With games surrounding zombies, monsters, and other things that go bump in the night, it's no surprise that the horror genre has been a clear and present entity in the realm of gaming since the days of the NES. Searching through dark and strange virtual environments, waiting for something to yell boo is a good gimmick, but it's not exactly the most fun.
What about those games with gruesome, gory monsters where the player isn't totally helpless? As popular as the survival-horror genre can be for some, it's nothing compared to games where the monsters are the ones that should be afraid.
NOTE: For the sake of variety, this list will limit entries to one game per franchise.
Updated on October 14, 2022, by Jack Pursey: Generally speaking, there are two types of horror games. There are those that give players little to no weaponry, often making for a nightmarish experience where players can only run and hide from the evils around them. Then, there are those that give players plenty of guns, swords, and anything else to take down the horrors trying to kill them; this often reduces the scare factor but increases the fun factor.
The games on this list heavily favor the second style of horror game, and, according to Metacritic, are the best action horror games available. To give action horror fans some more games to choose from, we've updated this list to include some more entries.
11 Dante's Inferno (75)
Replace Kratos and the Greek pantheon in God of War with a Templar knight and beings from the Christian afterlife and the result is Dante's Inferno. It's been said before, but Dante's Inferno isn't just a God of War clone - it's an awesome God of War clone.
Not only is the game packed with armies of demons to decimate, but some of the most terrifying visual representations of Hell and damnation ever created. It's certainly not for the easily squeamish.
10 The Mummy: Demastered (75)
The movie was a bomb, but the game was a surprisingly fun experience from Wayforward studios. As a nameless Prodigium agent, the player embarks on this mummy-focused Metroidvania against the forces of Amunet.
So maybe swords and daggers aren't everyone's thing, and maybe the vampire-infested castle is a bit on the nose. That's all fine and dandy, but no gamer can resist pumping a legion of the undead full of bullets.
9 Dead Island (80)
It's definitely not the most polished game in the world, but it's perhaps one of the most fun on our list. A tropical paradise crawling with legions of infected zombies practically screams the perfect horror setup.
With an engaging RPG system and a focus on melee combat rather than going in guns blazing, it's certainly worth at least one playthrough or two. Be warned, the action and mindless zombie bashing are quite addictive.
8 Alien Isolation (81)
Yes, this is indeed one of the biggest survival horror games out there, but how many games in that genre have the construction of a Xenomorph-destroying weapon?
It might have one of the deadliest enemies in all of gaming, but Amanda Ripley is anything but a damsel in distress. Like her mother before her, she goes toe-to-toe with the galaxy's perfect predator in true Ridley Scott fashion.
7 F.E.A.R. (88)
The first F.E.A.R. game was initially released in October 2005 on PC before arriving on Xbox 360 the following year and eventually PlayStation 3 in 2007. The iconic action-horror game is predominantly remembered for Alma, the terrifying antagonist who has a knack for popping up at the most frightening and panic-inducing moments.
Although Alma is what the game is remembered for, it should be noted that the FPS combat is excellent; something that many people forget about the game today.
6 DOOM Eternal (88)
Following the success of the 2016 DOOM reboot, id Software and Bethesda teamed up again to release a sequel, DOOM Eternal, in March 2020 on all modern systems, including Nintendo Switch, later the same year.
DOOM Eternal has a heavier focus on story than ever before, a decision that proved to be divisive, as some believed that it went against the game's roots. However, the over-the-top and fast-paced action is still ever-present in DOOM Eternal and makes for some of the best fun of the 2020s thus far.
5 Left 4 Dead 2 (89)
The original Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2 both peak at an impressive 89 on Metacritic, so either could have made this list. Although there's very little separating the two games in terms of quality, we've gone with the sequel, as it holds up slightly better today.
Much like the aforementioned DOOM Eternal, Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 prioritizes fun and over-the-top action above all else. Many people have fond memories of Left 4 Dead 2's multiplayer, which had a great balance of intense action and hilarious entertainment when playing with friends.
4 Dead Space 2
The Dead Space franchise is a good example of how a game can be heavily inspired by a classic but still become a classic itself. The original Dead Space was clearly inspired by Resident Evil 4, though it never felt like a rip-off, thanks to its vastly different setting, along with the great variety of unique weapons and enemy types.
Dead Space 2 was released in January 2011 and managed to improve upon its critically acclaimed predecessor. A remake of the original Dead Space is currently in development, and it may only be a matter of time before the sequel gets the same treatment.
3 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night (93)
No, there's nothing overtly scary in this classic title. But there's no doubt that this is, despite its action-platform elements, a horror game. It literally takes place in Dracula's castle, features every type of horror monster imaginable, and is positively soaked to the bone with Gothic imagery.
Ghosts, skeletons, werewolves, and vampires are as classic to the genre as they come; why wouldn't players want to rip them to shreds?
2 Resident Evil 4 (96)
Resident Evil is a pillar of the survival-horror genre, but it's the fourth entry in the franchise that puts a smile on any horror buff's face. It's not exactly what one would call a serious and stoic affair, with a plot to rescue the president's daughter, an evil cult led by a knockoff napoleon, and the standard-issue masked maniac with a chainsaw to go that extra mile. Players are going to need to hoard ammo and be prepared for one-liners to get through this game.
1 BioShock (96)
This 2K masterpiece is definitely one of the most stylistic and best story-focused FPS titles in existence. For those who think shooters are nothing more than bullets and blood, ask them if they would kindly give BioShock a try. Though it relies on more sci-fi than horror elements, how can one look at those Splicers and Little Sisters and not get just the least bit freaked out? And does Big Daddy himself even need to be mentioned?