Resident Evil debuted in 1996 and revolutionized the horror genre. Every element of the design contributes to the game's terror. The music, the lack of resources, creature design, and slow gameplay all made for on the scariest games of the time.
However, the horror genre already had a solid place in gaming before Resident Evil. The ten influential classics below released before 1996. Some of them even directly inspired Resident Evil and the survival horror genre. Even though they now look quaint by today's standards, many of these games still have the power to strike fear into players.
10 Sweet Home (1989)
While combat is a turn-based RPG, Sweet Home is seen as the direct predecessor to Resident Evil. Playing reveals many similarities. There is a focus on puzzle-solving, back tracking, and figuring out how to utilize unique items in order to progress. The game is based off a movie with the same title, though they differ in some key narrative areas. Unlike many games based off movies, Sweet Home actually received a positive reception.
9 Alone In The Dark (1992)
Alone in the Dark came out in 1992, four years before Resident Evil. It utilizes pre-rendered backgrounds and 3D character models to achieve impressive graphical fidelity for the time.
While gameplay is similar to Resident Evil, there is an even larger focus on puzzles and combat is almost non-existant. Progress is extremely obtuse, so expect to use a guide often if you feel like visiting this classic. The series has been out of the limelight for some time, but its impact is undeniable.
8 I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream (1995)
This point-and-click adventure game is based off a Harlan Ellison short story of the same name. True to the genre, puzzles are obtuse and there are multiple endings. The story is about a super computer that has eliminated all of humanity save for a small group of people who are kept alive just to endure endless torment. If the idea alone does not send shivers down your spine, we don't know what will.
7 3D Monster Maze (1982)
The oldest game on the list, this game's concept is explained in the title. Players roam around a maze while a dinosaur stalks them. Even though the graphics are extremely primitive, the game deserves mention for being perhaps the first survival horror game ever made. Players are faster than the monster preying on them, but are completely helpless if they are trapped in a corner.
6 Alien Vs. Predator (1994)
Alien Vs. Predator plays like a slower-paced Doom. There are three scenarios each with its own gameplay style based upon the two creatures in the title and the space marines made famous from the second film in the Alien franchise. The game received generally positive reviews upon release, with particular praise given to the game's horrific atmosphere. Both franchises have had a rocky gaming history, though this one is on the positive side of the quality spectrum.
5 D (1995)
D feels more like an interactive movie than a game. Players only have two hours to explore the environments and complete the game, which tells the story of a woman who discovers she descends from a long line of vampires. The game has multiple endings and was followed by two sequels. The time limit adds a particular pressure to the title, which may turn off some players.
4 Doom (1993)
Doom is more fast-paced than all the other games on the list. While mowing down hordes of demons is somewhat of a power fantasy, the aesthetic is still scary.
Players are fighting off an invasion of demons from hell, after all. The third game leaned fully into horror, though it is often considered the weakest in the franchise. In 2016 the series returned to its action roots with a reboot. The new games are not quite as scary.
3 Phantasmagoria (1995)
This FMV game was notorious for its violence. Even though the execution of these scenes is quaint by today's standards, the ideas are still pretty gruesome. Some segments include murder by overfeeding and twisting the someone's neck with a torture device until it breaks. The game incorporates a variety of special effects for the violent FMV sequences, which made it one of the more ambitious projects of the time.
2 Clock Tower (1995)
This 1995 game is unique for the horror genre because there is only one real threat. While solving puzzles and uncovering the mystery within the environment, a mysterious figure called Scissorman chases the protagonist. Like most horror games, there are various endings. The first title utilized side-scrolling 2D graphics, while sequels were in 3D. The recent horror series Remothered, which currently has two games, is seen as an homage to the Clock Tower franchise.
1 System Shock (1994)
In a time when many FPS games were going for fast-paced experiences like Doom, System Shock aimed for a more atmospheric experience. Gameplay is more about exploration and uncovering secrets in the environment that expand the lore. The sequel further turned up the scares, though System Shock 2 came out after 1996. Currently a remake is in development from Nightdive Studios, a developer more known for remasters rather than remakes.