Sequels are an inevitable part of a successful franchise, especially inthe horror genre.In the movie world, popular horror franchises such asSaw,Friday the 13th, andParanormal Activitycan continue with a new movie released every couple of years. In video games, horror sequels often build upon the original release, bringing better mechanics, graphics, and storylines. Depite all this extra funding and feedback, some series peak with their first entry.
Horror continues to be one of the most popular gaming genres in the world, with immersive titles that dare their fans to press play. Many of the games on this list represent the core of the horror genre, withnumerous releasesbecoming benchmarks for other developers to follow. These franchises have found continued success, forging die-hard communities of fans that eagerly await the next release.
This long-running series helped to define the survival horror genre and is widely considered to be one of the best horror franchises of all time. The firstFatal Framewas released in Japan in 2001 and received strong critical praise, most notably for its use of a camera obscura. The game was influenced by theSilent Hillseries, as well as popular Japanese horror movies of the era, such asRinguandThe Grudge.
The series truly came into its own with the second installment,Crimson Butterfly, wheretwo sisters explore a haunted town, using their camera obscura to defeat various spirits.Fatal Frame 2is often considered one of the scariest games ever made, with its dark and foreboding atmosphere. TheFatal Framefranchise never became a huge financial success like other famous series, but it still continued with three more entries, as well as two spin-off games.
This influential zombie game series was first released in 1996 as a light-gun arcade game. Each entry features a simple storyline, where an agent prepares to take on hordes of undead with their trusty gun. The story isn’t the focus here though, as players dispatch wave after wave of zombies.
House of the Dead 2greatly improved on the first game, with better graphics and gameplay. In addition to the six mainline game entries, there have been numerous spin-off games, as well as two film adaptations.House of the Deadwas a key part of reviving the zombie genre in both gaming and movies. It has been credited with introducing the fast-running zombie into popular culture, later made famous in films such as28 Days Later.
Alone in the Darkis credited as one of the originators of the survival horror genre. First released in 1992,Alone in the Darkrevolves around a haunted mansion in Louisiana. Players are tasked with escaping the mansion while solving puzzles and banishing ghosts. The game was highly praised for its groundbreaking gameplay and atmosphere.
While the first game is still considered one of the most influential titles in horror, the series would move away from its roots in the sequels, bringing more action to its gameplay. There are currently 7Alone in the Darkgames, as well as a small promotional game namedJack in The Dark. The most recent game was released in March 2024 and is aremake of the classicoriginal entry.
Starting in 2014,Five Nights At Freddy’shas quickly established itself as one of the top horror franchises in modern gaming. With 9 mainline entries and numerous spin-off games, the series has firmlyentered into modern popular culture, with a movie series consisting of 3 films to add to its library.
The games revolve around Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza restaurant, where the player takes on the role of nighttime security guard. The player uses cameras, door controls, and lights to protect themselves from the animatronic mascots that are trying to kill them. While the series hasn’t been the most critically acclaimed throughout its history, the first entry is considered a point-and-click indie classic, with its iconic enemies and unnerving atmosphere, and the first feature-length film adaptation from last year was also positively received.
Thesurvival horror seriesSilent Hillis one of the most famous franchises in gaming. Although its critical praise would diminish with subsequent releases, the original three entries in the series are still hailed as classics of the genre. There are over a dozen games in the series, including several mobile games and upcoming remakes. The franchise even spawned a movie series consisting of three films.
Silent Hillrevolves around a mysterious town of the same name, where the central characters find themselves lost in the eerie mists. Various monstrous enemies inhabit the town, most notably the iconic Pyramid Head. The games lean heavily into psychological horror and have been praised for their haunting atmosphere, strong narratives, and unique design. The series has been very influential on horror gaming, especiallySilent Hill 2, which is widely considered one of the best games ever made.
This unofficial series of cult indie games is based on a large-scale collaborative writing project known asSCP Foundation, created by theSCP Wiki. This shared fictional universe revolves around an organization tasked with capturing, studying, and containing various paranormal phenomena, known as SCPs. Much of the project is made up of reports and articles about particular anomalies that now number over 7000.
There are now numerousSCPgames, often created by different indie developers who are fans of the writing project. The series revolves around the player becoming trapped in a facility where there has been an SCP breach. Each enemy featured in the games has a different mechanic that the player needs to work around. Notable SCPs like SCP-173, also known as “Peanut,” will only move when the player looks away. This cult franchise continues to grow and become more well-known in the mainstream, with high-profile games likeControlbeing heavilyinfluenced by the project.
This gothic horror action-adventure series is one of the most influential franchises in video game history. The series revolves mainly around Dracula and the Belmont family of vampire hunters. Its influence on modern gaming can not be overstated, with theMetroidvania genrehalf-named after the series. With over 30 entries,Castlevaniais a long-running staple of the video game landscape.
There have been several highly praised entries in the series, most notablySymphony of the Night. Its blend of open exploration, tough boss encounters, and roleplaying elements made it a classic of the genre. In addition to the game, there have been several comics published, as well as a successful animated TV series.Castlevaniaremains an important part of the gaming market, with fans eagerly awaiting news of the next installment.
The most successful horror franchise in video game history,Resident Evildefined the survival horror genre for many. The mainline series currently has 10 entries, with the first four games also enjoying full remakes in recent years. There have been numerous spin-offs and mobile games, as well as several film series, animations, and TV series.
TheResident Evilfranchise generally revolves around a mass viral outbreak, where people are turned into undead zombies or mutated monsters. From the T-Virus in the original game to the Las Plagas parasite in the fourth entry, the player must always survive against tough enemies looking to rip them apart. The games will often blend action and horror, and feature numerous puzzles for players to solve.Resident Evilremains a major name in the video game industry, with several classic installments. The series reinvents itself every few years, staying relevant to new generations and ensuring its continued success.
