Horror games are known for their haunting level design and eerie atmosphere. One way this atmosphere is helped is through the sounds that are used within these haunted creaking old houses or alien-infested spaceships where the threat can be faintly heard. This adds to the fear factor of those that dare to adventure further within.
These games are fondly remembered by players for how the sounds used in them affected how they played. While other titles rely heavily on the use of sound to push forward the gameplay of the horror genre in new, thrilling ways that have yet to be explored fully.
10 Outlast
In this first-person horror survival experience, players are subjected to exploring the deadly corridors of the psychiatric hospital, Mount Massive Asylum. Between avoiding the horrific patients that live there and recording everything they see, the sounds that echo throughout the building have mortified players.
The faint screams with no person around, the mutterings of the patients that have been let free, and most of all the grotesque wet noises that come with the horrible events that are happening across the asylum. It is certain to make any player cringe with fear as they play.
9 The Last Of Us
The action-adventure title of The Last of Us is not usually remembered for the fact that it is a horror, but mostly for its in-depth and thoughtful story. Hidden within this zombie apocalypse is the most terrifying and memorable monster of all, with a sound of clicking that players reluctantly remember.
Players are always faced by players at the worst of times, found in long abandoned buildings the clicking noise that echos around from them is terrifying, especially as no other noise can be heard as the player must remain silent.
8 Darkwood
Keeping with the theme of survival horrors. Darkwood is a recent title that takes inspiration from the old school scares caused by atmospheric horror, and as the player finds themselves surrounded by an ever-suffocating forest, it is of no surprise the sounds they hear.
The snapping of branches is one thing, but the real fears are at night while the player is barricaded inside their shelter. Forever in fear of something breaking, players must listen out for the footsteps that surround their house, listening carefully for where and when to strike.
7 Silent Hill
Silent Hill is praised for not only its incredible story, but also is memorable soundtrack and atmospheric noise. Especially in the first game, where the use of radio static allowed players to know when an enemy was nearby.
This wasn't only helpful to players when attempting to survive in Silent Hill, but was also dreadful to hear, as a gamer's heart rate would increase the second the static started. This was swapped for specific enemy music in the second game, though it had the same effect.
6 Until Dawn
As a game that inspired to make a film like experience for its players, the sound design needed to match this dream that the developers Supermassive Games had. Naturally, this meant creating a musical soundtrack that best fit the experience.
While some players argue that the sound design of Until Dawn wasn't as good as other titles, there is still credit to be given to the variety of scares caused from simple sounds. Especially as the game is surrounded by an eerie forest, as well as the other scares in store that keep players on their toes.
5 Alien: Isolation
Stepping away from the forests and monsters to replacing them with aliens and spaceships, Alien: Isolation is set on a space station that is overrun by the infamous Xenomorph species. As a survival horror, it is best that the player doesn't encounter this alien while they explore.
As the player doesn't know where the alien is, every hissing pipe or creaking of the vents above could be the alien waiting to strike at the player. Therefore, a player is always on edge from the sounds they hear around them.
4 Resident Evil
Resident Evil has had added many great additions to the horror game genre. It is especially praised for how it manages to make a thrilling experience through sound for those that have played any of the past titles.
It has continued to impress players over and over again. Especially in Resident Evil 7 where it went back to the roots of horror, to create an experience of suspense through moments of complete silence to hearing doors further into the house open and close from the monsters within.
3 Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: The Dark Descent is already praised for the gothic castle players explore during the psychological horror, adding to the already unsettling atmosphere of the game. Although there is a monster that stalks the player, a lot of the danger they face is never actually present, though they feel as if they are there.
The player will receive countless audible hallucinations that will make them think something is happening in the next room, to then enter into nothing or past conversations that happened in the castle. They both add to the unraveling of the story, while scaring the player.
2 Stifled
The award-winning survival thriller, Stifled, takes the use of sound to the next level as players must allow sound to be their sight. Players must use echo-location in order to explore through a dark, blind world while avoiding the monsters that are within.
However, creating sound to see can also be incredibly dangerous. This can be done by throwing an object or even talking in real life through using a microphone, which will then cause the monster to hunt down the source of the sound.
1 Perception
Similar to the story of Stifled, Perception follows the life of Cassie, a blind woman that must use echolocation to explore the world around her. She has been facing nightmares that have no explanation, Cassie must explore a mansion to uncover its secrets and get to the bottom of her mysterious visions.
By using the sounds of Cassie's footsteps, dripping water or even the chimes of a grandfather clock, the mansion's environment is briefly revealed to the player showing the detailed world they walk within, and the horrors that also lurk there.