Horror video games tend to be scarier than movies, and that goes double for horror games in virtual reality. With the Oculus Quest 2, players will feel as through they are really there in the thick of the story rather than in the safety of their living rooms.
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For those with the guts to play VR horror, there are plenty of games out there. Of course, VR is still in its baby stage so players cannot expect titles comparable to survival horror giants like Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Fatal Frame. However, the competent and well reviewed horror games already available in the VR store shelves may surprise you. Just make sure you really know what you are getting into before going into these terrifying VR titles.
10 Layers Of Fear
While not just available in VR, Layers of Fear is a game that feels like it was meant to be experienced with the Oculus Quest 2. However, it is a port, so it won't have a lot of VR tricks to its mechanics.
The game's horror element is psychological, with the player taking on the role of a hallucinating painter exploring his own home. There are no monsters you can shoot or places to hide. It is purely an explorative experience full of scares.
9 The Exorcist: Legion
This adventure horror game comes in five chapters has been raved about by various video game review publishers like Kotaku and GameCrate. The player takes the role of an exorcist and has to investigate demons and possessed people. The game has everything horror — from jump scares to sudden darkness and upsetting sounds. Some players on Steam even claimed to have returned the game for a refund because it was too scary for them to play.
The only complaints some players have put forward are a low frame rate and a couple of glitches.
8 Lies Beneath
Released in March 2020, Lies Beneath is a survival horror VR game that has been rained on with near-perfect review scores. Unlike Layers of Fear and The Exorcist: Legion, this horror game is full of action. The game takes place in the fictional town of Slumber, Alaska, and players play as a returning college student. They find the town is filled with monsters and go on a quest to save their father.
Reviews have praised the game for its soundtrack and graphics. Fans have compared it to a comic book rendition of The Thing mixed with elements from Silent Hill.
7 Arizona Sunshine
Originally released in 2016, Arizona Sunshine is the typical zombie survival horror game. Many have called this title the best zombie VR shooter. It is a little heavier on the action than the horror, but it definitely can get the heart racing due to its intensity. Unlike other horror titles, this VR game does have a co-op mode as well.
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Many players suggest getting the game on a discount since it's a pretty generic zombie shooter. What is attractive about it are its VR capabilities and the ability to play with your friends.
6 Kobold
Kobold is more of an experience than a game, but such is the price of certain VR titles. Players are on a quest to find a missing boy and explore an abandoned German mansion in a creepy forest. While the game is mostly cinematic, players can pick up clues and take their time to see as much as possible. The game is short, taking up to an hour at most.
The game's beauty is in its atmosphere. It may be worth the journey for horror and mystery fans, but definitely not all gamers.
5 Dreadhalls
In this title, the player is trapped in a dungeon and must find a way to escape. All reviews of the game admitted to having a terrifying experience and warn that the game is not for the faint of heart. There are scary sounds and monsters such as hellhounds, floating heads, shadow people, and devils. True to its name, this VR title does give its players a sense of dread as they explore the massive dungeon.
Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, as the game is a great deal at only 10 dollars.
4 Five Nights At Freddy's: Help Wanted
All gamers know of the Five Nights at Freddy's series. It is one of those indie video games that went mainstream and got a ton of games since its first release in 2014. In 2019, it entered the world of VR and fans loved it. Help Wanted includes the original classics of the series as well as various mini-games. While players do not have to use a VR headset to enjoy this game, it is definitely is worth the frightening experience.
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While most players go into the game knowing what to expect, the VR experience is terrifying.
3 Edge Of Nowhere
Unlike many other VR horror titles, Edge of Nowhere is experienced from a third-person perspective instead of first. Players take on the role of a man searching for his missing fiancee in the harsh land of Antarctica. However, the world shifts into a place of monsters and madness fairly quickly. The game is a must-play for H.P. Lovecraft fans, as the game was inspired by his written work: Mountains of Madness.
Besides being a scary adventure, the game is gorgeous. Some reviews have criticized the game for poor controls but have still admitted it is one of their favorite Oculus titles.
2 In Death
For another combat-heavy horror VR game, look no further than In Death. The setting and story are pretty interesting, as the player explores a ruined and abandoned heaven that has been taken over by lost souls and monsters. It is up to the player to restore peace as they navigate a medieval setting and combat enemies.
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It has many positive reviews and some claim that In Death is their favorite VR game of all time. The one negative is that it is not very scary compared to the many other horror titles the Oculus has to offer.
1 Red Matter
This puzzle adventure game has a pretty interesting setting, taking place in a dystopian sci-fi Cold War. The player takes the role of an astronaut on a moon base to investigate a secret research project. While the game is short (under about three hours), players have showered this title in positive reviews.
Like In Death, the horror elements in this game are mild. Some players wouldn't even call it a horror game, but many still admit to feeling unsettled and a little spooked at certain parts. Players love the game for its graphics, challenging puzzles, as well as its voice acting and suspenseful music.
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