Horror games thrive when they deliver exactly what they promised: unrivaled terror and inescapable nightmares. Whether it is a psychological trip through a tortured character’s psyche, or a game of survival that challenges players to struggle for their lives every second, the location can help set the tone developers want to create.
Settings such as abandoned housesbearing scarps of who used to live there, dark forests that no man has escaped alive and haunting, gothic castles elevate a horror game from a slightly spooky jaunt to an onslaught of mental terror. Even in more modern tales of terror such asResident Evil 4, castles can serve as an excellent set-piece of horror, as who knows what hides within the crumbling walls of the impenetrable fortress.
5Black Mirror (The Black Mirror)
Explore the Terrors of an Ancient Family Abode
Named after the home of the Gordon family, player character Samuel returns after the mysterious passing of his grandfather, who is thought by everyone to have committed suicide. Not satisfied with this explanation, Samuel begins investigating the castle, and his grandfather’s death, discovering a curse one of his ancestors placed on the bloodline, until five souls were sacrificed. Of course, more deaths follow that of his grandfather, as it seems someone is hell-bent on breaking the curse and unleashing the contained evil.
The eponymous location is explored through apoint-and-click interface,and while this could be because of the time of its release, it suits the mystery and pace of the game, forcing players to wait and see what horror they might uncover by clicking ahead into the next room or hallway. It still holds up rather well today, and may provide suitable scares and an intriguing mystery for new players.
Resident Evil Villagehad an ingenious marketing campaign, teasing a glimpse of Lady Dimitrescu and then touting her in most trailers for the game, as fans could not seem to get enough of the gargantuan woman. But, her role inVillagewas a lot shorter than her stature, as she was the first of the Four LordsEthan would vanquishon his quest to save his infant daughter Rosemary. It was, however, still iconic.
Exploring Dimitrescu Castle was a treat, as it was a lot more aesthetically pleasing than other castles in horror games. Beautiful architecture, tasteful furnishings and gorgeous paintings, it was a feast for the eyes when players were not being terrorized by the daughters or the lady of the castle herself, and they could afford the time to admire their surroundings. Though it was over all too soon, this segment still cast a huge shadow over the entire game, and it was all too exciting to return in the subsequent DLC,Shadows of Rose.
The Grounds of This Castle Are Haunted by all Manner of People
Haunting Ground
Also known as “Demento”, Haunting Ground has the player take on the role of Fiona Belli, an 18-year-old girl who is the sole survivor of a tragic car accident that has claimed both her parents. When she regains consciousness following the accident, she finds herself locked up in an unfamiliar old castle, with no clear way out. As she makes her way through unsettling surroundings, she encounters an array of strange inhabitants and learns that she has become the heiress of the mysterious castle upon her parents' death.Fiona also comes across Debilitas, a deformed and disturbed man who chases her relentlessly. Luckily, she meets a white shepherd dog named Hewie who has also been trapped in the castle. By saving him from the shackles that imprison him, an instant bond is formed.This spine-chilling survival horror game is set in a mysterious castle that has become a prison for two innocent characters- an orphaned young girl and a white shepherd dog. They must utilize each other’s strengths if they hope to escape from their horrifying surroundings. Haunting Ground combines a compelling ambiance of terror and solitude with challenging puzzles and a unique gameplay approach.
Waking up from a state of unconscious in a big castle with missing memories…this sounds like the start ofAmnesia, but classic PS2 horror gameHaunting Grounddid it first. One ofCapcom’s forgotten gems,Haunting Groundfollows the trials and tribulations of Fiona, a young college student who was just looking forward to some family time with her parents, and instead finds herself hunted by the residents of the castle.
The enormous Castle Belli is an impressive architectural feat, with many surprises hidden inside. Doors that can only be unlocked by solving puzzles and rooms filled with things like weapons and armor, Belli Castle looks more like a museum than someone’s home, and is the perfect place to run away from terrifying people hunting prey like predators.
The Crumbling Walls of the Forbodding Castle Hide a Dark Secret
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
The last remaining memories fade away into darkness. Your mind is a mess and only a feeling of being hunted remains. You must escape.Amnesia: The Dark Descent, a first person survival horror. A game about immersion, discovery and living through a nightmare. An experience that will chill you to the core. You stumble through the narrow corridors as the distant cry is heard. It is getting closer.Amnesia: The Dark Descent puts you in the shoes of Daniel as he wakes up in a desolate castle, barely remembering anything about his past. Exploring the eerie pathways, you must also take part of Daniel’s troubled memories. The horror does not only come from the outside, but from the inside as well. A disturbing odyssey into the dark corners of the human mind awaits. A sound of dragging feet? Or is your mind playing tricks on you?By using a fully physically simulated world, cutting edge 3D graphics and a dynamic sound system, the game pulls no punches when trying to immerse you. Once the game starts, you will be in control from the beginning to the end. There are no cut-scenes or time-jumps, whatever happens will happen to you first hand. Something emerges out of the darkness. It’s approaching. Fast.Amnesia: The Dark Descent throws you headfirst into a dangerous world where danger can lurk behind every corner. Your only means of defense are hiding, running or using your wits. Do you have what it takes to survive?
Perhaps the mosticonic indie horror gameof all time,Amnesia: the Dark Descentfollows the trial of the amnesiac Daniel, as he explores the castle to piece together his scattered memories and the reason why he inflicted memory loss on himself. Reading letters he left to himself, Daniel begins to learn the truth behind his amnesia, and what he must do to the lord of the castle, Alexander.
Castle Brennenburg is where the game all takes place, and its sprawling corridors and rooms provide ample room to relay the tale of terror of theDark Descent.The dark, dusty atmosphere is enough to send shivers down the spine of players, but the monsters that roam the hallways only further elevate the horror, making every new door and corner a true test of courage.
Resident Evil 4is arguablyone of the best entries in the franchise, the combination of horror and action working in harmony to deliver an excellent adventure to players. As they search the rural Spanish village in search of the President’s daughters, as well as a way to cure them both of Las Plagas, they will encounter Salazar Castle, a looming structure that serves as the home to Ramon Salazar and the devoted followers of Los Illuminados.
The castle itself takes up a large portion of players' game time as they fight through the denizens, and eventuallythe lord of the castle himself. Players praise the castle for having some of the most fun and challenging segments of the game, and the remake only improved, adding some new elements and removing others that are ill-fitting with the darker tone of the game. Players will be hard-pressed to find a better horror castle than Salazar Castle.
