Top 10 Disturbing Levels In Video Games

#9: I Need Some Transportation Dead Space 2 (2011)

Isacc Clarkes fight for survival on the Ishimura was an incredible example of sci-fi horror from start to finish, but if we had to pick a singular area from the franchise that terrified us to our coresit would be Isaacs jaunt through a Necromorph infested elementary school. Having to face the remnants of the children, who have since mutated into abominations, is bad enough, but when they start spilling out of the woodwork in mass droves to try and rip us apart? Its hard to imagine anything worse.

#8: The Lady's Quarters Little Nightmares (2017)

Youd think after zigzagging between bloated, disfigured cannibals, Sixs misadventure aboard this cruise ship from hell couldnt get anymore eerie. Oh, how wrong we were. The mysterious Lady, seemingly the ruler of the overseas vessel, is a whole other kind of terrifying. While her magic can be defeated by using a mirror, the raw dread of waiting for her to emerge from the shadows, from any conceivable direction, had our hands sweating all throughout her boss encounter. You know youve nailed the tone when players would rather head back to the dining room full of obese flesh-eaters than spend another second waiting for another jumpscare.

#7: The Quarantine Alien: Isolation (2014)

We all knew that it was only a matter of time before we came face to face with the Xenomorph haunting the now derelict space station, and the initial reveal did not disappoint. After an immense build up, Amanda Ripley is left well-and-truly alone as her newfound ally Axel is swiftly torn to pieces, leaving her no choice but to flee deeper into the station as the titular alien begins its hunt. There are few experiences in modern gaming that will bring you closer to cardiac arrest than having an uber-smart extraterrestrial stalking you constantly with minimal places to hide.

#6: Camp Belica Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014)

This is a whole different shade of disturbing. There are no monsters or magic to fear, only the knowledge that youre infiltrating a death camp while on a mission to disrupt the plans of Deathshead and his Nazi war machine. Wandering through the grounds, witnessing the torture of political prisoners, trying to sneak past the Third Reichs resident bloodthirsty cheer squad it all makes for an uncomfortable, oppressing sensation, whose parallels to historical events (minus the giant robots, of course) add another grotesque layer to the level. Just as intended.

#5: The Reaper IFF Mass Effect 2 (2010)

Exploring the corpse of a world-ending machine is creepy enough, but things get taken to another level when Commander Shepard and his crew discover that even when deceased, a Reaper is still something to be feared. Not only do you have to face swarms of reanimated husks, but youll also come across the bloody remains of the Cerberus operatives who came before. Turns out that even a derelict Reaper can twist the psyches of organic life via indoctrination. Insanity, death and techno-undead around every corner. This mission is a living nightmare even for a Spectre.

#4: Mr Gluskin Outlast: Whistleblower (2014)

After everything Mount Massive Asylum has thrown our way, from murderous doctors to a cyber-ghost to Chris freakin Walker, youd think theyd have run out of ways to evoke screams from us. And thats when we met Mr Gluskin. Even among the deranged inmates, this bachelor is truly unnerving. He actively hunts and captures anyone who falls into his corner of the asylumbefore castrating them with a buzz saw so he can make them his bride and start a family. Its as twisted as it sounds, made all the worse by the first-person perspective. Talk about a close shave.

#3: Nightmares Max Payne (2001)

Not everything can be solved by bullet time, and that includes horrendous sequences where everyones favourite grizzled ex-cop must navigate a pitch-black maze in order to awaken back to reality. The only guide? A trail of blood. All the while screams of his murdered wife and child constantly echo in our ears. Its the furthest thing from pleasant. Combine the traumatic fever dream with tricky traversal, and you have an interim that will leave you as shaken as Max when he finally snaps out of it.

#2: We Don't Go To Ravenholm Half-Life 2 (2004)

Mr Freeman really should have heeded the warnings, because Ravenholm is the last place you want to visit, even with an alien invasion occurring right outside. Why? Because this-not-so tranquil little mining town is filled to the brim with more headcrabs and zombies than you can throw a crowbar at! The ingenious use of traps and expert influence of refined horror elements has made Ravenholm one of the most iconic levels in gaming, and even decades on, never fails to make us jump out of our skin when one of those headcrabs gets too close for comfort!

#1: House Beneviento Resident Evil Village (2021)

We didnt even know it was possible for a video game to scare us this deeply until we stepped foot into the accursed household of the Beneviento family. The silent corridors and doll-related puzzles were creepy enough, but none held a candle to the absolute horror waiting for us at the end. Coming face to face with a giant, monstrous fetus, all you can do is run, hide, and run some more in the hope of making it out alive as this deformed, screaming baby stalks you. We still havent recovered from this!

Which level in gaming left you traumatized? Let us know in the comments.