Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is now just a few days away, and everyone is gearing up to see what is next for our Pictish warrior. According to promotional material, the game promises to be a cinematic experience and perfect for fans of psychological horror.
If you, too, are waiting with bated breath, we have a list of five games for you to try out that will help create the perfect ambiance and mindset for Hellblade 2.
5. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Before you delve into the next-gen sequel, you should try out the first game. Even though it was released in 2017, the visuals hold up to this day, and the depiction of the Viking underworld is nothing short of breathtaking. Given how Ninja Theory is prioritizing the immersiveness of the sequel, even locking the console version to 30FPS, we hope it can create a similar oppressive atmosphere as the first.
While the trailer for the second game shows Senua as far more in control, the first game shows her at her most vulnerable. This vulnerability is a core aspect of the narrative that is told to the player as Senua descends into the depths of Helheim to retrieve the soul of her lover.
4. Alan Wake 1 and 2
While there are no guns in Hellblade, they don’t make the Alan Wake games easier. They feel even less powerful than Senua’s sword in higher difficulties. Both games are great at creating an intense and brooding atmosphere, taking players from relative calm to harrowing actions within seconds.
The appearance of the enemies is also similar to Hellblade, with both attacking you from the shadows. The psychological elements cannot be ignored either, as the events take place as much within the characters’ minds as they do in the real world. There’s a reason we rated Alan Wake 2 so highly in our review, and it’s a treat for anyone who enjoys psychological horror.
3. Amnesia
No list of psychological games is complete without mentioning the Amnesia series. Starting with The Dark Descent in 2010, the series has multiple installments, each of which does an amazing job of creating a dark and dreary world that has you feeling like you’re always being watched by something.
The Sanity feature of the game is very reminiscent of the voices in Senua’s head in Hellblade. While the latter acts to warn you of incoming attacks, Sanity in Amnesia functions as a way to increase the difficulty. Stay in the dark for too long, and the environment will start to become more surreal and dangerous. Amnesia: The Bunker is the latest entry in the series and a masterful showcase of psychological horror.
2. The Evil Within 1 and 2
Another game that perfectly balances action and horror. This game is far more action-focused as compared to previous titles on this list, but that doesn’t take away from the scares one bit. The stories of both games are heavily reliant on the mental state of the characters, with the first game based in a mental health hospital.
Players control Sebastian Castellanos, who finds himself in a deranged world where he must battle against otherworldly forces to survive. It’s a survival horror game, so players will have to manage their resources and inventory effectively. Being too trigger-happy can land the player in some hot water, especially on the higher difficulties. The enemies in the game also have some amazing designs that will stick with you and maybe even revisit you in your dreams.
1. Fatal Frame
While Silent Hill deserves a spot on this list, the series is very well-known in the psychological horror genre. Fatal Frame is not as popular, but it deserves a spotlight for what it offers. There are a total of five main games in the series, and each has something great to offer players.
The early games were able to capture the dark and disturbing atmosphere of Japanese urban legend and folklore. Armed with just a camera and rolls of film, players would explore claustrophobic homes and abandoned villages, where they would be attacked by all manner of ghosts. If you’re a fan of horror titles, this one should be on your list.
