Summary
The survival horror genreisn’t quite as saturated as the more popular sub-genres of horror, but there’s no denying its popularity;games such asResident EvilandSilent Hillare almost synonymous with survival horror, and both franchises have a plethora of devoted fans.
These games are traditionally defined by theirfocus on resource management, facilitated by hefty limitations on the player’s ammunition and health. Puzzle solving and exploration are also common occurrences in survival horror, adding variety to the gameplay and providing a respite from fear. However, the limited resources given to the player usually makes them more vulnerable than in other action games and, as a result, these games can be somewhat inaccessible. The fright-factor of these games can also turn more cautious players away, so in both cases, survival horror titles that lean closer to action than horror tend to be more accessible and are better entry points for beginners.
Resident Evil 2is a notorious entry in the survival horror genre, taking place in the iconic Raccoon City and offering players a nail-biting experience set in a variety of memorable locations.Resident Evil 2can bea frightening game, especially for those unacquainted with the genre or the franchise. Much of this horror is facilitated through dynamic enemies, immersive lighting, brilliant sound design, and the infamous Mr. X.
Exploring the halls of Raccoon City Police Station when Mr. X could be lurking nearby creates a tense, palpable atmosphere that’s consistently thrilling. The remake also offers a tremendously modern experience without compromising the original design.Resident Evil 2is classic survival horror, with plenty of exploration, puzzles, resource management, and frantic combat. For players that want an experience that’s accessible while remaining accurate to the genre’s definition,Resident Evil 2is a safe bet.
Resident Evil 4isn’t the scariest of survival horror games, but this works in its favor when it comes to attracting new players to the genre. The original release ofResident Evil 4was celebrated for reinvigorating the survival-horror genre and, more specifically,theResident Evilfranchise, offering a non-stop, action-packed adaptation of traditional survival-horror gameplay. The recent remake is even more accessible, offering modern controls and slick graphics that make the game somewhat scarier, but also even more beginner-friendly than its 2005 counterpart.
Resident Evil 4puts players in the shoes of Leon Kennedy, on a mission to save the President’s daughter from a variety of zombie-adjacent villagers, cultists, and horrifically mutated creatures. The game’s narrative is mostly straightforward, and told in such a way that newcomers to the franchise can follow along with ease. Despite there being plenty of action,Resident Evil 4features plenty of resource management as well, adding to the tension and overall horror of the experience. Overall,Resident Evil 4’smore linear approach to design and action-packed gameplay make it a solid entry point to the genre.
Thisiconic science fictionsurvival horror game takes place on a mining spaceship overrun with horrific creatures called Necromorphs.Dead Spaceis best known for its environmental storytelling, well-placed jump scares, and the incredibly immersive and memorable setting - the USGIshimura. The ship’s rooms and halls are dense with spooky lighting, zero-gravity areas, and creepy elevators, offering a delightfully tense atmosphere.
Dead Spacefeatures a limited number of ammo and health pick-ups that add an element of resource management to the gameplay. Combined with the deadly creatures and creepy atmosphere,Dead Spaceoffers a survival horror experience that’s close in tone toResident Evil 4. Much likeResident Evil 4, what makesDead Spaceso accessible to beginners is its action-orientated gameplay. There are plenty of nasty enemies to take down inDead Space, and the game features a unique combat system that has players chop their enemies apart limb from limb, as opposed to just shooting them until they drop, which makes the combat feel more deliberate than some other entries in the genre.
Crow Countryis a recently released indie survival horror game that takes clear inspiration from staples of the genre like asSilent Hill. The game features an old-school aesthetic that combines the visuals of games such as the originalResident Evilwith the 3D models ofearlyFinal Fantasygames. The game’s narrative follows Mara Forest as she attempts to investigate a mystery at an abandoned amusement park.
Crow Countryhas plenty of old-school designs, but features modernizations that make it more accessible, such as optional tank controls and a rotating camera. Players are also given the opportunity to restock their ammo supply by backtracking to the start of the game, making the resource management a little more forgiving.Crow Countryis also a relatively short experience, giving newcomers a brisk but well-crafted survival horror adventure to whet their appetite for the genre’s other offerings.
This highly polished, long-awaited sequel toAlan Wakeis a high-budget foray into the survival horror genrefrom Remedy Entertainment, the team behind games such asControlandMax Payne. The game features plenty of survival horror tropes, such as limited resources that force players to manage their ammo and health carefully. There’s also no shortage of tranquil save rooms, which provide welcome respites from the horror.
Alan Wake 2is a story-driven adventure, and its greatest strength is its presentation; in-engine and live-action cutscenes, immersive lighting, and a cinematic sense of style makeAlan Wake 2a visual treat throughout. This, coupled with its consistently engaging narrative and modern controls, makeAlan Wake 2a perfect entry point for newcomers to survival horror, and is even accessible to those who haven’t played the firstAlan Wake.
