Summary
Survival horror games are usually littered with combat encounters and, as a result, need compelling adversaries. Many games,such as those in theResident Evil series, throw a variety of generic mutants and zombies at the player with vague, fictional science. However, other games refuse to explain much at all to the player or use supernatural elements as context.
Icons in the survival horror genre,such asSilent Hill, rely on supernatural elements to elevate their horror and provide psychologically thrilling experiences. Supernatural fiction often includes ghosts, spirits, manifestations, and inexplicable events that contradict reality or science, leaving the player to accept these paranormal horrors as part of their immersion.
Though light on horror elements,STALKER: Shadow Of Chernobylfeatures enough creepy environments, freaky creatures, and limited resources to appease many fans of the survival horror genre. The game puts players in the role of a Stalker, roaming the hostile “Zone,” completing missions for various NPCs. The aforementioned Zone isfull of supernatural horror,primarily in its anomalies but also in its variety of monsters.
The Bloodsuckers are one such example; extremely dangerous enemies that are able to turn invisible. However, it’sShadow Of Chernobyl’svariety of anomaliesthat add to the supernatural tone and make exploring its decaying urban landscape so hazardous — and thrilling.
This strange and supernatural survival horror game is one of the genre’s most divisive releases.Deadly Premonitionfeaturesaged graphics and clunky gameplaythat are likely to turn many players away, but it’s still a worthwhile survival horror experience, thanks to anensemble cast of quirky charactersand an intriguing, supernatural story.
Much ofDeadly Premonition’ssupernatural side comes from the variety ofotherworldly enemiesthat the player must face as FBI agent Francis York Morgan. The game’s various realities also delve further into the supernatural throughout the game. For fans of supernatural fiction, particularlyin the vein ofTwin Peaks,Deadly Premonitionis worth a shot.
Fans of survival horror and supernatural fiction should go intoThe Evil Withinwithout any prior knowledge of its plot, but for those that are curious,The Evil Within(and its sequel) are tremendous survival horror games withplenty of action and supernatural themes. The supernatural elements ofThe Evil Withinare mostly centered aroundalternate realities and elements of mind control(which the plot makes generous use of).
The Evil Withinisa deranged, psychological tripthat won’t be for everyone, nor for every survival horror fan, but it’s an extremely unique horror experience with a distinctive plot. Furthermore, for players who are still skeptical,The Evil Withinhas some real pedigree behind it; the game was developed by Tango Gameworks and directed by its founder, Shinji Mikami. For those unfamiliar, that’s thesame director behind the originalResident Evil—as well asResident Evil 4.
Condemned: Criminal Originsbegins as a seemingly traditional FBI narrative, following the story of Ethan Thomas, an agent on the run after being framed for the killings of two police officers. However, things soon start turning out of the ordinary whendead birds begin dropping from the sky, and the plot begins to thicken. Its narrative is nothing ground-breaking, butCondemnedhas a few surprises in store, and it’s worth playing the game without prior knowledge to enjoy them fully.
Condemned: Criminal Originskeeps its supernatural elements fairly obscure; however, withplenty of psychological horrorthrown in, the experience is frequently unsettling. For the most part,Condemned: Criminal Originsdelivers its supernatural elements through loading screen text, explaining the reasoning for the hyper-violent goons that get thrown at players throughout the game.
Developed by the weird and wonderful minds that brought playersMax Payneand the supernatural action gameControl,Alan Wake 2is a sequel to Remedy Entertainment’s 2010 action game of the same name. However,Alan Wake 2pushes the IP into the survival horror genrewith limited resources,manual save stations, and a consistently unsettling atmosphere and tone. In spite of this new horror direction,Alan Wake 2never gets too terrifying. As a result, it manages to be a relatively accessible survival horror experience.
Alan Wake 2is an extremely strange experience, thanks in large part to the creativity of its developers;Alan Wake 2blends live-action and in-engine cutscenesto jarring effect, but it’s the iconic Dark Place that makesAlan Wakeso distinct. This otherworldly dimension is the source ofAlan Wake 2’ssupernatural elements, with one of its main protagonists — the titular Alan Wake — having being physically trapped there for the past 13 years.
Silent Hillis still talked about today, especially among fans of survival horror. This is thanks to itsone-of-a-kind, immersive atmosphere and a supernatural story packed with psychological horror. The characters and the iconic town itself are etched into the memories of many fans, and the supernatural elements deepen the game’s sense of dread.
The thick fog and quiet,eerie locations ofSilent Hillare both memorable and frequently terrifying, all in spite of its aging (but equally charming) PS1 visuals. While it could be argued that its sequel,Silent Hill 2, surpassed the original in terms of quality, the original game still holds a place in the hearts of many horror game fans. For those who have still yet to enjoy the psychological thrills ofSilent Hill, it’s aneasy recommendation for any fan of supernatural horrorin the vein of David Lynch’sTwin Peaks.
