The gaming industry has always been fast evolving, bolstered by technological advances such as mobile gaming and complex consoles allowing the user to play on the go. But while new tech has always been forthcoming, nothing has captured the imagination of horror fans quite like virtual reality. VR enables players to immerse themselves in the gameplay and the rich worlds created by the designers. And with horror, you can only imagine how that adds to the sense of foreboding when you interact with things that go bump in the night. Here’s our top pick of VR games to make the hairs stand on the back of your neck in 2017.
Syren
This game is a cinematic revelation with stunning graphics and an ethereal soundtrack that keeps tensions high. Imagine waking up in an underwater lab completely alone…or so you thought. Whatever you do, don’t upset the terrifying creature that stalks the sterile rooms.
Resident Evil 7 VR
Horror fans will be familiar with the original survival horror series Resident Evil, but Capcom’s first foray into VR is petrifying! Ethan Winters shacks up in a cabin in the woods after discovering his wife, missing and presumed dead for three years is alive. But the cabin reveals awful secrets that Ethan must unearth before learning the truth. This game guarantees jump scares by the bucket full and a huge compelling story that will shock you to the core.
The Brookhaven Experiment
Fans of the old fashioned first-person shooter game will love The Brookhaven Experiment with its blood-soaked mutants that take inspiration from Resident Evil’s lickers. While the game doesn’t have deep storylines like its Capcom counterparts, it does have weapons – lots and lots of upgradable weapons! But just when you think that you’ve got the hang of shooting lots of horrific mutated creatures and the end is in sight you’ve got one last challenge ahead of you…the boss. And boy, is he big!
Emily Wants to Play
Fair warning with this one, if you don’t like dolls, clowns, puppets, basically anything that looks like a creepy little person run away from this game! We got the heebee jeebies after playing this one. Your character is the humble delivery guy bringing pizza to a home. You knock and the door opens so you step inside. It slams shut behind you. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Emily’s here and she wants to play…
A Chair in a Room
Hello patient 6079. Finally awake I see? Welcome to the Greenwater Institute, your home for the past…well, we’re not sure. Your mission is to discover why you’re in here in the first place and stop those dark, sinister visions you keep having. This compelling story covers heavy themes and utilises the actual space of your room so you are fully immersed in the game. As you walk, your character walks with you, heightening the sense of terror and despair.
Other games
Don’t worry if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to VR capabilities though. There are still plenty of ways that you can enjoy a spine-tingling adventure that leaves you reaching for the bedroom lights for days to come. How about gathering a group of your friends to play retro horror games such as Atmosfear for a real video nasty? Or try your hand at one of the many online slot games such as Dracula available that delve into the pits of the horror genre? Don’t worry, they won’t bite!
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