Top 10 Survival Horror Video Games

Pack your flashlight, put on a fresh pair of underwear and get ready for some heart-pounding horror goodness. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down the Top 10 Survival Horror Games.

Just our usual rule for this one: One Game per franchise

In Alan Wake, players incarnate the game’s titular character who, after a long bout of writer’s block, is suddenly in the clutches of an otherworldly darkness. The game differs from most survival horrors in one main respect: the player must shine light on enemies in order to eventually kill them. This makes the game more challenging because new batteries and recharge time are necessary for the flashlight. Of course humans aren’t the only thing you need to worry about, as various inanimate objects can also come to life to try to kill you.

Serial killers abound in this survival horror classic about an FBI agent trying to make it out alive in a city gone mad. The gameplay provides a visceral experience that is altogether unlike standard first person shooter, giving the player access to hard hitting melee weapons like two by fours or pipes instead of an infinitely reloaded gun. This focus on melee, coupled with a gritty and unsettling mood makes for an experience that will have you on edge the entire way through.

First let me explain why this is at #8, While it does have the survival factor down pat, Its horror elements are lacking compared to the rest of the list, but the game is too good to be left off the list, as this one sets itself apart with an engaging story and realistic combat system. Joel and Ellie navigate the devastated wasteland that was once the United States in order to find a possible cure for an outbreak of a fungus that turns people into zombies. Memorably horrific moments include the sections where you have to avoid the blind “clickers”, who do no mess around.

Alexandra Roivas is investigating her grandfather’s death and stumbles upon an ancient world of magic and horror. In an interesting twist, the player does not solely control the main character but also plays as a cast of different characters throughout history related to the main story. The game is also innovative in introducing the sanity meter: as it gets lower, the game starts to mess with the players mind, distorting the line between hallucination and reality.

In this title, players follow the story of Daniel who, as the title might suggest, has lost all of his memories and knows only that he must kill a mysterious Baron. The game isn’t your traditional survival horror as the player isn’t given any weapons to defend themself. Instead, while attempting to solve puzzles and find your way through the castle, you’re forced to him under desks and cover in fear as hungry horrors search for you. Daniel is also given a sanity bar that is lowered every time the player sees something scary.

A solid precursor to the Bioshock series, the System Shock sequel pits the player against zombie-like monsters and an unstable AI. Using an complex and unforgiving RPG system, players must scavenge the ship for upgrades and supplies while trying to stay alive and uncover the truth. Although the gameplay may seem slow by today’s standards, the atmosphere is some of the best the genre has ever seen. Just be sure to turn off that techno soundtrack before you start.

There’s a reason Japanese horror works so well. Maybe it has something to do with ghostly little girls and long black hair. Using the infamous Camera Obscura from the first game, Mio returns to search for her lost sister in a damned village that has been shrouded in darkness. Using the camera, the player is provided with different types of film that act as ammunition against the vengeful spirits. The game has great shock moments that are sure to scare.

Combining all the sci-fi horror goodness of such films as Event Horizon and Aliens, the first installment of the Dead Space series showed us just how scary survival could be in deep space. Or at least, showed everyone who wasn’t lucky enough to have played System Shock 2. Protagonist Isaac Clark contends with a ship filled to the brim with zombie-like aliens. Using the plasma cutter and various cobbled together yet surprisingly effect weapons, Isaac must dismember the mindless necromorphs limb by limb in order to kill them. That, or suffer the same fate himself.

This remains one of the best examples of a videogame remake done right, and it’s no coincidence that it find itself on the list as Resident Evil was the seminal game of the genre. As either Chris or Jill you navigate a creepy old mansion and fight the undead horrors within. The main changes notably are better voice acting, as compared to the original, a defense weapon that help the player when grabbed by a zombie, and the terrifying Crimson Heads. The graphics are also notably enhanced and still look great despite being a decade old, and a lot of the in-game puzzles are different which creates new challenges.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

“Alien: Isolation” (2014)

“Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare” (2001)

“Outlast” (2013)

Horror and creepiness abound in this sequel to the highly popular Silent Hill. Players control James Sunderland who ends up in the eponymous town after receiving a letter from his deceased wife. The tension mounts throughout the game as the player encounters all kinds of monstrous enemies and nutty characters. The subtlety woven into this game’s psychological elements, from limited visibility to the bizarre soundtrack is what truly makes it out top pick.



Do you agree with our list? Which survival horror game did you play in the dark and left you awake all night? For more terrifying Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com