There's been no shortage of great thrillers in gaming - from the twisted themes of Silent Hill to the heart-thumping stealth romp Alien: Isolation. Yet, among this vast, rich pool of virtual fright-fests exists some truly iconic examples of survival horror. These are games that aren't just bone-chillingly scary but were also quite groundbreaking for their time.
While there are many contenders, it's typically the Resident Evil franchise, along with the physiological thriller known as Amnesia that get brought up. While Capcom's RE series has really made a name for itself in its 25-year history, Frictional Games' Amnesia is newer to the scene, with only its third iteration, Rebirth, coming in Autumn 2020.
Both of these excel in their own way, but which of these established thrillers is truly the most horrifying and well-crafted? We'll examine 5 points for each franchise that makes them special.
10 Amnesia: The Feeling Of Vulnerability
Sure, there's something to be said for thrilling action scenes that coax sweaty palms.
Yet ironically, horror games that lean on minimalism can often be more unsettling, especially when your hero is vulnerable and underpowered. This is the source of Amnesia's creepiness. As Daniel, you're given naught but a lantern to light the way, some Tinderboxes, and occasional items like human limbs to toss into a pond to divert a monster's attention.
You won't be able to mow down creatures with rocket launchers, machine guns, or even pistols during your dark, terrifying journey. Even much of your own memory has been wiped. This heart-pounding notion that death can be just around the next corner creates a palpable sense of fear.
9 Resident Evil: Memorable Characters
Let's be honest, Amnesia doesn't exactly shine when it comes to its cast - partly because there are just so few characters in the series. This is especially true in The Dark Descent, which is mostly just you in a dungeon with some occasional voice-over.
Yet, when you think of Resident Evil, you often think of its memorable heroes like Jill Valentine and Leon Kennedy, along with great villains like Wesker and those creepy Bakers. Though Amnesia engages you in its own way, the RE games bring a personal element and keep you captivated with its slew of dynamic heroes, antiheroes, and villains.
8 Amnesia: The Ambiguity And Unpredictability
While Capcom somewhat borrows from this formula for its dynamic RE7, Frictional Games excels in its ambiguity. This is to say - you're simply tossed into a dark, vacant setting, even absent your memories, and are forced to pick up the pieces, not knowing what warped sights you'll see next.
You'll be exploring the desolate corridors of Brennenburg without a sense of where you're going, who (or what) your opponents are, or who you even are. Instead, you'll be tossed brief flashbacks and notes to aid you in assembling this mental puzzle.
Though a fleshed-out story and premise can be enriching, this is another case of "less is more." The fact that you don't know what's happening leaves you disoriented, and thus, more on edge.
7 Resident Evil: Diversity Of The Settings
In fairness, Frictional Games manages to do a lot with a little in its dungeon and Victorian London settings. Still, these limited environments, particularly in The Dark Descent, can verge on dull at times.
Of course, Capcom has the benefit of having a slew of Resident Evil titles under its belt. You've got the classic mansion and dark, zombie-infested street settings. You've got a desolate train, villages crawling with blood-thirsty cultists, and so on. Still, even within each game, you'll usually be shifting from one distinct locale to another. This is especially the case in games like RE4, which almost feels like multiple games in one.
6 Amnesia: The Atmosphere
With a game as stripped-down as Amnesia, the atmosphere is crucial, and Frictional Games delivers in a major way, particularly in its debut of the series.
The sense of immersion is spot on, from the gritty realism of the environments to the ambient noise to the first-person perspective. Darkness and fog frequently hang over you, giving a palpable sense of atmosphere. Daniel's sluggish movements and lack of offense outside a dim lantern bring a realistic feeling that feels more like a simulation than a game at times.
5 Resident Evil: The Emphasis Of Action
Amnesia banks on its feelings of helplessness and evasion for most of its thrills. While this cat and mouse game is effective in its own way, some have noted its lack of action and interactivity. It's a fair critique to make - we are dealing with video games, after all, and action-laced thrills are often at the heart of a fun game.
During much of the RE experience, the player is bombarded with gaggles of zombies or monsters, intense boss fights, or at the very least, elaborate puzzles to tinker with. Even the more minimalistic bouts like RE7 will have Ethan dealing with Jack and the Baker family in various ways.
4 Amnesia: The Gripping Narrative
Resident Evil's zombie-plagued, corporate conspiracy premise may have been novel 20 years ago, and in some ways still works. Yet, Frictional Games goes one step further with its cryptic plot wrought with evil rituals and otherwordly monsters. It partly excels in its storytelling by painting only a vague portrait of these things, while letting you gather the missing pieces as you explore the dark chasms.
Though it's more subtly conveyed, this storytelling is effective in letting you experience the unveiling of these details in a more personal way.
3 Resident Evil: Nuance/Depth Of The Gameplay
It's tough to deny the fright factor of Amnesia, yet its hide-and-seek formula for most of the game has its limitations, and can only do so much in terms of longevity. It's far more of a passive experience, and it's one that isn't going to be a draw for everyone.
Particularly with the later RE titles, you've got a blend of action, exploration, puzzle-solving, and thrilling boss showdowns. You've even got a tinge of stealth, management, and additional content like survival modes in some entries. This is all strengthened by some engaging cinematic narratives.
2 Amnesia: The Trippy, Psychological Nature
One of the biggest standout traits of Amnesia is its trippy, unsettling, and disorienting vibe throughout. Daniel is plagued with brief flashbacks, subtle noises, and visions - while traversing desolate areas that are hard to make out.
On top of this, you've got the sanity element, which borrows traits from Silicon Knights' Eternal Darkness for the GameCube. This gives you another element to worry about in addition to your lantern oil, and grows increasingly creepy more Daniel's headspace gets warped. As players, we actually feel we're losing it, as we're not sure if we can trust our own in-game senses. This uncertainty only adds to the terror as the ominous monsters roam about.
1 Resident Evil: Loads Of Creepy Foes
Ultimately, what makes the Resident Evil franchise stand out and come to life is its array of frightening baddies. From sprinting Crimson Head zombies to chainsaw-wielding maniacs to the twisted Bakers, there's no shortage of creepers to make you jump out of your seat. While early iterations of RE roll with more standard zombies, even these games keep you on edge with beasts like ravenous dogs busting through windows and monstrous bosses.
Don't get us wrong - the "Shadow" monsters in Amnesia can be pretty scary as well, though this largely stems from your vulnerability, and can typically be dealt with just by hiding in the shadows.