When players are in the mood to be frightened, there's no shortage of stellar horror games to sate their appetites. From blockbuster franchises to smallscale indie projects, it's fair to say that there is a horror game out there for everyone. Nevertheless, the horror genre doesn't possess a monopoly when it comes to memorable scares.
RELATED: Horror Games That Are Scary Without Relying On Gore
The fact is that even non-horror games contain some pretty effective frights. These moments are arguably the scariest considering players often don't expect them. They seemingly come out of nowhere, making fans feel instantly uncomfortable and on edge. The examples are nearly endless, but these terrifying encounters tend to stand out.
Darth Sion Arrives – KOTOR 2
For a Star Wars video game, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords is a surprisingly creepy experience. From the moment the game begins, players are inundated with a palpable sense of dread. They awaken inside a remote mining facility whose inhabitants have nearly all been slaughtered.
The most fear-inducing moment, however, is when the player comes face-to-face with Darth Sion. The latter is a horrific walking corpse with very little humanity. When Sion confronts the player, the camera shifts angles to a long shot of a flickering hallway, where a figure can just be seen. Slowly, the camera zooms in, revealing the macabre villain. It's a spooky scene, especially for a kid!
The Museum Of Witchcraft – Fallout 4
The Fallout series has been known to dabble in horror-themed side quests. In Fallout 4, players are sent to investigate the Museum of Witchcraft as part of the quest "The Devil's Due." From the moment players arrive on the scene, it's clear something isn't right.
The interior is dark and dilapidated. Creepy mannequins in various poses are scattered about the rooms. Strange, unseen noises can be heard from above. The player's imagination is allowed to run wild, not quite sure what is going on. Eventually, those nebulous fears become a reality when a gigantic deathclaw is revealed to be the culprit.
The Boy Of Silence – Bioshock Infinite
Bioshock Infinite is a bird of a different feather among its own franchise. It dropped nearly all the horror elements that characterized the previous two entries in favor of a more action-oriented style. One section of the game, however, is definitely meant to be creepy. Booker's exploration of the dark and foreboding Comstock House is the only frightful segment in an otherwise un-scary game.
RELATED: The Best Video Game Trilogies Of All Time
The eeriest foe encountered in this location is the Boy of Silence. Fitted with a gigantic horn in place of a head, these enemies can't be fought directly. Instead, they alert other foes to Booker's location. Perhaps the most terrifying scene of all is when Booker finds a Boy of Silence standing directly behind him after unlocking the elevator. An ear-piercing wail accompanies the jumpscare.
The Hallway Scene – Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid is one of the most highly-regarded stealth video games of all time. As Solid Snake, players must slink their way through a massive nuclear facility while trying to stop a gang of ruthless terrorists. It's a spy thriller at its core, not a macabre horror show.
However, there is one scene that's actually quite scary, not to mention violent. At one point, fans will witness a group of bloody corpses strewn across a hallway. One survivor gurgles "it's a ghost" before expiring. It's certainly one of the more shocking and brutal scenes in the game, one that forces the player to sit closer to the edge of his seat.
Man-Bat Says Hello – Batman: Arkham Knight
Batman's rogues gallery contains its fair share of oddballs. In Arkham Knight, Batman squares off against both old and new foes in the final entry of the trilogy. One villain, in particular, makes his debut in the most heart-attack-inducing manner possible.
In the Arkham trilogy, Batman's primary means of transportation is his grapple gun. It's an action that will be performed thousands of times throughout a playthrough without incident, lulling players into a false sense of security. That is until Man-Bat is set loose. When that happens, the next time players grapple onto a rooftop they may be treated to an ear-splitting surprise from the furry freak.
The House Of Horrors – Skyrim
Many adjectives can be used to describe The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, but "scary" usually isn't one of them. As a fantasy RPG, the game's themes and mechanics aren't geared toward making the player feel vulnerable and frightened. Quite the opposite, in fact. The Dragonborn is immensely powerful, capable of smiting any foe.
RELATED: Scariest Game Locations That Will Make You Sleep With The Lights On
Nevertheless, "The House of Horrors" quest in Markarth does invoke a feeling of helplessness, as fleeting as it may be. The player is locked inside an apparently haunted house, which begins to act strangely. Furniture is rearranged, the lights go dim, and soft whispers can periodically be heard. Then, a pounding drum beat plays as a malevolent voice orders the player to kill their unlucky companion. It's one of the most unique moments in the game, sadly coming to an end far too quickly.
The Nightmare Sequence – Max Payne
In the Max Payne series, the titular character isn't a man to be taken lightly. He's a grizzled detective, one that's capable of taking on legions of mobsters and corrupt corporations. Max Payne is primarily focused on action, but there are plenty of dark moments thrown in as well.
One creepy segment of the game sees Max traversing his own nightmare. Players take part in such actions as walking a tightrope over strings of blood and following the sounds of a crying baby throughout a maze-like house. It's an odd sequence, but one that tends to be quite memorable among fans.
The St. Denis Vampire – Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a Western epic that revolves around outlaws and gunslingers. Hard-hitting horror elements aren't at the top of the list. However, games developed by Rockstar certainly don't lack weirdness and the occasional disturbing encounter.
One such macabre episode involves a vampire stalking the streets of St. Denis. After discovering a collection of clues, players can confront the bloodsucker feasting on the neck of an unfortunate victim. When prodded, this Nosferatu lookalike will try to make the player their next meal.
The Moon – The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Generally, the art style of The Legend of Zelda series doesn't lend itself well to macabre imagery. Although Link's adventures are fraught with plenty of danger, there typically isn't much that warrants feelings of terror.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask represents a slight exception. Anyone who looks upon the Moon is in for a grim fright. Its expression is certainly ghoulish, possessing large and crazed eyes as well as a disturbing snarl. It's an image that's hard to forget any time soon, to be sure.
Shalebridge Cradle – Thief: Deadly Shadows
Thief: Deadly Shadows, like the series as a whole, is a stealth-centered experience. However, one element that makes Thief: Deadly Shadows stand out from the rest is the famous "Robbing the Cradle" level, a segment chock-filled with both real and imagined dangers.
Navigating the haunted Shalebridge Cradle is an intense experience. The building possesses a mind of its own, compelling the spirits of its former inmates to once again roam the halls. The injection of survival horror elements into a game otherwise focused on stealth catches the player off guard in an extremely effective manner.