7 Outstanding Horror Games of the 2000s

With the establishment of survival horror genre during the 90s within the gaming world. The 2000s became a distinctive era for new and experimental concepts, bringing several great games that still stand the test of time.

Many well established horror game franchises saw their inception during the 2000s, while others experimented new twists on their formula. So today, we're going to explore seven prominent horror games that were released throughout the 2000s.

7. Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (2005)

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is based on Shadows Over Innsmouth, one of H.P. Lovecraft’s most famous stories. The plot revolves around a private investigator, who is searching for a missing person in the town of Innsmouth.

The town is filled with fish-like people who worshipt ancient aliens, who live under the sea which have come from other parts of the cosmos. The very knowledge of these aliens drives your character insane and you will often have flashes of him in an asylum speaking of these supernatural horrors.

6. Dead Space (2008)

Strongly influenced by Resident Evil 4 gameplay style. The plot of Dead Space revolves around a group of space miners, who learn about the horrible situation of their stranded circumstances. An artifact called the Marker, which serves as a kind of alien Necronomicon.

The Maker not only emits madness-inducing radiation but also raises the dead, as body horrors called Necromorphs. Where most video games reward headshots, to kill the Necromorphs in Dead Space you must dismember them with many of the weapons you find. 

5. Clive Barker's Undying (2001)

Facing monsters and other mythical creatures, in Clive Barker's Undying, the player investigates the paranormal hauntings that have killed a friend's family, The game is an impressive first person game that combines horror, action, and puzzle-solving. Primarily due to the addition of magic spells and mana bar, an aspect often not included in horror games, it is considered a distinctive title that is worth trying out.

4. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (2002)

A psychological horror action-adventure, that it stars multiple playable characters set in different places in time. It’s a non-linear narrative whose story intertwines with an ancient mystery. To add to this fragmented sense of reality, there’s also the game’s insanity meter. A gauge which when low or depleted can affect playable characters, but also augments reality itself in the game.

This can be environmental displacement effects, fake characters, and zombification, or most terrifyingly, 4th wall breaks executed on what looks like your side of the screen. All while offering fun ways to reenact the feelings of going insane.

3. Resident Evil Remake (2002)

The Resident Evil Remake still stands as one of the best examples of how to remake a game. It retains the same core experience found in the original title of 1996 but with remarkably detailed environments.

The game takes place within a huge mansion with an intricate map design. You will be returning to many rooms throughout the mansion and will quickly learn the layout, making the mansion itself feel like the main character of the game. There are several puzzles littered throughout the game that will unlock different parts of the mansion you must explore.

2. Silent Hill 2 (2001)

Silent Hill 2 still stands as one of the greatest horror games of all time, 20 years after its release. Taking control of James Sunderland, you travel to Silent Hill after receiving a letter from James’s recently deceased wife, who asked him to meet her there.

Through the game you meet many bizarre characters, one of which looks identical to James’s wife. The game’s voice acting is stilted and awkward, creating an unsettling eerie atmosphere that runs through the entire experience. The town and all the weird characters and disturbing creatures within it, represents a broken part of James' psyche. 

1. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly (2003)

The story of Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly revolves around two sisters who are exploring an abandoned village while experiencing paranormal events and been stalked by ghosts. To get rid of the enemies, you must take pictures of them using the Camera Obscura, a paranormal camera that captures souls.

There are different lenses and films that you must use for certain ghosts, all of which are scarce and must be managed carefully. The evil spirits that inhabit the village wish to take one of the sisters and use her in an ancient ritual.

I hope you've enjoyed this list, feel free to leave a comment. Take care of yourselves and till the next time!