There’s something distinctly special about classic horror games. They’re moody, a little janky – nostalgic, even, considering I literally grew up with the classicResident EvilandSilent Hillgames from the age of seven.
Now, the horror gaming sphere looks a lot more different than what it did growing up, with so many avenues of horror being represented and all types of fears. In fact, some of these modern games are inspired by horror games of yore, and it shows in their work.
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Some games have a stronger start than an ending, but these games have a stronger ending than beginning.
These games are original stories that perfectly capture the magic of classic horror games – sono outright remakes or remasters, that’s obvious.
Instead, the inspiration is as clear as day, and the literal foundation of these modern games.
10Cry of Fear
A Mod Made into A Nightmare
Cry of Fear
Cry of Fearis a game that started out as aHalf-Lifemod, like many others before it – butended up being released as a full-fledged horror game. And honestly, apart from a few frustrating pathfinding sections, it’s genuinely freaky.
There are multiple endings to this game – all of which, admittedly, are rather predictable, but that’s not what the game is about. It’s about simply trying to stay alive, regardless of what comes next. The journey more than makes up for the destination, to where even predictable endings are still satisfying to experience.
As you play through the game, the areas will switch between being normal and a nightmare world, directly referencing going into the Otherworld in the Silent Hill games. Plus, considering all the monsters you fight are a manifestation of the protagonist, Simon, and his traumas, the connection becomes even clearer.
With the old engine making the controls a little more janky, it’s just the cherry on top for the love letter that is Cry of Fear.
9The Glass Staircase
Or Any Other Puppet Combo Game
The Glass Staircase
Puppet Combogames are all homages to classic survival horror games in one way or another, but nothing in their library takes the cake quite likeThe Glass Staircasedoes.
Inspired by the classic Resident Evil games and Italian zombie movies, The Glass Staircase looks, feels, and plays like it was for the originalPlayStation. You play as different girls in a mansion, trying to uncover the secrets hidden there – and the monsters those secrets made.
Playing through the game feels identical to running through the Spencer Mansion and the subsequent laboratory like in RE, and it’s genuinely really cool how well it’s captured. Therelatively short storyeven has similar parallels, so the inspiration is definitely not subtle.
Either way, so long as Puppet Combo continues to make bangers, there will be a constant supply of horror games with that classic vibe.
Classic Controls With A Currency Mechanic
It’s always impressive when an indie game is developed and published by a single person. It’s even more impressive when that indie game is actually good. In the case ofAlisa, it’s both.
With the aesthetics, controls, campy story and voice acting, and all other staples from classic survival horror games, Alisa has you playing in a 1920s fantasy world unlike any other. It feels like a cross between these classic games and Alice in Wonderland, in a way.
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Plus, Alisa nails tension in the same way these classic games focused on it: with the atmosphere. You have no idea what to even expect, and there’s enough vagueness to make you feel this bizarre uncanniness.
But themost unique part of the game comes from its currency system, which is something that you don’t really see in survival horror. You use this currency to buy your own ammo and armour parts – and even save your game. There’s enough newness to feel fresh, but it feels like lost horror media that’s finally been found.
7Layers of Fear
Bloober Team’s Breakout Horror
Layers of Fear
WhileBloober Teamexploded in popularity after nailing theSilent Hill 2 Remake, they weren’t always well-praised in the horror genre. With their breakout horror gameLayers of Fear,players either loved it or hated it– because it popularised walking simulators in horror games.
Personally, I like it – the tension that Layers of Fear delivers is incredibly reminiscent of the Silent Hill games, which is honestly excellent foreshadowing for what they’ll become known for.
Not to mention, now that walking simulators are more prevalent in the horror genre, more players are able to look back on this game with a gentler approach. Finally, they realise that the atmosphere is genuinely creepy, and the jump scares are mostly well-timed.
It’s also simply cool to see the foundation of Bloober Team’s horror formula, and it makes us all the more excited for what horror games they’re working on next.
6The Evil Within
Literally the Same Creator
The Evil Within
If you’re wanting to play a modern horror game that has a classic feel to it,The Evil Withinis a shining example – as it was literally made byShinji Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil, himself. You can’t get more Classic Vibes than that, in all honesty.
Taking place atBeacon Mental Hospital, it’s a game that follows a lot of horror staples, all the way down to the barbed wire. But it still is uniquely distinct enough to be its own.
The bosses are also incredibly reminiscent of classic horror games, not requiring anything overly complex in order for each creature to be taken down. The solution itself is simple – it’s just a matter of getting there, which is something modern games tend to overcomplicate.
It’s such a good addition to the survival horror genre, so many players don’t even realise that it’s aBethesdagame, especially with how well it plays and controls. Just saying, you don’t get this kind of gameplay inSkyrim.
5Hollowbody
A Love Letter to PS2-Era Horror
Hollowbody
When most modern horror games take inspiration from classic horror, theyalmost always aim for the PS1 era– which, don’t get me wrong, is excellent, butHollowbodydecided to go a bit more in the future.
Instead, Hollowbody takes inspiration from horror games from thePlayStation 2era – which, in all honesty, works even better, especially for its depressing, tech-noir setting in Britain.
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Not quite indie, not quite AAA, but definitely terrifying.
Speaking of setting, it works perfectly for this game, especially considering how you have to constantly work around environmental puzzles in order to progress. Environmental puzzles were all the rage in survival horror, especially in the PS2 era, to where that’s honestly a staple we won’t see go away anytime soon.
Hollowbody does an excellent job atcombining old, abandoned horror with new graphics and mechanics to make something new, but that inspiration is still as clear as day.
4Post Trauma
Overshadowed by Oblivion: Remastered
Post Trauma
One of the newest additions in this list,Post Traumais a game that’s been in development for years, finally releasing several weeks ago – only forOblivion: Remasteredto come out on the exact same day and completely crush the game under its shadow.
Explicitly stated to be inspired by PS2 puzzle horror games, Post Trauma has you playing as a train conductor named Roman, desperately trying to escape from this nightmare world he somehow entered. Because of this, the game relies far more on puzzles than combat.
It feels one-to-one with these classic horror games from the PS2, plus some clear inspiration from H.R. Giger in the art direction. It’s genuinely freaky from start to finish, anda shame that many players don’t know about it.
Thankfully, the developers arere-releasing the game in June, hoping this time that another copy ofOblivion won’t take all the attention away from their big day.
3Crow Country
Classic Vibes and Modern Controls
Crow Country
Crow Countrywas a recent release in 2024, and it was widely positively received asone of the best horror games of the year. It’s a modern game with old-timey graphics, but thankfully, not old-timey controls.
You explore the titular abandoned amusement park in order to uncover the secrets of its missing founder, who had a lot more written into his agenda than what he let on.
It’s directly inspired by classic horror games, and it shows in every aspect of gameplay. Yet, there’s still newness, like with the ammunition system.
This game is reallya great introduction to the survival horror genreas a whole, allowing players to experience the classics without a potentially frustrating learning curve – and with a new, unfamiliar story they can connect with.
Remnant to Survival Horror of Yore
Of all the different survival horror games inspired by the classics,Signalisisan indie horror gemthat happens to be one of the saddest ones – and with a cosmic twist.
Taking place in space, you wake up on the Penrose after it’s crashed on a planet long frozen over, and you have to survive the virus that was released and is affecting everyone else around you. That is, until you remember what’s going on.
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For those looking for a quick (but not cheap) scare.
Signalis is a game that heavily focuses on existential horror, but it plays exactly like the PS1 survival horror games we all know and love. It makesthe inspiration deafeningly clear.
Just don’t be ashamed to look up anything to help you understand the plot – especially since you’re in a time loop until you’re able to finally make it to the end.
1Tormented Souls
All Classic, All Inspired
Tormented Souls
Tormented Soulsis like the inverse of Crow Country – a modern game with modern graphics, but with classic gameplay controls. Taking direct inspiration from the Resident Evil games, Tormented Souls follows a lot of similar story beats, all the way down to being trapped in a mansion.
It’s genuinely got it all when it comes to classic survival horror games:fixed camera angles, in-depth andfun puzzles, functional combat – it feels like theResident Evil remake for the GameCubein all the best ways.
Not to mention, the atmosphere and jump scares even feel similar, with good sound design to uplift it even further. It feels like a classic game that was finally released after being discovered on some secret flash drive.
When it comes to video games that are directly inspired by the classics, you really can’t get any better than this.
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There is a distinct void of horror games (and video games in general) that take place in Midwest America – a void that needs to be filled.
