Summary
Improvements in game engines and console hardware have allowed developers tocreate more immersive, realistic, and ultimately more terrifying games than ever before. Unsurprisingly, technological advancements in the gaming industry have meant that many of thePlayStation 1’s classic gamesdon’t hold up today.
Although some gameplay mechanics and visuals show their age, manyPS1 horror gamesstill manage to provide unsettling experiences that make great use of the limited hardware to strike fear into players. It’s a testament to the scintillating atmosphere and stellar direction of these games that most players won’t be able to sit through them without their nerves being tested.
Updated on July 14, 2025, by Jason Wojnar:Horror gaming existed before the PlayStation, but the arrival of 3D gaming and polygonal models gave developers a whole new playground with which to scare gamers. This list hopefully shows just how many influential titles came from the console. The update adds a few more games to the list. Some of these new entries are not as well known - one never officially came out - but they still deserve respect, attention, and admiration. This list might even inspire some to dust off their old PS1 console, head to a retro gaming store, and try out some of these titles for themselves.
This game famously features the dual-stick aiming and movement control scheme that would become commonplace in the genre after a couple of years. At the time, however, it was derided by some.Alien: Resurrectionis a difficult game and has some rough edges, but the atmosphere captures the series' vibe.
It scared people back then and it still has the power to do so now. Some might call it more frightening than the movie it is based on.Resurrectionis also quite difficult, and the aged gameplay makes it even harder for modern players visiting it for the first time.
Shadow Towermight not be billed as a horror game, but its esoteric atmosphere is still creepy. Thisis a FromSoftware game coming years before Hidetaka Miyazakimade the studio into a household name. There is still some DNA here that travels through to the studio today, though.
The mysterious world, difficulty, and obtuse progression are all here inShadow Tower.Unlike the game’s followingDemon’s Souls, players get stronger by using abilities repeatedly, similar toThe Elder Scrolls. Explore these dark dungeons and see what creepy monsters lie in wait.
Being as grotesque as possible is passe these days, but it was right in tune with ’90s gaming.Thrill Killis a fighting game that allows four people to fight in a 3D environment. The shtick here is the extreme violence and morose characters. Unfortunately, the game’s content caused it to be shelved by the publisher.
The game was scheduled to be released in 1998. It is difficult to imagine publishers beingscared of backlash for violent content now withGrand Theft Auto 5being one of the most popular things in existence, but back then some considered scrapping a nearly completed game worth it to avoid controversy. A virtually complete build floats around on the Internet now.
Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style is a fighting game centered around the legendary group built onThrill Kill’sengine, so all that hard work did not go to waste.
Point-and-click horror games are pretty effective at unnerving players, andClock Toweris a great example of the same. Players control an orphan called Jennifer who finds herself in the manor of her adoptive parents, only to see everyone be hunted down and killed by the horrifying Scissorman. This entity chases down Jennifer as she tries to solve puzzles and uncover the mystery surrounding her harrowing adventures in the Barrows family manor.
The Scissorman is a harrowing antagonist who will kill Jennifer in a brutal manner if players fail to avoid him. There arenumerous endings in this game that players can achieve, but they must complete certain obtuse objectives if they wish to check out this unnerving narrative all the way to completion across its many ending paths. It’s easily one of thebest PS1 horror gamesplayers can get their hands on.
Dino Crisisis a more action-heavy game that uses theResident Evilengine to great effect. Capcom wanted to use the engine that helped them establish one of the most popular survival-horror games of all time and develop a title where players could shoot down dinosaurs that could devour them in a flash. This game was a decent success for them, prompting them to greenlight a sequel that focused a lot more on letting players enjoy fun action set-pieces.
However, don’t let that take away fromDino Crisis 2’s impact on players whenever they have to face down sinister dinosaurs that can take them out at a moment’s notice. These dinosaurs are no joke, and players must have their wits about them if they don’t want to be taken out by these raptors after a momentary lapse in judgment.
Alone in the Darkis considered by many to be one of the first survival horror games ever made, with the title’s controls instilling a sense of nervousness in the player when they’re unable to control their character freely as the tension ramps up. This amazing PS1 horror game was bound to receive a sequel, and it’s a shame that more people don’t talk aboutOne-Eyed Jack’s Revengein the same appreciative light.
While the horror elements of the first game have been toned down in the sequel, that shouldn’t take anything away from the sequel’s ability to scare the player senseless as they scramble to use their weapons and take out zombies, gangsters, pirates, and other such enemies standing in their way. The game gets even scarier if players control Grace, a child who can be instantly captured by enemies if she’s spotted.
20…Iru!
A First-Person Survival Horror Game
Many people haven’t really heard ofIru, in no small part because of the fact that this game never really received an official translation. However, fans arrived to save the day and let players enjoy a rather chilling survival horror experience with all the charm one would expect from a classic PlayStation horror title.
The game is considered by many to be similar toClock Tower, with players exploring a school that is infested with supernatural abnormalities that will chase the player every step of the way. Players need to survive during these intense chase sequences while solving many mind-bending puzzles along the way.
19Clock Tower 2: The Struggle Within
A Tense Horror Game With Intense Chase Sequences
TheClock Towerseries is one of the most beloved horror game franchises that has churned out many great games and helped other titles likeHaunting Groundcome to life too. The idea of exploring a haunted mansion and solving puzzles while being chased by a horrifying figure is a trope that may not seem original, but it’s the manner in whichClock Towerpulls off this concept that makes each title great in its own way, barring some poor attempts here and there.
Clock Tower 2is a game that didn’t receive the greatest reviews when it launched, with most of the complaints being about its dated interface. However, in modern times, this game is a great classic horror game that fans can have a great time with as long as they forgive it for a few missteps.
18Mizzurna Falls
A Unique, Quirky Horror-Adventure That is Arguably One Of The First Open-World Games
Most people aren’t aware ofMizzurna Falls, which is a shame. This quirky adventure game is one of the first open-world titles to ever be made, but it was only released in Japan. It was only in 2021 that the game was localized by fans, allowing English-speaking players to finally check it out.
This odd title focuses on the disappearance of a classmate and how his friend tries to investigate over the course of seven days to figure out what happened. This time limit forces players to not stray from an established path, adding to the game’s replay value. The game’s oppressive atmosphere and unique sim-like elements make it a truly unique game that feels likeDeadly Premonitionwith tank controls.
Set three years after the first game,Parasite Eve 2is a sequel that many players didn’t really check out, which is a shame. Many people faulted the game’s clunky tank controls and lack of proper JRPG elements for its obsolescence, but players who gave this game a shot and got past its faults actually enjoyed what was on offer.
Aya Brea, now working for the FBI under the Mitochondrial Investigation and Suppression Team — also known as MIST — is sent to investigate the town of Dryfield. The events that ensue are scary, riveting, and classicParasite Evegoodness that fans of the first game will have a great time with. While its attempts to emulate what madeResident Evilsuch a success may have been misplaced, fans of Aya Brea’s original adventure will find a lot to love in the game’s many shocking moments and instances of gross body horror.
