With I'm on Observation Duty 4 reappearing on Youtube, fans of the genre are reminded that there is nothing more invigorating than playing a horror game. Being thrown into a situation the player could not fathom being in becomes a reality for just a moment while playing this particular genre.
One sub-genre of the horror genre is the stealth/survival type. Whether the player has no way of defending themselves or if they have very little to protect themselves with, in some of the games Metacritic has listed, all the player can do is run, hide, or die.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010) - 85/8.6
The first game of the series, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, throws the gamer into playing the role of the protagonist who suffers from amnesia, making them escape the living nightmare they are placed in. This game not only made critics happy but fans as well.
With its great ratings, critics expressed their excitement from the thrills they received and how engaging the game is. The 'afraid of the dark' mechanic coupled with the tremendous creepy atmosphere makes for a wonderfully tense experience. It's a game recommended to horror fans who also enjoy the thrills of playing a stealthy role.
Little Nightmares (2017) - 83/8.1
The game that has been praised for its chilling storytelling and its ability to put players on edge, Little Nightmares is a unique game that has the player try to escape The Maw. And while trying to escape The Maw, gamers found joy and terror in bringing out their inner child.
Little Nightmares has received many compliments for its dark and eerie environment that at the same time manages to create a beautiful and breathtaking game. It's a game that pushes the players to use their minds and focus their attention on the things around them.
Little Nightmares II (2021) - 83/8.3
Returning to the unique, dark realm, Little Nightmares II brings a new main character and Little Nightmares' first protagonist. Like the first game, Little Nightmares II has the same beloved eerie setting that had players more than happy to return to the world that is Little Nightmares.
Like its predecessor, the dark fairytale brings back the uneasy feeling the players know and love. The story has been called emotional and mindblowing and the atmosphere and environment meet all the expectations fans of the first game had.
SOMA (2015) - 84/8.4
With the fate of the station at hand and danger lurking behind every corner, players find themselves trying to outsmart the enemies or run. And while having to outsmart the enemies, SOMA plagues the players with plenty of anxiety while they fight to survive.
The story of SOMA is impressive and has a great pace that keeps the player entertained. The atmosphere and the interactive readable items are just a few things that impressed both the critics and the fans and keep the tension high as players creep around the station.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (2020) - 81/7.9
The Walking Dead has put out many games that have been a hit with many fans and critics, with only a few missing the mark. The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a well-known and terrifying zombie VR game that added another hit to the franchise.
Saints & Sinners had critics talking about the amount of fun the story's immersion is and the layer of survivalism that comes with it. And with the enjoyable combat and the constant worry about the amount of ammo that is needed to survive added an extra level of anxiety that made it feel more realistic.
Outlast (2013) - 80/8.3
Outlast threw players into an insane asylum that a reporter is trying to expose for its horrible treatment of the patients along with the experimental therapy. This game was your run, hide or die intense game that had games on the edge of their seats and is known for being one of the top psychological horror games.
The unique visual look of Outlast provides a memorable experience while complimenting how horrifying the game could be during encounters with certain patients and situations. And being defenseless while being chased by the tormented patients adds an extra layer to the gameplay and increases the level of anxiety and adrenaline that players feel.
Outlast II (2018) - 79/8.0
Outlast II brings gamers right back into a world that leaves them with that same uneasy feeling that the first game gave them. Once more, players enjoyed themselves while playing this game that brings back the intense, run, hide, or die gameplay.
While it did not do as well as the first game, it still piqued the interest of the fans of the first game and found a special place in their hearts. As you creep around the cult town inspired by the real-life Jonestown cult, the disturbing vibe creates an experience where players are determined not to be discovered at any cost, while still finding out the truth for themselves.
Alien: Isolation (2014) - 79/8.3
Playing as the daughter of Ellen Ripley, the players must find a way to escape one of Sci-Fi's best bloody thirsty villains, the Xenomorph. The alien will watch every move the player makes, stalking and hunting its prey, giving players a run for their money.
Noted for its traditional Alien setting, critics praise the game for the layers that the setting adds to the immense sense of fear. Fans added to this by saying how strong the atmosphere is while bringing that great Sci-fi horror genre into it. Both groups agree that Alien: Isolation is one amazing stealthy game that the Alien franchise deserved.
Remothered: Tormented Fathers (2018) - 77/7.8
While trying to investigate the disappearance of a girl named Celeste, the player is also being stalked. Remothered: Tormented Fathers put both critics and fans on edge, leading to a consensus that this game was a great example of stealth and psychological horror.
Remothered has received many compliments for its great old-school gameplay while giving the players a unique experience. The old-school gameplay is not only nostalgic, but it also adds to the game's haunting atmosphere and content that it provides the player with.
Manhunt (2003) - 76/8.4
An older game, but a worthy addition to the list, Manhunt is a bloody, brutal game with a fantastic mix of violent horror and stealth that still gives many players a lot of joy in playing, some of these players thinking it would also work well as a multiplayer game.
Aside from being banned in several countries for its brutal content at the time, the game has much more going for it than just blood and gore. With its depraved culture and the player fighting to survive the game by using a lot of stealthy measures, it is praised for being unique and provides a substance that other games don't. It's a game that many fans remember and is a worthy addition to the list.