Top 10 Best Science Fiction Horror Games

Much like the movie it is based on, “The Thing” instills paranoia throughout your entire campaign. With the titular monster able to impersonate anyone, you are constantly wondering if it might be one of your three AI-controlled squad members. However, they fear you just as much as you fear them. You will have to pay attention to your own actions to avoid raising suspicion or else your squad might turn on you, thinking you are the monster. “The Thing” truly was ahead of its time, and even John Carpenter himself gave the game high praise.

While it may not be horror in the traditional sense where you are fending off a monster or killer, “Carrion” is still deserving to be on the list. This time, YOU are the terror of an underground facility that has fallen to your catastrophic outbreak. Fling the poor souls around and devour their flesh to grow in size while finding chemical waste to gain new abilities. For as fun as the concept is, “Carrion” boasts a bit of challenge with its enemy variety and puzzles. So, if you’re looking for a solid Metroidvania that leans more into horror, this is worth your time.

If we could describe “Prey” in layman’s terms, it would be “The Thing” but as a single-player FPS. Whereas “The Ting” features a single beast that can impersonate people, “Prey” focuses on a hostile species that can disguise themselves as various objects. Eventually, you’ll grow suspicious of every little object upon entering a room. It is absolutely a game with jumpscares that will get you almost every single time. It truly is one of Arkane Studios’ most underappreciated games, and if you like the main campaign, you’ll absolutely love the “Mooncrash” DLC!

Compared to the rest of the list, “Inside” is much more of a quiet horror game. Rather than trying to scare the bejeezus out of you with vicious monsters and gory scenes, “Inside” focuses on making you uncomfortable as you explore a depressing and mysterious land of brainwashed humans and inhumane science experiments. It’s hard for us to describe the experience without spoiling anything, so we recommend you go play this yourself as soon as possible. You will not regret it.

Some areas of the “DOOM” community would point to “DOOM 3” for those wanting a horror FPS. But if you want something that isn’t totally reliant on cheap jumpscares, “DOOM 64” is the better option. Throughout your mission to eliminate the Mother of All Demons, you’ll be met with secret walls hiding countless monstrosities. But what really adds to the horror is the soundtrack. Instead of frenetic heavy metal tunes, “DOOM 64” opts for ambience, leaving you in almost complete silence as you listen for the growls and screams of attacking hordes. It conjures up fear in its own way through level and sound design, making it one of the best games in the franchise.

Based on the 1967 short story written by Harlan Ellison, “I Have No Mouth” is the most frightening PC game of the 90s. Five humans are being held captive by a supercomputer known as AM who harbors an intense hatred for humanity and has been torturing these five for the last century. Nearly every room holds a deeply disturbing scene, and the writing is just as superb as Ellison’s original work. Fair warning - “I Have No Mouth” is a test of fortitude and may require you to take breaks for your own mental well-being. Play at your own discretion.

Had it not been for this gem, the “Alien” franchise could have easily died after the catastrophic events of “Colonial Marines”. “Alien: Isolation” is one of the best survival horror games we played in the 2010’s. In addition to a fantastic story and cleverly designed puzzles, it managed to remind us why the Xenomorphs are a threat. You will become fearful of every vent, every little nook and cranny that a Xenomorph could possibly get through. And the stealth mechanics are top-notch as it shapes most of the scariest moments of the game!

It was a real challenge having to decide between the first “Dead Space” and its 2011 sequel. In the end, “Dead Space 2” overthrows its predecessor in our book. We will always love the 2008 original for how it absolutely terrified us every step of the way. However, “Dead Space 2” felt like an evolution in its story, puzzles, mechanics, enemy design, and faster pace. On top of that, you could include your friends in the fun of dismemberment thanks to a solid helping of PvP modes. Of the trilogy, “Dead Space 2” was overall the strongest package. Just be sure you play the first before jumping into this one.

“SOMA” simply isn’t talked about as much as it should be. You take control of Simon Jarrett, a patient who undergoes a science experiment after suffering from serious brain damage. When he awakens, the facility is not the same as it was when he first entered. Something terrible has happened, and your journey into discovering previous events leads into a brilliant story about artificial intelligence and the human mind. You won’t look at AI the same way after playing “SOMA”.

If there is any survival horror game everyone needs to play at least once, it is “System Shock 2”. As the last soldier of a long-deceased rescue team, you awaken to find the Von Braun, an FTL starship, has been devastated by a hostile alien race capable of infecting and mutating human hosts. Your mission is simple: eradicate the remaining threats and get the hell out of there. Written by “BioShock” creator Ken Levine, “System Shock 2” remains one of the most suspenseful and haunting games out there with its stellar dialogue, morbidly beautiful environments, and eerie atmosphere. You will lose yourself in this one, and you will quickly see why it’s regarded as one of the best games ever made.