Horror video games take the world by storm each year. Jump scares, nightmarish sequences and visuals, anxiety-inducing environments and thrilling gameplay keep people coming back for more. The year 2015 brought groundbreaking games like “SOMA” and “Until Dawn,” but 2016 looks to be one of the best years for horror video games yet.
“Outlast 2”
Red Barrels produced an almost, if not, perfect horror game. The first “Outlast” brought suspense and horror in an intricate plot and with engaging characters that captivated game players. Fans of the first game can finally breathe a sigh of relief because there is a sequel. Made for Mac, PC, PS4 and Xbox One, the location of “Outlast 2” seems to follow a similar look to “Children of the Corn,” but the setting and plot looks and sounds absolutely more terrifying. It comes out in the fall of 2016, so hopefully, the trailers and gameplay live up to the hype.
“We Happy Few”
Compulsion Games describes it as “a game of paranoia and survival, in a drugged-out, dystopia English city in 1964.” The trailer gives a hauntingly colorful environment; while captivating and unique, it also terrifies with its ghoulish glow in appearance at times. As the main character, you must navigate throughout this dystopian England, avoid suspicion from the happy citizens, and figure out the history behind what happened. It looks to be promising and is currently announced for release on Xbox One, Windows, Mac and Linux.
“Layers of Fear”
To be released on Xbox One, PS4 and Steam, “Layers of Fear” applies the petrifying first-person perspective in a “psychedelic horror game with a heavy focus on story and exploration.” The player follows a painter as he delves further and further into madness and explores an ever-changing mansion. “Layers of Fear” showcases artwork inspired by the classical era and Victorian time period that is sure to captivate horror fans.
“Allison Road”
The developers for “Allison Road” are looking at Playstation and Xbox for a console release, but currently, there is no true confirmation on what platform the game will be released for. Perhaps the successor to “PT,” “Allison Road” follows an amnesiac protagonist, who, over the course of five nights, must find his or her family, solve mysteries, and face an entity named Lily. This game may be the one to fill the void where “Silent Hills” was supposed to be. The developers are hoping for a release after Q3 2016.
“Perception”
From the developers of the famous “Bioshock” and “Dead Space,” “Perception” incorporates the unique play of echolocation. The main protagonist, Cassie, is blind and can only see by tapping her cane around areas as well as use her incredible hearing. The developers hope to bring the game to life on PS4 or Xbox One, and the launch date has yet to be set, though it is certain to come out in 2016.
The horror genre truly enjoys incorporating the first-person perspective and narrative so that players feel the actual suspense and story of the game. These games seem to take advantage of that, and there looks to be hope in the coming year for true horror video game fans.
