Unlike the main survival horror genre, the action horror sub-genre emphasizes fast-paced action gameplay over puzzles and horror elements, which is shown in franchises such as Dead Space, Left 4 Dead, and The Last of Us. With current titles like Ghostwire: Tokyo and games like The Callisto Protocol, Sons of the Forest, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, the action horror genre remains strong.
Even before action horror games became popular in the early 2000s, there were some cool titles on older consoles like the Playstation. Within the PS1's large catalog, games like Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain stood out among the rest.
Fear Effect (2000)
Although inspired by survival horror games such as Resident Evil and Dino Crisis, the 2000 cult-classic Fear Effect is more of an action-adventure title with some survival horror aesthetics including the third-person perspective, fixed camera angles, and zombie-like enemies. The game primarily follows one of the best horror game female protagonists, the LGBTQ+ mercenary Hana Tsu-Vachel, and two of her mercenary partners as they try to find Wee Ming, the daughter of the powerful Hong Kong Triad boss, in order to hold her for ransom.
But as the journey continues, the trio finds themselves caught in a supernatural mystery that contains undead villagers, demons, and paper dolls being brought to life. Because of the game's revolutionary cel-shaded art-style and unique FMV backgrounds, it gained a small following and has had several sequels.
Soul of the Samurai (1999)
Another action-adventure game with survival horror elements is the 1999 game Soul of the Samurai, developed by Konami. Known as Ronin Blade in Europe, the game follows a ninja named Lin. She is searching for her elder brother, Shin, and a male lordless samurai named Kotaro who is investigating a strange event on the way to his childhood friend's dojo. Similar to the first two Resident Evil games, some of the scariest games of the '90s, players choose to either play Lin or Kotaro's campaign.
During their overlapping journeys, the two discover that people are getting infected by soul bugs, which give individuals supernatural abilities while also turning them into monsters. To experience the whole story and achieve the true final boss and ending, both character campaigns must be completed on the same save file.
Akuji the Heartless (1998)
Akuji the Heartless was developed by Crystal Dynamics, who are best known for Gex — the iconic '90s video game franchise that needs a reboot — and the Legacy of Kain series. Akuji is a 1998 action-adventure platformer and the first Crystal Dynamics title after they were acquired by Eidos Interactive. After having his heart ripped out on his wedding day, the titular protagonist becomes trapped in the underworld because of a voodoo curse.
When the spirit of his bride, Kesho, reveals to Akuji that his brother, Orad, orchestrated the murder and now plans to start a war, Akuji makes a deal with the loa Baron Samedi in order to return to the living. If Akuji gathers all of his ancestors' souls, then the Baron will show him the exit. But things are not exactly what they seem.
Terracon (2000)
Released only in Europe and South Africa, Terracon is a 2000 science fiction action-adventure game that's possibly one of the best-looking titles ever released on the PS1. Because of overpopulation, the Plutonians, a race of gray aliens on Pluto, create a large bio-computer called "Terracon" that can terraform barren planets in the solar system into hospitable climates. But, when the Terracon begins developing its own consciousness, the Plutonians decide to shut it down.
When the Terracon's creator, Doc, tells them that they need to be shut down, the Terracon kills Doc instead and destroys Pluto. The protagonist, Xed, hid from the Terracon and witnessed the horrifying destruction of his species. To stop the supercomputer, Xed must travel to each of the planets in the solar system, gather launch code cartridges, and fire missiles at the Terracon.
Nightmare Creatures (1997)
Considered a spiritual predecessor to Bloodborne, Nightmare Creatures is a 1997 gothic horror action game that's set in 1834 London. When scientist Adam Crowley collaborates with a devil-worshiping cult called the Brotherhood of Hecate, he uses a special elixir to turn people into nightmare creatures. The game features two playable protagonists: a young woman named Nadia Franciscus and a priest named Ignatius Blackward.
After Ignatius receives a book detailing the Brotherhood's past, he enlists the help of Dr. Jean Franciscus and his daughter Nadia, but the doctor is killed and the book is stolen. During the funeral, the two characters receive a strange message that leads them on a quest to find Crowley and save London. While the game has a sequel, the third installment was sadly canceled.
Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness (1996)
One of the PS1's most unique franchises is the Deception series, which began with the 1996 Doctor Faustus-esque real-time RPG Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness. As the eldest prince of Zemekia, the player has been wrongly accused of the king's murder. While being sentenced to death, the prince wishes that he could have revenge, and a lightning strike hits him and sends him to the Castle of the Damned.
After meeting the demon Astarte and becoming the new master of the castle, the player is tasked with luring and killing people by constructing the castle's layout and placing various traps. Depending on the player's actions, they'll receive one of six endings. The success of this title led to multiple sequels, which include the game that introduced many significant mechanics: Kagero: Deception II.
MediEvil (1998)
Released in 1998, MediEvil is a humorous action adventure hack-and-slash that spawned two sequels. According to legend, the protagonist, Sir Daniel Fortesque, sacrificed his life to defeat the evil sorcerer Zarok and save the kingdom of Gallowmere. In reality, he died at the beginning of the war and the king made up the legend.
When Zarok returns and summons his undead army, he accidentally resurrects Dan, who is now a skeleton. To redeem himself and finally enter the Hall of Heroes in the afterlife, Dan sets off on a quest to truly defeat Zarok and save the kingdom.
Alien Resurrection (2000)
While the 1996 PS1 first-person shooter Alien Trilogy is a fairly good experience that's perfect for fans of the franchise, it didn't really do anything different compared to other shooters of the time. Meanwhile, the FPS title Alien Resurrection had its problems but also had revolutionary gameplay mechanics. Despite being based on the 1997 film of the same name, Alien Resurrection wasn't released until 2000 due to various development issues, according to Eurogamer.
With all the struggles, it's already a miracle that Alien Resurrection was even released at all, but its survival isn't the most famous aspect of the game. Instead, Alien Resurrection is known for being one of the first shooters to use both analog sticks on the controller.
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain (1996)
Largely directed by the famous female video game creator Amy Hennig, who also created the Uncharted series, the dark fantasy action-adventure franchise Legacy of Kain is a beloved and critically acclaimed series. Though the franchise rose in popularity after the second installment Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, the series actually began with the 1996 top-down 2D action-adventure Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain.
After the nobleman Kain is denied a place to stay at the inn and killed by an army of assassins, he is resurrected as a vampire in order to get revenge. While looking for a vampirism cure and slaying a group of evil sorcerers, he slowly transforms into a monster that only wants more blood.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997)
One of the most iconic and revolutionary titles in the Castlevania franchise is the 1997 action RPG Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which is one of the pioneers and namesakes of the Metroidvania genre. Taking place four years after Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, the game follows Dracula's dhampir son, Alucard, who is a returning character from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.
After the disappearance of Richter Belmont, Dracula's castle has resurfaced and Alucard must enter the castle, find Richter, and kill Dracula once again. Depending on how much the player explores, they'll obtain one of several endings.