Sometimes, no horror gets through to us unless we face it in a video game and fully experience it. From jump scares to psychological horror, or traditional, the possibilities in a video game are endless, and limits are often pushed. Some of the best are the 2D games, where you only see what the game wants you to. It adds to the horror atmosphere while still telling a whole story. These are the best 2D horror video games that will have you on the edge of your seat, but still scared about what is coming next.
Trigger Warning: The mention of certain content and topics in this article may be triggering to some readers.
Omori (2020)
Trigger Warning: Omori (2020) contains topics like depression, anxiety, suicide, and family trauma. Please exercise self-care.
Omori (2020) is a primarily 2D game developed by OMOCAT. It was released in 2020 and has been a massive hit in the horror community. It is available on PCs and consoles and is about $20. It has psychological horror elements and is full of a found family vibe and heart-tugging scenes. It is not primarily 2D as it has animated cutscenes that are part of the storyline. It is a story-filled video game that is brightly colored.
A young kid named Sunny, or Omori, deals with many family traumas, and the game follows his dream world. This is a world where he and a group of friends travel and walk through his repressed memories. It is full of intense mental illnesses, as well as Omori’s feelings around his family trauma. It is a type of horror that messes with your head rather than a horror that will jump scare you. Not only that, but the topics pull on your heartstrings and are a fantastic horror 2D game to play.
Grave Seasons (2026)
Grave Seasons (2026) is a game that is being released soon. Microsoft and Blumhouse, the popular horror movie producers, are highly anticipated to produce it. It has no set price but will be available on PC and all consoles. It is a horror game, but also a cozy farming sim game. Similar to other farming games, but with a fun twist. It is a 2D pixelated game that will get you hooked on each playthrough.
The game follows you, the player, as you go to a secluded town to start a new life. You were a criminal before and are now searching for a new life as a farmer. Secrets spill out as you farm and learn your way through the town. You realize there is a supernatural serial killer and must find out who it is. The best part, though, is that the killer changes every playthrough. It is the perfect mash of mystery and horror, and a game on my wishlist.
Carrion (2020)
Carrion (2020) is another popular horror game with a twist. Phobia Game Studio developed it, which is about $20, and is available on PC and all consoles. Rather than just being a typical horror game, it is reversed, where you play as the monster. This game is another 2D pixelated video game on the market that is highly loved. With the reverse horror aspect, the game follows more of a survival horror than anything else.
You play as a formless monster, full of teeth and appendages, as it escapes a research facility where it has been trapped. As you continue to fight and, hopefully, consume human researchers, your monster grows and gains new abilities to help you survive. You also get glimpses of the researchers’ work and what they do to try to understand you. Horror lies in the pressure to survive and get out, and the look of your monster, rather than traditional horror. Honestly, it is the best horror video game. The pressure is what makes the game fun, I promise.
Doki Doki Literature Club (2017)
Trigger Warning: Doki Doki Literature Club (2017) deals with heavy topics such as suicide, self-harm, and gore. Please exercise self-care.
Doki Doki Literature Club (2017) is another unconventional horror game that deals more in the interactive side. Team Salvato developed it, which costs between $10 and $15, depending on whether you buy the downloadable content. It is available on PCs and all consoles. The interactive part is entertaining and enhances the horror, but I don’t want to spoil the endings for anyone. It is a 2D game, as the characters present 2D, but there are 3D backgrounds and cutscenes. It is dark and twisted with a cute look, so don’t be fooled.
It follows a male character, you play, as your childhood best friend has you join her literature club. It is made up of only three other girls other than her, and you go through the story creating poems that have consequences and romancing one of the three girls. Only one of the girls seems to have a conscience beyond the game. Things take a dark and twisted turn fast, and a sweet game turns to a romance horror. The interactive piece comes toward the end of the game, and each girl has their cutscenes so that playthroughs are entertaining.
Sally Face (2016)
Trigger Warning: Sally Face (2016) contains heavy gore and violence. Please exercise self-care.
Sally Face (2016) is a dark horror game that grapples with the wild parts of humankind. Portable Moose is another animated 2D video game. It came out in episodes, and buying all of them costs $15, and is available on PC and all consoles. The horror in the game is more traditional, surrounded by murder and mystery. It takes you through an intricate story that has you guessing at every turn.
You play as a guy named Sal, who has a prosthetic face. He moved into a new building, but something went very wrong very fast, as a person ended up murdered. You play through flashbacks and dreams, as you see Sal, in the future, in a therapist’s chair, retelling everything. The game is gory as the characters in the game descend into madness, and as Sal deals with past trauma and current deaths. The game is more traditional, as said, and is the perfect 2D horror game if you want a strong storyline and characters who seem slightly off.
Horror video games are the best, especially when you get the 2D screen and can only see what you are allowed to. The thrill, anticipation, and pressure add to the scary atmosphere each of these games creates. What better games to play?
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