13 Horror Video Games To Play Before You Die

There's only so many times we can regale you with lists about amazing horror games before it makes sense to lump the repeat offenders into one big hellscape of terrifying titles. And lucky for you, dearest reader, that's exactly what I'm doing right here.

Celebrating the spookiest, most titillating, downright spine chilling games in the business, these are the games you need to get under your belt before you bite the dust. That might sound morbid, but it's mostly because ghosts don't have the corporeal forms to use console controllers properly. So the least you can do is take some inspiration for your turn in the afterlife in the meantime.

Death is surely inevitable, and so should playing these games be for any self-respecting horror fan in their lifetime. Whether you're into psychological torment or slashing your way through fleshy abominations, insurmountable zombie hoards or paranormal nightmares, wading through blood and guts or creeping past shadowy tendrils, these are the most gnarly horror games you need a taste of before old Grimmy comes to cash in on your soul. Priorities, right?

The story of an author that's pitted against the forces of evil, Alan Wake sticks a torch in one hand and a gun in the other to take down a shadowy presence attempting to rob him of both his mind and his wife, as the titular author attempts to figure out how supernatural events have taken place without his knowledge. Armed with a manuscript he doesn't remember writing and a hankering for The Truth, playing as Alan Wake is a deep dive into his psyche in the most entertaining way.

Described by developers Remedy as "part action game, part psychological thriller," the two combine into one high octane ride that will have you double checking dark corners long after you've put this title down. Alan Wake is a game that does everything, and isn't constrained by focussing too closely on one element of the horror genre.