The 10 SCARIEST PS2 Games
“Resident Evil 4” (2005)
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Making the bold move to break away from the fixed camera formula, Resi 4 proved itself to be not only one of the best games in the series, but the scariest. Leaving Racoon City and its surroundings, our protagonist Leon is thrust into a foreign setting where he and the player are put outside their comfort zone in more ways than one. Waves of zombified villagers, grotesque and deformed monsters and a haunted castle? It’s no wonder this game is considered one of the best horror games of all time. We almost hesitated to include RE4 because it was a Gamecube exclusive for its first nine months, but honestly it’s just too good to ignore. With a port available on nearly every console and a remake on the way, there’s no better time to revisit Resident Evil 4.
“Obscure” (2004)
This often forgotten co-op horror gem has become a beloved classic to those lucky enough to have played it. Taking its inspiration from games like Silent Hill & Resident Evil, Obscure places the player in a highschool after dark to solve the mystery of their missing friend. With that classic fixed camera perspective and difficult combat, the retro horror vibe is alive-and-well with the added benefit of having a friend join you along the way. With permadeath on your small roster of characters, and a sadistic story that gets worse as it unfolds, the fear and tension of this cooperative experience is unmatched by any other games of the time.
“Rule of Rose” (2006)
When a horror game is banned in Australia, New Zealand & the United Kingdom, you know it’s gotta be rough. If there is an awful theme worth exploring, Rule of Rose explores it. Murder, Suicide, Mental Illness, Animal Cruelty and Cannabalism... it’s all in there. Rule of Rose is a twisted coming of age story that doesn’t scare the player through its gameplay, but rather through the intense story and characters. If you were heavily bullied as a kid, we might recommend you skip this one.
”Haunting Ground” (2005)
Haunting ground is another one of those PS2 gems that’s not only been forgotten to time, but that fans agree wasn’t appreciated upon release either. Although not an official Clock Tower game, it has been labeled by the developers as a “spin-off spiritual successor” to the much loved series. You play as Fiona, a protagonist who for all intents and purposes is completely useless when facing up against enemies. This leaves you with only 3 options, use your limited abilities to fight the enemy, run, or hide, the first option usually being the jumping off point to option 2 and 3. With the addition of your dog companion, Hewie, Haunting Ground explores gameplay mechanics that are definitely different, but also super effective. Gripping and long, this campaign is a must for horror fans.
“Siren” (2003)
Known as Forbidden Siren in PAL regions, this game can be incredibly difficult for new players. Difficult to navigate and shockingly scary, Siren has been the central focus of articles written to explain what makes horror games scary. The central gameplay mechanic is the ability to see through the eyes of the enemies around you. It’s difficult to compare terrifying experiences with swiping through the enemies’ visuals only to see yourself through their eyes. The game is not only scary, but incredibly engaging as it moves from protagonist to protagonist, keeping the stories always changing and never stagnant.
“Kuon” (2004)
Before Elden Ring, FromSoftware developed this eerie survival horror WAY back in 2004. Explore the manor and solve puzzles as three different exorcists, but watch out for the variety of monsters you’ll face. The thing that makes this game so terrifying is the running mechanic. Let an enemy get close and you’ll most likely see your demise, run away and you’ll take damage very slowly AND even worse, you might attract more enemies. Finding the balance while trying not to pee your pants is not easy. Kuon is nightmare fuel for anyone willing to try it.
“The Thing:” (2004)
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A direct sequel to the infamous John Carpenter film from the 80’s, The Thing video game took on some bold gameplay mechanics for the time and executed them with pretty high success. Set in the Antarctic research base from the film, the player moves their way through the campaign with a squad that are all trying to avoid becoming part of The Thing hivemind. Using the game's fear/trust system, you must convince your team regularly that you are still you, while also convincing yourself that your squad is also human. This system makes the game both emotionally investing and enhances the horror elements to insane degrees! You won’t just lose sleep, you’ll lose friends.
“Fatal Frame” (2003)
Move over Outlast, you’re not the only camera-based survival horror game on the scene. Set in a timeless Japanese village, Fatal Frame 2 follows the story of twin sisters Mio and Mayu who are trying to uncover the mysteries of this haunted village. With a fixed camera perspective combined with a first person camera view, Mio can run from the spirits around her or face them by using the camera as a weapon, forcing her to look at her attackers directly. This gameplay mechanic only works when photos are taken right as the ghosts attack, which makes for a tense horror experience that doesn’t rely on jumpscares.
“The Suffering” (2004)
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Playing as an antihero can be lots of fun, but playing as a murderer convicted of killing his wife and two children is not as easy to digest. The Suffering is an experience that looks at the worst in people and lets the player find their own morality while exploring themes like capital punishment. The Suffering isn’t just about scary gameplay and a gorey world, but the story surrounding the protagonist Torque and the other characters he meets along the way. The world created by The Suffering is grotesque and the decisions the player has to make along the way will leave some paralyzed with fear.
“Silent Hill 2” (2001)
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It’s undeniable, Silent Hill 2 is not only one of best PS2 horror games of all time, but possibly the best horror game of all time period. Jumping back into the titular town, our protagonist James comes searching for his deceased wife after he receives a letter claiming to be her, saying “she’s in their special place”. Silent Hill 2 doesn’t just manifest James’ worst fears into reality, but the fears and nightmares of the characters he meets along the way. This allows the player to relate to a variety of horrible situations depending on their personal bias. The world is crafted so well and blended with terrifying sound design to make each moment of this experience as uncomfortable as the last. Learn the truth of this town and the truth of James and leave the experience feeling the worst feelings a person can. Silent Hill 2 still hurts us.
