Summary
Animals and babies are universal symbols of innocence, but subverting those expectations by plunging innocent creatures into a world of unspeakable horror often generates some of the most effective scares. In some cases, it even makes for some truly harrowing boss fights. Many deadly animals co-exist with humankind, such as venomous snakes, man-eating crocodiles, and even territorial grizzly bears, but when demonic possession, illegal experimentation, and mutation further corrupts the DNA of these predators, they can become especially violent.
For protagonists inhorror games, bloodthirsty giraffes and zombie dogs have a tendency to throw a spanner in the works as they fight the good fight or simply attempt to survive. Not all animals are vicious killing machines, however, as some can act as faithful companions — beacons of hope when all else seems hopelessly grim.These horror games are all about animals, no matter if they help or hurt.
Based on and set two years after the 1999 movieThe Blair Witch Project,this Bloober Team survival horror game focuses on Ellis, a police officer who ventures into Black Hills Forest in search of a missing nine-year-old boy named Peter.As Ellis navigates the labyrinthine forest, he is joined by a Belgian Shepherd named Bullet,given to him by the police department prior to the events of the game. Bulletacts as a sort of emotional support companionfor Ellis, who has “been through a lot,” just like Bullet has. Ellis can command Bullet to seek out clues and follow trails, return to him, stay, and stay “close” during particularly distressing segments.
Players can also choose to reprimand, pet, or give treats to Bullet. If Bullet strays too far, Ellis' sanity suffers, but Bullet’s exploration is necessary to progress the story in many cases, as the dog can find significant key items.Bullet also alerts Ellis to any nearby monsters, making it easier for Ellis to dispatch them as required. As an essential tool for survival, Bullet provides many unique mechanics that setBlair Witchapart from other like-minded horror games.
AlthoughZoochosisisn’t available to play at the time of writing, it is scheduled to release on Steam on September 30, just in time to ring in the spookiest month of the year. Ina style reminiscent ofFive Nights at Freddy’s, players controla zookeeper during a night shift, who soon discovers that the zoo’s animals are mutating into grotesque monsters.Animals can be fed and cared for, and the infection that ails them can be staved off with a vaccine, which can be crafted using ingredients from the environment.
Zoochosisfeatures many alternate endings depending on which animals the player chooses to — or manages to — save over the course of the game. Those animals include giraffes, zebras, elephants, moose, hippopotamuses, and more, as the game’s central plot revolves around unraveling the mystery of the sudden epidemic. In addition,Zoochosisis played from the perspective of a body camfor a more realistic and immersive experience.
Released in 2014,Depthallowsplayers to assume control of either a deep-sea diver on an underwater expedition, or a deadly shark stalking its prey.Players can team up against AI characters or play cooperatively with and against other people in thrilling combat scenarios. As a Diver, the objective is to escort a submersible while collecting resources to upgrade gear, discover sunken treasures, and outlive the shiver of sharks. As a Shark, the game can be won by disposing of all the Divers or successfully destroying the submersible. If either side runs out of respawns or the submersible is either safely recovered or destroyed, the game ends.
Depth’s fast-paced and horrifyingly-lifelike environmentmakes it an exemplary multiplayer horror game involving one of the ocean’s deadliest inhabitants. For fans ofJawswho watched the movie thinking they could outlast the shark with ease,Depthprovides the opportunity to test that theory.Depthstands on its own merits and doesn’t borrow too heavily from existing media, making it a one-of-a-kind treat for fans of the niche, deep-sea survival horror sub-genre.
2Resident Evil
Zombie Dogs And Yawn
Resident Evil’s Zombie Dogs— various breeds of domesticated canines who are infected with the T-Virus — became a staple of the franchise after debuting in the 1996 game that launched the series.Many of the dogs encountered by Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield in the originalResident Evilare Dobermanns, due to the fact that Chief Brian Irons insisted on the Raccoon City Police Department employing Dobermanns as part of their K-9 unit. When the T-Virus broke out, the Dobermanns became infected by the strain.
The Zombie Dogs aren’t the only animal-themed enemies inResident Evilthough, as the other isa gigantic snake inhabiting the attic of the Spencer Mansion.Nicknamed “Yawn” for its gaping mouth, the snake is encountered by either Jill or Chrisand fought twice, once in the attic and again in the library. Yawn can either bite the player character, inflicting a poison status effect, or if their health is below 25, Yawn can swallow them whole for an instant kill.
Haunting Ground, a severely-underrated survival horror, was released for the PlayStation 2 back in 2005. It tells the story of Fiona, a young college studentwho awakens in a castle dungeonfollowing a car accident that leaves her disoriented.Haunting Groundis considered a spiritual successor to theClock Towerseries, also developed by Capcom.During her exploration of the castle, Fiona comes across a White Shepherd named Hewie and befriends him.Similar to Bullet inBlair Witch, Hewie is an essential part of Fiona’s survival and significantly impacts gameplay. Hewie can be ordered to explore the environment and attack enemies, but he will not immediately obey commands after meeting Fiona.
Hewie’s trust and friendship must be earned throughout the game, oftentimes through praising and petting him. However, if Hewie fails to obey commands, he can be scolded. There are many items in the environment that can be used to heal Hewie, restore his stamina, or increase friendship with him. For example, Fiona and Hewie can play fetch with a tennis ball, which does a good job of deepening their relationship as the game goes along.
