Horror has always been popular, and while it took a couple of years to take off in gaming, the genre has been a staple of the industry for roughly three decades. The Xbox 360 is home to some of the greatest horror titles of all time, including a few projects that pushed the boundaries of fear and terror.
The best horror games on Xbox 360 scared, thrilled, and kept players up at night. From survival horror classics to innovative new experiences, these games proved that even after so many years, they can still hold their ground, and have surely satisfied any horror fan looking for a scare on their Xbox 360 console.
8 F.E.A.R. (2006)
F.E.A.R. was received positively by both fans and critics. The game's atmospheric horror, gripping storyline, and innovative slow-motion mechanic were praised as standout features. It follows the story of a supernatural phenomenon called Alma, a psychic child who can manipulate reality and cause massive destruction.
The game's intense combat and extreme horror elements really kept players on the edge throughout the game. F.E.A.R. was not only successful on Xbox 360, but also spawned a series of sequels and spin-offs.
7 Resident Evil 5 (2009)
Resident Evil 5 was met with varying responses from horror game enthusiasts. While some praised the game's nerve-wracking action sequences and gruesome visuals, others lamented its departure from the survival horror genre and move towards a more action-packed gameplay style. Nevertheless, many people were impressed by the co-op mode that allowed them to enjoy the intricate storyline with friends.
The game's character design, coupled with the constant feeling of danger lurking around every corner and the captivating settings that showcased creatures that adapted to their surroundings, was well received by fans. Despite its drawbacks, Resident Evil 5 performed well commercially and garnered generally positive feedback for its excellent graphics, engaging gameplay, and captivating storyline.
6 Metro 2033 (2010)
Metro 2033 is a first-person survival horror game based on a novel by Dmitry Glukhovsky. Its story is set in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Moscow's subway system and follows Artyom, a young survivor fighting to save his community from various threats. The game's monsters are mostly based on phobias, like the spider-scorpion creatures in the caves level, which may prove to be a source of terror for players with arachnophobia.
Fans praised the game's immersive and atmospheric world-building, as well as its unique blend of survival horror and first-person shooter gameplay. Metro 2033 is rightfully remembered for its tense atmosphere and punishing difficulty; while its sequels improve on a few elements, they are arguably worse horror games.
5 The Evil Within (2014)
The Evil Within follows protagonist Sebastian Castellanos as he navigates through a twisted world of horror and gore. Developed by Shinji Mikami, the creator of the Resident Evil franchise, the game incorporates some action sequences, but they are balanced neatly with horror moments. The campaign is also fairly challenging due to scarce ammo and includes a stealth mechanic.
While the game received its fair share of negative reviews, an argument could be made that they were based on unrealistic expectations. Generally, gamers enjoyed The Evil Within, even if at some point it began to feel too stretched.
4 Alan Wake (2010)
Alan Wake tells the story of its eponymous character who visits the town of Bright Falls to overcome his writer's block. However, he soon discovers that the town is plagued by a dark force and must fight these enemies while uncovering the town's mysteries.
Unlike other horror games, Alan Wake doesn't rely on jump-scares to bring its horror element up to order but uses a form of psychologically induced stress that makes the players think not twice, but three times about every step they're about to take. The game balances horror and atmospheric detective storytelling, with interesting gameplay, story, and presentation that are sure to terrify and stress players.
3 Alien: Isolation (2014)
Set in arguably the most famous sci-fi horror universe in media, Alien: Isolation nails its atmosphere and stealth-focused gameplay to create an experience that is faithful to the source material. The game's AI-driven Alien was particularly admired, as it learns and adapts to the player's actions, adding to the game's extreme tension and unpredictability.
Additionally, the graphics and sound design are immersive and contribute to the game's overall experience. Alien: Isolation is considered a top horror game and remains highly regarded by fans of the genre.
2 Left 4 Dead 2 (2009)
Left 4 Dead 2 is a cooperative shooter that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, and players must work together to survive and escape. Valve's game features several different campaigns, each with its unique settings, characters, and challenges.
Offering fast-paced action, intense gameplay, and the ability to play with friends both locally and online, Left 4 Dead 2 is pretty much a masterpiece, even if it is mainly known as a PC title rather than an Xbox 360 release. Left 4 Dead 2 is still and seems set to always be a popular choice for fans of cooperative multiplayer games.
1 Dead Space (2008)
Dead Space is a front-runner for the best horror game of the 2000s, and an argument could be made that a qualifier is unnecessary. As Isaac Clarke, players traverse a derelict spacecraft infested with grotesque alien creatures known as necromorphs. They must strategically dismember the creatures while managing limited resources and solving puzzles in a claustrophobic and unsettling environment.
There is no such thing as a perfect game, but Dead Space comes very close to disproving that claim. While hardly underpowered, Isaac always feels vulnerable, especially during someone's first playthrough. A classic of the genre, Dead Space is survival horror at its best.