Summary
The 1990s were good for horror gaming as the decade saw both creative growth and the birth of new franchises and styles.Resident EvilandAlone in the Darkcrafted an entirely new typeof game called survival horror, whileSilent Hillwas tapping into the more psychological aspects of the terrifying genre. Each year seemed to be improving on what these games could be in the future, and how they could scare players in different ways.
In addition to the new styles of games, the horror genre was also able to take advantage of the growing home console market and advancements in PC hardware. The ability to add in more detail and enhanced graphical fidelity wasn’t all that added to the scares, as the increased sound quality was also crucial to this revolutionary time in horror games. Here is a look at the best games from each year of the 90s, which paved the way for the successes the genre enjoys today.
A Nightmare On Elm Street - 1990
Spooky 2D Adaptation Of Horror Film Series
Freddy Krueger’s longtime rival, Jason Vorhees, managed to beat him to the video game finish line in 1989,but the horror film iconstill got his own interactive expedition in 1990 courtesy of Rare.A Nightmare On Elm Streetwas initially planned to put players in control of Freddy himself, but fear of controversy affecting sales caused Rare to pivot.
In the final game, players take control of a teenager attempting to collect Freddy’s bones and burn them. The game featured a unique sleep system where the player can doze off unless they stay in motion, thus entering the Dream World where they are susceptible to Freddy and an unnerving soundtrack. Considering these stand-out elements and the time they were birthed,A Nightmare On Elm Streetis certainly a forgotten horror gem from this era.
Castlevaniahad already established itself as one ofthe premiere horror gamesin the industry by the 1990s, as the three NES entries had proved to be some of the console’s most popular titles. But with the transition from 8-bit to 16-bit technology with the Super Nintendo,Castlevaniawas one of the franchises that was able to take advantage in the best way.
With the improvements to what was possible with sprites and background art, Konami created a world that looked terrifying in 1991. Along with some impressive Mode 7 scaling and parallax backgrounds, the world felt more frightening than anything on the console. It also features one of the best final boss fights against Dracula, another reason this spooky platformer is one of the genre’s best.
One of the architects of the survival horror genre,Alone in the Darkwas one of the first games to use fixed cameras placed in cinematic locations. These ominous angles were a key element to the game and its ability to scare the player, as it evoked the same feelings of mystique and tension as the classic horror films that inspired it.
Set in Louisiana during the year 1924,Alone in the Darkis the fascinating tale of a private investigator named Edward Carnby, but it also features a second playable character in Emily Hartwood. It was a unique game for its time, encouraging evasion of monsters over brute force. In a time of action games and a burgeoning FPS market,Alone in the Darkwould set the stage for what horror games aspired to be in the decades to come.
As the first-person shooter market was beginning its rapid ascent, thanks in no small part toWolfenstein 3D, developers id Software sought to create a gamethat combined the actionof their previous efforts with an emphasis on horror.
WithDoom, the focus wasn’t just on shooting, but surviving the horrifying demons and monsters that were unleashed on them. The atmosphere is evident right from the start, as the nightmarish landscape and howling monsters in the distance set the stage immediately. It’s one of the PC’s most terrifying games of the decade and can still be somewhat oppressive even today.
An early ancestor ofthe immersive sim genre,System Shockwas developed by Looking Glass Studios and set inside a haunting space station that is overrun with mutants and deadly cyborgs. The sense of paranoia is perfect, as the player is never made to feel safe or protected at any point during the game.
The harrowing journey through Citadel Station is one punctuated bySystem Shock’smain villain, the malevolent AI Shodan. Voiced by the game’s writer, Terri Brosius, Shodan is one of the 90s' most terrifying and fascinating antagonists.System Shock’suse of horror and isolation was so well done that it influenced countless iconic titles and still remains one of the decade’s scariest experiences.
Based on the short story written by science fiction writer Harlan Ellison,I Have No Mouth, and I Must Screamis set ina surreal post-apocalyptic worldfeaturing a powerful computer named AM. This 1995 point and click adventure game deals with a host of mature and taboo subjects, with an emphasis on the horrors of humanity and how they are seen by others.
Featuring a roster of five completely unique and equally fascinating characters,I Have No Mouth,and I Must Screamderives its sinister atmosphere from not just the apocalyptic setting, but the exploration of these characters and their flaws. It is often a deeply unsettling, highly disturbing experience that can be purchased for a ridiculously low price these days.
Originally beginning development as a remake of a SNES horror game calledSweet Home,Resident Eviltells the story of a highly-advanced law enforcement team called STARS. As they attempt to escape the sinister Spencer Mansion andsurvive the zombie outbreak, players are forced to confront all manners of monsters and creatures.
The fixed camera angles took clear inspiration fromAlone in the Dark, but whereResident Evilinnovated was in the inventory system and its reliance on the technological advancements of the time. Thanks to the power of the PlayStation, Capcom created a world that looked and felt like it was straight out of a horror film.
Before the likes ofBloodborneandSalt & Sanctuary,the gothic horror genrewas attempting to take off in 1997 thanks toNightmare Creatures. Influenced by real-world UK history such as the First Great Fire Of London, this hack and slash horror masterpiece is set in a grim world with creepy back alleys and a huge roster of monsters.
The atmosphere of the game is fabulous, with smoke and fog filling the streets, all while the creatures stalk the player from the darkness. It also features a fantastic lead villain in the devious Adam Crowley, an occultist lurking in the shadows. It’s altogether creepy, challenging, and is in desperate need of a reboot of some kind.
Sequel expectations are often sky-high, but if any continuation was up to the task, it wasResident Evil 2. Though it restarted development several times, the final game ended up being not only one of the best games of 1998, but one ofthe greatest survival horror gamesever made.
Every aspect ofResident Evil 2is built with confidence, from the highly detailed backgrounds to the absolutely frightening Mr. X. With the introduction of a few new monsters, including the Licker, as well as two of the franchise’s most popular characters in Leon and Claire,Resident Evil 2is still a horror masterpiece that can hang with the best of them.
WhileResident Evilhad the market cornered on the explosive, blockbuster kind of horror, Konami was positioningSilent Hillto fly the flag of an entirely different style. By exploiting the untapped market of psychological horror,Silent Hillcreated something truly different and, in the process, ended up being one of the greatest horror games ever created.
The art direction and intentional griminess giveSilent Hillall ofits trademark style, as the pixelated textures and low-fi nature of the game is a perfect fit for horror. This extends all the way into the player’s trips into the terrifying Otherworld, all while the excellent music of Akira Yamaoka brings everything together in one spectacularly scary package.
