2023: A Milestone Year for Horror Games

As 2023 comes to an end, many in the video game industry are calling it a historic year, with an exceptional lineup of game releases. Highly anticipated sequels like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur's Gate 3, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 have received high praise on Metacritic. This is especially true for horror games, with 2023 being possibly the best year for the genre. In the past, horror fans had little to look forward to, particularly during the Xbox 360/PS3 era. But with major studios adapting to high-fidelity gaming and indie studios bringing innovation to the genre, 2023 stands out as an outstanding year for horror video games.

Doubtful? Check the statistics. In 2023, three horror games achieved scores of 90 or higher on Metacritic, with a total of nine games earning scores of 73 or better. No other year has come close to surpassing that record. The exceptional success of this year's horror games is attributed to both their high quality and their quantity. Unlike shooters, action-adventure games, and sports, horror is not a primary genre, usually serving as an add-on to other major genres. As a result, only a select few horror games typically rise to the top each year. While Steam is flooded with new horror games monthly, many are still in early access and lack readiness for enjoyment. However, 2023 broke the mold. Two standout remakes in Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space set the tone for the year by faithfully recreating two of the genre's greatest milestones, making some tweaks in level design and story structure that players appreciated. Some have even argued that these changes improved the already-classic games.

Later in the year, the younger horror titans Amnesia and Outlast had their series reimagined with bold new visions that paid off. Amnesia: The Bunker introduced more unpredictability to the iconic defenseless first-person horror series by placing players in a World War I bunker with a vicious monster that roamed the tunnels, and changing elements from one run to the next to keep it feeling fresh. The Outlast Trials added co-op to its classic mix of sadistic villains and protagonists hiding in dark corners, desperate not to be spotted. While the co-op element removes some tension, it introduces new ways to survive in the world of Outlast, like class-based skills and options to help your allies when they're in danger. And for those who want the classic Outlast experience, the game is also totally playable in solo mode.

There was also The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which, like those games, took a familiar concept and reshaped it to create something as thrilling as it is bloody. In the case of TCM, the goal was to pay homage to one of the greatest horror films ever made, and to do that in the competitive arena of asymmetrical horror multiplayer games. It succeeded in this vision. I've played the game for over 60 hours since it launched in August, and it remains so nerve-racking that I often can't play it for long, or else I'd have many more hours logged by now.

From aliens and zombies to cosmic nightmares and slashers, 2023 horror games covered all bases.

Dredge, Slay The Princess, Paranormasight, World of Horror, and Incident at Grove Lake provided an eclectic mix of creepy experiences, ranging from subversive black-and-white adventure games and an anime visual novel to a Lovecraftian fishing experience and an unnerving alien abduction story. 2023 provided not just a great quantity of high-quality horror games, but a wide range of horror stories for fans of any subgenre under the horror umbrella. And none of this praise is yet to touch on memorable horror-adjacent games like Lies of P and Dead Island 2. Even now, as the year comes to a close, a new co-op horror game is gaining viral attention. Lethal Company might prove to be the first big hit of 2024 if it can maintain its momentum through the holidays. From games big and small, made by hundreds or made by just one person, video game horror in 2023 feels like it's achieved new heights.

Resident Evil has a significant historical impact, but Alan Wake 2 is poised to be the most influential in the future. The multimedia horror masterpiece marks the end of an incredible year for horror games, with a story as ambitious as any in video games. Remedy's decision to embrace survival-horror was a smart one, and they executed it in a way that only they could. The game's visual style is likely to inspire future games. Alan Wake 2 isn't just the best horror game of the year, it's the best game of 2023, period.

While some genres constantly release new content, horror games have been less consistent. However, 2023 has brought a rare abundance of standout horror games, making it an exceptional year for the genre. Despite being a great year for video games overall, it was even better for horror games.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan of horror games, I'm thrilled to see the genre finally getting the recognition it deserves. For too long, horror games have been overshadowed by other genres, but 2023 has proven that horror can stand on its own as a compelling and innovative form of entertainment. The sheer number of high-quality horror games released this year is staggering, and it's clear that developers are putting a lot of thought and effort into creating truly terrifying experiences.

From the faithful remakes of Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space to the bold new visions of Amnesia: The Bunker and The Outlast Trials, 2023 has offered something for every type of horror fan. I've personally enjoyed the variety of experiences on offer, from the intense action of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to the more atmospheric scares of Dredge and Slay The Princess. It's also great to see indie developers making their mark on the genre, with games like Paranormasight and World of Horror providing unique and unforgettable experiences.