Although horror may not be the first thing that comes to mind on the subject of 8-bit and games with a pixelated art style, this visual method is home to quite a host of exceptional and scary pixelated horror games. Despite the simplicity of the visuals, some pixel-horror games manage to create viscerally unsettling environments and tell disturbing stories that can stick with players long after the credits have run.
A majority of the standout pixelated horror titles fall into the category of indie roleplaying games, meaning they are story and narrative-driven, giving players the chance to make choices that can influence the ending of the game. These games set themselves apart from other indie releases by building unique worlds, allowing players to explore them as titular protagonists, and creating the suspense and atmosphere of a first-rate horror game.
A majority of these games were made in the RPG Maker software, and thus have tile-based maps and turn-based combat, similar to early Pokémon games. Depending on the choices players make, there are a multitude of different endings that can be reached. Typically in pixelated horror RPGs, there are multiple "bad" endings to be had, where the main character dies or the story remains unfinished. There is usually a fake-out "good" ending, and then a true ending that will reveal secrets about the game's story, which can often only be achieved through specific gameplay choices.
The Witch's House Is Spooky With A Twist
In the survival horror game The Witch's House, players control Viola as she navigates a mansion in the woods owned by a malevolent and murderous witch named Ellen. This game has an unexpected and shocking twist, supplemented by hand-drawn, popup graphics that have their own charm.
Body & Psychological Horror In The Crooked Man
The Crooked Man is a supernatural horror RPG that takes players through the plights of a man named David Hoover. After moving into a seemingly haunted apartment, David is led to dangerous places around town by a series of ominous notes about the apartment’s previous tenant.
Ib Is Tragically Beautiful & Scary
Ib follows the story of a nine-year-old girl as she takes a day trip to an art gallery with her parents. After diving into a painting and falling into a twisted world created by the museum’s resident artist, Ib will team up with a janitor from the museum and an enigmatic girl named Mary. This indie game reveals a surprisingly wholesome message despite its overall grim tone.
Misao Is Both Horrifying & Heartbreaking
At the start of Misao, it has been three months since the disappearance of the protagonist Aki’s classmate, after whom the game is named. A supernatural earthquake rocks the school, sending Aki and the entire class to an alternate dimension where Misao’s body must be recovered.
The Impact & Legacy Of Mad Father
One of the more well-known pixelated indie-horror RPGs, Mad Father, recently remastered and re-released for the Nintendo Switch, allows players to play as Aya, the only child of the scientist Dr. Drevis. Aya will navigate her labyrinthian family home, learning about and reaping the consequences of her father’s human experimentation.
Corpse Party Is Viscerally Terrifying
The events of Corpse Party track a group of Japanese high school students who, after performing an occult ritual, are transported to another dimension. This dimension resides in what appears to be a haunted elementary school infested with monsters that players will need to defeat while controlling multiple characters.
The passion of developers is often apparent in these games, be it in self-orchestrated scores or hand-drawn visuals, and these sorts of elements frequently elevate the ambiance and immersion of pixelated horror games. Many such titles are a testament to what independent horror game developers can accomplish, and how their work can impact and scare audiences without the aid of a big studio or an AAA development budget.