Manhunt and Outlast are probably some of the first names that come to your mind when asked about the most disturbing games you’ve encountered. And if you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to horror games, think again.
If you’re looking for some titles that’ll not only give you a scare but truly shake your very foundation with their disturbing content, these five titles will haunt your dreams long after you’ve put down the controller. Some of these games contain potentially triggering content, so proceed with caution.
5 Disturbing Games Other Than Manhunt That’ll Give You a Unique Scare
5. FAITH: The Unholy Trinity
Developed by Airdorf Games, this indie title combines visuals from classic 8-bit horror games with unique sound design to create a chilling experience. Set in the 1980s, you follow the story of a traumatized young priest named Father Gabriel as he investigates reports of demonic activity in a rural town.
Armed with only a cross and his faith, players must uncover the mystery of what happened and stop a greater conspiracy. Each decision you make will shape the outcome of the story, leading to multiple endings and replayability.
The game’s imagery is bone-chilling and times and will make you jump, but beneath its frightening imagery is a deeper exploration of the complex dynamics between an individual, their belief in God, and the ability to forgive. It’s hard to describe this game and do it justice; just give it a shot!
4. The Closing Shift
If you’ve ever worked a soul-crushing retail job, The Closing Shift will hit a little too close to home. In this atmospheric horror game, you play as an overworked female retail employee tasked with closing up shop for the night.
But as you go about your mundane tasks, you soon realize that something is terribly wrong. While the other games contain some kind of otherworldly horror, The Closing Shift depicts incidents that can happen in real life, and have, for some.
The game taps into the fear stemming from situations that are uncomfortably close to reality, making it uniquely unsettling on its own rightfully earning a spot on this list.
3. Fear and Hunger
Fear and Hunger is one of the most brutally challenging RPGs that, like Outlast, pulls no punches when it comes to gore and body horror, albeit with a lot more psychological horror.
Set in a nightmarish world filled with grotesque creatures and unspeakable horrors, you play as one of four adventurers descending into a dark and twisted dungeon, each for different reasons. As you make your way deeper into the dungeons, you’ll quickly realize that there’s more to it than it seems.
With its punishing difficulty and unforgiving gameplay mechanics, Fear and Hunger isn’t for the faint of heart, and might make you want to slam your head against a wall a few times till you begin to connect the dots on the game’s unique combat mechanic. But once it does, it’s absolutely worth it the queasy stomach it’ll give you.
2. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
Next on our list is I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream, a psychological horror masterpiece based on the classic short story by Harlan Ellison.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where an evil supercomputer named AM tortures five humans for eternity, this game will push you to the brink of madness with its dark themes and disturbing imagery.
Each character faces hell as you guide them in confronting their deepest fears and darkest secrets. It’s a chilling exploration of the human psyche that’ll leave you questioning the nature of existence.
1. Little Misfortune
First up, we have Little Misfortune, a whimsical adventure that could easily fool anyone with its cutesy graphics. You follow the journey of Misfortune Ramirez Hernandez, a sweet but naive little girl who embarks on a quest to find eternal happiness for herself and her beloved pet, Mr. Voice.
The game starts with Mr. Voice informing the player that Misfortune will die that day, and you’re led to go on this journey of finding “Eternal Happiness” for Misfortune’s mom.
The game is filled with unsettling imagery and morally ambiguous choices. The contrast of the visuals between what the game presents will put a lump in your throat, and it’s quite a short game, so you can beat it in one sitting.
Are there any other disturbing games you feel would fit the bill for this list? Have you played any of the ones listed? Let us know in the comments below!
