When one thinks of a classic horror game, normally images of the Spencer Mansion and demonic forces from Mars come to mind. But what about games that pay tribute to horror classics like Dracula, Alien, or even The Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Guts and gore will only go so far, after all.
Fortunately, for every Outlast and Amnesia, there's a Castlevania or Dead Island equipped with familiar yet freaky horror tropes for gamers to enjoy. Why spend hours hiding from some unknown terror when there are other, more interactive options to get one's frightening fix? Player beware, here there be monsters.
10 Splatterhouse
Whether it's the arcade original or the console remake, Splatterhouse is a brilliant tribute to gory grindhouse films of the '80s. A muscle-bound mutant possessed by an evil hockey mask? That definitely sounds like the material for a truly cheesy slasher flick.
Rick might not be Jason Voorhees, but he certainly knows how to thoroughly mutilate any monsters he comes across. This overlooked series is positively perfect for fans itching to dish out some grizzly action.
9 Killing Floor 2
Escaping the zombie hordes is nothing new to the realm of gaming, but if there's one title that feels perfect in the world of George Romero or any other classic zombie motif, it's this messy multiplayer slaughter-fest.
Killing Floor 2 checks a lot of boxes befitting the genre, from eerie abandoned locations to the staggering number of infected Zeds that populate the playing field. Not to mention there are more weapons and upgrades than even the likes of Ash of the Evil Dead series can handle. Groovy.
8 Clock Tower
If there's one game on this list that is genuine, 100% nightmare fuel, it's the infamous Clock Tower. A point-and-click adventure set in a creepy abandoned mansion loaded with traps and creepy encounters, the game has all the hallmarks of the traditional haunted house film, but with a slasher twist.
While solving puzzles and exploring the manor, the player must also avoid the psychotic Scissorman, a hunchbacked maniac wielding a pair of giant shears ready to cut his victims to size. There's practically a scare around every corner.
7 Decapattack
For a more light-hearted affair, players might want to check out Decapattack. This ridiculous platformer is like a combination of Rayman and Beetlejuice, where players explore a spooky world of monsters as Chuck D. Head, a mummy with the ability to launch his skull at enemies.
It's a simple but addictive game with loads of goofy monsters, cartoony designs, and graphics with loads of personality. Shamelessly overlooked and underplayed, this platformer comes highly recommended.
6 Luigi’s Mansion
Of course, Nintendo themselves aren't without the occasional horror outing, albeit tamer than other developers. But Luigi's Mansion is great for gamers who want to unleash their inner paranormal exterminator. No candles or sage required.
A Gamecube classic, this eerie adventure sees Mario's green-clad bro wielding his Poltergust 3000, cleaning out a mysterious mansion's hostile hauntings. A unique twist in the Mario franchise, but one that definitely has more than an impressive fanbase.
5 Ghostbusters: The Videogame
Where the last entry had a sprinkling of Ghostbusters in its plot and gameplay, this game has a full four-course meal. Regarded as the "spiritual" third entry to the classic horror-comedy series, Ghostbusters: The Video Game is the ultimate tribute to everyone's favorite paranormal investigators.
Unleash the power of the Proton Packs and go bust some familiar freaky faces like Slimer and Mr. Stay-Puff. Featuring a script written by Dan Akroyd and the late Harold Ramis, this is practically the perfect videogame adaptation of the '80s treasure.
4 Alien: Isolation
Ridley Scott's Alien hasn't exactly had the best history with videogame adaptations, that is until Isolation hit the shelves. Alien is one of the most iconic monster movies out there, and it deserves a game as frightening as its inspiration.
The game's infamous A.I. makes the Xenomorph just as deadly as its film counterpart, making evading its predatory senses quite the chilling challenge. And that's not even mentioning the uber-creepy androids that stalk the Anesiadora.
3 The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge
If there's one horror title that nearly all fans can consider an enjoyable classic, it's The Nightmare Before Christmas. A sequel has long been demanded and dreamed of by Tim Burton's fanbase, but many forget that it already exists in the form of this Halloween hack-and-slash game.
When Oogie Boogie gets sewn back together (bugs, bags, and all), the ghoulish gambler sets out to take over all the holiday realms. Fortunately, Jack Skellington is ready to spring into action and save the other worlds.
2 Super Castlevania IV
Castlevania is the ultimate tribute to classic horror, complete with werewolves, zombies, vampires, and every other traditional monster one can think of. However, it's the fourth entry in the franchise that should serve as the proper introduction.
To put in the simplest of terms, this game is a monster fan's dream come true. Not only does it give the player more control and power, but it exposes them to new and familiar monsters as well. Dracula doesn't work alone, after all.
1 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Might be splitting hairs in the sense we've put two entries from the series on the list but as far as classic horror motifs go, Symphony of the Night hits the nail on the head. Gamers play as a vampire and explore Dracula's castle while taking on monsters and demons like Cerberus and Frankenstein's Monster. Could the inspiration be any more obvious?
Joking aside, the game offers a lot of classic horror motifs to enjoy, and as one of the Metroidvania pioneers, there's a lot to get through before the credits roll.