5 Horror Games From the 1990s That Are Still Scarier Than Anything Today

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While modern horror games certainly look more advanced than those from the ‘90s, simply having realistic gore and scares isn’t enough to make a truly terrifying story. You don’t need cutting-edge graphics to create something genuinely frightening. What’s really important is skillfully building tension and timing, so you can create moments that will genuinely scare your audience. These five games from the ‘90s are still considered some of the best in the horror genre, even by today’s standards. The controls might feel a little clunky, and the graphics might even make you smile sometimes, but those smiles will quickly disappear when the scares actually happen.

Here are the five best horror games from the ‘90s that still bring the spooks today.

5) Sanitarium

I’m really considering putting Roberta Williams’ Phantasmagoria at number five. It was incredibly popular when it came out and clearly showed that Williams is a skilled creator of point-and-click adventures, regardless of the game’s type. Still, Sanitarium’s unique way of jumping between worlds and its mind-bending horror elements give it a slight advantage in my opinion.

In Sanitarium, you take on the role of Max, a patient who finds himself in a mental institution. As you explore the facility, you’ll be transported to strange and unsettling places, creating a genuinely creepy experience in a world that feels impossible. I won’t give away the ending, because the surprise is definitely worth discovering on your own. In short, Sanitarium is a game point-and-click fans absolutely shouldn’t miss.

4) Silent Hill

Okay, so the original Silent Hill doesn’t get *quite* as much love as the second game, but honestly, it’s still a really good one in the series. When it first came out, a lot of us thought it felt a little like a Resident Evil clone, and yeah, there’s some truth to that in how it *plays*. But Silent Hill’s horror is way different. Instead of focusing on action like RE, it really nails that creepy, disturbing atmosphere – that’s where it shines.

When done well, horror can be incredibly powerful – and unsettling. Konami has consistently demonstrated a talent for psychological horror, and even this initial game will create a deeply uneasy and anxious sensation.

3) Clock Tower

The Clock Tower game from 1996 is actually the second installment in the series, although the original didn’t become available outside of Japan until 2024. Putting that aside, the most significant contribution of Clock Tower to the genre is the truly frightening Scissorman. It may seem silly that you’re being chased by a man wielding large scissors, but the experience is just as scary as running from Lady Dimitrescu.

Along with Clock Tower’s terrifying Scissorman, the game successfully creates the feeling of being in an interactive horror film. It achieves this through impressive full-motion video cutscenes and a consistently suspenseful atmosphere. While moving around the game world can feel a bit slow at times, this is frequently used effectively to heighten the tension.

2) System Shock 2

Okay, so System Shock 2 is really different from the other games I’ve played. It throws you way into the future, and I’m playing as a soldier who’s completely lost his memory. Basically, I’m fighting off infected crew members and trying to piece together what the heck is happening. It’s a total mystery, and I’m stuck in the middle of it!

The story is truly disturbing, and the gameplay was incredibly innovative for its time. Ken Levine and his team introduced a role-playing system that gave players a lot of freedom in how they experienced the game. System Shock 2 was a groundbreaking title, and it directly inspired BioShock, largely due to Levine’s work on both. While a sequel has been discussed for years, it hasn’t come to fruition yet.

1) Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 built upon the strengths of the original Resident Evil, improving nearly every aspect. The game boasts significantly enhanced graphics compared to the first installment, and the team at Capcom expertly used sound design to craft the terrifying atmosphere it’s famous for.

I know some people complain about the old-school tank controls, but honestly, there’s a good reason why the Resident Evil 2 Remake was such a huge hit. It’s built on what I think is one of the scariest and best games in the whole Resident Evil series. While RE2 Remake is definitely one of the greatest remakes ever made, I still think it’s worth playing the original to see where it all began – the game that really took the world by storm years ago.

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2025-09-30 21:46