Years after the PlayStation Portable was released in 2004, the PlayStation Vita was released as an upgraded successor in 2011. Even though the PS Vita was a powerful handheld console, the console struggled to receive games for its library since it hit store shelves shortly after the more popular Nintendo 3DS.
This means that, similar to its predecessor, it has a relatively small selection of games compared to other major consoles of the time. Despite this lack of content, there were still some interesting horror titles worth checking out that are guaranteed to provide a fright or two this Halloween season.
Dead Nation
Originally released on the PlayStation 3 in 2010 and used in the "Welcome Back" package created by Sony to compensate users for the 2011 PlayStation Network outage, Dead Nation is a top-down shooter where the player picks either a male or female protagonist and runs through different levels while killing hordes of zombies. The two protagonists, who are immune to the current zombie virus, must travel across the city in order to help a doctor create a cure.
Similar to the PS3 version, the PS Vita version has both the main campaign and the Road of Devastation DLC. Despite being a port, the game is extremely close to the original, which leads to a fun shoot 'em up experience that is both entertaining and horrific.
Soul Sacrifice
Soul Sacrifice is a 2013 action RPG where the protagonist gains a magic book named Librom that allows them to go through the various battles that an evil sorcerer named Magusar experienced in the past. As they complete the levels within the book, the player gets increasingly stronger until they are powerful enough to defeat Magusar.
While there is a lack of content in some areas of the game such as the number of monster types, the game's detailed art style and many customizable options make it a worthwhile experience. Unlike other games, the player can sacrifice their items or even parts of themselves to gain other abilities, which gives gamers some interesting choices in how to develop their character.
Corpse Party: Blood Drive
Released in 2014, Corpse Party: Blood Drive is a visual novel horror game that is part of the Corpse Party franchise and a direct sequel to Corpse Party: Book of Shadows. While the series started as an RPG maker horror franchise, this game changes the aesthetic and feel of the franchise by having 3D environments and 3D chibi in-game models.
The game follows reoccurring character Ayumi Shinozaki as she tries to regain the Book of Shadows to resurrect her lost friends. Although the gameplay changes have been divisive among players, the game is still worth a playthrough for its story and over 20 different endings.
Silent Hill: Book of Memories
Created as a spin-off of the mainline Silent Hill series, Silent Hill: Book of Memories is a 2012 RPG dungeon-crawler where a player-created protagonist receives the Book of Memories for their birthday. Since this book contains the protagonist's entire life, the player can use the book to change their own life, but this leads to them having to fight various monsters that represent the lives that have been changed by their actions.
With an alignment system similar to many games in the Shin Megami Tensei series and multiple possible endings based on RPG choices, the game is an extreme departure from other titles in the Silent Hill franchise. Since different players find these changes either good or bad, players should at least try the game at least once.
Resident Evil: Revelations 2
Taking place between the influential Resident Evil horror games 5 and 6, Resident Evil: Revelations 2 is a 2015 episodic survival horror game where players control returning protagonist Claire Redfield, returning character Barry Burton, Barry's daughter Moira, and a little girl named Natalia Korda. After Claire and Moira are kidnapped, they are taken to a strange island filled with mutated humans. Meanwhile, Barry tracks down Moira at the deserted island and teams up with Natalia, who has strange powers.
By having an interesting plot and great characters, this game helps continue the franchise's trend of being one of the best video game horror series. But the PS Vita port does have some framerate and graphical issues, which may ruin the experience. Still, the detailed monstrous creatures and chilling soundtrack more than make for the game's shortcomings.
Mary Skelter: Nightmares
Mary Skelter: Nightmares is a 2016 dungeon-crawler RPG where a young man named Jack and his childhood friend named Alice join a supernaturally powerful group of women known as Blood Maidens. Together, they defeat hostile enemies called Marchens as they explore the multiple levels of the dungeon they are all trapped in known as the Jail.
With the blood-focused combat, vibrant visuals, and fairytale-inspired bosses, this game manages to stand out among other JRPGs, which is why it is no surprise that it has two sequels. Also, the game moves fairly quickly compared to other games in the genre, so it is good for players who want a quicker experience.
htoL#NiQ (Hotaru no Nikki)
Hotaru no Nikki, which means "Firefly's Diary" and is stylized as htoL#NiQ, is a 2014 puzzle platformer that takes place many years into the future in a post-apocalyptic world. The player controls Hotaru, who is a firefly, as Hotaru tries to lead a girl named Mion out of the dark ruins, which includes solving puzzles and keeping Mion safe from various enemies.
The gorgeous visuals help create a beautifully desolate world filled with creepy creatures, abandoned technology, and run-down structures. As the player progresses through the game, it is hard not to wonder about the history behind this lonely place. The game only hints at a deeper narrative, which is strangely part of its appeal.
A Rose in the Twilight
Released in 2017, A Rose in the Twilight is a puzzle platformer where players can either control a young girl named Rose or a friendly giant. Rose wakes up in a large castle filled with many perilous dangers, but she soon discovers that she has a special power that allows her to manipulate objects using her vibrant red blood in this otherwise largely monochrome castle. Eventually, she meets the Giant and the two characters slowly develop a bond as they try to escape the castle.
Rose's ability to change the world combined with the Giant's sturdiness leads to the player being able to solve various different puzzles and uncover small pieces of the past. While there is no dialogue, players will easily get invested in the story and the friendship between the two main characters.
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark
Another great PS Vita horror game from 2017 is Spirit Hunter: Death Mark, which deserves consideration as one of the best visual novel adventure games. The main character, Kazuo Yashiki, has lost his memories and discovered that he has a mark on his arm that means he is going to be killed by a ghost he must have interacted with. While trying to recover his memories and find a way to remove the mark, he meets other characters, investigates different areas, and has to make various choices.
Because of the game's excellent atmosphere, immersive sound design, and gritty art style, the game has a uniquely eerie vibe that most horror visual novels don't have. Also, the game interestingly sometimes allows players to make wrong choices if they have some spiritual power, which means a wrong dialogue choice does not necessarily mean a game over. In 2018, a sequel to this game, Spirit Hunter: NG, was released, and another sequel is currently being made.
Yomawari: Night Alone
Yomawari: Night Alone is a 2015 survival horror game where players control a young girl who travels across the town at night in order to find her dog and her elder sister. As she explores the creepy streets with only her flashlight to guide her, she encounters various creepy monsters that she has to avoid.
The game's beautiful soundtrack and cute pixel art visuals complement the intriguing survival horror gameplay, which also continues into the 2017 sequel titled Yomawari: Midnight Shadows. As the player solves puzzles and navigates around the monsters, the girl slowly learns about dealing with mortality and loss.