There are plenty of things in video games to give us a good scare. But, perhaps none are so scary as those that are shrouded in mystery. Creatures that no one really knows where they came from. Ones that seem to defy all sense of belief. Ones that may even exist in real life.

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Cryptids, as they are often referred to in an umbrella term, are some of the creepiest folktales in real life, and they've made their way into video games as well. Whether they're the sworn foe of your protagonist, or just an eerie Easter egg to be found by the curious, these are the creepiest cryptids you can find in gaming.

10 Chupacabra (Chupacabras: Night Hunt)

chupacabras night hunt chupacabra eating animal near fire

Hunting games with your friends can be a lot of fun. Unless, that is, you're hunting the elusive and deadly Chupacabra.

That is exactly what you'll be doing in Chupacabras: Night Hunt. With four of your friends, you take to the dark forest with flashlights and night vision goggles ready, tasked with hunting the mysterious cryptid. It won't be easy though, you'll need to search for the right weapons for the job, before the titular creatures makes a meal out of you.

9 Mothman (Fallout 76)

Fallout Random Encounters The Mothman menacingly stares down the player.

The terror of the skies himself, the Mothman has been a Midwest cyptid staple for decades now, so of course Fallout 76 had to put him in the game.

With lore that is wound tight with mischief and disaster, the Mothman is not something you want to run into. Not to mention this creature has surely in some way been altered by the rampant nuclear radiation found in post-apocalyptic West Virginia. If you choose to search for the Mothman, make sure you're careful, for there is a well-armed cult that venerates him.

8 Slenderman (Slenderman: The Arrival)

Slenderman behind the a tree from the original Slender game.

Slenderman had teenagers of the 2010s checking every dark corner for the well-dressed monster. It only made sense for him to get a horror game too.

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In Slenderman: The Arrival you'll hunt down various notes about the infamous creature, the whole time dodging him as he grows more and more intent on capturing you. It's not a game for those who don't like a good jump-scare, but for those that do, this is a solid and simple horror game to hop into.

7 Jersey Devil (The Wolf Among Us)

wolf among us jersey devil roaring in shop

The Wolf Among Us was one of the first titles by Telltale Games. In which, their style of storytelling and art was shown through the life of The Big Bad Wolf.

That wasn't the only folklore creature that showed up in the game though; far from it, actually. One of the main antagonists of the game is none other than the Jersey Devil. A modern kind of retelling, but this cryptid has been around for decades now, so it isn't out of place. The design of this character and the story surrounding him propagates just how creepy the lore surrounding it is.

6 Yeti (Uncharted 2)

uncharted yeti roaring on snow covered mountain

The Uncharted series has a lot of scenic settings, deadly bad guys, and wild storylines. But, no one could predict that a Yeti would pop up in game.

High in the mountains of Tibet, guarding the mythical city of Shambala, are the ruthless and mysterious Yeti. Unfortunately, they are standing between Nathan and his goal, so you have to defeat them. However, that is no easy task considering their bulk, razor sharp claws, and vicious fangs. You have your work cut out for you, but it will make for quite the story.

5 The Goatman (The Goatman)

the goatman being hunted by character in field

Cryptid hunting games seem to be all the rage. The Goatman, mixes the hunter/hunted concept of game with your not-so-friendly half-man half-goat.

Thankfully, you have an entire military arsenal at your disposal, and some friends to back you up. Not so thankfully, the Goatman is still quite the threat as you hunt him down on his home turf. Don't get too jumpy though, other animals call the forest home, and it's best not to waste the ammo. You'll need it all.

4 The Skinwalker (Skinwalker Hunt)

skinwalker hunt, skinwalker rushing character who is pointing rifle at it

The Skinwalker is a cryptid that has caused nightmares for centuries now. As a creature that spans cultures, it is well worth it's weight in creepiness.

The title of the game, Skinwalker Hunt is pretty descriptive of what you'll be doing. But, don't think it will be an easy time. You'll need your entire arsenal of weapons, traps, and even animal companions to uncover the secrets of the creature and get out alive. Nothing quite beats the feat of seeing the creature's horns cresting a hill, knowing it's only goal is hunting you down.

3 Dark Ones (Metro 2033)

metro dark one standing near rusted cars on surface

There are plenty of 'shadow people' sightings throughout history. It only makes sense that they would show up after the apocalypse too.

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In Metro 2033, they play a big part of what post-apocalyptic Moscow is becoming. Not just a creepy antagonist, they represent the next step in human evolution. One that has done away with trivial things that humanity relies on. Whether you agree with them or disdain them, they are always watching, and they have plans for you.

2 Sasquatch (Red Dead Redemption)

red dead redemption john marston aiming revolver at sasquatch

Red Dead Redemption is full off Easter eggs, some of them quite odd and discomforting. One such is that of the Sasquatch quest in game.

Part of the Undead Nightmare DLC, you can actually find a hunter who is in search of the elusive creature in these very woods. Apparently flesh-hungry zombies aren't a focus for him, as he tasks you to help him in his hunt. The results of which arrest any doubt you had of the hunter, but does leave you with a moral quandary you wouldn't quite have expected.

1 Sheepsquatch (Fallout 76)

A Sheepsquatch in the wild in Fallout 76

Sasquatch-like creatures are a staple for those who enjoy cryptids, and with Fallout 76 being pretty cryptid focused, it was only a matter of time before they put their own spin on it.

The Sheepsquatch is like any Sasquatch entity: large, furry, vaguely humanoid, and very deadly. The mystery of the Sheepsqatch is as old as Appalachia itself, but not everything you find may be as cut-and-dry as you hoped with the lore surrounding this cryptid. Because, as is often the case in Fallout, human meddling is involved in more ways than one.

Next: The Best Horror Games Inspired By Folklore