What better genre to pair withvirtual realitythanhorror games? Thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of VR, players can now experienceall sorts of horrorsthrough their very own eyes. Horror games are best experienced through VR as players can get completely immersed in another world with adrenaline-pumping fun.
Fear is subjective, but understandably, the scares can become overwhelming. For players that want to keep their heart rate stable but maintain that critical horror immersion, here aresome of the best VR horror games that aren’t too scaryfor players that aren’t fans of jump scares.
9The Room VR: A Dark Matter
Any aspiring investigators may be interested in a gothic Lovecraftian-inspired adventure withThe Room VR: A Dark Matter, developed by Fireproof Games. Players are whisked back in time to the British Institute of Archeology in the 1900s. They are tasked with investigating a mysterious and suspicious disappearance of a world-renowned archeologist and learning more than they bargained for.
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Exploring some mysterious and beautifully-detailed environments with escape room mechanics, the player must solve thought-provoking puzzles and uncover some otherworldly secrets in the process.The Room: Dark Matteris a hidden indie gem not to be missed for gamers with a VR headset.
8Lies Beneath
Nothing could be scarier than witnessing a zombie apocalypse first-hand, andLies Beneathbrings that nightmare to life. Players take control of Mae, a college student returning to her fictional hometown Slumber, as she is confronted by a terrifying reality.
With its retro, comic-book art style similar to Telltale’sThe Walking Dead,Lies Beneathcaptures the immersive essence of horror games without being overtly scary. It’s sure to keep the adrenaline pumping as Mae works to save her father from the onslaught of terrifying monsters that have overrun her home.
7Jurassic World Aftermath
Dinosaurs are a classic horror trope that gets the blood pumping, as these prehistoric beasts stand tall and look even more monstrous in VR.Jurassic World: Aftermathdelivers thrills set between the events of the Triple-A moviesJurassic WorldandJurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Dinosaurs are running rampant after the fall of Jurassic World on Isla Nublar. After crash-landing there, the player must fight for survival by solving puzzles and stealthily evading thevicious velociraptors stalking them. Danger lurks around every corner, so players must keep their wits about them if they want to survive.Jurassic World Aftermathis a short and sweet VR survival horror that will keep players on their toes without being too scary.
6Red Matter
Narrative-driven horror games are increasing in popularity, immersing players in their in-depth world-building.Red Matteris a sci-fi story-driven horror game set in a dystopian intergalactic wasteland during a Cold War. Players control an astronaut destined for Rhea,one of Saturn’s moons, as they must investigate some suspicious research project there.
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Red Matteris currentlyone of the best sci-fi gamesavailable in virtual reality. Players can explore the immensely-detailed environments of Rhea whilesolving complex puzzlesthat steadily advance in difficulty as they progress deeper into the depths of the facility. Who knows what horrifying secrets and truths will be exposed?
5The Forest
The Forestwas already a terrifying survival experience, which VR only heightens. After being the sole survivor of a plane crash, the player finds themselves surrounded by the wreckage and trapped on a remote island with no escape. But everything is not as it seems, asat night players will discover that they are not the only inhabitants.
Players must scavenge resources from nature and build a base to bunker down for the night. The added immersion from VR allows players to feel like they are truly living in this horrifying world and fighting for survival. It’s even more frightening seeingThe Forest’s bloodthirsty cannibalistic antagonists up close and personal.
4The Inpatient
Indie developer Supermassive Games are making waves in the gaming scene with their horror titles, andThe Inpatientis no exception. Set in theUntil Dawnuniverse, this VR masterpiece sees players waking up in the eerie Blackwood Sanatorium with no recollection of how they got there or why they are now trapped.
The Inpatientfamously featuresthe butterfly effect trope, where every choice, big or small, has the potential to impact the narrative. Players must embark on a chilling cinematic journey of discovery to remember who they are, expertly tying in psychological horror themes and the dark depths lurking beneath the human psyche.
3Phasmophobia
Phasmophobiais a thrilling ghost-hunting experience that sees players taking on jobs to investigate the paranormal,either solo or with three other brave friends. For maximum spooks and captivation, players can experience all the hauntings through virtual reality.
Players must put their detective skills to the test by using a variety of equipment to deduce what supernatural spirit is lurking. There is a variety of buildings to investigate, from an abandoned prison to a modern-day bungalow. Some ghosts can be passive, while others are downright hostile and will stalk players until their death.Phasmophobia’s realistic graphics and spooky sounds are enough to scare players. Luckily, there are different difficulty-rated jobs for players that want to take it easy and tone down the scare level.
Fans of AMC’s The Walking Dead and the Telltale adaptation are in for a treat withThe Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners.Thanks to VR, players candive head-first into the zombie apocalypseand experience the end of the world through their own eyes.
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Finding themselves in an overrun dystopian New Orleans, players must explore and scavenge for life-saving supplies, all while avoiding Walkers and the Living. The beautifully realistic physics system and graphics all add to the incredible immersion.The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinnersis the perfect zombie VR game for fans of the franchise.
1Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion
Masquerading as a cutesy children’s game,Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansionis as the title implies. Players are sent into a labyrinthian house filled with different rooms, some of which are home to monsters and other scares.
Although there are several jumpscares, the adorable art style makes it impossible to be petrifying. The cardboard cutouts of toast are certain to prompt some shaky giggles from players.Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansionis the perfect game for players that want to experience a little horror without the suspense.
