With an onslaught of long-form horror games to play, such as Dead Space, it is easy to overlook the impact of a short, well-put-together thrill ride. In this rapidly changing technological landscape, it is not always easy for games to stand the test of time.
Quality storytelling and an immersive experience go a long way to becoming a staple of the horror gaming genre. Indie developers work tirelessly to bring gameplay to life, creating stories that grip a player so thoroughly that it continues to top charts far after their initial release.
The Caregiver
Released on April 3, 2021 by Chilla's Art, The Caregiver will take about three hours to complete when taking it slow. A speed run will only take around an hour and a half. The game is a psychological Japanese thriller where players have to search a messy old house for the ward the playable character is a caregiver to.
The setting is dark and atmospheric, Chilla's Art strives for photorealistic graphics when making the best horror games to keep gamers engrossed in the experience. Adding to the immersion are the sounds, from the weather outside to the eerie noises on the other side of that wall. Keeping cool while searching for tools and helpful items might get a player to the end.
We Went Back
Dead Thread Games released We Went Back on April 3, 2020. In this sci-fi horror game, the player wakes up alone in a space station and must escape. With a locked exit and a creature after the main character, solving the puzzles with clues picked up through the station may be the key to survival.
This came can be completed in under an hour, but it will be a heart-pounding event. The graphics are top-notch and the environment is ever-changing, keeping players on their toes. This is the only game attributed to Dead Thread Games at the moment, however, it has several awards from 2020 from the International Game Developers Association, such as pushing boundaries, artistic achievement, and game of the year.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man Of Medan
A cinematic horror game where the player's choices truly matter. A group of friends set sail with a good time in mind, however, the team runs into something on the evil side of things. Man of Medan was launched on August 29, 2019, by Supermassive Games.
The atmosphere and storytelling are enough to pique a gamer's interest. This adventure can be completed in about four hours, but with several ways to play more time can be put into it. The game can be played as a solo event, a two-player co-op, or a five-person extravaganza. In a game awarded the title of 2019 'Best Social Game' more is certainly merrier.
Paratopic
Developed by Arbitrary Metric, this 2018 horror offering is a retro first-person perspective game. An interactive story keeps gamers hooked and can be completed in an hour.
As a smuggler in a setting that is increasingly surreal, players explore a dark and seedy industry by driving around, taking jobs, and conversing with other characters. Accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack, this game has won an award for excellence in audio from the Independent Game Festival.
What Remains Of Edith Finch
Released in April 2017 by developer Giant Sparrow, this game has several awards to its name. Heralded for the storytelling, gamers play as Edith Finch, searching her sprawling family home for stories of her past.
As the last living member of her family, Edith must put together the pieces of her family history. Each Finch story is unique but all end the same way, in death. This haunting, ethereal experience of dealing with grief and loss can be completed in two hours. Only by playing, will gamers find out if Edith is destined to suffer the same fate as the rest of her family.
Bonbon
Also from 2017, Bonbon is a psychological horror offering from Aetheric Games. It is roughly a 30-minute look back at childhood. The game takes place in a domestic setting, with the player going through the narrative as a toddler.
Going through life with a limited, childlike, understanding of their surroundings, the main character completes tasks but is always interrupted by a presence. It's an experience so creepy that even the game trailer is unsettling. The sound design and visuals are top-notch and keep gamers moving through the story.
Anatomy
This obscure horror game by indie developer Kitty Horrorshow is a quick haunted house thrill ride. It can be completed in about 45 minutes by exploring the suburban home, seeking clues, and keeping calm in the face of terror.
Released in 2016 and available on itch.io, the creator aims for psychological scares over all else. There are multiple endings to Anatomy, so despite the short run time, it's a video game with high replay value. The chilling experience that keeps players coming back for more.
Five Nights At Freddy's
Launched in August of 2014 by Scott Cawthon, Five Nights at Freddy's latched onto the gaming world and never let go. Playing from the perspective of a new summer job recruit at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza the only thing to do now is to survive.
With awards from Bloody Disgusting like 'best monster' and 'most original,' it is easy to see why the sequels continued, delivering more of Five Nights at Freddy's scariest moments. The original installment can be completed in about two hours. Time management and energy conservation are key skills to master in this terrific game of terror.
Outlast
Typical gameplay for the Red Barrels horror-fest is about five hours. As a journalist, players explore the Mount Massive Asylum in Colorado. The objective is to last as long as you can by sneaking around and hiding.
Truly chilling, the intense graphics from 2013 still hold up. Creatures spawn at random times, the players will never know when or where they are coming from. Due to the success of Outlast, the franchise has gone on to create several sequels, the newest, The Outlast Trials, set to release this year.
S-087-B
This was released in 2012 by Regalis. As a member of the S (secure, contain, protect), a foundation tasked with keeping supernatural entities away from the public, the player is sent to investigate designation 087.
The popularity of the initial release spurred the creator to keep expanding on this game. The unnerving atmosphere and claustrophobic setting take a seemingly simple game and amp up the pressure. Regalis decided to develop a larger game for fans and came out with S - Containment Breach in 2014.