Summary
The original PlayStation had some of the most renowned horror titles within its repertoire, many of which became long-running franchises and spawned entire sub-genres based on their themes, aesthetics, and gameplay. From psychological horror to survival to action-horror hybrids, the era of horror gaming on thePS1 was one of abundance and quality.
This list looks at games with some of the greatest narratives from across the PS1’s horror library, ranking them in order of just how impactful the narrative is for the game as a whole.Some of these games are revolutionary in terms of their gameplay. However, their narratives are what many consider to have given them each the legacy they have left.
Unlike every other entry on this list,Hellnighthas had little lasting impact on the gaming landscape. Thanks to middling reviews upon release,Hellnightquickly fell into obscurity, never even being released in the United States. Despite this, many gamers have begun to look back on this game with a favorable eye, seeing not what it wasn’t, but rather what it was.
Hellnightwas a first-person survival horror game in which the player must escape a cult that is constantly chasing them, as well as an experimental entity that escapes from a research facility. Throughout the game, the player meets several characters who may accompany them one at a time, each of whom can permanently die if they are caught by the creature. Unlike other games of the time, there is no possibility to fight the monster, meaning that stealth and running are the only options, making for an incredibly tense experience.
Many gamers will be familiar withAlone in the Dark, especially after its recent remake. The firstAlone in the Darkwas hugely influential on the making ofResident Eviland the overall development of the survival horror genre.Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmareis the fourth game in the franchise, and the last released on the PlayStation. Unlike the other entries in theAlone in the Darkfranchise,The New Nightmaretakes on its own canon continuity, allowing its story to stand alone, which works in its favor.
The story revolves aroundEdward Carnbyas he investigates the death of his best friend. This simple premise quickly devolves into ancient evils, supernatural forces, and terrifying creatures. While this game may not be as universally appreciated as its predecessor, it is well worth experiencing for any gamer looking for a unique and entertaining story.
Following the orphan Jennifer Simpson after she is adopted by a rich individual, who lives in the titular clock tower, members of the family begin to die in a series of horrific incidents.
Jennifer is stalked throughout the house by Scissorman, an instantly recognizable character to many, who shuffles around the mansion wielding a giant pair of scissors, which he frequently uses with murderous intent. There are several endings to the game’s narrative, making it one of the greatest on this list for replayability.With the 2024 rerelease bringingClock Towerto western audiences in a modern format, there has never been a better time to experience the terrifying story.
Parasite Eveis another classic PS1 horror title that was a part of the J-horror resurgence in the late 90s. Not only this, butParasite Evewas also SquareSoft’s first M-rated game, pushing boundaries for theFinal Fantasydeveloper.Parasite Eveis one of the premier examples of bio-horror, a sub-genre of horror that is commonly referred to as body horror, showing the destruction and manipulation of the human form to varying horrifying degrees.
The narrative of the game follows Aya Brea, an NYPD rookie who is forced into a rivalry withEve, a mutated human whose goal is to eradicate humanity to bring about a new, perfect species.Throughout the game’s several run-ins with Eve, Aya, and the player witness the terrifying possibilities of turning the human form against itself, ultimately creating some of the most frightening horror imagery of the time.
For the handful of people unfamiliar,Resident Evilis widely considered the series to have truly created survival horror, as well as bringing zombies back into popular culture.Resident Evil 2took what worked about the first game, adjusted some of what didn’t, and provided an entertaining, often terrifying, experience for gamers that many still credit as one of the best games in the franchise to date.
The narrative ofResident Evil 2centers around Leon S. Kennedy, yet another police rookie, and Claire Redfield, as the two try to survive the hordes of zombies in Raccoon City. Throughout the game, the player is given small drips of information until they can finally piece together what has happened to the city and confront those responsible in a secret underground lab hidden beneath the city. It is a little silly, thanks in no part to the questionable writing, but it cemented the series as a favorite for many, and its remake in 2019 brought it up to date for a whole new generation of gamers.
The final entry on this list is, to very little surprise,Silent Hill. While the first game in the series is not what many consider the best,Silent Hillis a fantastically creepy, atmospheric masterpiece that spawned a hugely successful franchise. UnlikeResident Evil,Silent Hillhas a much more serious tone, dealing with more mature themes and an overall darker atmosphere.
Silent Hillfollows Harry Mason as he frantically searches for his adopted daughter, Cheryl. As the player explores the titular town, they begin to uncover cult-driven plots, supernatural entities, and are forced to face unending nightmares to save their daughter from the grip of the town. It is a uniquely compelling narrative for the time, with several twists and turns that truly warrant a blind playthrough, and several endings that make each subsequent playthrough feel fresh.
