The Best Horror Games Without Puzzles

A well-crafted horror game has the potential to immerse players in a creepy setting before skillfully delivering some incredible scares that can catch even the wariest players by surprise. While a lot of horror games may rely on jumpscares and puzzle-based gameplay to rope players in, the truth is that some of the best horror video games rely on their chilling atmosphere to make players experience a sense of oppression that is downright unforgettable.

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32 Best PS2 Horror Games

These horror games from the PlayStation 2 are the genre’s best titles from the console’s era.

There’s nothing wrong with horror games featuring puzzles to wrack a player’s stressed-out mind, but some players would prefer playing a game in this genre that isn’t reliant on these brain-teasers. This is perfectly understandable, and it helps that the selection of scary games that lack any puzzles is pretty immense and full of heavy hitters.

5 Slender: The Eight Pages

An Iconic Horror Game That Needs No Introduction

Slender: The Eight Pages

Systems

Released: June 26, 2012
Developer(s): Parsec Productions

When Let’s Plays were all the rage, Slender: The Eight Pages burst onto the scene as one of the most viral horror games of all time. The legend of the Slenderman became more mainstream than ever before, with players loving and dreading the act of exploring a creepy forest and collecting eight pages while trying to elude the Slenderman by any means necessary. It was a harrowing experience that took over the gaming mainstream for quite some time.

While the game’s length may be pretty short, Slender: The Eight Pages is a fun experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome. The gameplay loop isn’t all that deep, meaning that players won’t need to spend any more time in this game than they need to. Despite the many years that have passed since this title’s release, there’s something about this game that fascinates fans to this day.

4 Iron Lung

Players Experience True Claustrophobia In A Submarine Traversing An Ocean Of Blood

Iron Lung

Systems

Released: March 10, 2022
Developer: David Szymanski, Dread XP

Despite taking place inside a small submarine with a short runtime and no combat to speak of, Iron Lung immerses players in one of the most rewarding horror games that deserves all its plaudits. All players must do is operate a submarine and take pictures, with this gameplay loop being held up by the atmosphere, sound design, and horror elements of what is easily one of the most experimental horror games of all time.

During their short but sweet journey in Iron Lung, players will explore a sea of blood and uncover the existence of a harrowing monster that is tailing them at every step of the way. The game expertly conveys what it feels like to be a monster’s prey, with a bombastic ending that will be seared in the minds of players long after they’re finished playing through one of the most unique indie games they can get their hands on.

3 Outlast

Outrunning And Hiding From Enemies In This Found Footage Horror Title Is Nightmarish

Released: November 4, 2013
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Found footage games make for great horror experiences, and Outlast is no exception here. Players control a journalist who wants to uncover the secret in a psychiatric hospital, only to stumble onto something so horrible that the only thing they wish for is to escape this hellhole by any means necessary. This is easier said than done, especially when players become a target of the people running this heinous operation and must evade numerous monstrous pursuers by any means necessary.

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Best Mobile Horror Games

Playing horror games on mobile devices can be as thrilling as playing on other gaming platforms, and these titles are great choices for horror fans.

Outlast has its fair share of jumpscares but none of them feel cheap, with the game’s incredible atmosphere going a long way in making its psychological horror as effective as possible. It’s a shame that the game’s ending is such a downer after being largely excellent throughout its run, but this is a small slight that players are willing to forgive given how memorable the simple act of exploration is in this amazing horror game.

2 Alien: Isolation

An Immersive Sim With Intense Horror Elements With The Most Terrifying Version Of A Xenomorph To Date

Released: October 7, 2014
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Immersive sims are known for featuring horror elements, but not a lot of these titles lean into this genre as heavily as Alien: Isolation. This amazing horror game wasted no time in establishing itself as the best video game set in the Alien universe, with players controlling the daughter of Ellen Ripley as she explores the desolate halls of Sevastopol in a bid to locate her missing mother. While there are regular enemies to fight in this game, the true threat comes from the Xenomorph on the loose here.

It’s one of the smartest monsters in a video game, tracking the player and understanding their patterns to catch them by surprise. Using the same tactic over and over again to hide from this monster is not recommended in the slightest, and players must make it a point to switch up their escape strategies to get to the end of this game by the skin of their teeth. It’s a masterfully crafted horror game that will leave fans wanting for more.

1 F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon

An Action-Horror Game With Impressive Enemy AI And A Chilling Antagonist

F.E.A.R.

Released: October 18, 2005
Developer(s): Monolith Productions

At a glance, F.E.A.R. may not seem all that scary despite what its name suggests. After all, players are part of a squad that can mow down enemies together, even if the impressive AI ensures that every shootout is as harrowing as they come. However, it’s not until Alma comes into the fray that F.E.A.R.flexes its expertise in the horror department.

Every encounter with Alma will leave players quaking in their boots despite all the guns they have. Nothing prepares them for this psychic spirit’s appearance, making them shiver as they try to survive while trying to get through these levels by any means necessary. The action-packed combat keeps players engaged and lets them enjoy a false sense of superiority only to put them in their place once the horror kicks in.

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