Summary
There is no shortage ofspine-chilling horror gamesout on the market today, for those with a particularly gruesome itch to scratch. Horror games have a unique ability to play human senses against each other, to draw players in with high-tension scenarios, and of course, to produce a ridiculous amount of adrenaline through powerful techniques to elicit fear.
If there’s one thing in particular that intimate, atmospheric horror games do, whether they’re from big-budget companies orsmaller indie titles, it’s turning the night from a peaceful, quiet time of rest into a shadowy plane of unknown terrors lurking just outside of perception. Here are some games perfect for playing on a dark, quiet night.
After its burst of popularity,the steadily updatedLethal Companyhas become a showcase of atmospheric, sci-fi horror that knows how to use ambient noise and the players' own imagination to create a truly terrifying experience. Plunging deeper and deeper into the ruined industrial villages and cavernous abandoned factories on the many eerily quiet moons as employees of the Company is a singularly horrifying experience and one thatLethal Companyabsolutely nails.
Enemies inLethal Companyare typically more active and aggressive at night, and this feeling, combined with plenty of eerie silences, makes the title a great play for nights.
As a marvelamong horror co-op titles,Pacifyserves as an incredibly powerful horror-focused title. Exploring one of four maps as paranormal investigators, this game doesn’t necessarily reinvent the horror genre, but it nails the foundations fantastically.
The tropes here of uncanny children, creepy dolls, screaming ghosts, and an oppressively dark haunted house are all brought together to make a fantastic horror title that plays on the eerie silence of the night.
EachDevourmapis an intricately designed labyrinth taking on classic horror tropes such as haunted mansions and asylums, or bringing new concepts into the fray, such as a Japanese inn. Within every map, a uniquely terrifying threat, in some way linked to the overarching story of a demon left to wreak havoc upon earth, preys upon the players, who assume the role of cultists attempting to reverse whatever terrible ritual has taken place.
The proximity chat among players means that even in this co-op title, it’s very easy to feel isolated, and that distance from the familiarity of your friends makes the game that much more terrifying. Struggling to complete quest objectives as the monster haunting or stalking the players gets more active is a uniquely adrenaline-pumping experience, and leaves players in a state of almost permanent tension. Perfect for nighttime playthroughs, the distance and isolation this game evokes is nothing short of horrifying.
After a series of hit-or-miss titles,Resident Evil 7: Biohazardbrought the title back to life in a resounding, horrifying fashion. A pinnacle of thegruesome cannibal horror subgenre, there are plenty of moments in this game that feel like terrifying fever dreams, where the action and the score are kicked up to 11, and the player must use every tool at their disposal to fight for survival. However, juxtaposing these moments, there are plenty of times when the game settles down greatly, and players are left with nothing but dark, foreboding ambiance on this dilapidated piece of property.
It’s in these moments of quiet terror that nighttime playthroughs ofBiohazardreally shine. Set on edge by the level of utterly grotesque horror players know the game is capable of, wandering around ruined, moldering hallways sets a terrifying tone at night.
Hollowbodypulls no punches in this terrifying exploration of a futuristic world dealing with a horrible calamity. Inspired by the wistfully bleak environments ofSilent Hill, this title is filled with gruesome body horror, unsettling environmental design, and a surreal, twisted narrative that will keep players on edge for the majority of their playtime. This title has a particularly unique drawfor cyberpunk fanswho might enjoy the aesthetic ofHollowbodybut typically stay away from horror titles.
The droning, longing quietude that punctuates so many aspects ofHollowbodyensures it’s a title that plays exceptionally well at night. Every shadow and corner in a player’s room will suddenly resemble the great mounds of decayed, blackened flesh that one finds while exploring this abandoned city.
