The PlayStation 3 was a major paradigm shift forward in terms of gaming. Not only was its graphical prowess a leap into the future, but it was also capable of crafting the kind of game experiences not possible on last-gen systems. This included the horror video game genre, and the PS3 opened up new opportunities for developers to leverage the hardware in exchange for the scares.
Many games utilized the survival horror genre and evolved its game mechanics, while others were straight-up shooters, side scrollers, and adventure titles. Whatever the case, these games managed to create an immense feeling of dread and terror, and that meant exciting, nerve-wracking experiences for gamers.
Deadly Premonition
Resident Evil 4's refined gameplay mechanics definitely served as the inspiration for Deadly Premonition, and it shows. It has been dubbed the most critically divisive survival horror game in history, with absolutely no middle ground between those who loved it and hated it.
Gameplay-wise, it's easy to slip into, and the story is an interesting take on the detective noir formula, thanks in part to a narrator with dubious credibility. There are a lot of horror aspects to the game, and it's atmospheric enough to check out.
The Evil Within
The Evil Within blends the psychological and symbolic horror of Silent Hill with the kind of combat mechanics in games like Resident Evil 4. The result is a fast-paced, tense and horrific game that brings plenty of scares while absorbing players into a well-rounded and interesting story.
Nothing in the game can be trusted, even medical items. There's always a trick waiting around the corner to keep the player feeling paranoid and on edge, especially when some of the more dangerous monsters show up. It's one of the scariest horror games around that isn't Resident Evil or Silent Hill, which is a plus.
Lone Survivor
Lone Survivor is a brilliant take on the side-scrolling 2D genre, blending the campy elements of pixelated characters with a sense of deep foreboding and horror. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic game world where the main character's hallucinations serve as clues on what to do next.
The gameplay is a mixture of exploration, interaction, and puzzle-solving elements. It also incorporates basic survival mechanics, all of which work together to create a game that looks simple and straightforward but is actually far more in-depth than most realize.
Silent Hill: Downpour
Downpour was a bit of a departure from the typical Silent Hill gameplay style, and it caught some flack for it. Thankfully, it managed to make up for this shortcoming with a solid storyline that once again probed the darkest recesses of the human mind, and the horrors that lurk within.
The story revolves around a convict who escapes into Silent Hill, where things start going awry. As the story unfolds, the player learns that there's more to this character than meets the eye, and as the anger and resentment grow, so too do the terrible monsters that take physical form, waiting to terrify the player.
Clive Barker's Jericho
From the dark mind of the man who gave the world the Hellraiser movie franchise came this game, which is a blend of gothic horror and first-person shooter elements, similar in approach to that of games like F.E.A.R. Reviews were mid-range, but it's worth playing, simply for the novelty.
The story revolves around an elite combat team with psychic powers who go up against a race known as the Firstborn, whom God created before Adam and Eve, and the rest of mankind. It's an interesting premise that hasn't really been done before, even if the gameplay itself was somewhat straightforward.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
The first Condemned focused on a mysterious illness that afflicted the population of Metro City, turning residents into homicidal maniacs. The second game picks up where that premise left off, putting players in the shoes of an ex-FBI detective who is walking the thin edge of the psychological knife.
The game features dark horror aspects with first-person shooter mechanics, and a forensic crime scene investigation module tacked on. The storyline, while nothing Oscar-worthy, is certainly interesting enough to warrant a playthrough, as is the brutal action and tense gameplay.
The Last Of Us
Few games have the tension, the scares, and the emotional weight as The Last Of Us. The first in the series scored big with gamers for its inventive take on the zombie horror formula, as well as the characterization. As the story unfolds, so too do the emotions of these characters as they interact with one another.
The monsters of the game come in two forms - a zombie-like creature infected by parasitic spores that react to sound, and ruthless human scavengers and opportunists driven to the brink by the cataclysm that befell the world. It's interspersed with moments of sheer beauty, making The Last Of Us an emotional roller coaster.
Until Dawn
Billed as a sort of interactive horror movie, Until Dawn is one of the scariest games ever to have been released, and not just on the PlayStation 3. It's a survival horror game where choices make or break a player's progression throughout the game, interrupted occasionally by quicktime events.
The game is notorious for its fear factor, courtesy of the horrific Wendigos, one of the scariest monsters in video games. The terror is gradually ratcheted up, and the performances of the various mocapped actors are top-notch.
Siren: Blood Curse
Primal terror abounds in Siren: Blood Curse, the third installment of the original trilogy. In reality, it's more of a remake, or a reimagining of the original game, with a stronger emphasis on the narrative and the tension. It's also loaded with scares that should make survival horror fans quite happy.
Blood Curse follows the story of a group of characters with interconnected stories that weave together, against the backdrop of a village that has fallen victim to a supernatural cataclysm. It's spooky beyond belief, with an atmosphere unmatched by many horror games, even ones made today.
Alien Isolation
Alien Isolation is considered a direct sequel to the original Alien film, taking place a few decades before the second film in the series. Ripley's daughter Amanda visits Sevastopol Station in an attempt to find information on why her mother disappeared, and where she might be.
Once there, she discovers that an alien creature has been stalking the vast station, eliminating crewmembers one by one. Amanda has to contend not just with the xenomorph, but crazed crewmen and homicidal androids in one of the single-most terrifying games ever made.