PS1 have many horror games. In that era, horror genre was super popular after all. It still is, but not like it used to. I can easily name dozens of PS1 horror games but today I want to list the 20 best ones.
PlayStation Classic have many cult classic horror games that defined the horror genre for future games. Also, most PS1 games have eerie atmosphere. Even the non-horror ones. It’s all due to graphic limitations such as twitching polygons, FOV, 16bit audio, and blurriness.
But I will not be talking about regular PlayStation Classic games today. This page is all about the best horror PS1 games. 20 scariest PS1 games list:
1. Clock Tower
This is my personal favorite PS1 horror game. It is one of the scariest games I have ever played. The story revolves around the serial killer, main antagonist of the series, Scissor-man.
So, what makes Clock Tower so scary? Mainly the reactions of the main character Jennifer. She screams, trembles, falls down, and even pukes. Therefore, makes the gameplay highly realistic. Also, the combination of level design and intense music makes this game the best horror game of PS1.
Oh, I forgot to mention the gory death animations. Avoid this game unless you got the stomach for it.
2. Silent Hill
Silent Hill is often regarded as the scariest PS1 game of all times. Because its atmosphere, music, psychological elements, and the use of darkness are unmatched.
Story is also highly disturbing. Main character Harry Mason searches for his missing adopted daughter. When he starts investigating, Mason stumbles upon a cult conducting a ritual to revive an ancient deity.
All in all, it’s one of those PS1 games that are still playable. If you love the horror genre, Silent Hill is a must play cult classic.
3. Resident Evil
Resident Evil can be considered one of the most influential games in survival horror genre. Its setting, monsters, characters, puzzles, and intense gameplay set a standart for horror games back then. Most of the elements I’ve just mention still hold up to this day, except the graphics of course.
Best thing is, the Resident Evil franchise is still releasing new games, even to this day. So, you can do a complete franchise run starting with PS1 Resident Evil only to end up with a high-end AAA game.
With its playable characters Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, and the scary mansion setting, Resident Evil 1996 have a special place in my heart.
4. Alone in the Dark
Alone in the Dark is a 1992 PS1 survival horror game. You play as a private investigator who must explore a haunted mansion and solve a mystery while avoiding supernatural threats. Overall, Alone in the Dark is an important title in the history of horror games and a classic of the genre. Besides, the original story is based on writings of H. P. Lovecraft.
By the way THQ Nordic studio published Alone in the Dark 2008 at the later days but it received mixed reviews. Now another Alone in the Dark game is in development, expected to be released at 2023 – 2024. I’m looking forward to it, I hope this time it will be as good as the PS1 version.
5. Parasite Eve
Parasite Eve is a bridge between PS1 RPG and horror genres. PlayStation Magazine said it’s the hybrid of Final Fantasy and Resident Evil.
The game takes place in New York City and follows the story of Aya Brea. She is a police officer who must investigate a series of supernatural incidents.
Eventually Aya will have to confront a mysterious creature known as Eve.
6. Dino Crisis
Dino Crisis is another survival horror game that was released for the PS1. The story follows Regina, a member of a special forces team sent to a research facility on an isolated island. The facility is infested with genetically engineered dinosaurs running wild and attacking anyone in sight.
There are many puzzles in Dino Crisis too. I guess you can say its Resident Evil with dinosaurs.
7. Dark Messiah / Hellnight
Dark Messiah is a first-person horror game. It’s just like an FPS shooter, without any shooting. We don’t have many first-person view horror games on PS1 console. So, it’s one of those gems that must be played.
In Hellnight you play as a teenager named Izuru, who becomes trapped in a mysterious underground world called the Shelter. You must escape the maze-like tunnels and avoid creatures that’s pursuing you. As you explore, you’ll uncover the dark secrets of the Shelter and its enigmatic caretaker, the Mother.
8. City Limit 2
Here is something unique. You play as a young traveler who is on a road trip late at night. As you drive through a desolate stretch of road you see a figures on the side of the road, hitchhiking. Being a kind person, you decide to give the strangers a ride, only to find out that they’re not what they seem.
As you drive further, you realize that the hitchhiking strangers are a group of murderous cultists who are looking for fresh sacrifices.
Now, you must survive the night and escape their clutches before you become their next victim.
Play it if you can find the disc!
9. Nightmare Creatures
Nightmare Creatures is an action-adventure game where you play as a monster hunter in 19th century London. Which is the perfect setting for gothic horror in my opinion.
As a Victorian era hunter, you’ll be battling against hordes of monsters created by an evil scientist.
Monster sightings are all time high in London, people are mutating into ungodly creatures. Use variety of weapons and spells to clear London from monsters.
As stated in the name, this game offers a nightmarish experience!
10. Galerians
Galerians is another gem of the good old PlayStation 1. It’s a survival horror game like Resident Evil. But instead of using guns, main character Rion uses psychic powers and telepathic abilities.
As a subject of unlawful psychic experiments, you’ll try to escape the facility. However, staff members, armed forces, and G Project experiments will not make it easy for you.
11. Echo Night
Echo Night is a first-person adventure horror game where you play as Richard Osmond, who is searching for his missing fiancée. Turns out she disappeared in a mysterious ocean liner.
As you explore the ship, you encounter ghosts and other supernatural beings. In this haunted ship, you must solve puzzles and uncover the ship’s secrets to find the girl.
In sum, it’s a Japanese horror game filled with horrors from Japanese folklore. Therefore, if you like Japanese horror movies and anime, you’ll love Echo Night too.
12. Martian Gothic
Martian Gothic: Unification is a survival horror game set on 2019 Mars base! I guess back then people were estimating mars colony as early as 2019.
You are controlling a team of three characters who are sent to investigate a research base that has stopped communicating with Earth.
Exploring the base, gathering clues, and solving puzzles all while defeating monsters is quite entertaining.
13. Overblood
OverBlood is also a sci-fi survival horror game just like Martian Gothic.
The game follows the story of a man who wakes up in a cryogenic pod with no memory of who he is or how he got there. All thanks to the system malfunction.
So, explore the facility, solve puzzles, and uncover the truth behind the character’s past. However, the facility’s mysterious experiments will attack you on sight, you must be careful.
14. Juggernaut
Juggernaut is a first-person horror game that is focused on puzzle solving.
Story goes like this, young woman named Sarah is possessed by demons. As her boyfriend, you are trying to save her soul with the instructions of a priest.
To save her, you’ll be entering her mind, which has taken the shape of a large mansion. Beware, it’s playing with fire because she is possessed.
15. Evil Dead: Hail to the King
Here is a unique horror survival game that is based on the Evil Dead movie franchise. Game takes place eight years after the events of Army of Darkness movie.
Ash Williams begins suffering from recurring nightmares about the Necronomicon and the Deadites, which haunt him for years. As you return to the cabin in the woods where Ash first encountered the evil forces that plague him, evil once again awakes.
16. The Note
The Note is a first-person horror-survival that follows a freelancer journalist who is investigating a missing person case. The game is almost like a visual novel.
As you explore the abandoned town where the victim was last seen, you’ll discovers a sinister note that reveals a dark secret about the town’s past.
Also, choices in this game determine the game’s outcome and multiple endings.
17. Chaos Break
Chaos Break is the third and last survival horror game on this list that is set in research facility.
In this facility, a dangerous virus outbreak has occurred. The story is told through various documents and notes found throughout the facility, which reveal the sinister origins of the virus.
So, you’ll be taking control of one of two characters that are tasked with cleansing the facility. There are puzzles, monsters, and infected in the game that you’ll enjoy.
18. Yuuyami Doori Tankentai
Yuuyami Doori Tankentai is a Japanese horror adventure game resembling a visual novel.
In the game, you can choose to play as one of three junior high students that are curious. These students eavesdropped on rumors of paranormal decide to investigate.
It’s possible to investigate various haunted locations, collecting clues and items to uncover the story behind the paranormal activity.
19. Mizzurna Falls
Another Japanese horror game, except this time it’s open world. There aren’t many open world games in PlayStation Classic. As a matter of fact, Mizzurna Falls is one of the first open world games there is.
Game takes place in Mizzurna Falls, a fictional Colorado town. After the disappearance of a high school girl, townsfolk start suspecting a serial killer.
So, as the missing girl’s friend, you’ll be investigating the locals and uncover the dark secrets of the town.
20. Moonlight Syndrome
Last game on our scariest PS1 games list is Moonlight Syndrome. Which is a Japanese horror adventure mixed with visual novel elements.
The game focuses on psychological horror and human capacity for evil. Which is the real scary thing of the world we live in.
Since it’s a Japanese only game, you need to know the language yourself, or use a fan-made translation to play.