10 Cruel Tricks Video Games Played On Horror Players

Though it’s not an all-out horror game in the same way as the other entries on this list, Ninja Theory's critically acclaimed Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice nevertheless incorporates elements of psychological thrills to make the titular Senua's trip into the underworld as unnerving as possible.

As she travels into the depths of Helheim on a mission to save the soul of her deceased lover, the menacing voices of the Furies dominate the soundscape, constantly criticising and commenting on Senua’s (and our) actions throughout the game.

However, it’s when the game introduces the concept of “dark rot” where things get creatively mean.

After death, a black substance appears on Senua’s hand. This is the rot, and it will gradually spread up her arm after each subsequent death. If the blackness reaches her head, though, the game tells us that this will result in permadeath, meaning that failing too much will stop us from finishing the game.

What we won’t be aware of at this point is that this is a complete lie. Permadeath doesn't exist in this game. But by making us think it does, Senua’s Sacrifice ingeniously uses its game design to help put us in Senua's state of mind.