Science fiction and horror have always made for a perfect marriage, from decades-old films likeAliento more recent releases likeA Quiet Placeor 2022’sNope. The combination of science fiction and horror doesn’t just work in movies though, as video games have seen the genre rise in popularity and become a mainstay on consoles and PC. Not all sci-fi horror games are the same, though, and some certainly rise above the rest with originality, unique characters, and environments that make players' hair stand up.
Great sci-fi horror takes the aspects of isolation and the unknown and ramps up the fear factor for both, giving players increased tension as they make their way through environments that are nothing like they see in their everyday lives. Such stories are often set in space, where the vastness and emptiness lends itself to the feeling of being alone and isolated, which is a key element to great horror stories. Unlikegreat psychological horror gameswhere the focus is on the protagonist’s mental state and inner turmoil, the best sci-fi horror games use potential scientific advancements to tap into the fear of the unknown and losing control in an environment that makes the player feel alone.
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GTFO
GTFOis a co-op survival game and shooter that is reminiscent of raids in Destiny, with long levels that put the skills of players to the test. Though it is a shooter,GTFOworks well as a sci-fi horror game because it doesn’t give in to the trends of so many shooters, with endless loot, ammo boxes, and perks everywhere, instead opting to force players to work together to barely survive. Although 10 Chambers Collective’s horror experience has some elements that will remind players of greataction horror games likeLeft 4 Dead, the atmosphere is darker and the gore ramped up significantly inGTFO.
Other games in this genre have taken a more cartoonish approach to the world, but GTFO takes itself seriously with the start with a world that is dark and real, adding to the creepy vibe that surrounds players as they try to survive together. In a nice addition, all theweapons and gear inGTFOare available at the beginning of the game, meaning there are no progressions or battle pass systems that give some players better gear than others.
Prey
Preyis an example of a game that doesn’t have to have outright scares in it to give gamers a strong horror feel, as it uses the corruption of the world around the protagonist as the primary force driving the tension, fear, and anticipation of what enemies might be lurking.Arkane Studios' 2017 re-imagining of thePreyserieschallenges players to save the world in a game where the atmosphere is the true star, helping make up for a narrative that left many fans disappointed. Still, the setting, enemies, and gameplay ofPrey, along with the post-launch support it received, make it one of the best sci-fi horror games on the market.
Some fans havelabeledPreyas aBioshockin space, and It’s easy to see why with the creepy environments and a lot of gameplay elements that are reminiscent of the originalBioshock. It’s still unknown if there will be a sequel to Prey, but fans can save the world from corruption by jumping back into the original for a good Halloween scare at any time of the year.
Control
Controlcollected many players' Game of the Year designation in 2019, as Remedy delivered a story with sci-fi and horror elements, all wrapped up in a narrative that kept them wanting more and combat that was good enough to make the game a true standout. Set in a paranormal world surrounded by concrete, players must guide Jesse to discover the truth about her and her family, and the role that the Federal Bureau of Control has had in all of it.
WhileControlhas many shooter elements to it, the true star of the game is the telekinetic powers that Jesse gains and masters throughout the journey. Players looking for a scare this Halloween will enjoy the changing nature of theBureau of Control’s Oldest Houseitself, resulting in levels that are the same but different and a feeling of disorientation that permeates throughout the game.
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Alien: Isolation
From the momentAlien: Isolationbegins, there is a distinct feeling that the game is going to do justice to the original movie, and the tension of wanting to survive is felt from early on. After thecritical failure ofAliens: Colonial Marines, Creative Assembly broughtAlien: Isolationback to the roots of the series by featuring Ripley’s daughter as the protagonist and turned the Xenomorph into an entity that was a truly terrifying monster the player wanted to escape from.
The true beauty ofIsolationas a horror game is that there is no way for players to kill the alien; rather, they must use stealth and cunning to hide from and ultimately escape the enemy. At about 15 hours to complete,Alien: Isolationwas a popular game with streamersand even had players using the Kinect to measure their heart rate while playing the game, making it a horror game that isn’t for amateurs.
Bioshock
One of the verybest games of the Xbox 360 and PS3 generation,Bioshockcombined a wonderful narrative with a hidden deep-sea city in an experience that made players question humanity, the role of science, and power. As players progress through the story, they gain new abilities that give them new telekinetic powers and allow them to fight splicers and other enemies while working their way toward the truth of what happened in Rapture.
Collectibles have a lot of meaning inBioshock, as they add to an already great story that details characters' descent into madness. Getting every audio recording is beneficial for players, since the more players get immersed into theworld and events ofBioshock, the more tense and scary the crazy moments with a Big Daddy become.
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