10 Horror Video Games That Broke All The Rules

So often we’re served the same gritty, dark art-style in horror games. Even when it comes to big-budget releases, the problem remains that every location has to be overtly grotesque. Some of the realest horrors in life occur in very normal spaces, so why do no games seem to reflect that?

One title that saw all the ugly game environments and raised us something beautiful is this 2014 adventure.

Set in the fictional town of Red Creek Valley, Wisconsin, the open world allows the player to explore a genuinely beautiful area. The aesthetics were based on the stunning areas around Poland’s Karkonosze mountains, with certain areas bearing striking resemblance to the real places that inspired them.

Playing as paranormal investigator Paul Prospero, you discover the story behind the disappearances of Ethan and his family. The discovery mechanics encourage exploration, with the game doing very little to guide you in the right direction.

Whilst it's agreed that the title has its problems, it has been almost universally praised for its stunning visuals, proving that you don’t need a dark, blood-covered aesthetic to make a good horror game.