8 Scariest Open-World Games

Key Takeaways

Open-world games can feature horror elements that create an unnerving experience for players.
Games like
Days Gone, Dying Light,
and
Metro Exodus
ramp up tension with nightmarish enemies and limited resources.
Survival horror titles like
Project Zomboid, Pathologic 2, Sons of the Forest, Darkwood,
and
STALKER
offer unique and terrifying experiences.

Most people assume open-world games to be these joyful experiences that fans can’t get enough of. While this is true in the majority of cases, some open-world games feature elements of horror that can make these sandboxes feel rather unnerving.

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These games are able to freak players out with their sick, twisted, but effective enemy designs which incorporate body horror.

Players must brave the dangers of these open worlds and survive by any means necessary, which is easier said than done. Nightmarish enemies, oppressive environments, and stingy economies are just a few of the many ways that these scary open-world games ramp up the tension.

8 Days Gone

An Underrated Open-World Title Where The Zombie Hordes Can Be A Nightmare

Systems

Released: April 26, 2019
OpenCritic Rating: Fair

Days Gone had its fair share of problems, but most fans would agree that this open-world game came into its own after a relatively slow beginning. The fact that players don’t even encounter a zombie horde until they’ve invested a few hours into the experience is a testament to this game’s slow burn.

The panic players experience when a horde descends on them is immense in the game’s early goings, with a lack of resources ensuring that players must either run or succumb to the zombies who are trying to tear them apart. This zombie open-world game may have some rough edges, but it excels at scaring players when everything clicks.

7 Dying Light

A Zombie-Infested World Where Players Use Parkour To Outrun Their Enemies

Dying Light

Released: January 27, 2015
OpenCritic Rating: Fair

It’s a testament to the scare factor of Dying Light that players will still feel scared out of their wits even if they can run, jump, and climb as much as they want. The days are easier to deal with, but players will be in for a rough time if night rears its ugly head.

The game’s Volatiles are nightmarish to deal with and will force players to sprint as fast as possible as these super-powered zombies chase them down. Reaching a safe haven when these Volatiles are mere seconds away from pouncing goes a long way in helping Dying Light stand out as one of the scariest open-world games players can get their hands on.

6 Metro Exodus

A Post-Apocalyptic World That’s Overflowing With Unnerving Atmosphere

Released: February 15, 2019
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Fans of the Metro series were understandably worried when news came out that the third game in the series would feature an open world. People wondered if the oppressive and horrifying atmosphere of this franchise would translate well to a sandbox, but all these complaints disappeared upon release.

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The open world of Metro Exodus is one of the scariest environments that players can get immersed in, with the hardcore gameplay only adding to the tension. Players will also be elated to find that some of the game’s levels take place in linear environments, channeling the immaculate atmosphere of the previous two games.

5 Project Zomboid

A Deep And Engaging Survival Game Where The Threat Of Flesh-Eating Zombies Runs Rampant

Systems

Released: November 8, 2013
Developer(s): The Indie Stone

Project Zomboid is one of the deepest and most engaging open-world zombie games players can get their hands on. The rudimentary graphics may not seem all that appealing, but players don’t know true horror until they invest in their character’s stats only for an unrelenting wave of zombies to arrive in a bid to end their run.

Fortifying hideouts, leveling up skills, and scrounging for resources are a huge part of what makes this game such a joy to play. Players will be nervous every single time they have to hunt for supplies, since a single mistake can lead to a wave of zombies tearing the player character apart in no time.

4 Pathologic 2

A Surreal Horror Game That Is Uncomfortable And Yet Alluring

Pathologic 2

Systems

Released: May 23, 2019
Developer(s): Ice-Pick Lodge
OpenCritic Rating: Fair

To call Pathologic 2 a sequel would be doing a disservice to this odd open-world title. It’s essentially a remake of the first game with some original elements of its own that lets players explore a town suffering from a deadly disease outbreak.

What makes this game so horrifying is its bizarre structure, with surrealism running rampant in every facet. Players will question what’s real and what isn’t in this psychological horror title, which is one of the weirdest and most unique open-world games fans can check out.

3 Sons Of The Forest

The Sequel To One Of The Best Open-World Survival Horror Games Ever Made

Systems

Released: February 23, 2023
Developer(s): Endnight Games
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

The Forest was a nightmarish experience where players had to survive in the woods while being hounded by bloodthirsty cannibals, and the sequel expands on this concept to make for a bigger, bolder, and more horrifying title than ever before.

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Sons of the Forest can be a harrowing experience, and players must ensure that their survival skills are on point to stay alive in these hostile woods. It’s important to set up defenses, hoard supplies, and craft weapons if players don’t want to succumb to the relentless attacks of a cannibalistic cult.

2 Darkwood

Boasts A Semi-Open World Where Dangers Await Around Every Corner

Darkwood

Released: August 18, 2017
Developer(s): Acid Wizard Studio
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Even with a top-down perspective, the limited view cone and immaculate atmosphere of Darkwood help it stand out as one of the best indie horror games ever made. Players explore a semi-open world where they find resources to help them survive the night in their hideout against nightmarish monsters.

Darkwood does a masterful job of scaring players out of their wits, forcing them to look over their shoulder with every step they take. It’s a nightmarish title with an engrossing story that will compel players to stick around till the very end to uncover the mysteries surrounding the plot.

1 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl

A Hardcore Survival-Horror Game With Tight Resource Management

The STALKER series has become an underrated survival horror franchise that fans of hardcore open-world games will have a great time with. The first game is hailed by many as the best one in the series, making players think twice before picking up a single item or venturing into hostile territory.

Fighting mutated enemies and seeking out any kind of respite after a harrowing encounter is a huge part of what makes the STALKER series so special. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is a nightmare to explore, with a single mistake leading to the player’s death almost every time.