horror games
On June 13, 2022, Sony introduced the new version of PlayStation Plus in North America. This revamped subscription service combines the original PS Plus with PS Now and comes in different tiers. If you opt for the Extra or Premium tiers, you get access to a wide range of PS5 and PS4 games, including a bunch of classic titles.

These Premium and Extra tiers offer games from various genres, including horror. But with such a vast selection available, it can be tricky to pinpoint the absolute best horror games. So, here are some top-notch PS Plus horror games to consider.

The Quarry​

The Quarry
PS Plus really has a soft spot for Supermassive Games, and they've added quite a few of their projects to the service. While Until Dawn remains one of Supermassive's standout creations, The Quarry is another noteworthy entry, particularly for fans of classic slasher films or those who enjoy the developer's previous works. Like their usual style, this 2022 game is ideal for a lengthy co-op gaming session, accommodating up to 8 players. In this scenario, each player takes on the role of a different character, navigating them through a nightmarish ordeal. The game truly shines in multiplayer mode, but it's also a thrilling experience if you decide to go solo.

To fully appreciate The Quarry, it helps to have a pre-existing love for horror movies, especially because the campaign doesn't offer a ton of traditional gameplay. Apart from some light exploration and occasional player-driven choices, the game unfolds more like a cinematic experience, requiring you to spend a significant amount of time watching the story play out.

The Medium​

The Medium
When it comes to horror games on PlayStation Plus, Bloober Team's The Medium has arguably become the standout choice in its latest update. This indie studio, known for titles like Layers of Fear and Blair Witch, has poured its accumulated knowledge into their most recent game. As a result, the psychological horrors that torment the game's protagonist, Marianne, are genuinely nightmarish and provoke deep thought.

What sets The Medium apart in the realm of PS Plus horror games is its recent surge in relevance. Following numerous insider leaks and rumors, it's now officially confirmed that Bloober Team is in the process of remaking Silent Hill 2 for Konami. The Medium shares many similarities with the iconic horror game, making it a must-play for fans who are eagerly anticipating the remake.

Dead By Daylight​

Dead By Daylight
Since its launch in 2016, Behaviour Interactive's Dead by Daylight has evolved into quite a sensation in the horror gaming world. Notably, its core gameplay principles have remained largely unchanged during this time. The game still revolves around four teammates striving to survive against a single player who assumes the role of a supernatural entity. It's a straightforward yet highly effective setup, making it easy to see how its recent inclusion in PS Plus Extra could attract an even larger player base.

One of the standout features that has set Dead by Daylight apart from other multiplayer horror games is its continually expanding list of crossover content. This has become its major selling point. Over the past few years, the game has seen a consistent release of downloadable content, resulting in an extensive lineup of playable characters from iconic horror movies and games. With collaborations including the Halloween series, Stranger Things, and Silent Hill, players can now indulge in a multiplayer horror experience that is undeniably one of the top choices among horror games available on PS Plus Premium and Extra.

Until Dawn​

Until Dawn
With PS Plus Extra and Premium, players now have the convenience of downloading and playing games directly from their console's internal storage. This is a significant advantage for many horror games available on the subscription service, especially those that might suffer from lag caused by slow internet connections. One notable beneficiary of this feature is Supermassive Games' Until Dawn, primarily because of the fast-paced, tense gameplay that players often encounter while desperately trying to survive.

Until Dawn pays homage to the classic horror genre with its well-executed jump-scares and a storyline that revolves around a group of friends haunted by their past. Importantly, the narrative continues even when a character meets their demise due to the player's choices, creating a sense of lasting consequences. Because of this, Supermassive's cinematic adventure offers an exceptional example of interactive choose-your-own-adventure gameplay and is arguably still the studio's finest work to date.

The Dark Pictures Anthology​

The Dark Pictures Anthology
While not the most highly acclaimed of Supermassive Games' projects, their most prominent franchise is undoubtedly The Dark Pictures Anthology. This series has delivered five chapters so far, and they're already working on the next installment. Similar to the developer's other horror creations like Until Dawn and The Quarry, these shorter experiences are interactive dramas heavily influenced by player choices. Each entry introduces a fresh setting and provides a mostly self-contained story, although they are linked through a consistent narrator.

Within PS Plus Extra, you can find Man of Medan and Little Hope, which are the first two games in The Dark Pictures Anthology. While they may not be considered masterpieces, these titles are delightful homages to the horror genre, offering an excellent 5-player co-op experience. With each game featuring five main characters, players are assigned specific roles as they collaborate to ensure their survival.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard​

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
In PS Plus Premium, you'll discover a satisfying lineup of Resident Evil classics, including gems like Code: Veronica. On the other hand, the Extra tier features just one entry in the franchise, but it happens to be one of the most terrifying games of the 2010s. Resident Evil 7, simultaneously a return to its roots and a significant departure from the previous formula, chose to strip away the action in favor of pure horror. This was a much-needed shift, especially after the action-packed Resident Evil 6. While the decision to adopt a first-person perspective was met with some initial skepticism, it ultimately proved to be a game-changing move.

The story follows Ethan Winters, who receives a mysterious message from his long-lost wife and ends up trapped in a nightmarish house with the Bakers, arguably the creepiest family in the world of horror gaming. As Ethan struggles for his own survival, he also hopes to rescue his partner and uncover the unsettling mystery behind the bizarre behavior of everyone involved.

Doom 3​

Doom 3
Id Software's Doom franchise has often flirted with horror but has typically stopped short of fully embracing the genre. An exception to this is 2004's Doom 3, a title often seen as the series' outlier. It wholeheartedly embraced survival horror, featuring slower-paced combat compared to its predecessors and successors, more enclosed level design, and a strong focus on darkness. While the actual gameplay isn't excessively challenging, the narrative attempts to portray Doomguy as a more vulnerable soldier than usual. Notably, the original game forces players to switch between a flashlight and their weapons, a divisive mechanic that effectively heightens tension, even if it's not precisely what everyone expects from a Doom installment.

The PS4 version of the game is based on Doom 3: BFG Edition, which tones down some of the survival horror elements in an effort to align more closely with the other entries in the series. As a result, this version may not be as distinctive as the classic iteration, but it still offers an enjoyable experience in its own right.

The Last Of Us Remastered​

The Last Of Us Remastered
Thanks to Naughty Dog's well-known cinematic expertise, it's sometimes easy to overlook that The Last of Us is, in fact, a horror game. This is a testament to the compelling characters at the heart of the story, as the infected creatures that roam the game's world sometimes take a back seat in discussions about the franchise. However, this doesn't mean the hordes of the transformed should be underestimated, as they consistently deliver plenty of scares throughout the experience.

The Last of Us strikes a perfect balance in terms of horror. It offers intense physical horrors, characteristic of strong zombie-themed media, while also ensuring that the psychological aspects of the genre are ever-present. The world crafted by Naughty Dog is brimming with meticulous detail, ensuring that the presence and threat of the infected are constantly on the player's mind, whether they're on the screen or lurking in the shadows.

Observation​

Observation
Developed by the Scottish indie studio No Code and published by Devolver Digital, Observation offers a unique and unsettling experience that stands out among the titles available on PlayStation Plus. This sci-fi-themed thriller revolves around the enigmatic disappearance of a space station's crew. Similar to the concept seen in the Five Nights at Freddy's series, players engage with their environment and unravel a suspenseful mystery by using a series of cameras.

What sets Observation apart is its intriguing twist: players take on the role of a sentient artificial intelligence named SAM. This creative decision introduces several surprises and unique takes on the horror genre, making it a must-play for PS Plus subscribers who enjoy a different and thought-provoking gaming experience.

Bloodborne​

bloodborne
Since the release of Demon's Souls in 2009, FromSoftware has earned a reputation for crafting games characterized by punishing difficulty and addictive action mechanics. While this combination can deliver intense experiences in most of their titles, Bloodborne stands out as the studio's most deliberate foray into the horror genre. Its gameplay will undoubtedly appeal to many, but it's especially a must-play for horror enthusiasts among the PS Plus Extra subscribers.

Drawing heavy inspiration from gothic literature, the exploration of Yharnam in Bloodborne is an atmospheric journey in itself. What makes it even more terrifying is that the city's dark alleys are inhabited by monsters and entities that would make H.P. Lovecraft proud. FromSoftware's title continues to be revered for numerous good reasons to this day, and it now rightfully earns its place among the best horror games available on PS Plus.
 
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