10 Scariest Levels In Non-Horror Video Games

A lot of play games to relax, to unwind, to take a load off after a day of whatever. Sure, there are some you enjoy horror games, the wrong'uns, but for the most part the medium is still there to be played without the need to change our underwear.

So how annoying is it when out of nowhere, the game you're playing throws a horror section at you? Minding your own business, saving the day when suddenly, bam, poisonous alien beasts!

How about your mission to hire a boat being interrupted by a giant freakin' alligator? Nobody wants that on their planning agenda.

Whether it be sci-fi or gritty, realistic cop drama, or even a military base overrun by a life-threatening plague, these moments are great at catching us unawares with their tonal shifts.

Sure, horror is subjective and some can accept this as par for the course without flinching. But for many, the narrative shift can really mess up your day. Naturally, we wouldn't them spoiled for us going blind either, but sometimes they're so jarring that it leaves a lasting impression on us more than the main game does.

So, allow me to recount the times that my life expectancy was drastically reduced, as we look at some of the scariest levels in otherwise non-horror games...

And then maybe have a lie down afterwards.

Normally, this section is more fondly remembered for its sheer annoying-ness than tone, but at its heart it's still pretty creepy.

We know from early on in the game that Max suffers the loss of his wife and child quite badly, as anyone would. It's only after being drugged that we really get to see the nightmare that Max experiences... and it is not pretty.

Seeing Max follow that seemingly never-ending trail of blood to a conclusion we all know isn't going to change, all the accompanying cries of his deceased wife and child make for a horrible disjointing experience.

And yes, I know the platform element of it all sucks, no denying that. But it's the overall tone, the horrible discomfort of wanting to get it done quicker to stop the screaming and crying that really makes the whole situation scarier than it should be.

There may not be any jumpscares, but the constant pressure to do it right to end the suffering that haunts Max makes it so much worse. That we have to do it a second time later on doesn't make it any better, either.