The PlayStation Vita is often overlooked as one of the greatest consoles ever created. Although Sony lost interest in the device once sales declined and Nintendo dominated the handheld market, indie titles continued to be released on its online store, giving it a second chance.
One genre that is sorely underrepresented on the PS Vita is horror games. Despite the console's impressive visual capabilities, not many horror games were developed for Sony's handheld. However, this doesn't mean that horror fans don't have anything to enjoy on their PS Vita, as there are definitely some fantastic horror experiences available on the platform.
5 Silent Hill: Book of Memories
Release date: 2012
Undoubtedly, Silent Hill: Book of Memories is the most despised addition to the Silent Hill franchise. The game starkly deviates from the essence of the series. Instead of being a conventional survival horror, it takes the form of a dungeon crawler, drawing inspiration from the Silent Hill games. This alone could have justified the game's position as one of the weakest entries in the series. However, it fails to excel even in its role as a dungeon crawler.
4 Resident Evil: Revelations 2
Despite its flaws, Silent Hill: Book of Memories could still appeal to horror lovers playing on the PS Vita. The game draws inspiration from the eerie world of Silent Hill, allowing for the inclusion of creepy set pieces and enemies. While it may not suit everyone's taste, there is still some mindless entertainment to be found in the game, making it one of the few titles exclusive to the PS Vita.
Release date: 2015
Resident Evil: Revelations 2 is the only game in the series available on PS Vita, excluding other classic games that can be downloaded from the store. Unfortunately, it does not rank among the best games in the franchise. During the time of its release, the main Resident Evil series was focused on action gameplay, while the Revelations subseries aimed to provide a more horror-oriented experience. The first game successfully captured the old Resident Evil horror that made the series famous, but the second entry lacked the same impact and felt somewhat ordinary. However, it did introduce a cooperative gameplay feature, which is one of the highlights of the entire series.
Despite these positive aspects, the PS Vita port of the game had numerous frame rate drops in comparison to the versions available on main consoles. Nonetheless, the game still delivers a satisfying experience and offers enjoyable gameplay for fans of the series or horror games in general. While it may not be considered one of the standout installments in the franchise, it is also far from being one of the worst.
3 Yomawari: Night Alone
Released in 2016, Yomawari: Night Alone is an exceptionally well-crafted horror adventure game that, despite its simplistic visuals, is certain to leave a lasting impression on players. Players assume the role of a young girl who narrowly escapes death in an accident while out with her loyal dog, Poro. After regaining consciousness, she discovers that Poro is missing and returns home to find her sister waiting. Thankfully, her sister agrees to search for Poro, but fails to return after a few hours. Determined to find both her sister and Poro, the girl ventures out into the transformed town, realizing that everything she once knew has been completely altered.
2 Spirit Hunter: Death Mark
The game offers a familiar RPG experience, but its true appeal lies in its captivating storyline and haunting ambiance. Despite its simplistic visuals, the developers have skillfully narrated one of the most chilling tales available on PS Vita, making it a must-play for horror enthusiasts, particularly those who are drawn to Japanese folklore-inspired horror. Additionally, there is a sequel titled Yomawari: Midnight Shadows, which may not surpass the original but still provides an enjoyable experience for fans of the first installment.
Release date: 2017
In the horror-themed visual novel game, Spirit Hunter: Death Mark, players assume the role of Kazuo Yashiki, an amnesiac individual. At the start, Kazuo realizes the presence of a strange scar on his arm known as the Mark. According to urban legends, this Mark signifies a curse from a ghost, leading to death at dawn. Upon this discovery, Kazuo loses consciousness and awakens in front of Kujou Mansion to find its owner, Saya Kujou, already deceased. Saya had also been afflicted by the Mark, unable to find a way to save herself before passing away.
To survive, Kazuo must confront vengeful spirits, sentient dolls, and more. The game provides an immersive experience through a first-person perspective. Horror enthusiasts, particularly fans of Japanese horror, will truly enjoy playing this game. Additionally, a sequel titled Spirit Hunter: NG was released in 2018 for various platforms, including the PS Vita.
1 Lone Survivor
Released in 2012, Lone Survivor is a 2D survival horror game with a retro aesthetic. It immerses players in a post-apocalyptic world where a disease has transformed people into zombie-like beings. As an unnamed survivor, players must venture outside their cramped apartment to scavenge resources and unravel the mysteries behind the catastrophe.
Lone Survivor, with its retro-style graphics, offers an incredibly tense and captivating gaming experience. It easily solidifies its position as the top horror game on the PS Vita and could even contend as one of the system's best overall games. What makes it truly unique is its ability to attract both horror enthusiasts and those who typically shy away from the genre. You can't go wrong with this exceptional game.