Top 20 Scary Monsters in Video Games

“Super Mario 64” (1996)

There aren’t a lot of old video game monsters that still frighten us today due to the advancements made in graphics. However, the Eel (or Unagi) from Jolly Roger Bay still disturbs us. It was already bad enough that it replicated the same cold stare as a real eel. Did it really have to be huge and flail violently when Mario gets too close? The giant Chain Chomp in Bob-omb Battlefield was already a bit much for the little tykes, and we can only imagine how any kids went to bed with nightmares of this menacing underwater beast.

“Manhunt” (2005)

“Manhunt” already sports a creepy environment with its grit, gore, and psychopaths everywhere. Of the disturbing derelicts you’ll come across, Piggsy sends chills up our spine today. Here, we have a big dude wearing a pig’s face and dragging a chainsaw along the ground. “Just how did he get to be that big?”, you might ask. Well, turns out Piggsy is one of the reasons why so many runners like Cash died. Those bodies had to be disposed of in some way, and Piggsy’s savage behavior and habits were a convenient answer. Easily one of the most vile villains we’ve come across in gaming.

“Outlast” (2014)

“Outlast” will thrust you into a labyrinthian asylum filled with psychotic and delusional inhabitants. Richard Trager and Eddie Gluskin immediately come to mind, but Chris Walker is the big ugly mug we will never forget. He’s not a monster who has more brawn than brains, though. Walker is more than capable of tracking you down to the point where most of your time with him is spent running away. Just from the way he barges through obstacles, we can only imagine what he’s capable of when you’re within his grasp. And we’d rather not find out.

“DOOM” series (1993-)

The “DOOM” games have featured some grisly demons that briefly made the games a bit more horrific. Pinkies are the ones that terrify us the most. These bulky beasts only know one way to attack - charge forward and chomp you to bits. Their invisible cousins, the Spectres, are just as vicious, too. The squealing, the armored skin, the speed… It all spells doom (no pun intended), and the opening to “DOOM VFR” certainly cemented our fear towards them. Please keep us as far away from them as possible.

“Minecraft” (2011)

On our original Top 10 list, we had put the Creepers super high at number two. Yeah…we heard you and we agree that those enemies might be good at jumpscaring, but that doesn’t equate to actually being scary. No, the Endermen are what makes us panic. Even when you’re intentionally trying to fight them, they are disturbing, creepy, and unsettling. Just look at the way they shake violently and screech at you while never breaking eye contact! Their death scream is equally haunting as it lingers around for an uncomfortably long time. And don’t even get us started on the Wither and its nearly unstoppable prowess.

“The Last of Us: Part II” (2020)

We all have our banes when it comes to “The Last of Us” - clickers, stalkers, bloaters. But of all the fungus-infected enemies we’ve come across, the Rat King is complete nightmare fuel. For those unfamiliar, do not let the name fool you. There is nothing rat-related with this abomination! What you are looking at is a disgusting amalgamation of clickers, stalkers, and one bloater. It is absolutely one of the most wretched things we’ve seen in video games, and the way it splits apart is extremely gross. Players, beware.

“Five Nights at Freddy’s” series (2014-)

Now, you’re probably rolling your eyes at this one, and we can’t fault you if you’ve been too familiar with the FNAF games. If you’re someone who is into the jumpscare stuff, you’re probably desensitized to this. Thing is, that isn’t why we’re putting the animatronics on here. No, the main reason why we are giving them the recognition is because of their screams. You may not hear the full audio all the time, but when you do, you’ll notice how something monstrous begins to sound much more like a regular person screaming or suffering. It is part of what made these games so incredibly morbid at the time of their releases.

“Elden Ring” (2022)

Many of FromSoftware’s titles hold some frightening enemy designs. “Elden Ring”, on the other hand, houses a menace that is just downright sadistic of the devs to include. Finger Creepers are not exactly a monster whose appearance you can predict. These deviants hide deep in the ground and only spring up when you’re within their clutches. Just watching them move about makes our skin crawl, and for some of us, it was enough to make us walk away from the game for a few days. Okay, maybe a week… A month… Forever.

“F.E.A.R.” (2005)

This little girl is the reason why we stay away from this horror FPS! …Or at least, we would have if it wasn’t so damn good. Alma is practically the main attraction of this game, haunting you with her presence and movement in a way that will make the player paranoid. She is always sitting just outside of your field of vision, enough to make you wonder if you actually saw her or if you’re just getting spooked over nothing. And don’t get us started on the notorious staircase sequence.

“P.T.” (2014)

Rest in peace, “P.T.”, for you were one of the greatest things taken away too soon. Amongst its obtuse puzzles and creepy atmosphere, this “playable teaser” for the since-canceled “Silent Hills” was one of the coolest and scariest experiences ever. Lisa was a major factor in our morbid curiosity. Who was this lady haunting the halls? What was her connection to the baby in the sink? Was this the new Lisa Garland? Why did the devs have to have her show up in the creepiest spots? So many mysteries left unanswered.

“Resident Evil: Village” (2021)

“Resident Evil” has shown us many a disgusting and horrifying zombie, mutant, or Tyrant of some kind. The Baby from “Resident Evil: Village” almost tops every other grotesque sight we’ve seen from Capcom’s acclaimed horror franchise. It's kind of the reason why House Beneviento has a notorious reputation among fans. The way this thing crawls and drools all over the floor, the retching sounds it makes, the way it chases you after emerging from the shadows. It is a menace that kept us from doing another playthrough. How this video’s writer managed to play through the house six times is beyond us!

“The Haunted Mansion” (2003)

Yeah, didn’t you know there was an official “Haunted Mansion” video game? Surprisingly, it’s incredibly well-made, and it is a haunt that will scare anyone regardless of age. One enemy in particular will be forever burned into your mind after your first encounter - the Banshee. These ghouls will fight by letting out ear-piercing screams, and your light will not protect you from them. Keep your distance and you might make it out alive. Just don’t be surprised if the screams still echo in your mind long after they’re dead.

“Halo” series (2001-)

There have not been too many enemies in the “Halo” franchise that would jolt our nerves, at least none that did in the same vein as the Flood. We’re talking about a race of parasites that seek only to infect and conquer, and they often come in massive swarms. For the Forerunners, the Flood got out of control to the point where they had to construct Halos in order to keep the Flood from spreading. And you want to know the most terrifying part about the Flood? There are real-world counterparts: the green-banded broodsac flatworm and the Costa Rican wasp!
Flood (Halo) - Wikipedia

“Dead By Daylight” (2016)

Though he isn’t exactly a monster in the same sense as our previous entries (those being ghosts, parasites, etc), Michael Myers is evil incarnate, which does make him…a monster. And in “Dead By Daylight”, he is at his most brutal! His lack of a Terror Radius means Survivors will have to keep a sharp eye out for him. And if you let him stalk you for too long, he can increase his Evil Within, making him faster or even allowing him to down you in a single hit. He may be one of the toughest players to play as, but he’s also one of the toughest to go up against.

“Left 4 Dead” series (2008-09)

Next to Boomers, the Witch has to be the most alarming enemy across both of the “Left 4 Dead” games. If you hear a woman crying, you have got a Witch in your vicinity, and it means you need to be extremely careful! Make too much noise or shine your flashlight on her, and she will come for you and only you. Not only that, but startling her will initiate a swarm of zombies to attack as well. You best be on your guard when the tears and wailing can be heard!

“Dead Space” series (2008-)

Now, let’s get one thing straight - every single Necromorph across the franchise has been haunting our dreams for years now. Even so, there can only be one to stand above them all as the most traumatizing and terrifying Necromorph, and that’s the Stalker. Just look at those elongated fingers and spiked torso! What makes things worse is that they are incredibly stealthy beasts, meaning by the time you notice they’re there, you’ve already been attacked. The shrieking doesn’t make the experience any more pleasant. Damn these stupid flightless birds…

“Silent Hill” series (1999-)

Most creatures are all about making a racket to make their presence known. But for Pyramid Head, it’s the small amount of noise that can make him the scariest. All the noise that comes out of him is mainly the strained and heavy breathing. And then, there’s the way he just drags his massive knife and hearing it scrape against the floor. What is his purpose? Why is he trying to kill you? It matters not. All he wants is your death. Shoot or run if you want, but there is no escape.

“The Evil Within” (2014)

There are plenty of dangers in “The Evil Within” that will hunt you down like the vermin you are. Between all of them, Reborn Laura is the most morbid and disturbing. There are several occasions where she will jump at Sebastian and begin chasing you with her cluster of elongated arms. Your only means of escape are to follow the main path of the story or stock up on explosives to roast this atrocity. Yes, fire is your best friend here, and it is her only weakness.

“Alien: Isolation” (2014)

Whereas “Aliens: Colonial Marines” made the Xenomorphs a total joke, “Alien: Isolation” reminded us of why we should fear them. Xenomorphs are incredibly smart in this game, and their attacks are vicious enough to make you fear for your life for the rest of the game. We aren’t exaggerating! You will become suspicious of every vent and grate you encounter throughout your campaign the second you observe them. Your best means of defense won’t come until much later in the game either. So, steer clear and play it smart.

“Resident Evil 7: Biohazard” (2017)

Normally, we keep our entries to one per franchise, but we had to put Marguerite Baker on here as well as the Baby. Marguerite is just that one monster that will horrify anyone who plays “Resident Evil 7” with her disgusting, moldy corpse, swarms of insects, and acidic venom. And then, there’s the part in her boss fight where a giant centipede squirms its way out of her mouth. It is true body horror, and it’s what makes her the scariest monster in video games ever. It’s just going to be impossible for anyone, even Capcom themselves, to top this.