A game’s protagonist can determine whether players will enjoy their playthrough or not; the player-character has to be likable, or at least compelling if they are intentionally unlikable, especially as the player will be spending a lot of time with them. Without a gripping backstory or personality, it can be difficult to become invested in the protagonist’s journey.
A lesser employed feature of video games is the ability to switch between characters, with the player able to control multiple protagonists at different times. Generally, this is used to allow players to switch load-out or skills mid-action, or as a narrative device, where multiple storylines are occurring simultaneously. These are some of thebest horror games where players switch between characters.
10Forest Ranger Services: Episode 1
Millions Of Disappearances, Two Characters, One Mystery
Forest Ranger Services: Episode 1is a PS1 style horror mysteryset in a U.S. National Parkwhere hikers have been going missing. The game follows a reporter-turned-ranger who has taken the job to figure out who (or what) is causing the disappearances, and one of the hikers themselves.
Episode 1has all the makings of a compelling game, with suspicious NPCs, UFO rumors, and disturbing accounts. Although only the first episode has been released and much of the gameplay is setting up the story, players should definitely keep a look-out for future episodes.
FromSoftware is well known today forDark Soulsand more recent big titles likeElden Ring.However, many of the developer’s earlier titles delved into the horror genre.Kuonis a survivalhorror set in Heian Japan, following three protagonists after a monster outbreak in a Kyoto mansion.
Navigating the mansion, the player must complete puzzles and find items to uncover the root of the outbreak while encountering demons and monsters that they must combat. Some items can only be picked up by specific characters, meaning that not all areas can be accessed by just one, keeping the gameplay fresh.
Obscure: The Aftermathis a sequelthat follows seven students (two being survivors of the original game). As poisonous flowers begin growing on their university campus and their plant-derived drug is circulated, things quickly take a turn for the worst when its users turn into monsters. Players must survive the mutated students and uncover who is behind this epidemic.
Each character has their own ability, from hacking to lock-picking to heavy-lifting, integral to puzzle solving.The Aftermathis much more combat-focused than its precursor, with both ranged and melee weapons providing plenty of bloody action, and while it can be difficult at times with very limited ammo and healing items, this is great for those after an intense survival horror game.
Sometimes a mission doesn’t go entirely to plan. Such is the case inFear Effect.What begins as a kidnapping attempt quickly becomes a nightmare when three mercenaries are thrown into hell. They must fight against supernatural and human enemies to end the sinister plots of a dangerous mob boss.
At different points in the story, the player will switch mercenaries, allowing them to experience a range of different environments and perspectives. One of the unique points ofFear Effectis the health meter, which is replenished by completing puzzles and performing stealth kills rather than using med kits. Despite theinfamously difficult gameplay, each victory is extremely rewarding.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipseis the fourth entry in a series of five main games in theFatal Framefranchise.The title follows four protagonists as they search Rogetsu Isle, where five girls were kidnapped and lost their memory ten years earlier. Players must find out the truth about their past and put an end to the mysterious “Moonlight Syndrome”.
The franchise is notable for the camera obscura mechanics, andMask of the Lunar Eclipseis no exception. Players can take photos of spirits to keep them at bay, which earns them points to spend on medicine. There is arange of creepy locationsto explore in this title, from an abandoned hospital to cold hotel rooms, offering plenty of atmospheric scares.
Resident Evilis one of the biggest horror game franchises out there, boasting upwards of 20 titles across its 30-year existence, including spin-offs and remakes.Resident Evil Zerois a prequel that takes players right to the beginning, when rookie cop Rebecca Chambers discovers the origins of the T-virus when investigating a stationary train in the middle of a forest.
Controlling both Rebecca and former recon officer, Billy Coen, the player must complete puzzles as they follow the trail of Umbrella. With Rebecca having the ability to mix chemicals, and Coen being able to move heavy objects, players often need to alternate between the two and use both skillsets to progress, makingZero’s gameplay more engaging than some other titles in the franchise.
Supermassive has an impressive portfolio of games, spanning from platformers likeLittle Nightmaresto ARs such asWalking With Dinosaurs.What draws in many players are their series of interactive horror games.Until Dawnfollows eight young adultsreuniting at a lodge where their twin friends Beth and Hannah went missing a year earlier, soon learning that the mountain is cursed.
As a story-driven game,Until Dawnfocuses on the relationships and decisions of each character, with periods of exploration in between. There are some interesting twists and moments of real tension throughout which, alongside compelling characters, makeevery player-choice feel crucial.
Many of Supermassive’s other games also follow multiple characters' narratives, with players choosing how each storyline progresses.
Schools have been a popular location for horror games. From strict teachers to vengeful demons, the winding corridors can make for some truly claustrophobic frights.Corpse Party (2021)once again sees seven students transported to the cursed Heavenly Host Elementary School where a history of tragic deaths and vengeful spirits haunt them.
Players switch between the different students in an attempt to reunite them all, figure out the truth about the murders, and escape. The horror ofCorpse Partyis embedded in the story, and the creepy blood-soaked 16-bit environment. The game offers a lot of content, including bonus chapters and collectibles, but can be fairly brutal andgraphic at times, particularly through the sound design.
What if it was possible to write things into existence?Alan Wake 2rolls with this premise, following the titular author, Alan Wake, as he attempts to write a way out of the Dark Place - a realm where the imagination can become reality (albeit with a dangerous catch). Writing FBI agent, Saga Anderson, into his story, the two investigate the dimension to find an escape.
In a world of shadows, the flashlight proves an invaluable tool, but there is still plenty of gunplay for players who enjoy the more traditional bullet-in-enemy methods.Alan Wake 2’s story can be complex, but its exploration of mental health, dark yet stunning visuals, and mystery elements make the game a rich experience.
Set four years afterPart 1,The Last Of Us Part 2follows two protagonists; Abby, seeking revenge for her father’s death by killing Joel, and Ellie, in turn, seeking revenge on Abby. Amid tension between the Seraphites cult and the WLF militia, and a landscape still full of infected, the two engage in a dangerous cat and mouse chase across Seattle.
The Last Of Us Part 2is full of drama - revenge, faction rivalry, and trauma all unite to create a gripping experience. WhilePart 1delved into grief and betrayal, this sequel further explores their impact and resulting trauma through each complex character. Overall,The Last Of Us Part 2is a poignant game that is equally tragic and terrifying.
