10 Smartest Horror Video Game Decisions

Most of us have seen the old horror film clichés at this point, witnessing the protagonist or their friends making dumb decisions that you as the viewer know will be a mistake.

This can range from splitting up the party to investigating those strange noises and this is true of games as well. Games often do this too, often setting players down a linear path, but thanks to the interactive nature of gaming, this isn’t always the case.

Many games put the power to decide its story outcome in your hands, achieved through use of the butterfly effect and branching narratives, rewarding logical decision making and multiple endings to back these up.

Some modern games have also seen fit to break the fourth wall, bringing new horror experiences that instead target the player directly and with this comes an outside-the-box approach to decision making.

It can prove a double-edged sword though, also providing the option to make some dumb decisions to which people should honestly know better by now. Wanna explore that spooky basement? Sure, what could possibly go wrong there, player.

Smart choices don’t always equal the easy one but can often benefit players in the long-run. So for those wanting to make their lives that little bit easier, here’s a few worth taking into consideration.

Alien has seen a mixed run of adaptations in its time. From more successful ventures like the Alien Vs Predator titles to the universally reviled Aliens: Colonial Marines, Alien Isolation was a breath of fresh air. Releasing in 2015, it took place 15 years after the original film and starred Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen.

Investigating her mother’s disappearance, she finds her way to space station Sevastopol looking for clues but discovers a lone Xenomorph is also aboard. Moving away from Colonial Marines’ action focus, it placed a much heavier emphasis on stealth mechanics to advance as the Xenomorph cannot be defeated in combat.

You’ll have to plot a course around it through stealth but this creature is clever, being able to hunt you through sight, investigate disturbances and even hear players directly if you plugged in a PS Camera or Kinect.

There’s plenty of hiding options within Sevastopol such as vents, lockers and underneath tables but one thing players should never do is remain in one place too long. Doing this guarantees the Xenomorph finds you, regardless of where you are.

If you want to survive against this intelligent creature, you simply have to keep moving.