Horror games without jumpscares?

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Sabaithal May 29 @ 2:55pm

Because I want something actually creepy and scary, not this jumpscare trash. This is becoming pretty hard to find these days, so any recommendations?

Engaging narrative is a big plus.

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Showing 1-15 of 28 comments

BoneCracker May 29 @ 3:03pm

https://store.steampowered.com/app/870780/Control_Ultimate_Edition/

It's technically not a horror game, but i personally experienced the SCP-like atmosphere and setting as creepy and mysterious, also very interesting story!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2172010/Until_Dawn/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1577120/The_Quarry/

These 2 are also my favourite horror games, it does include jumpscares but in my opinion they are mild and aren't overused.

Last edited by BoneCracker; May 29 @ 3:16pm

BJWyler May 29 @ 3:17pm

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/12/5294572213364293287/

Elucidator May 29 @ 5:11pm

> Engaging narrative

"And then, something creepy came around the corner."
Me: (sarcasm) "Thank you narrative, Thank you for spoiling what I could have felt immersion on."

Narrative should be basically left out, or at least left at only a minimum for the horror in horror games. Every time you're listening to dialogue or looking at text boxes, you're not playing a game. You're stopped. You're supposed to feel along with the characters, but you may not feel connected nor care for them, which will break immersion.

Narrative heavy 'horror' games tend to not be scary unfortunately. (see Garten of Banban for example). They also indeed tend to kinda be mediocre like that or plain out suck completely.

That said, there are horror games that actually do it well and are still narrative heavy. (Horror visual novels like Corpse Party for example).

Somehow I feel like the modern horror games that are narrative heavy lost touch though.

Last edited by Elucidator; May 29 @ 5:14pm

Vanythe May 29 @ 6:28pm

SOMA and Penumbra series have very little jumpscares

Ben Lubar May 29 @ 6:59pm

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299460/Wanderstop/

Not going to explain why I'm posting this game in this thread because it's better for you to find out for yourself.

RPG Gamer Man May 29 @ 7:22pm

Originally posted by Ben Lubar:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299460/Wanderstop/

Not going to explain why I'm posting this game in this thread because it's better for you to find out for yourself.

Oh that game. I saw lets play for that one. I know why you put that on here. I won't spoil though.

Sabaithal May 29 @ 8:15pm

Originally posted by RPG Gamer Man:
Originally posted by Ben Lubar:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299460/Wanderstop/

Not going to explain why I'm posting this game in this thread because it's better for you to find out for yourself.

Oh that game. I saw lets play for that one. I know why you put that on here. I won't spoil though.

One of you can tell me or I'm not even going to consider it. Because it doesn't look like horror.

Ben Lubar May 29 @ 8:16pm

Originally posted by Sabaithal:
Originally posted by RPG Gamer Man:

Oh that game. I saw lets play for that one. I know why you put that on here. I won't spoil though.
One of you can tell me or I'm not even going to consider it. Because it doesn't look like horror.

The trailer gives a pretty good idea of the tone.

miamew3 May 29 @ 8:29pm

https://store.steampowered.com/app/253110/The_Cat_Lady/

Fresh New Information May 29 @ 9:32pm

I'm going to recommend both The Last of Us games. While not entirely horror, there are "zombies" and not really any jump scares. At least not in the traditional sense. Most encounters are prefaced by a QTE or short cut-scene.

#10

FireGryph May 29 @ 11:58pm

https://store.steampowered.com/app/414340/Hellblade_Senuas_Sacrifice/

I can't speak for the second game as I haven't played it yet, but this one definitely gives some intense psychological creepiness, especially played with good headphones.

#11

J4MESOX4D May 30 @ 1:42am

Soma has a peaceful type mode I believe so you can focus on the story. It's usually very heavily discouned
https://store.steampowered.com/app/282140/SOMA/

F.E.A.R is also absolutely incredible
https://store.steampowered.com/app/21090/FEAR/

#12

802Trip May 30 @ 8:25am

as a grown adult, no game scares me. nothing is creepy enough. Jump scares actually scare me, make me paranoid through the whole game. Absolutely sick people people telling developers to stop adding jump scares in games because doing so makes them not scary at all.

#13

Sabaithal May 30 @ 8:57am

Originally posted by 802Trip:
as a grown adult, no game scares me. nothing is creepy enough. Jump scares actually scare me, make me paranoid through the whole game. Absolutely sick people people telling developers to stop adding jump scares in games because doing so makes them not scary at all.

That's nice. That's not what the thread is about.

#14