10 Scariest VR Horror Games That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine

Virtual Reality gaming is still in its infancy, however, it has brought an entirely new dimension to video games. VR can be a deeper and more immersive experience and one that you can't replicate on traditional gaming platforms. This is why it is rapidly becoming a gaming essential. 

Horror games are where VR truly shines. The ability to take you to a world of horrifying panoramic sounds and terrifying monsters that leap at your face is unparalleled. We’ve pulled together a list of 10 of the scariest games that can take you to hell and back. Get the popcorn and turn down the lights as we take you through the Top 10 scariest VR games.

10. Resident Evil 7

Resident Evil 7 Biohazard combines a gripping story with all the flavours of a traditional hack and slash horror film. If you’re a fan of the older Resident Evil games this one doesn’t necessarily coincide with them but still has some welcome similarities and homages.

Surviving is a common theme in horror games and it's no exception here. As you attempt to solve the disappearance of your girlfriend Resident Evil takes you into a world of strange beings and insane terrifying characters. Solve the mystery and prepare for a huge amount of jump scares in traditional Resident Evil fashion. The tone of this game really sells it. It's raw, gritty and at times uncomfortably gruesome. Not the squeamish type? Then try your luck here.

9. Alone?

Alone? has you shaking from the first minute. In this title, you truly feel alone as you search for your missing sister. Your flashlight is your only friend and lifeline as you look high and low for items to progress you through the game. The game lets you interact with most objects in the world and has a puzzle-esq feel to it. Jump scares are plentiful in this game, so make sure you’re not surrounded by objects you could break easily.

Tiptoe through dimly lit spaces as fear grips you in expectancy of the next jumpy moment. Alone? knows its strengths and at times could be criticised for playing it safe, but here it works. As long as you have a good ticker, you should have a lot of fun getting scared with this title.

 

8. Affected

Making your way through a creepy old manor, hearing the whaling of spirits and bone-chilling noises that curdle in the dark doesn’t freak you out more than it does in Affected.  This game may not look the prettiest, but it knows how to get a scare out of you.

A fantastic and truly immersive soundtrack takes you into the world where every noise you hear makes you question its origin. Fans of all things paranormal will feel at home here, in the game's familiar theme. Finding your way through a house of horrors in near darkness is everyone nightmare and this game does it so well. Ouija boards and creepy paintings await, if you dare.

 

7. Paranormal Activity

The first Paranormal Activity film was a breakout success and rightfully so, I think we can all agree on that right? This game isn’t any different and if you don’t agree, I don’t think we can be friends. Enter the world and relive the fear you felt when watching the first movie. The fear of what you can’t see is recurring in this title as you explore just an average American home.

Armed with your trusty flashlight, players interact with a host of objects as you unravel the story of what happened. A new and original story, not adapted from any of the films, of which I’ve lost count. The game relies heavily on finding the location of items and collecting them to progress. With no Quicktime events and a somewhat familiar ghost mystery to solve, Paranormal Activity is a worth your time and should be on your VR list.

6. Until Dawn: Rush of blood

The carnival is a fun and happy place most of the time. People go on rides, eat candyfloss and occasionally scream on a rollercoaster. Until Dawn takes screaming on carnival rides to a whole new level. This game actually made me avoid going to a carnival after I played it for almost a week straight.

Unlike some other games on our list, this title gives you some means to defend yourself in the form of guns. But having some protection doesn’t take away this genuinely terrifying experience. Not only do the guns feel great, but also the level design is interesting and gripping. The game might be on rails and somewhat linear but the experience is still one worth having. If clowns, jump scares and great feeling guns are your thing, you won't be disappointed with Until Dawn.

 

5. Monstrum

Procedurally generated levels, permadeath and terrifying predators make up the bulk of Monstrum. This game is challenging, to say the least. It’s a challenge that only adds to the tense fear you experience whilst playing. Pit yourself against one of three unique monsters and avoid direct confrontation with it as you try to escape.

The game takes place on a cargo ship and the claustrophobic atmosphere feels so real. Hide in lockers, under furniture or anything you can to escape the inevitable death you face. Monstrum is different every time you play it and rinse repeat tactics won't work here. For a horror game with a difference, but enough familiarities to keep you coming back, this is the one for you.

 

4. Emily wants to play

Delivering a pizza isn’t something you associate with horror, is it? Emily wants to play takes the concept of being the delivery guy and turns it on its head. It’s a simple concept of being alone in a house, but it’s effective. 

The game doesn’t rely on blood and gore to scare you. It creates pure tense moments as you try to survive the night and evade the elusive Emily and her three terrifying doll friends.

Gameplay is none linear to a certain extent and can add much-needed diversity. Want to run around screaming, ferociously trying to avoid the horrors? Go right ahead. You could be like me and find the safest, and most well lit area to sit the night out. It’s your choice in Emily wants to play. Creepy dolls, haunting basements and an evil child, what more do you want? Keep the lights on or turn them off, but do it at your own risk.

A survival horror with a difference is a good way to start describing The Brookhaven Experiment. Somewhat post-apocalyptic and filled with a variety of disturbing monsters, this game has you shoot, reload and upgrade your way through a dark and mysterious world.

Waves of enemies will fling themselves at you, and keeping your wits about you is a must. Fast paced at times, whilst always keeping your heart rate up, The Brookhaven Experiment makes surviving a horde of incoming monsters a reality. If you’ve got the batteries and the bullets you might just survive, but don’t take my word for it, see for yourself.

 

2. Alien Isolation

Alien Isolation hit the nail on the head with this game. There have been many attempts at creating a game based on the Ridley Scott’s universe and many have failed. What Alien Isolation does is set a tense tone and the sense of certain death when confronting Aliens Xenomorph species.

The game looks fantastic and really captures the 80s movie aesthetically. The lighting is a particular highlight here, adding suspense and creating a dread filled mood. Craft, hide and avoid the Alien as you make your way through air vents and medical labs. You are truly alone in space with Alien Isolation.

The sound design in this game adds so much to the game, immersing you in the world that can feel both familiar and terrifying at times. For a real, scary and different experience put your headgear on for this one.

 

1. A Chair in a room: Greenwater

A tense and thrilling VR experience at every turn, A chair in a room has got to be one of the scariest and most surreal games I have ever had the pleasure of playing. The game splits into chapters, a wise move, as each one can become quite tense and somewhat emotionally draining.

The fantastic narrative flows and takes you into a truly terrifying world filled with corruption, murders and deeply tangled mysteries. The game looks amazing, its colour tones and asset designs only add to the immersion. Solve puzzles and take note of the clues you find as the game takes you on your own personal horror story.

A chair in a room doesn’t rely on cheap scares or obvious jumps. Its tense and dark atmosphere is enough to grip seasoned horror gamer's and give you a sense of experiencing something new and personal. A chair in a room is a perfect example of how immersive VR can actually be; suspense and dread are your only friends in this title.

Providing you’re still reading this, the monsters stood right behind you obviously haven’t got you… yet.

Be honest you looked behind you, didn’t you?

These games are some of the best immersive experiences you can currently have and are testaments to how much video games can evoke emotion if made correctly. VR is here and it’s only going to get better. If you love the unknown and the fear of imminent death in a video game, you should be checking out all of the titles on our list – good luck and happy screaming!

If you think we missed anything on our list why not let us know in the comments below. Whilst you’re at it, why not check out these other articles:

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