The gaming world boasts a rich array of high-quality options, particularly within the horror genre, offering players a broad selection. Resident Evil has honed nearly every aspect of this category, evolving from its original blend of horror and action to Resident Evil 4, 5, and 6's emphasis on action with intermittent scares. The franchise's seventh installment, Resident Evil 7: BioHazard, returned to its horror roots but in a first-person perspective. Village aimed for a balance between both styles and largely succeeded.
Resident Evil stands as the pinnacle of horror gaming, so much so that devoted fans might overlook many other great titles within the genre. This devotion to Capcom's series could mean missing out on other exceptional horror games similar to Resident Evil.
1. The Last Of Us
This tragic retelling echoes Resident Evil 4, featuring zombies, graphic scenes, and grim deaths. It imagines a world akin to The Last of Us, where characters like Leon, Chris, and others couldn't halt the virus, leaving humanity to struggle against a zombie outbreak.
While sharing a similar over-the-shoulder gameplay approach, The Last of Us offers more freedom for combat and movement compared to Resident Evil 4. Additionally, with Ellie as a remarkably capable supporting protagonist, the game surpasses Ashley's role. It's clear that The Last of Us stands as a superior addition to the zombie genre following the legacy of Resident Evil 4.
2. Dead Space
Dead Space showcases the influence of Resident Evil 4, where its groundbreaking over-the-shoulder mechanic paved the way for numerous future high-quality games. Dead Space can be likened to Resident Evil but set in space, and its eerie take on "zombies" reveals the imaginative potential within the gaming horror genre.
The plot is straightforward: the protagonist must flee from the reanimated remains of their former crew in space, all of whom are intent on consuming them. Each adversary presents a unique approach, keeping Dead Space both chilling and endlessly engaging.
3. Left 4 Dead
Though differing in gameplay and presentation from Resident Evil, Left 4 Dead remains a must-play for fans of zombie horror. It could be likened to a shooter adaptation of Resident Evil 7: BioHazard, yet it's a game worth exploring on its own merits.
In this game, the objective is to confront and overcome zombies, employing a four-person team approach. Its replayability is enhanced through the inclusion of a cooperative mode, enabling up to four players to join in the action.
4. The Evil Within
Emerging from the creative mind behind Resident Evil, The Evil Within immediately captured interest as a potential torchbearer for the survival horror genre, especially arriving during a period of relative downturn for Capcom's franchise. Though it might not fully meet all expectations, Shinji Mikami's third-person shooter delivers an impressive experience by most standards and delivers genuine terror seldom found in horror games.
In 2017, The Evil Within 2 hit the shelves, a release many argue surpasses its predecessor in various aspects. Unlike the linear, chapter-based approach of the first game, the sequel adopts a more open-ended structure by setting its narrative in a sprawling town. Both entries stand out as excellent experiences.
5. Alan Wake
Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake transforms a flashlight into its primary weapon within this third-person shooter. The titular writer ventures into a mysterious village in pursuit of his wife, a decision that plunges him into darkness. However, darkness isn't merely a scare tactic; it's woven into the storyline. The monsters in Alan Wake fear the light and thrive in darkness, fostering an intense atmosphere of constant unease and tension.
Alan Wake Remastered maintains the essence of the original game with minimal alterations, apart from a notable graphical enhancement. Even on modern consoles, the game retains the appeal it initially had on the Xbox 360. For fans of the original, exploring Alan Wake's American Nightmare is also recommended.
6. Tormented Souls
Recent years have seen a resurgence of late-'90s horror nostalgia, and Tormented Souls stands out as a robust example of this trend. This release immerses itself in PS1 aesthetics, complete with fixed camera angles and the option for tank controls. Players take on the role of Caroline, drawn to investigate an abandoned hospital following a lead about missing twins. As expected, she becomes entangled in a chilling world teeming with nightmarish and inventive creatures.
However, Tormented Souls may not hold significant appeal for those uninterested in classic survival horror games, particularly due to occasional gameplay clumsiness. Yet, for players seeking a throwback reminiscent of 1996's Resident Evil, this 2021 project is likely to be a cherished find. Note that the Switch version encounters some issues, so prioritizing other releases might be wise.
7. Cold Fear
In the present day, Resident Evil 4 appears to be accessible on nearly every imaginable console, but that wasn't the case for most of 2005. Capcom's game debuted exclusively on the GameCube and remained so for about a year. Meanwhile, Ubisoft released Cold Fear on Xbox and PS2.
Although Cold Fear couldn't aspire to replace Resident Evil 4, it found success as not only a temporary solution but also a robust action-horror game in its own right. The game divides its campaign between two settings: a boat and an oil rig. Both environments hold merit, yet the former is particularly memorable for its vivid atmosphere, feeling more vibrant compared to its counterpart.
8. Silent Hill 1-3
During its peak, the Silent Hill series stood as the definitive contrast to the Resident Evil franchise, offering a more unsettling counterpart to the latter's emphasis on action.
Silent Hill catered to those seeking an experience where they didn't control the action but rather felt trapped in a truly horrifying world. As Resident Evil leaned further into action, fans appreciated that Silent Hill continued to champion the horror genre, reminiscent of the original Resident Evil games that prioritized frights over combat. While later entries have their merits, the initial three Silent Hill games are widely regarded as the pinnacle of the series.
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