this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2023
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The epitome of what I’m trying to refer to is the Playdead games (Limbo and Inside). Dark Souls and BioShock both hit on this idea but not quite so directly. The game BADLAND is also a great example of this, too. The mobile game The Silent Age also did this exceptionally well. Never quite knowing what’s going on, and maybe some tension without release, but again not straight up horror. A feeling of uneasiness is what I’m looking for.

When playing through Inside, there’s never any moments where you’re scared, but you’re never sure what’s going on and there’s always a level of unease. What are all the mindless zombie-like people? Why is everyone hunting the player? What happened to this city? What’s the goal of the character the player controls? What exactly is going on here? That’s what I’m looking for. If you know of any other games which do this, I’d greatly appreciate hearing about them. It’s a very specific niche so I’m not sure how many games do this, but the games that I’ve seen do this tend to be some form of post-disaster or dystopia. I’ve seen some great artwork do this too. Zdzisław Beksiński had done some stuff like this. Some great dystopian novels also do this quite well.

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[–] MrMobius@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I wouldn't say it's that much niche. I can recommend the first Alan Wake game (since the sequel is allegedly going more into horror). It's a game that makes you tense without showing you guts or jump scares every 2 minutes. I remember it making me pretty anxious about staying in the light (it's the premise of the game, you can't be hurt in the light, the monsters come from the shadows).

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[–] Zeus@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

it's a step more horror-y, but little nightmares always felt to me like the third playdead game. i solidly recommend playing the first one first too

there's also far: lone sails (and its sequel, but I haven't played that); and it's a bit more low-budget i also really liked darq

salt & sanctuary had this atmosphere; but i've never finished it so i can't comment on its quality. and some other souls likes as well - thymesia and helloint come to mind

also portal (1) kind of fits this if you haven't played it

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[–] wannacorndog@mastodonapp.uk 4 points 1 year ago (6 children)

@cod a tougher ask than it initially seems. Most creepy games do seem to categorise as horror.

I think Superliminal has an eery feeling to it.

I don't think Intruders hide and seek is a horror, but it is pretty scary in virtual reality.

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[–] JohnEdwa@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

SOMA with the safe mode that makes the monsters not attack you is still really creepy and an extremely atmospheric game, but without the amnesia type hide and run horror elements.

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[–] Reechee3@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Stalker did it for me. I wouldn't consider it a horror game but it for sure caused unease and anxiety in spots.

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[–] theskyisfalling@lemmy.fmhy.ml 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Doki doki literature club.

I couldn't see it recommended anywhere which surprises me considering the hype around it when it first came out. This is the only game I have ever played that gave me a genuine feeling of unease throughout. Pretty sure it is free on steam too.

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[–] baatliwala@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines's hotel level was one of the best atmospheric horror parts in a game that I've ever played. Just incredible.

Subnautica is pretty good too.

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[–] ClaireDeLuna@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

America McGees Alice and Alice Madness Returns are both great game, the first one is very very dated, but the second game plays quite well with some manual patching. I strongly recommend Madness Returns and it has a creepy atmosphere like you'd want

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[–] e569668@fedia.io 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This might not hit the right genre for you based on the games you mentioned, but I feel like a lot of visual novels have that setting without horror. For example: 999, the Zero Escape games, Danganronpa, maybe AI Somnium Files as well can be creepy at times, CORPSE FACTORY

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[–] Afrazzle@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Voices of the Void. It's a free "job simulator" game from itch.io with a creepy atmosphere that is pretty unsettling.

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[–] vrighter@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 year ago (3 children)

oxenfree. And a sequel has just been released too!

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[–] icepuncher69@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I know this is gonna sound kinda goofy but luigis mansion has some of that unneasynes going for. While it is horror themed, of course its not going to be a horror game outright, you are luigi in a haunted mantion catching ghosts and trying to save mario. Its been a while since i last played it but its a very short and simple game, you catch ghost with a vacum cleaner and its a collectaton. It feels uneasy in a spooky halloween kinda way bit has an uneasyness on with the ghosts and stuff, maybe a even a little mysterius with the ghost not having clear backgroumds. Very recomended, if its not what you are lookinh for then atleast you will have a fun time with it. Im talking abouth the first one, dont really know about the 2 sequels since i havent played them. Also any of the n64 Zelda games, particulary Majoras masks. That one is kinda like being in a nightmare while not straight up turning into one, more like being a little disturbing with its art direction and themes, kinda like the movie nightmare before christmas feel going for it. I recomend it 100% even though i havent really finished it at the moment. Oh and also metroid prime.Really captures the feel of being in a hostile planet, very mysterious and atmospheric. I played the original one on gamecube but they just remastered it on nintendo switch so thats nice. A really good aspect of this one is the scanner visor with lets you scan everything from the scenario to enemies and powerups and gives you a little lore on them. Also really nice otherwordly soundtrac and being a metroidvania (obviusly) you are absolutely gonna love this one.

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[–] TheEntity@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Take a look at Vomitoreum. It's heavily inspired by the paintings of Zdzisław Beksiński, the atmosphere is simply amazing.

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[–] regdog@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I would recommend Yuppie Psycho. It is about 80% creepy and 20% horrow. That is not exactly what you wanted, but I think it is a good game regardless. https://store.steampowered.com/app/597760/Yuppie_Psycho_Executive_Edition/

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[–] geek_headscarf@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Northern Journey. It's a hard game to put into any traditional genre. It's a Norwegian "happysad" action-adventure game with some of the most eerie visual and sound design I've seen without being outright horror.

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