Horror games have long been an acquired taste, being treated more as a niche category than a mainstream genre of gaming. In the ‘90s, horror titles were at the forefront of gaming, with the acclaimed Resident Evil series leading the way. The next decade + had quality horror titles, but they were never at the forefront of the industry, garnering more of a cult following than widespread acclaim. Fast forward to 2017-2021, and horror has returned to the forefront. Resident Evil is better than ever, independent studios are crafting high-quality horror games, and Microsoft/Sony are commissioning high profile horror titles as console exclusives. It truly has never been better for fans of the genre. Below, I’ve crafted a list of some recently released and upcoming horror titles to consider.
Back 4 Blood
Back 4 Blood is seemingly the Left 4 Dead 3 fans have always wanted. With Valve avoiding the use of three (no Portal 3, Half-Life 3, or Left 4 Dead 3), Turtle Rock Studios decided to take it upon themselves to make the equivalent. Helmed by the original team behind the Left 4 Dead titles, Turtle Rock is the perfect studio to make it happen. The trailers and gameplay of Back 4 Blood show that the team clearly hasn’t lost their touch, and are making the game bigger and more expansive than their legendary horror titles. As a fun side note Back 4 Blood was the original working title for Left 4 Dead 2, so it’s fun to see them make a nod to their legacy.
The Calisto Protocol
The Calisto Protocol is a survival horror game slated for a 2022 release. This game aims to be the spiritual successor to the revered Dead Space series and is being developed by Striking Distance Studios. Glen Schofield, a veteran developer who worked on the Dead Space series, helms Striking Distance Studios, making them a perfect choice to handle a spiritual successor. With Dead Space locked away in EA’s IP vault, and the original studio behind it, Visceral, in the graveyard, The Calisto Protocol is likely the closest thing to a Dead Space 4 fans will get.
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Ghostwire: Tokyo is an upcoming psychological horror game from Tango Gameworks, the creators of the criminally underrated The Evil Within 1 and 2. In Ghostwire, the protagonist will face off against supernatural forces invading Tokyo. The Japanese setting and emphasis on Japanese folklore, combined with the intense combat, give Ghostwire a truly unique vibe. This title will be a timed PS5 exclusive, before eventually coming to Xbox platforms.
The Medium
The Medium is a psychological horror game from Bloober Team, the creators of Blair Witch, Observer, and the Layers of Fear games. This title is an Xbox Series S/X exclusive that harnesses the power of next-gen. In The Medium, the protagonist can walk among two worlds simultaneously: the Realm of the Living, and the Spirit Realm. Players will discover that each realm has its own secrets to unravel, and dangers to overcome. Aesthetically, thematically, and gameplay-wise, The Medium has influences from both Alan Wake and Silent Hill, which is a great thing.
Resident Evil Franchise
Capcom has been on an absolute tear as of late, having brought the iconic Resident Evil Franchise back to prominence in gaming. Resident Evil VII, which was the first game in the series to utilize a first-person perspective, completely reinvigorated the series after the disappointing Resident Evil 6. After the excellent Resident Evil VII, Capcom remade Resident Evil 2 and 3, both beloved classics, making them better than ever before. They shine as true masterclass achievements in remaking classics. Add in the Resident Evil Chronicles Series, Resident Evil is in a better place than it has ever been. With the highly anticipated Resident Evil Village, (Resident Evil VIII), fast approaching, the hype for the franchise has hit a fever pitch. It’s truly wonderful to see the Godfather of survival horror games doing so well.
Returnal
Housemarque’s PlayStation 5 exclusive, Returnal, is a highly anticipated horror game coming later this year. The protagonist is a traveler who has crash-landed onto a hostile alien world and has found herself caught in a time loop. With each death she experiences, the more and more alien she becomes, as the time loop mutates her. Paying clear homage to sci-fi films such as Alien and Edge of Tomorrow, with some Roguelite elements mixed into gameplay, Returnal looks to be a fantastic sci-fi horror experience.
Silent Hill?
Konami’s Silent Hill franchise has been the subject of countless rumors and speculation over the years. Ever since Konami canceled Hideo Kojima’s highly anticipated Silent Hills project, fans have been clamoring for another entry in the beloved series. While Konami’s interest in making new games has been tepid recently, die-hard fans remain adamant that the franchise will return. Time will tell if rumors of its return are true, but now is certainly the perfect time to bring back the series, as horror games have never been more popular!
Visage
Visage is a truly fascinating horror game from SadSquare Studio. The gameplay and design pay clear homage to P.T. (RIP Silent Hills), with the protagonist haunted by ghostly apparitions and paranormal occurrences, as they try to solve various mysteries. The story is divided into chapters, with each bringing new horrors and trials to overcome. The protagonist’s sanity levels must also be constantly monitored, as descending too far into fear will lead to an untimely death. Visage is a modern must-play for horror fans, so don’t miss this gem.
