Unveiling the Thrilling Mastery of Light in 6 Game-Changing Horror Experiences

Highlights

Horror games use various mechanics, such as lighting, to invoke feelings of horror and dread in players.

Games such as Alan Wake and Amnesia: The Dark Descent skillfully employ light as a means to fend off the forces of darkness. In contrast, Tormented Souls and similar horror games compel players to locate mobile light sources in order to endure the lethal shadows.

Horror games are primarily created to induce feelings of horror and fear in players, incorporating various crucial elements such as carefully timed music and audio cues, strategic map layouts, terrifying monster designs, and innovative lighting mechanics.

While most horror games provide a source of light to players, the more exceptional ones take it a step further. Instead of simply allowing the player to illuminate a small area by pressing a button, these games introduce a distinctive lighting mechanic that enhances its intrigue and usefulness for the player.

6 Alan Wake

Alan Wake

Platform(s) Xbox 360, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased February 16, 2012Developer(s) Remedy EntertainmentGenre(s) Third-Person Shooter, Survival Horror

This horror game, inspired by Twin Peaks, revolves around the main character who goes on a vacation to the city of Bright Falls in hopes of overcoming his two-year writer's block. Following a heated argument with his wife Alice, Alan storms off in anger, only to hear her scream as she is pulled into a lake. He awakens on the roadside in his car, devoid of memories of how he arrived there, with a missing wife to locate, and shadowy monsters to confront.

Although Alan possesses a gun, light serves as his primary weapon against the forces of darkness. The creatures, called the Taken, are vulnerable to light. Illuminating them weakens them, rendering them susceptible to weapon damage, enabling Wake to eliminate them and progress further in the game. Flashlights, flashbangs, flares, streetlights, searchlights, and any available light source can be utilized strategically, taking advantage of the game's environment.

5 Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Experience the chilling world of Amnesia: The Dark Descent, the ground-breaking game that ignited the internet's fascination with heart-pounding indie horror. Instead of venturing through the eerie hallways of Castle Brennenburg alone, many opted to watch "let's players" tackle the daunting challenge, delving into Daniel's repressed memories and uncovering the truth behind his self-inflicted amnesia and the enigmatic castle owner.

Equipped with a portable lantern, players must navigate the darkness, utilizing scattered candles that can be lit with spare tinderboxes. These sources of light serve not only to illuminate the surroundings but also to safeguard the protagonist's sanity. Diminishing sanity can lead to terrifying hallucinations and disorienting camera perspectives, impeding effective navigation. However, players must exercise caution and avoid excessive reliance on light, as the creatures lurking in the shadows are drawn to its presence.

4 Madison

Madison is an extraordinary game that intertwines a camera into its gameplay and storytelling. This camera holds significance as it is gifted to the 16-year-old protagonist, Lucas, on his birthday. However, this is no ordinary camera purchased from a store. It has a haunting past, once owned by a 30-year-old serial killer, and becomes the key to unraveling a sinister ritual.

While the primary gameplay revolves around utilizing the camera to capture pictures, solve puzzles, and advance in the game, there are additional mechanics that rely on the camera's flash function. In areas where visibility is limited, players can capture a picture to briefly illuminate their surroundings, allowing them to navigate and determine their next course of action. As is typical in horror games, there are moments where players may witness unsettling sights they would rather not see while employing this mechanic.

3 Tormented Souls

Tormented Souls

Platform(s) PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox OneReleased August 27, 2021Developer(s) Dual Effect GamesGenre(s) Horror

Drawing inspiration from iconic horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, Tormented Souls revives the classic gameplay of fixed camera angles to intensify its unique brand of terror. Players will follow the protagonist, Caroline Walker, as she explores a haunting hospital that was once a grand mansion.

Alongside a multitude of mind-bending puzzles that require astute problem-solving skills and formidable monsters that pose a grave danger, players must also contend with the daunting task of maneuvering through the extensive environment using fixed cameras. However, there is another crucial element to consider: darkness can prove lethal. To ensure their survival, players must either carry a portable light source or locate sufficient illumination within their surroundings before being consumed by the deadly darkness.

2 Lights Off

Lights Off is an exceptional free-to-play horror game that diverges from the usual concept of seeking light for safety. Instead, it explores the childhood fear of what lurks in the dark. Players are tasked with turning off every light before going to bed, heightening the suspense of potential monsters being present when the lights are switched off. By focusing solely on this gameplay mechanic, the game distinguishes itself as a distinct and captivating experience, effectively emphasizing the terror associated with the absence of light.

1 Flicker Of Hope

Flicker of Hope is an indie horror game that offers a unique, free-to-play experience. Players step into the role of a charming little candle residing in a plague-ridden cathedral. Amidst the darkness and remnants of the illness, our courageous candle, Jean Wick, embarks on a mission left behind by a deceased monk. His objective is to fill the monastery with light, spreading hope to the world.

As Jean Wick explores the haunting landscapes, he must navigate through obstacles and debris that obstruct his path. To avoid being discovered by Mara, a despairing nun who failed to heal the victims, as well as flesh-eating insects, Jean Wick cleverly extinguishes his light using a douter. This innovative use of light sets Flicker of Hope apart from other games in the genre.