It's not often gamers are gifted with AAA horror games, but The Callisto Protocol looks to be one of those rare gems. Fans are excited because it appears it is going to deliver a gory and disturbing sci-fi horror starring Josh Duhamel as a prisoner on a planet infested with mutations.

In anticipation of the release of The Callisto Protocol, there are many horror games out there to play from across the decades. Dead Space and Resident Evil, for example, are essentially the spiritual precursors to The Callisto Protocol for more reasons than one.

Prey (2017)

A screenshot from the 2017 horror FPS Prey.

With Prey, Arkane Studios borrowed from several older horror first-person shooters such as BioShock, Half-Life, and even a little bit of System Shock. It features a lone survivor trekking through a station that has been infested with creatures.

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Unlike a lot of survival horror games of the modern era, Prey properly balances the horror with action without losing the tension. The Mimics in all their various forms remain a threat throughout as well as provide a thrilling mystery that keeps the player intrigued.

The Evil Within (2014)

An early screenshot of the video game The Evil Within.

The Evil Within feels similar to a Resident Evil title and there's a reason for that: the game's director was also a developer on the original Resident Evil. So the third-person horror is very similar to Resident Evil 4, mixing tense action with horrific enemy encounters.

Tango Gameworks put even more emphasis on the horror in an attempt to bring back the claustrophobia and terror of the classic Resident Evil games but with modern gameplay. The result is a twisted and unique horror that is as much physical as it is psychological.

Alan Wake (2010)

alan wake remastered video game poster

This cult classic is inspired by many tropes seen in Stephen King's stories, from an author having writer's block to mysterious forces that are as scary as they are ridiculous.  Rather than using a typical firearm, Alan Wake's weapon against the shadow monsters is his flashlight.

It makes for action sequences that are unlike many other games. Add in an intriguing story that is as much of a supernatural thriller as it is psychological, it's no wonder why it was considered far ahead of its time. As a result, Alan Wake was not only recently remastered but is getting a sequel.

Control (2019)

control game jesse combat

It's hard to explain Control since it is one of the most bizarre yet unique games to come out in the last decade or two. It's about a woman named Jesse who enters the enigmatic Bureau Of Control. From there, it involves monsters, telekinetic weapons, superpowers, and more.

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There is a similar vibe to Stranger Things when it comes to the mysterious labs and the power sets involved. It features third-person gameplay but is much more fast-paced than most horror games but does not take away from the ominous setting and various threats found throughout; after all, it is set in the same universe as Alan Wake.

Silent Hill (1999)

Harry approaches a gate in Silent Hill (1999)

Alongside Resident Evil, Silent Hill is considered a godfather of survival horror. The original game and its sequels created some of the most memorably disturbing monsters seen in the horror genre. Terror wasn't coming from the monsters, it was from the mystery of what lies within the foggy town of Silent Hill.

Subtle uses of sound and visuals were as scary as someone like Pyramid Head. It's why Silent Hill has become one of the most influential horror games, featuring multiple sequels that continued to expand on the concept; creating monsters that are the manifestation of the character's trauma and past sins.

Silent Hill: Downpour (2012)

Murphy getting attacked by a monster in Silent Hill Downpour

One of the more hidden gems of the Silent Hill franchise, Silent Hill: Downpour was one of the first games in the series to swap to a more modern third-person style. Being a convict who murdered a pedophile, the mysterious Silent Hill delivers on its concept and continues to manifest new monsters based on Murphy's past.

Murphy Pendleton himself also remains one of the better and most intelligent protagonists of the Silent Hill series. Downpour kept the horror while still updating the franchise for the then-modern gameplay style. Sadly, it would be the last Silent Hill game with Konami seemingly leaving the franchise dormant ever since.

The Evil Within 2 (2017)

The Evil Within Sebastian Running

The Evil Within 2 took the initial concept of an Inception-like world filled with monsters and delivered on making it bigger and better; following the same pattern as Resident Evil 2 which is often considered a superior entry.

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It further continues the complex plot, created monsters that are even more disturbing, and develops Sebastian. The gameplay was further expanded with a crafting system and more customization of Sebastian's abilities.

Alien: Isolation (2014)

A Xenomorph attacking the player.

After so many action-centric shooters based on James Cameron's Aliens, Sega and Creative Assembly decided to go back to Ridley Scott's original Alien. Gone were the intense action sequences and instead, Alien: Isolation gave fans an authentic sci-fi survival horror that feels like a genuine sequel to the original film.

Alien: Isolation also borrows from other horror titles such as Dead Space and Outlast, featuring a lone survivor trekking through a massive location with threats around every corner. The Xenomorph itself is especially terrifying due to the AI technology that allowed it to adapt to the player's tactics.

Resident Evil 4 (2005)

A shot of Leon Kennedy, a strapped police officer, in a blue-tinted forest.

There are many Resident Evil games that bring genuine horror but it was Resident Evil that changed the genre forever. The over-the-shoulder third-person view was brand new at the time and it revitalized Resident Evil to have a focus on combat without nerfing any of the horror elements.

Resident Evil 4's gameplay would become the inspiration for many future horror games including Dead Space, The Evil Within, and even Silent Hill. It's why when Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 were completely remade, they ditched the tank controls for the Resident Evil 4 style. This is also why fans are showing their excitement for a remake of Resident Evil 4.

Dead Space Trilogy (2008-2013)

Isaac Clarke gets pounced by one of the necromorph aliens in Dead Space

All three Dead Space games deserve a mention as the series is the precursor to The Callisto Protocol. Not only are they both sci-fi horror games about mutated monsters on another planet but they were even developed by the same creators. Although EA is bringing back Dead Space with an upcoming remake, The Callisto Protocol is meant to be the fourth Dead Space game that was canceled.

As a result, now is a perfect time to go back to the classic horror trilogy that was a nearly perfect blend of Ridley Scott's Alien and John Carpenter's The Thing. The games have action, suspense, psychological and body horror, and fascinating mythos that leads to an iconic trilogy of terror.

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