The horror genre is written off by many people as nothing more than an excuse for jumpscares and poor stories hidden behind scary effects and monsters. While there are certain films and games that definitely employ such cheap tactics in this genre, the truth is that horror can actually prove to be quite effective when done right. This is especially true in the realm of video gaming, where people are immersed to a level that is simply not possible in any other medium.
A great thing that most great horror games do is use darkness to their advantage, scaring players by not even letting them see what's happening in front of them. Here are some of the best horror titles that use the fear of the dark expertly to add a rich layer of creepiness and intrigue to their horrifying experience.
10 Slender: The Eight Pages
Slender: The Eight Pages was a game that took the world by storm. Most people argue that this game is responsible for kickstarting the wave of YouTube horror LPs that had become extremely popular a few years back.
Players have to roam around a dark forest and gather eight pages while avoiding the presence of Slenderman, a supernatural entity that is hounding them during this journey. It's a pretty scary title, and the fact that Slenderman comes more frequently as all the pages are gathered makes it even more nerve-wracking.
9 Alan Wake
Alan Wake isn't really the scariest game around. However, its tense atmosphere is pretty immersive, with the game's use of darkness being pretty great indeed.
In fact, the main mode of attack the player has is to use their flashlight to defeat enemies in this game, called the Taken. It's a unique mechanic that shows just how well-thought-out the game's reliance on dark and brooding atmospheres really was.
8 Left 4 Dead
Most people consider Left 4 Dead to be a co-op action title where players need to mow down zombies and fulfill objectives. However, the game and its sequel don't shy away from its horrifying moments whenever required.
Dimly-lit areas hide powerful zombies, with the Witch making an appearance at times. This zombie is a tough nut to crack, and players will certainly be startled if they surprise the Witch while she's trying to enjoy some alone time in the dark.
7 Phasmophobia
The bulk of Phasmophobia's gameplay takes place within haunted houses, so it's easy to see why darkness plays a key role here. Players band together as a group of paranormal detectives who need to fish out the ghosts who haunt certain domiciles.
Splitting up can be a risky proposition, with players being left to their own devices if they venture too far from their crewmates. This makes them easy pickings for a ghost that will haunt them in the dark and dim corners of the house every step of the way.
6 BioShock
BioShock isn't really a horror game in the traditional sense. However, this title is absolutely dripping with atmosphere, and there are times when the player can genuinely be scared out of their wits.
This ambiance is made even more oppressive with the constant use of low lighting and dark spots, making each corner a surprise in its own way. It's easy to see why BioShock is such a legendary title, with some people still considering it to be the best game in the trilogy!
5 Darkwood
Darkwood is one of the most underrated psychological horror games around. The game does a brilliant job of using its limited perspective to great effect, with the player's cone of vision making the fear of the unknown extremely palpable.
Horrific monsters and surprise enemy encounters can initiate right outside the player's field of vision. As a result, they're left in the dark unless they choose to gaze upon the horrors that are assaulting them, which is not an easy task in the slightest.
4 Soma
Frictional Games is known for developing some of the scariest video games around. While Soma is nowhere near as terrifying as their other offerings, it's the oppressive atmosphere of this amazing title that makes it one of their best games by a country mile.
Soma's incredible story and brilliant ambiance make for two of its greatest strengths. The monsters in this game might be pretty barebones, but it's the chilling nature of the darkness enveloping the player that sells this tense and unnerving experience.
3 Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: The Dark Descent is the game that put Frictional Games on the map. The use of tense stealth gameplay coupled with puzzle-solving makes for a great time, with the great narrative being the perfect cherry on top.
The sanity meter is pretty special in Amnesia: The Dark Descent, with players losing their marbles if they stare at a monster or hide in the dark for too long. Amnesia loves its dark spaces, which can both be a safe haven and a horrific trap depending on the situation.
2 Alien: Isolation
Alien: Isolation is a horror game that came out of nowhere and wowed players with its incredible gameplay and design. The titular Alien in this game is a hulking monstrosity with amazing AI, sniffing out the player if they repeat the same strategies to escape the beast over and over again.
The abandoned space station of Sevastopol is a really creepy environment to explore, with the game's dark environments being pretty unnerving indeed. Running from the Xenomorph in this game without having a clear view of where one needs to go is one of the many ways in which Alien: Isolation's horror absolutely shines.
1 Outlast
The first Outlast game was a groundbreaking title that made waves when it was launched. The haunting atmosphere of the game coupled with its chase sequences made for a great time indeed.
Outlast has some great moments when it uses darkness to great effect. The fact that players have to essentially use night vision to navigate cramped corridors while running away from the game's scary enemies makes each encounter pretty tense indeed.