Historically, the classification of video games into genres ignores the narrative themes, which would include
science fiction or
fantasy games, instead preferring systems based on the style of gameplay or at times, types of game modes or by platform. Horror games is the only narrative-based classification that has generally not followed this pattern, with the narrative genre label used broadly for games designed to scare players. Examples of action horror games include
The House of the Dead series, the
Dead Space series, the
Left 4 Dead series,
The Last of Us series and the original
Alan Wake. Survival horror One of the best-defined and most common types of horror games are survival horror games. These games tend to focus on the survival of the player-character in a horror setting with limited resources, and thus tend to be more geared as an
action game or
action-adventure game. A common theme of these games is escape or survival from the equivalent of a
zombie apocalypse, with weapons, ammunition, and armor limited. The
Resident Evil series coined the term and serves as the prime example of such games, though key conventions of the subgenre preceded the
Resident Evil series. Other notable survival horror series include
Alone in the Dark,
Clock Tower,
Parasite Eve,
Silent Hill, and
Fatal Frame.
Psychological horror Psychological horror games are meant to scare the player through emotional, mental, or psychological states rather than through monsters or other scares. The fear comes from "what is
not seen, rather than what is". The
Silent Hill series, which is also based on survival horror elements, is considered one of the defining psychological horror games. Frictional Games'
Penumbra and
Amnesia series and their standalone game
SOMA explore ethical and philosophical questions, and the psychology, motivations and fallible sides of their largely defenseless protagonists, subjected to mysterious events largely beyond their control. Games with an emphasis on psychological horror may also take advantage of the video game medium to
break the fourth wall and appear to affect the player's computer or console directly, such as with
OMORI,
Eternal Darkness and
Doki Doki Literature Club! Psychological horror games may still be tied to action-based genres;
Spec Ops: The Line is a
third-person shooter but with a psychological horror narrative inspired by works like
Heart of Darkness and
Apocalypse Now.
Jump scare horror Jump scare horror games are designed around moments aimed to immediately surprise or shock the player when they do not expect it, as well as creating a sense of dread while anticipating the next jump scare. While jump scares may be elements in other horror games along with other gameplay aspects, jump scare horror games are generally limited to this type of gameplay mechanism. They are often aimed towards generating reactions from players, which have proven popular to watch over streaming playthroughs of games. ''
Five Nights at Freddy's'' is one example of this style of game. Some other examples of jump scare horror games include
Dino Crisis,
Outlast and
Poppy Playtime.
Reverse horror Reverse horror games involve the player scaring others, rather than the player being scared. Compared to a horror game, the player is instead what would be considered the antagonist. Reverse horror games generally involve assuming the role of a monster or
villain. In comparison to the victim, the main character has some sort of advantage over the others, such as enhanced vision, greater strength, or supernatural abilities. Reverse horror games may also derive from an original horror game, developed as a sequel or prequel to the original, intended to display the perspective of the titular antagonist. Examples of reverse horror games include
Carrion and the asymmetric multiplayer modes in
Dead by Daylight and
Friday the 13th: The Game, in which one player controls the monster or the killer that is chasing the other players. ==History==