Unlike most genre enthusiasts, horror fans face a unique challenge when trying to share their favorite media with friends and family. While almost anyone can handle watching a rom-com or a space opera (even if they don’t necessarily enjoy the experience), you can get into serious trouble by recommending Martyrs or Cannibal Holocaust to someone who isn’t yet versed in horror.
This is even more challenging when it comes to video games, with the added level of interactivity making scares more intense and raising the odds of alienating a loved one with an excessively disturbing recommendation. With this in mind, we’ve decided to come up with a list highlighting six gateway horror games that you can share with friends, co-workers and even children without risking life-long trauma!
As usual, don’t forget to comment below with your own non-M-rated horror favorites if you think we missed a particularly fun one.
Now, onto the list…
6. Death Jr. (2005)
Handheld or not, the PSP has got to be one of the most under-appreciated consoles of all time. Sure, it didn’t quite connect with the western market like Sony had originally intended, but it still boasts an impressive library of near home-console-quality experiences that only a select few were lucky enough to play until PS Plus began remastering older games.
And if any PSP title deserves a second chance at life, it would have to be Backbone Entertainment’s Death Jr. Originally used to showcase the raw power of Sony’s system before it was even released, this cutesy action-horror hybrid sees players take control of Death’s teenage son as he attempts to rescue his equally spooky friends from legions of cartoony monsters.
And if you like this one, there also a couple of equally fun sequels.
5. Hello Neighbor (2017)
Sometimes, a piece of media becomes too popular for its own good, with overexposure often leading potential fans to skip an experience that they might have enjoyed just because they’re sick of the fandom. This was certainly the case with a lot of horror fans regarding Hello Neighbor, a slightly frustrating yet incredibly clever gateway horror game that was unfairly slammed by several media outlets due to its popularity among clout-hungry influencers and the children that watch them.
In this 2017 release, players take on the role of a suburban kid who suspects that his mustachioed neighbor is up to no good and proceeds to investigate his ever-expanding house in search of clues. While this rather sunny approach to survival horror isn’t for everyone (adults will probably prefer Puppet Combo’s similar but much more disturbing Stay Out of the House), there’s still plenty to love about this janky gem.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge (2004)
Despite what some critics would have you believe, even the dark age of licensed video games saw some entertaining movie tie-ins every now and then. Unfortunately, some of these legitimately fun games would be lumped together with their low-effort brethren even when the developers had clear passion for the source material.
Tose’s unexpected sequel Oogie’s Revenge is a great example of this, with this kid-friendly Devil May Cry clone boasting genuinely fun (if slightly repetitive) gameplay as well as original songs by Danny Elfman himself. So if you’ve ever wondered what happened to Jack Skellington and company after defeating Boogie the first time, you owe it to your younger and more emo self to track this one down.
3. Ghoul Patrol (1994)
Everyone and their mother have played or at least heard of LucasArts’ Zombies Ate My Neighbors, but I think that title’s semi-official pseudo-sequel also deserves some attention as a playable love-letter to the horror genre. Originally developed by Motion Pixel as an original IP, Ghoul Patrol had the misfortune of releasing towards the end of the SNES’s lifespan.
Thankfully, the game has now been remastered and rereleased alongside its more popular predecessor, making this the perfect time to dive into the tale of a trope-heavy horror exhibit that comes to life. And while the movement and controls aren’t quite as smooth as the original, Ghoul Patrol makes up for that with the sheer amount of genre influences and enemy variety.
2. Gregory Horror Show (2003)
Another licensed title, this obscure Capcom release is based on an even more obscure Japanese TV show about a mysterious hotel run by a creepy old mouse. In the game, however, we take on the role of an amnesiac “guest” who finds himself trapped in the hotel and must uncover its secrets while solving puzzles and managing familiar resources.
In other words, Gregory Horror Show is basically a cutesy Resident Evil clone with lovable papercraft designs and memorable spooky atmosphere that elevate the title among its survival horror peers. There’s also a Silent Hill inspired plot twist towards the end that re-signifies the entire experience – so what’s not to love?
1. Luigi’s Mansion 3 (2019)
Other than an unsuccessful attempt at Dino Crisis, I was actually introduced to the survival horror genre by a free-to-play GameCube at my local McDonald’s back when I was 6 years old. And while nostalgia compels me to place the original Luigi’s Mansion at the #1 spot because of this, the truth is that the 2019 threequel is really the best choice if you want to introduce someone to moody puzzle-solving and ghost-hunting.
Forcing Luigi to explore a haunted hotel with the aid of his trusty vacuum and an ectoplasmic doppelganger, this modern classic doesn’t just feature a kid-friendly rendition of survival horror staples like exploring a decrepit mansion and collecting key items – it also boasts a charmingly spooky atmosphere that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.
The post Scary Fun for All Ages: Six of the Best Gateway Horror Video Games appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.