Horror gamesare a genre that draws in all types of players. From the diehards to the squeamish, everyone wants something different from their choice. While it can be difficult for some people to even beat a horror game once, there are others who really want to dive into the genre, getting a little more bang for their buck.
Replayability isn’t usually a big thing for horror games, but there are a few titles out there that really shine on multiple playthroughs. Whether it’s due toan open world, hidden secrets, or randomization, these horror games deserve a second, third, and even maybe fourth playthrough. Surely they won’t be as scary as the first time… right?
One of the things that can give a horror game some solid replay value is the actions of the enemies. While there is a singular enemy in Alien: Isolation, the xenomorph is more than enough to make any playthrough unique.
This enemy AI is unique in the way that it learns from you as you play. It adjusts its movements and strategy as you try to outrun and out-think it, which means every playthrough is tense as you try to survive for as long as possible. All with no one else around to help you on the abandoned space station.
The horror genre can take you to all kinds of different settings. Very few of them are cozy, but all are interesting to explore if you’re able to dodge the monsters that call them home. Amnesia: The Bunker is a long-standing horror series, but it stands out due to its map, which is partially procedurally generated.
The various rooms of the vast bunker in question depend on the playthrough, which means that no matter how many timesyou face The Beast, you’ll be making your way up as you go. This means every playthrough will be unique.
Survival horror games can be great choices for games that you can really sink time into. Project Zomboid takes the survival horror genre and mixes it with the idea of a zombie apocalypse with relative ease. It’s got simplified graphics, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from giving it a try.
The replay value of this game comes from not only the large map and random zombies, but also the sheer difficulty. Injury and death are common, which means playthroughs can be cut short. But, trying to beat the horde never seems to get boring, with every building and every room being a surprise.
Horror games come in all shapes and sizes, as is seen with titles like Darkest Dungeon. It’s a roguelike RPG that mixes 2D art with absolutely brutal gameplay.
It’s part luck and part strategy, and you quickly learn not to get attached to any of the heroes you send out into the various maps. It doesn’t take much for a mission to go completely out the window, which means every playthrough of this game has its own surprises.
The DLC adds even more challenges and modes for your various playthroughs.
As we’ve seen throughout the last few years, science fiction and horror go well together. Prey is one of the games that took this blend to new heights,becoming a cult classic. One of the things that drew players in was the dramatic environment.
With creatures that mimic normal everyday things, there are a multitude of different ways to try and pass through the laboratories and office spaces that make up the game. This means there’s a surprising amount that you’ll miss if you only take one path. Going back for a second or third playthrough is definitely recommended.
Some horror games focus more on the storyline than anything, looking at the choices you make to alter the world around you. Layers of Fear does that quite well, trapping you in your own mansion, although it feels quite alien to your character.
A mysterious background, a family that is no longer around, and a specter that haunts the halls. You unknowingly alter all of this as you interact with the manor and try to finish your last painting. After beating the game, you’ll understand your choices, and then you’re able to always go back and see how other choices will alter your playthrough and painting at large.
When it comes to horror games, some titles allow for different ways to take on the monsters that are knocking on your door. Dead Island is the first in the series, but easily a standout in the zombie-horror genre. With plenty of tropical weapons and the ability to modify them as the game goes on, you’ll never get bored with finding new ways to take out the zombies that infest the island.
This is before mentioning the vast world that you get to play in, and the later addition of vehicles you can use after a few chapters. No matter what you think of the other Dead Island games, the first one is well worth playing a few times.
Each character has individual strengths and weaknesses, giving you even more options when replaying.
The State of Decay series balancesthe zombie apocalypseand various survival mechanics in a way that makes sure there is always something stressing you out. There’s so much to this game, from survival to relationships and more.
It’s a strenuous look at the end of the world in the American Midwest, but one that is quite a fun ride, especially in State of Decay 2. One playthrough of this game simply isn’t enough. With all the variables at play, the maps to choose from, and the survivors to play as, no two campaigns are ever the same.
The Metro series balances FPS playstyles and a horror-themed setting quite well. Metro is a post-apocalyptic series that feels unique, and Exodus takes the series to new heights.
Now, with an open world, you can take on the challenges the game throws at you with various methods. This makes each encounter a choice, something that can make for a fun time to go back through and see what else you could do differently. Not to mention all the secrets the world has to offer.
Sometimes, horror games have a surprising number of replayable facets, a far cry from other games with simple linear narratives. Days Gone has exactly that, with a lot to draw you in and keep you playing.
Zombie hordes, a motorcycle to modify, a world to explore, weapons to unlock, and challenges to complete all add up to make it a great game to play on repeat. Plus, the beautiful setting and emotional storyline are well worth seeing again. That’s why it got a remake so soon after its original release.
