Pure horror games are just too few nowadays. For a time, there was a boatload of games across every platform available. Luckily, there is a good number of horror games on the PlayStation Vita, and here are the seven of them.
Best PS vita horror games
7. Neverending Nightmares
Funded through Kickstarter, Neverending Nightmares is a game that throws players in an interactive exploration of depression and horror. The experience is designed to evoke a sense of unease and sadness in a terrifying setting.
The game offers a unique experience, akin to a point-and-click adventure but distinct in its own right. Players navigate a two-dimensional environment, avoiding occasional enemies, moving from room to room, and attempting to escape a series of horrific dreams. The core gameplay is about locking players in the surreal nightmare. Players take the role of Thomas, a mentally unstable man who loves his sister, Gabby. In his nightmares, Thomas repeatedly finds Gabby dead, only to awaken and find her alive. The house he explores becomes increasingly disheveled, with the environment constantly shifting as he spirals deeper into his nightmares.
The visuals follow the gothic art style with minimal use of color against a predominantly black-and-white backdrop. The game’s horror is psychological, creating a steady, chilling unease rather than traditional jump scares. The sound design enhances this atmosphere, with off-putting music and eerie, unidentifiable noises. While the game is short it should leave a long-lasting emotional impact.
6. Whispering Willows
For an adventure game, Whispering Willows has a spiked difficulty. This is most welcome as the majority of the adventure games are pretty much on the easy side. This horror game often requires great use of one’s memory as players try to remember various points and characters without providing a map, which can make navigation through the sizeable mansion and catacombs challenging. The story unfolds through numerous notes scattered throughout the game.
Whispering Willows is a master in creating a creepy atmosphere. The spooky environment, eerie sounds, and sinister soundtrack all contribute to a sense of unease. The plot is centered around a girl trying to rescue her father from a haunted mansion, sort of a reverse original Silent Hill. An accessible horror game is a unique find, much more being a challenging game at the same time.
5. Sense: A Cyberpunk Story
Set in the year 2083, Sense: A Cyberpunk Story allows players take on the role of Mei, a young woman who is unexpectedly transported back 100 years in time while heading to a date in Neo Hong Kong. The bar she arrives at transforms into an abandoned, haunted block of flats, inhabited by the twisted spirits of past residents. To survive, Mei must navigate the decrepit halls, solve puzzles, and help put these tormented souls to rest.
The game’s visual style is heavily influenced by manga, with cutscenes that use dark artwork and strategic lighting to enhance the haunting ambience. As Mei encounters trapped souls, she faces a series of interconnected puzzles, which range from decoding padlocks to rearranging furniture and distracting angry cats. These puzzles are integrated naturally into the game, avoiding the convoluted feel that many video game puzzles can have. The side-scrolling point-and-click adventure format encourages thorough exploration, although some players might find the puzzles too easy.
Sense: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story draws on various East Asian cultural influences, blending elements of Japanese pop culture with Chinese folklore and religious practices. The game’s horror elements are intertwined with tragic backstories of the spirits Mei encounters. This horror game offers a unique and engaging horror experience, though players should be prepared for occasional technical issues.
4. Corpse Party: Blood Drive
Corpse Party Blood Drive had a lot to live up to, especially after the first two games in the series. The original Corpse Party was praised for its writing and atmosphere but not many were fans of its downer ending, which felt manipulative. The sequel, Corpse Party: Book of Shadows, did not advance the story until its final chapter, leaving fans on a cliffhanger. With two years of anticipation, Blood Drive had the burden of wrapping up the series in a satisfying way. Despite some flaws, it delivered an emotional and thrilling conclusion that justified the wait.
Blood Drive serves as the finale to the Heavenly Host trilogy, requiring familiarity with the previous games to fully appreciate its story. The game picks up two months after Book of Shadows, with the surviving characters trying to adjust to life after their traumatic experiences. Ayumi, the main character, is drawn back to Heavenly Host by the promise of a chance to bring back her friends. The narrative is intense and well-paced, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that keeps players hooked. The story’s multiple viewpoints and well-developed characters are also its best features.
The game’s atmosphere is eerie and unnerving. Yet, Corpse Party: Blood Drive’s strengths lies in its storytelling, character development, and presentation. The soundtrack, voice acting, and graphics are all top-notch, contributing to an emotionally engaging and memorable finale. Corpse Party: Blood Drive is a brilliant conclusion to the series and a standout title for the PlayStation Vita.
3. Yomawari: Night Alone
Yomawari: Night Alone plunges players into a chilling adventure, combining Japanese folklore and 2D third-person gameplay as the protagonist searches for their sister and lost dog in the dead of night. The game throws players with a shocking start, setting the tone for the horror elements and intense threats that you will encounter. Players must run, hide, and solve puzzles to survive, navigating through the haunting and treacherous environment.
The game stands out not only for its terrifying gameplay but also for its bundled offering with “Hotaru no Nikki” (htoL#NiQ) in the physical and limited editions. The limited edition features dual-layered covers with unique art, two art scrapbooks, and soundtracks from both games, making it a valuable addition for collectors. The yoma, or monsters, in the game are inspired by Asian folklore and embody the malevolent spirits of wandering souls.
The story begins with the protagonist, a young girl, walking her dog Poro, which quickly takes a dark turn when Poro goes missing after an accident. As you search for your sister in the eerie, danger-filled night, the game reveals its emotional and psychological depth, reminiscent of classics like “The Witch’s House” and “Fatal Frame.” With its heart-wrenching narrative and the constant threat of lurking horrors, “Yomawari: Night Alone” delivers a profound and unsettling horror experience for players brave enough to explore its shadowy world.
2. Resident Evil: Revelations 2
A horror game best-of list is not complete without a Resident Evil title. Resident Evil: Revelations 2 on the Vita offers a complete package with all episodes and extra content included. The game continues the story after Resident Evil 5 and Revelations 1, and features popular characters Claire Redfield and Barry Burton, along with newcomers Moira Burton and Natalia Kordia. The Revelations titles are in episodic format which is different from the mainline games but still as scary as them.
Gameplay retains the familiar third-person shooter mechanics with new skills to enhance the main campaign. Puzzles are straightforward, and stealth elements allow players to conserve ammo. The partner AI has improved significantly, making the experience smoother. Additional modes like “Little Miss” and “The Struggle” provide unique gameplay experiences, while Invisible Mode and Countdown Mode add extra challenges. Raid Mode offers cooperative shooting fun, extending the game’s longevity.
1. Lone Survivor: The Director’s Cut
This game is essentially the demake of Silent Hill. The visuals, though in pixel art form, manage to evoke the same sense of terror without falling into the typical adorable aesthetic of such games. The developer of Lone Survivor: The Director’s Cut employs clever masking techniques, such as impressive lightwork and a grainy film effect, to enhance the visual experience, giving the game a gritty, atmospheric feel. The inclusion of the infamous Silent Hill fog further solidifies the eerie atmosphere.
The audio design in this demake is particularly noteworthy. Both sound effects and music are meticulously crafted. The sound effects are so realistic that they blur the line between in-game noises and real-world sounds, while the haunting music heightens the foreboding dread as you explore the game’s limited environments.
The game maintains a strong narrative reminiscent of Silent Hill, taking players on an emotional journey through the protagonist’s tragic past. The original Silent Hill, and most of its sequels, really were unique experiences in the horror genre that is yet to be surpassed.