Summary
Sometimes, ahorrorstory doesn’t have to be the focus of a game for that game to be effective. While having a meaningful story might help strengthen a player’s connection to its characters and world, which can then make the scares a little more powerful, sometimes the scariest or most exciting parts of a game lie outside the main story. There are plenty of horror games that allow the player toinvestigate things outside the story,and those experiences can be some of the best that the genre has to offer.
Of course, straying away from the main story can also be what keeps a game from being something special. It’s always good to know which of horror games are the best at this; knowing which ones to steer clear of can help players avoid wasting their time with a title that just isn’t worth it. That’s why this list ranksthe best horror games that don’t focus on the main story.
Dying Lightis not strictly a horror game as it heavily focuses on action. Putting players in the shoes of a survivor in an open world infested with zombies, this game gives players the tools to explore and kill the undead with ease. However, there are horror moments that help this game earn its place on this list.
With its open-world structure, there are many things to do that are not centered on the main story. The story itself is fine, but it’s nothing more than the typical “looking for a cure” zombie plot. Therefore, some of the best stuff in the game is in the side content,where players can learn more about the world and characters.
While many games populate the genre of asymmetrical horror,In Silencehasa little something that makes it stand out. Having to keep quiet from a blind monster that uses sound to hunt, the game becomes much more tense than it has any right to be. It’s basic, but fun, and players should give it a chance.
It also boasts zero storiesfor players to get into, which isn’t a bad thing. Much like other entries on this list, it relies on its simple premise to achieve great effect. It’s an impressive game that can give players hours of fun.
The game that really heraldedthe popularity of Slender Manin the early 2010s,Slender: The Eight Pagesis a simple game. It asks players to explore a small, enclosed forest area to find eight pages before the titular monster catches them. The more pages players collect, the more aggressive Slender Man will be in his pursuit.
There isn’t much of a story at all in this game,but that doesn’t mean it isn’t scary.That feeling of constantly being chased is always with the player, and Slender Man can teleport right in front of them at any moment. With the risk of going insane after looking at him for too long, it’s a tough balance to try and keep tabs on him while also not looking at him directly.
Having to survive in a forest that is also inhabited by cannibals makes for an uneasy feeling.The Foresttakesthe typical survival game formulaand puts a horror spin on the entire thing. While there is a bit of a main story to follow, the focus is on survivingand avoiding the cannibals at all costs.
It’s a fun twist on the survival genre thatboasts plenty of scary moments. It has hours of content for players to sink their teeth into, which is always a good thing, and they can have a great time without ever really interacting with the main story elements.
Phasmophobiawas a sensation in 2020 that took over the gaming world thanks to a really basic formula that has players going into various locations and trying to discover what kind of supernatural presence is haunting them.There is no story to be foundin the game; it is all about hunting different ghostson a variety of mapsand leveling up.
The scares in the game, though,are some of the best out there. Specifically, the sound design of this game is exceptional, and it allows players to truly feel like they are not alone in the house. It’s well worth the time to gather up a few friends, turn the lights off, and let the spooks come.
Coming out soon after the release of the PlayStation 5,Returnalsurprised a lot of players by being one of the console’s marquee exclusives. This is due tosome silky smooth gameplay,a wide variety of weaponsto experiment with, and some exciting and challenging bosses.
While the main story of the game is interesting and engaging,it does occur in the background for the most part. It’s all about the moment-to-moment gameplay and how players build out their character during each run. That’s what it comes down to and that’s more than enough for players to dedicate their time to.
Preyis truly a fantastic game, one that has a powerful main story that players will surely be dedicated to seeing through to the end. However, that does the rest of the game an immense disservice. There are a lot of small things that lieoutside the main story objectivesthatflesh out the game’s world in a beautiful fashion.
It’s a really wonderful experience rooted in science fiction that deserves to be explored to its fullest. Arkane made something truly special with this game, and it’s a vision thatdeserves to be seen to its fullest.
There is a reason that fans ofBloodbornehave been clamoring for a remake or remaster for years. The game has some of the best combat, level design, and overall feel of any FromSoftware game, withclear inspirations from the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft. It’s a masterpiece of a game with some incredibly deep lore for players to get into.
However, that lore is hard to find in the classic FromSoftware style. This means thatthe story just isn’t the focus for a majority of players. It’s reallyabout the gameplay, andBloodborneis second to none in that department. Because of this, it earns the top spot on this list easily.
