5 Survival Horror Games You Forgot Were Terrifying

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The survival horror genre boasts many classic games. While the Resident Evil series is often considered the best, titles like Silent Hill and Fatal Frame also have dedicated fans. As the genre grew, many developers began creating their own survival horror games – some became hits, while others faded into obscurity. This list isn’t a definitive ranking, but rather a spotlight on some of the most chilling and overlooked hidden gems the genre has to offer.

Here are five survival horror games that most players have forgotten.

5) Obscure

In Obscure, you play as one of five high school students who team up to investigate strange happenings at their school. You can explore the spooky environment alone, or play with a friend in two-player co-op. Each character has unique skills that are essential for surviving this scary adventure.

As a fan of horror games, I’d describe Obscure as a really cool blend of the story from Until Dawn and the gameplay style of Resident Evil: Outbreak. It was popular enough that they made a sequel, continuing the story with the surviving characters… this time at college! They actually started working on a third game, but it ended up changing so much they rebranded it as Final Exam. Luckily, if you’re interested in playing both Obscure games, they both got remastered in 2014, so you can experience them with updated graphics!

4) Cold Fear

Honestly, playing Cold Fear felt a little rough because it came out so close to Resident Evil 4. That game totally changed what everyone wanted from survival horror, and Cold Fear just felt… outdated by comparison. Looking back now, I can appreciate it a bit more, but it’s still a pretty short game.

You’re a Coast Guard member investigating a Russian ship in the Bering Strait when you discover a strange outbreak – people are acting like zombies! This leads to a thrilling adventure that reveals a conspiracy involving both the CIA and the Russian Mafia. Even if you don’t have time for the whole game, the beginning is definitely worth experiencing.

3) Haunting Ground

Capcom, the company behind popular survival horror games like Resident Evil and Dino Crisis, created Haunting Ground. While it’s a solid entry in the genre, Haunting Ground differs from those earlier titles by focusing less on action and more on the atmosphere and puzzle-solving of games like Clock Tower – essentially serving as a spiritual successor to that classic series.

You play as Fiona and her dog, Hewie, trying to evade dangerous villains. Fiona can fight for a short time, but she tires quickly, so avoiding combat is usually the best strategy. However, when enemies appear, Fiona can enter “Panic Mode” and act unpredictably.

Haunting Ground was notable for letting players control a character in a vulnerable position, a feature critics now appreciate. However, the game suffered from frustrating and repetitive parts, which ultimately held it back.

2) The Evil Within 2

The original Evil Within, created by Shinji Mikami (of Resident Evil fame) and his studio Tango Gameworks, was decent, but didn’t seem likely to get a follow-up. However, we were pleasantly surprised! John Johanas directed the sequel, which turned out to be one of the most memorable survival horror games in years.

While it leans more into action than the original, and the open world isn’t the most exciting, Tango Gameworks still delivers genuine horror. Throughout its 15-hour story, The Evil Within 2 has several truly frightening moments. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s a solid experience for any horror fan.

It would be great to see a third game continue the story after that cliffhanger ending. While it would probably need a new main character, it has the potential to be really good. However, the developers at Tango Gameworks are likely focused on other projects right now.

1) Tormented Souls

Tormented Souls is a modern take on classic survival horror, reminiscent of older games like the original Resident Evil. It uses fixed camera angles and even lets you choose ‘tank controls’ for a truly retro experience. Instead of the typical haunted house setting, you’ll be navigating a terrifying hospital, solving puzzles and facing gruesome enemies.

Many players have found Tormented Souls to be on the easier side, so it doesn’t offer quite the same intense survival challenges as games like Resident Evil. While the game is relatively short, it’s full of frightening moments and a captivating storyline.

Good news for fans – a second game is coming out in 2025! If you enjoy the first game, you’ll be happy to know there’s more to come. The sequel is even better in many ways, though I still suggest playing the first one first. You could also dive right into the sequel if you prefer.

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2025-12-16 00:42