Top 9 Psychedelic Horror Games: A Definitive Ranking

The horror genre in gaming has expanded greatly, with the growth of the video game industry allowing for numerous indie developers to add their unique spins to the genre. This has driven innovation and experimentation within the industry as developers explore different approaches.

Consequently, there has been an increase in games that tap into psychological terrors, as storytelling becomes even more crucial across various gaming genres. Notably, AAA games such as The Last of Us have gained substantial recognition within popular culture. Likewise, psychedelic horror games offer intriguing narratives that deserve recognition and adaptation. It is important to note that while some of the games mentioned below fall into the psychological horror genre, the horrifying visuals players encounter can often resemble hallucinatory experiences.

9. We Happy Few

Metascore: 67

We Happy Few

Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC

Release Date: August 10, 2018

Developer: Compulsion Games

We Happy Few is a prime example of a seemingly benign world. It unfolds in the alternate version of Wellington Wells, a city trapped in the 1960s, where its residents rely on a mind-altering drug called Joy to shield themselves from the grim reality they face. This unique setting sets the game apart as one of the few roguelike experiences tailored for mature audiences.

8. Infliction

In We Happy Few, the player assumes the role of various characters and confronts a horrifying reality when they decide to stop taking the drug. The once peaceful residents of Wellington Wells have transformed into deranged cannibals. With its blend of stealth and survival mechanics, the game offers a mind-bending, psychedelic experience that will keep players on the edge of their seats.

Metascore: 72 (Extended Cut)

Infliction

Platform(s) PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased October 18, 2018Developer Caustic Reality

The walking simulator is a genre of games that often takes players on trippy journeys. Infliction, a standout in this category, offers a unique and ever-changing environment with an immersive story. Described by developers as an interactive nightmare, this game delves into psychological horror.

In Infliction, players step into the shoes of a potential killer who is desperate to uncover the truth behind his wife's disappearance. As players navigate through a psychedelic house, they gradually piece together the horrifying events that occurred there. This terrifying journey has left many players thoroughly unnerved from start to finish.

7. Yuppie Psycho

Metascore: 81

Yuppie Psycho

Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Release Date: April 25, 2019

Developer: Baroque Decay

Yuppie Psycho breaks the mold of traditional psychedelic horror games by offering more than just scares. As a horror game with a mind-bending twist, Yuppie Psycho also delivers a side-splitting comedy experience. Follow Brian, the protagonist, as he embarks on a new job as a witch hunter in this hilarious adventure.

6. The Hotel

Yuppie Psycho is a magnificent survival horror game that combines stunning retro pixel art, a cleverly ironic storyline, and an astonishingly psychedelic visual aesthetic. This unique combination establishes it as one of the most bizarre and outstanding horror games in recent years, providing players with both scares and chuckles.

Metascore: N/A

The Hotel

Platform(s) PCReleased November 16, 2022Developer IL PALA

Experience a mind-bending journey with The Hotel, a game that embraces the concept of permadeath. As players delve into the eerie confines of a deserted hotel, they must confront their own interpretation of evil while battling a malevolent entity. The enigmatic and psychologically demanding nature of The Hotel defies easy explanation.

With its ever-shifting environments and omnipresent dangers, The Hotel offers a formidable challenge. Survival hinges on cunning and cleverness, as death is an irrevocable outcome. For thrill-seekers yearning for a psychedelic horror experience, this game is a perfect realization of their imagination and desires.

5. P.T.

Metascore: N/A

P.T.

Platform: PS4

Release Date: August 12, 2014

Developer: Kojima Productions

Considered as one of the finest examples of a psychedelic horror game, P.T. is a must-play for those who can still find a way to experience it. Originally designed as a short demo for Silent Hills, a highly anticipated game by renowned game designer Hideo Kojima, it unfortunately got canceled due to conflicts with Konami.

While the game has been delisted from storefronts, the relentless repetition of traversing the same corridor amidst its gradual transformation has etched this game deeply within the consciousness of countless players, instilling sheer terror and profound anguish. Consequently, gamers still cling to hope for its eventual reinstatement, especially in light of the emergence of numerous other photorealistic games subsequent to its cancellation.

4. Outlast 2

Metascore: 79

Outlast 2

Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PCReleased April 25, 2017Developer(s) Red Barrels

Outlast 2 may initially appear to have a perplexing storyline, but the game's hidden lore reveals a different truth. Throughout the player's journey around a small, rural town in the Arizona desert, clues scattered in secret locations uncover a tale of experiments conducted by the Murkoff Corporation. These experiments involve manipulating radio signals, causing insanity and hallucinations for all those impacted, including the protagonist, Blake. His encounters with his younger self and his wife's rapid pregnancy can be attributed to these mind-altering effects. Furthermore, this explanation sheds light on the purported "apocalypse" experienced at the game's conclusion, solidifying Outlast 2's status as a brilliantly mind-bending horror game.

3. Layers Of Fear

Metascore: 78

Layers of Fear_20160215123521

Layers of Fear

Released on February 16, 2016, Layers of Fear developed by Bloober Team is a unique game that immerses players into the role of a painter. Tasked with creating a masterpiece in honor of his late wife, the protagonist embarks on a haunting journey to uncover the dark secrets of his past. The captivating and perplexing narrative of this game promises an unforgettable and thrilling experience.

2. The Evil Within

Deepening into the game, players are filled with curiosity about the actuality as they create their masterpiece. Layers of Fear is an exceptional example of a perplexing and psychologically horrifying game, skillfully incorporating the psychedelic horror concept.

Metascore: 79

The Evil Within

Platform(s) PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PCReleased October 14, 2014Developer(s) Tango Gameworks

In The Evil Within, players are introduced to a familiar concept as they embark on a thrilling journey. The protagonist, Sebastian, along with his companions, find themselves immersed in a surreal and ever-changing world. Initially a police detective investigating a mass murder at a mental hospital, Sebastian's life takes a drastic turn when he is pursued by unimaginable horrors after encountering a high-pitched noise.

What sets The Evil Within apart is its captivating psychedelic style, intricate storyline, and exceptional voice-acting. These elements combine to create one of the most extraordinary psychedelic worlds ever seen in gaming. Drawing inspiration from various other horror games, The Evil Within delivers an unparalleled trippy horror experience and introduces some of the most terrifying characters to date.

1. Silent Hill 2

Metascore: 89

Silent Hill 2

Platform(s): PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360

Release Date: September 24, 2001

Developer(s): Konami

The Silent Hill franchise, widely regarded as one of the greatest horror games of all time, has long been striving to recreate the ingenious style, terrifying atmosphere, and uniquely mind-bending journey of James Sunderland as he navigates the eerie town of Silent Hill. After much anticipation, a remake of this iconic game is finally coming.

Silent Hill 2 has a content that showcases monsters and visuals commonly associated with nightmares or chilling hallucinations. The protagonist experiences a severe mental breakdown after losing his wife, adding to the already established tropes of the franchise. The game effectively intensifies the feeling of isolation as players navigate through the haunting streets of Silent Hill. Undoubtedly, Silent Hill 2 has significantly impacted the development of psychedelic and psychological horror games, serving as both a reference and a source of inspiration.

Editor's P/S

1. Psychedelic horror games are a unique and terrifying subgenre that offers players a chance to experience the horrors of the mind. These games often feature mind-bending visuals, psychological terrors, and surreal environments that will stay with you long after you finish playing.

2. Some of the best psychedelic horror games include We Happy Few, Infliction, Yuppie Psycho, and The Hotel. These games all offer unique and unforgettable experiences that will challenge your mind and leave you feeling unsettled. If you're a fan of horror games, then I highly recommend checking out these psychedelic gems.