, barring the remakes, has a different plotline, which allows players to explore the game as per their preference.
Even the remake editions have been made with a reimagined plot, offering something newer than the originals. Throughout the game series, makers touch upon various sensitive and mature topics that can be overwhelming for many players. Instead of portraying any external monsters, Silent Hill series puts forth humanity as the real villain, while exploring the darkness and evil side of the humans. Besides its psychological horror, which is not meant for everyone, Silent Hill also features numerous jump scares.
Dead Space
Dead Space has its comic series, novel, and animated film adaptations, but nothing comes close to the chills that the original game gives. The video game series is centered around the protagonist, Isaac Clarke, a starship engineer, and all the horrors are witnessed through his eyes. The short-lived horror game series offers many science fiction tropes in a futuristic setting of the 26th century.
In the games, the protagonist has to fight against undead and mutated enemies named Necromorphs, while also enduring hallucinations. To fight out the Necromorph threats, Isaac utilizes the ultra futuristic weaponry and gear. At the same time, the games also have various suits that allow players protection while exploring the morbid environment set within Dead Space universe.
At times Dead Space’s strange world can creep anyone out, while players will still have to remain warry of any alien attack. With its impeccable writing and characterization, all main series Dead Space games will keep players engaged. At the same time, fans can also check out a remake of the original game, which was launched in 2023.
F.E.A.R.
F.E.A.R. is among those horror game franchises that are more focused on combat. Despite its inspiration from Japanese horror, F.E.A.R.’s action-packed gameplay will give players an adrenaline rush. Players can make the best use of their preferred gun type with an assortment of weapons available. The games feature assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, handguns, rocket launchers, melee weapons, and many more deadlier options to fight against one’s fear.
As mentioned, Japanese horror is the primary inspiration behind many scary elements in F.E.A.R. franchise, which also includes the petrifying in-universe atmosphere and the background score. The series’ primary protagonist is Alma Wade, a psychic spirit, who seeks revenge against Armacham Technology Corporation for putting her through inhumane experiments. Despite F.E.A.R.’s action-packed approach, Alma is the mainstay of the horror game franchise, which instill terror in the players.
Besides the main antagonist, F.E.A.R. is also known for its gameplay element Slow-Mo that lets players experience supernaturally fast reflexes during a combat, when the time slows down. There are various other cool mechanisms that players can find in the ‘F.E.A.R.’ horror game franchise.
Apart from the horror game franchises mentioned above, here are some honorable mentions which one should also check out:
- Outlast
- Alan Wake
- The Evil Within
- Amnesia
- Fatal Frame
That concludes our list of best horror game franchises, but fans can also check out the best exploration video games that focus on adventures rather than action.
