#psychological-horror

#psychological-horror

My parents took me to see it in the theatre, under the impression that it would be appropriate for a seven-year-old. Princess Mombi's macabre wardrobe of disembodied heads; the psychopathic laughter of the wheelers, with all four limbs ending in squeaky wheels; Nicol Williamson's sinister, vicious Nome King all are permanent fixtures in my unconscious hall of famous terrors. And Fairuza Balk's Dorothy is eerie to match, a perfect uncanny heroine for a truly twisted children's film.

Over the course of its 26-year history, the Silent Hill series has built up a reputation for offering deep dives into the more psychological side of the survival horror genre and giving players complex stories and experiences that often resonate more deeply than those found in the genre's action-focused contemporaries. This complexity, however, doesn't mean the series is without formula.

Some of the best free horror games have a unique way of sticking with you. The best ones don't just rely on jump scares--they burrow into your mind with atmosphere, dread, and ideas that won't leave you alone. While big-budget horror hits like Alan Wake 2 and Resident Evil Village dominate the zeitgeist, some of the scariest experiences you can play right now won't cost you a cent.

Survival horror is one of gaming's most nebulous genres. Traditionally defined by limited resources, oppressive tension, and a fight for survival against terrifying odds, the genre has evolved far beyond its roots. Modern survival horror often bleeds into psychological thrillers, sci-fi adventures, and even open-world exploration. What ties it all together is a constant sense of dread and vulnerability, where victory feels hard-earned and fleeting. From cinematic blockbusters to minimalist indies, survival horror has proven to be one of the most fascinating corners of gaming.

But, I mean, I did love Nicole Kidman's The Others, and I love twisty things, something with a twist. Obviously, I mentioned Misery. I've mentioned so many of these films, but having a franchise would be an ultimate dream, and starring in it, writing the music for it. You have to have incredible music, to me, in any film. That would be the ultimate dream.

When we think of the Alien franchise and its corner of space (where no one can hear you scream), we tend to think of the movies. These range from bona fide horror classics to action-adventure thrillers to bizarre deep dives into Alien lore to, well, Alien vs Predator: Requiem. However, extraterrestrial lifeforms have been popping out of chests in places outside the movie theater, and you'd be missing out if you didn't explore the potential Alien has in other mediums.

Immersing yourself in Silent Hill f is like drinking a powerfully fragrant tea steeped in bloody metaphor and symbolism. The first new, full Silent Hill game in 13 years, f wields a powerful, standalone narrative about the expectations of gender-based roles, the challenge of maintaining relationships in the presence of such roles, and the foggy nature of transitioning from teenage life into adulthood.

The boisterous looter shooter series returns, bringing ridiculously powerful weapons, a cool new hoverbike and a vast planet to explore, while dealing with the threat of a ruthless cosmic dictator known as the Timekeeper. It's been five years since the last instalment, and developer Gearbox has massively updated the signature cartoon visuals to bring us the next generation of sci-fi comic book anarchy. Released 12 September; PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch (3 October)

Yoshiki, a student in rural Japan, discovers that his best friend Hikaru is an eldritch creature who took over his body after a tragic hiking accident.

Two people sitting with their backs to each other in a bistro - that was marriage. Chairs flung across the room; tables flipped; fingers idling on the switch of an electric carving knife: all these things were marriage, too.

Brandy: It felt to me of a piece with another genre of slim, semi-autobiographical volume from a European writer: an account of a woman being driven to madness by an obsession for which she is willing to suffer...