The PlayStation catalog offers a diverse range of horrific adventures, from new releases to classic titles, ensuring there’s something to thrill every horror game enthusiast. PS Plus users can dive into this rich collection of scary entries, each offering a unique and spine-tingling experience.
So, if you’re ready to jump into some frightening escapades, here are our picks for the best horror games to play on PS Plus.
Until Dawn
When I first stepped into the terrifying world of Until Dawn, I was immediately drawn to its gripping storyline and impactful choices. It’s almost like you’re in control of your favorite scary movie as you make decisions in each passing chapter. In it, you’ll experience the lives of eight friends who have returned to a lodge riddled with bad memories. Things go wrong, of course, and it’s up to you to keep everyone alive (or dead if you want to be a menace).
But if that’s not enough to pique your interest, the game features a star-studded cast, including Hayden Panettiere, Rami Malek, and Jordan Fisher. The recent modernization of the PS5 has also enhanced the graphics of characters and settings with its remastered version. However, this would include a separate purchase, so you can stick to the PS Plus’ PS4 version.
Resident Evil series
It’s honestly hard to pick just one Resident Evil title, but I suppose there’s not necessarily a wrong choice to start with. Although the original isn’t on the PS Plus catalog, almost every single one after that is available here.
If you want to follow the release order, you can go with Resident Evil 2, where you’ll witness the origins of the legendary Leon S. Kennedy. You’ll have the choice to play between Leon and Claire Redfield as they try to survive the night in undead-infested Racoon City.
Or, you can go for a more skillful Leon in Resident Evil 4. The undead are still present even after all those years, but you’ll at least have his back-flipping skills to get you through. There are plenty of other variations apart from these two, such as Resident Evil 6, Revelations, and The Umbrella Chronicles.
Slender: The Arrival
I remember the days when the legends of Slender Man first took the world by storm in 2009. It brought out a reign of terror then, and now you can experience its horrors in video game form with Slender Man: The Arrival. You’ll be taken deep into the woods of Oakside Park, where a sinister presence haunts your every step.
Like many horror games, you’ll document your journey using a video recorder. Discover hidden secrets here to further your investigation of a recent missing person’s case. But make sure to watch your back for the deadly Slender Man.
Dead by Daylight
If you want more of a collaborative take on horror, jump into the action survival horror Dead by Daylight. It’s become a classic at this point, with thousands of players tuning in each day. You can participate in the team-based focused Survivor role with three other players or go the murderous route as a Killer.
Survivors must find a way out to escape the Killer’s clutches, including repairing generators and discovering the Exit Gate. The Killer’s playthrough is the complete opposite, as you hunt down helpless victims with your distinct powers.
Horror fans can play as many iconic characters as they can, such as Alien’s Xenomorph and Resident Evil’s Albert Wesker. Or, become the hero you were born to be with Survivors like Lara Croft, Stranger Things’ Steve Harrington, and Evil Dead’s Ashley J. Williams.
Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare is a classic survival horror title with many thrilling twists and turns. Even if it launched back in the PS2 days, it still holds up to this day with its highly immersive tale. You’ll have the choice between two characters: Detective Edward Carnby and Professor Aline Cedric. No matter who you play, you’ll undoubtedly run into trouble with Shadow Island’s many formidable creatures.
The goal here is to find out what happened to Carnby’s best friend, who mysteriously turned up dead on the island. You’ll need to acquire three ancient tablets to uncover the truth, awakening a dangerous power that lingers there.
Outlast 2
If there was one game on this list that gave me nightmares, it would be Outlast 2. Everything about it is truly terrifying, whether it be the jumpscares of its grotesque villains or its haunting soundtrack.
Fortunately, you don’t need to play the original since its sequel features a new lineup of characters. You’ll take on the role of the cameraman Blake Langermann alongside his wife, Lynn. The two together must investigate the murder of a pregnant woman, Jane Doe. Once they dive further into this mystery, they run into the menacing Sullivan Knoth, who leads a group of anti-Christ followers.
Be warned: Outlast 2 is not for the faint of heart since you’ll often be placed in some of the most intense situations, not to mention the fact that the game is a bloody mess filled with gore galore.
The Evil Within
The Evil Within is another one of those titles that kept my heart racing at every turn. And it makes sense why, considering that it was developed by the creator of the Resident Evil series, Shinji Mikami. As Detective Sebastian Castellanos, players are met with the horrors of various creatures and humanoids. One of the chapters will even make you feel like you stepped into a scene of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, where you must quickly escape from a man known as the “The Sadist.”
To make it more challenging, The Evil Within only provides you with a few resources to use. The environments are always changing, too, forcing you to constantly adapt and rethink your strategy.
Dead Space
Many of these PS Plus horror titles take place in the typical secluded village or island. So, to change up the pace, let’s take a trip across the galaxy in Dead Space. I first played this horror gem in my teens, and the one thing I remember from it was the endless jump scares. It plays out similarly to the Alien franchise, as you hop on a ship that’s been taken over by, you guessed it, aliens.
The playable character, Isaac Clarke, must venture inside this vessel to find out what happened to the crew and his partner, Nicole. While you’re trying to decipher each clue, the monstrous Necromorphs will jump at you every chance they get, inflicting considerable damage to Isaac. See if you have what it takes to survive through this galactic nightmare, taking advantage of the various tools in your arsenal.
The Dark Pictures Anthology series
Similar to Until Dawn, the Dark Pictures Anthology series offers a cinematic experience with many life-altering decisions. You’ll have three choices in games from the PS Plus catalog, including Man of Medan, Little Hope, and House of Ashes. Each entry presents its own twist on horror, allowing you to play with up to five players.
Man of Medan is the first installment of the Dark Pictures Anthology franchise, following the story of five friends who come across a ghost ship. But if witches are more of your thing, try out Little Hope to uncover the shocking past of the XVIth century Andover Witch Trials. Last but not least is House of Ashes, showcasing a different take on warfare. Play as a team of Special Forces and find out what awaits you in the formidable Sumerian temple.
Siren
The PS2 collection brought out many memorable horror games, which have fortunately been re-imagined on the PS Plus catalog. Siren is among them, where you take control of one of the ten characters. Survive through three days in the fictional Hanuda village in Japan, turning all its residents into undead husks known as “Shibitos.”
Use the characters’ unique abilities to figure out the secrets within the village and see how each story ties together. And if you want more of Siren, PS Plus also features Blood Curse Episodes 1-12. Like the original, this narrative splits into different stories across Hanuda with seven playable characters.
Published: Oct 5, 2024 08:25 am