Survival horror is a video game genre that's been going strong since the 1980s, becoming much scarier and far more frequently released as time has gone by. Despite there being some fantastic survival horror games that debuted in the new millennium, many see the 1990s as the golden age of the genre.

The success of the era raises a question: What survival horror games from the 1990s are the best?

UPDATE: 2022/10/26 16:15 EST BY SHAWN S. LEALOS

Horror fans are always searching for their favorite scares and for video game enthusiasts, there is a plethora of games to replay and discover. While newer gaming systems offer slicker gameplay and breathtaking graphics, the classics still hold a spot in the hearts of true horror game fans. While the graphics are often lackluster compared to modern games, for horror, it is the story and atmosphere that matters. There wasn't a better time to be a horror games fan than the 90s when game developers were finding innovative ways to terrorize gamers of all ages, and many of those games hold up well to this day.

14 Sanitarium (1998)

Sanitarium is a cult favorite horror game from the 90s. It is a point-and-click game and fans can still find it to play on Steam to this day. The plot follows a character suffering from amnesia who woke up in a haunted asylum.

The game gets high marks for its horrifying imagery inside the asylum, and it is up to the gamer to lead Max through the adventure, facing one terrifying situation after the next. This is a psychological horror game that takes people through nine chapters of intense terror, and is a game that remains as effective today as it did in 1998.

13 Phantasmagoria (1995)

While Phantasmagoria looks dated when compared to horror games released in the 90s, that is not what makes this such a great horror game. This game has what might be the best story of any horror game from that decade. While the graphics are lackluster, this is a game that will stick with players.

Phantasmagoria was one of the first horror games to ever use full-motion video technology, which worked perfectly with its interactive and creepy story. The lead character is Adrienne Delaney, a writer who moves into a remote mansion and finds supernatural forces terrorizing her. With the mix of live-action scenes and gameplay, this was revolutionary, and its story is what deserves a second look today.

12 Hellnight (1999)

Hellnight is one of the PlayStation's most obscure 90s horror games. While it ended up overshadowed by the Resident Evil and Silent Hill games of the decade, it deserves more than it received. The story takes Japan into the future and sets the story in underground subterranean labyrinths full of monsters and cults.

The characters are mostly generic. However, it is the monsters that lift this game above many others. The Which Warriors and his alien cohorts are terrifying and completely original creations. With the first-person perspective and the dark underground tunnels, this is a game to play in the dark, and it is very unnerving at times. Make sure to use headphones because the sound design here is second to none.

11 D (1995)

D was released on the 3DO before it moved over to consoles like the PS1. In this game, the main character is a woman named Laura whose father just finished a killing spree at a hospital and locked himself inside. She arrives, and the hospital becomes a castle, and that is where the bizarre story begins.

Laura ends up wandering the halls and rooms of the castle, trying to find her father. This game is not only a tense experience, but there is a literal ticking clock. There are two hours to finish the game with no pauses or saves, so this is a hard one to complete. Add in a great story with intense violence, atmospheric scenes, and an overall sense of dread, and this is a 90s horror game everyone should revisit.

10 Deep Fear (1998)

The Sega Saturn is a forgotten masterpiece. Even though the console went belly up due to poor management, it had some truly great games to its name. Among them is Deep Fear. Unfortunately, the game was never released in the U.S., so most Western gamers never got to experience the beauty of Sega's answer to Resident Evil.

Deep Fear is set in an underwater research facility called the Big Table, where ex-Navy SEAL John Mayor attempts to save the crew of the facility from a horrifying virus. The similarities to RE are unavoidable, but the game is loads of fun, both because of its classic gameplay style and its bafflingly terrible voice acting.

9 Alone In The Dark (1992)

In a lot of ways, Alone in the Dark started it all. The story of Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood investigating a terrifying mansion that contains a dark secret may not look like much, but the gameplay and narrative paved the way for survival horror games like Resident Evil.

Featuring a truly spooky setting, an eldritch atmosphere, and some disturbing monsters, Alone in The Dark may look basic, but there's more under the hood than most would think. With the game currently available on both Steam and GOG, there's no excuse for curious players to not give this precursor a chance.

8 Dino Crisis (1999)

During the height of Resident Evil's popularity, publisher/developer Capcom released a similar game in the form of Dino Crisis. When a time dilemma brings dinosaurs to a secluded research facility, it's up to secret agent Regina to do battle with these ferocious creatures.

Granted, this game's plot is very similar to Jurassic Park, but its darker tone and more violent dinos help to distance itself from the Spielberg classic.

7 Parasite Eve (1998)

Developed and published by Final Fantasy's Square Enix, Parasite Eve is a horror game that feels more adult than its more fantastical cousin. Following NYPD officer Aya Brea as she attempts to stop the mysterious Eve from decimating the entire human race, the stakes of Parasite Eve are higher than most survival horror games.

At the simplest glance, Parasite Eve is a scary Final Fantasy, but there's more to it than that. The game blends RPG elements with survival horror masterfully, with a gameplay system and tone that feels wholly unique to it.

6 Nightmare Creatures (1997)

A game that almost serves as a precursor to FromSoftware's Bloodborne, Nightmare Creatures is a hidden gem, especially the version on the PlayStation, which had full FMVs which properly added to the atmosphere. Set in the 1800s, the duo of Ignatius Blackward and Nadia Franciscus make their way through London, battling the horrific creations of the evil Adam Crowley.

Whereas most horror games of the time were more modern, Nightmare Creatures feels like a classic gothic horror tale, not unlike a '50s Hammer horror movie. Featuring legitimately terrifying monsters, a creepy atmosphere, and a killer soundtrack, Nightmare Creatures deserves far more attention than it gets.

5 Nocturne (1999)

Much like Nightmare Creatures, Nocturne is a pulpy love letter to classic horror that doesn't get the love it deserves. The game follows the misadventures of the Stranger, a mysterious figure working for an equally mysterious organization called Spookhouse that specializes in dealing with paranormal activity.

What separates Nocturne from a lot of horror games of the era is not just its fun gameplay and creepy tone, but also the fascinating lore with which it is jam-packed. The story and background are so deep that the game could've spawned a multimedia empire if it had sold better. Nocturne is well worth a go for anyone who wants to take a step into a uniquely sinister world.