20 Scariest Video Games Of All-Time

1. Silent Hill 2

Choosing the scariest game of all-time was never going to be an easy task, but we feel like Silent Hill 2 ticks all the necessary boxes and shines as that essential game to make you sh*t your pants - and then some.

As a sequel to the earlier Silent Hill, Silent Hill 2 expands on the mythos and brilliance of that original and also very, very scary game, and works as a kind of remake, emphasising what it means to be a survival horror game, whilst throwing in a seemingly endless array of disturbing moments, set-pieces and monsters.

The reason Silent Hill 2 tops our list, however, comes down to the way the game is structured: as an experience in horror gaming, it is near flawless and perfectly paced; the atmosphere is so totally weird and uncomfortable, it practically begs you to turn it off at every moment, but keeps you going because you just have to find out what happens next.

Then there's the soundtrack, the set design, the puzzles, and - last but definitely not least - Pyramid Head, undoubtably the most terrifying "villain" in all of gaming (seriously: WTF?). It all adds up to an experience like no other: one that will stay with you for years and years afterwards. Because Silent Hill 2 is a masterclass. It is absolutely, balls to the wall scary. We dare you to play it in an empty house all on your own with the lights off. You'll probably die of fright.

Like this article? Which games have we missed? Let us know in the comments section below.