The best side-scrolling horror games

summary

• Side-scrolling horror games use limited perspective and great sound design for immersive gameplay experiences.

• Different 2D horror games offer unique stories and gameplay mechanics to explore.

• The visuals, puzzles and environments in side-scrolling horror games create terrifying and fun experiences.

Side-scrolling games cover a variety of styles and genres. Horror, in particular, uses this style of gameplay to its advantage due to claustrophobic spaces, stealth mechanics, heart-pounding chase sequences, and fear of the unknown. Players are made to feel vulnerable to a limited perspective; Not being able to see what's around the protagonist is sure to make any desensitized gamer feel a little scared.

Audio design is also an important element in this type of game, as it can make the player feel uncomfortable as it is difficult to tell from which direction the sound of breaking glass or the cry of a creature is coming. As such, these elements ensure that side-scrolling horror games are immersive, scary and fun.

8

Re-turn – one-way trip

A horror coming-of-age tale set on a train

Saki and her friends go camping one last time, unknowingly, to celebrate graduation. Jumping between past and present, explore an abandoned train as Saki to discover where Saki's friends suddenly disappeared. Switching between pixel art and digitally painted graphics, the visuals really add spark to the proceedings.

Since it's mainly set in a single location, there's a lot of backtracking, so it can often feel a little tedious. However, the creepy atmosphere, cool antagonists, and mysterious story make up for some lacking areas. If players enjoy simple puzzle mechanics and quest gameplay, what they will enjoy Turn again Series should be offered.

7

Coma: Recut

A nightmarish glimpse into Korean school culture

A Korean horror based on a school Coma: Recut (2017) is the remastered version Koma: Cutting Class (2015). During final exams at Sehwa High, student Youngo falls asleep and finds himself trapped in the school's dark corridors – with no end in sight.

While also being stalked by a killer, the player must help him navigate this nightmare by picking up notes and talking to classmates to unravel the mystery. Hand-painted scenes straight from manhwa and social commentary about the Korean school system, it offers a story worth playing.

6

Drying rooms

A ghost-like evil in a spooky mansion

Explore the ever-changing Mostyn House – a Victorian mansion with a variety of enemies, including ghosts and witches, set their sights on the heroes. Players can tailor the gameplay to their liking, using stealth mechanics to avoid creatures or fighting them head-on.

From rituals and crafting to melee combat, it depends on the player's decision whether the main character Nightingale will make it out alive. It has a difficult learning curve to begin with, but an interesting and unique experience nonetheless.

5

Nightmares that never end

A terrifying, unflinching portrayal of mental health

Inspired by the developer's own struggles with depression and OCD, can never be done Nightmares Follows Thomas who is trapped in a revolving door of nightmares, not knowing when he will wake up. In each nightmare, there are different ways Thomas can die – whether it's from a demonic manifestation, or self-harm.

Aside from a pop of bright red to highlight the horror Thomas is facing, the black and white visuals help make the world seem empty. With a reflection of the creator's struggle, it can be relatable to some players, which makes the fear factor very realistic.

4

Custody

A student stranded in Taiwan in the 1960s

Set in a Taiwanese school, explore Greenwood High as students Wei and Ray work together to uncover the mystery behind it while avoiding spirits and other evil creatures. They are under strict martial law, combined with a desaturated color scheme, the world feels bleak and hopeless.

There's more of a focus on solving puzzles and stealth, rather than fast-paced platforming, which helps with horror. Characters hold their breath to walk past enemies, which makes it very stressful with restricted vision. Some of the visuals are quite scary and would make anyone want to leave school as soon as possible.

3

Clock Tower: Rewind

Classic point-and-click survival horror revived

Getting a fresh coat of paint with a remastered version of the 1995 classic clock towerFollow young orphan Jennifer as she explores the Barrows mansion. For the first time, it has been officially translated outside of Japan, bringing horror to a new, modern audience.

This 16-bit game offers stunning animated cutscenes, gore, and jump scares as you puzzle-solve and avoid the Scissorman's menace. Jennifer is unable to fight back except using traps, and players must keep an eye on her health and stamina, which can make it stressful for some. The remaster adds additional content and quality-of-life improvements, complete with the option to play in its original or modified state.

2

inside

Escaping a Disturbing Dystopian World

Set against a grotesque, desaturated background with just a hint of color, a young boy tries to avoid being captured by the watchful eyes of those taking part in a mind control experiment. Making the most of the environment while carefully building a path to freedom, inside Rather, it proves to be worrying.

Along with an ominous story and an unexpected hard-hitting ending, the use of platforming and puzzle-solving is an integral part. insideEncouraging players to think about their actions and prevent this young lad from being another number in the system.

1

Little nightmares

A deeply unnerving view of human nature

Embodying a faceless child in a bright yellow raincoat, explore themes between childhood and adulthood as protagonist Six traverses a creaking ship-like vessel to uncover the disturbing underbelly of human consumption. Little nightmares It's as fascinating as it is dark.

Dodge strange monsters using stealth mechanics or time jumps to avoid getting caught during a chase sequence. Due to the size difference between the protagonist and the antagonists, the limited perspective is really plentiful here, which makes the player more vulnerable and more susceptible to stress, because sometimes it can be difficult to predict what the next step is.