Survival horror games are defined by haunting images, nightmares, and uncomfortable but relevant themes, but often do not favor realism. Franchises like Resident Evil and Silent Hill they're iconic and helped shape the origins and evolution of the genre, casting a wide shadow that spawned countless great, mediocre, and terrible projects. Since their influence is undeniable, it's not that surprising that most survival horror games are unrealistic, at least in their approach to level design, focusing on alternate realities or creatures manifested by trauma.
10 best survival horror games with a truly realistic inventory system
A realistic inventory can add an extra challenge to a survival horror game, and these games have handled this realism the best.
However, the survival horror genre is incredibly vast and has gone through an absurd amount of phases, some of which lend themselves a bit more to grounded gameplay or tone. In fact, the 2010s saw a shift towards weak protagonists who should run and hide in the face of terrifying enemies, making them better suited to realistic stories than the more action-packed heroes of the 90s and 2000s. So let's highlight a few survival horror masterpieces that either lack supernatural monsters or have immersive, grounded environments. That doesn't mean it has to be in our reality, but it has to represent a world that feels real.
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Amnesia: The Bunker
Immersive, grounded WW1 environment
This first-person survival horror game takes place in a dark and gloomy World War 1 bunker and is inherently grounded in reality. This environment is a recognizable, realistic and naturally haunted place, and this adds a lot to the realism of the game. Amnesia: The Bunker'with the graphics are hardly photorealistic, but the environments are nevertheless brought to life by well-placed lighting and immersive sound design.
While the creepy beast that haunts the player throughout the game is not realistic in any sense of the word, Amnesia: The Bunker's richly detailed settings and immersive mechanics they are built to ground the player.
4
Alien: Isolation
Diegetic UI And Animalistic Enemy
Science fiction as a genre is inherently unrealistic but original Foreign the film did a great job of grounding the audience in its world by pitting believable workers against an otherworldly Xenomorph. As a game that is remarkably faithful to its source material, Alien: Isolation manages to capture grounded atmosphere and sense of fear what made the original film so iconic. This allows for an experience that feels grounded in reality, making the Xenomorph even more terrifying.
The diegetic user interface and impressive visuals also help players get lost Alien: Isolation evoking a sci-fi environment. Additionally, the dynamic Xenomorph's notorious intelligence ensures that it feels like a living, breathing thing that provides emerging fears that are increasingly terrifying than what a scripted encounter might be.
3
Escape The Darkwalker
Hardcore survival simulation in hostile wilderness
Long darkness is a massive first-person survival game set in the harsh and hostile wilderness. The game is heavily focused on exploration and resource management, with very little in the way of combat. Long darkness is particularly notable for offering an engaging survival experience that pits players against the elements themselves (and the occasional wild animal) rather than supernatural creatures.
Challenging simulation and great sound design offer players an experience that is grounded in realism, but offers little in the way of pure horror. Despite that Long darkness the gameplay is very reminiscent of survival horror games, specifically in its focus on making the player feel vulnerable with limited resources. While generally much more survival than horror, Long darkness features a survival horror challenge called “Escape The Darkwalker” in which players try to survive while running away from a supernatural monster. The monster is far from realistic, but real basics from Long darkness the gameplay offers an immersive experience.
2
Project Zomboid
Meticulous Zombie Apocalypse Simulation
Project Zomboid is an isometric survival horror sandbox that gives players complete freedom to explore and survive in its decaying world. Almost everything is simulated Project Zomboid; from thirst and hunger to physical and mental health, players will need to be prepared for anything to happen to their character. This level of detail allows Project Zomboid feel realistic, making survival immensely rewarding and resulting in instant gameplay that keeps you engrossed.
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While it is true that the zombie apocalypse is far from a realistic concept, Zomboid's Project its dedication to simulation allows it to feel like a grounded experience. In addition, simulation of physical injuries tries to be realistic, and the zombie bite system is incredibly true to genre expectations.
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Convicted: Criminal Origins
Visceral Close Combat And Grounded Enemies
Convicted: Criminal Origins is a rough and ready first-person survival horror game that puts players in the shoes of an FBI agent on the run after being framed for murder. The plot of the game revolves around this FBI agent (Ethan Thomas) who is trying to clear his name. Along the way, the player has to deal with a number of insane, murderous individuals wielding all kinds of weapons. Convicted it contains a few supernatural elements, but a lot of them the game is quite down-to-earth in its approach.
Convicted: Criminal Origins it lacks inventory management, but the player will still need to manage their stamina, dwindling health, and ammo. However, ammo management is rare because firearms are relatively hard to come by. Instead, players will usually be forced to do so clean blunt weapons to defend oneself from the surroundings; pipes, ducts, and even writing taken from the wall are among the player's options in a given level. That's a big part of what makes up Convicted: Criminal Origins such an immersive survival horror game – complete with richly detailed, realistically lit environments and the grounded nature of enemies.
Honorable Mentions
Here are some realistic survival horror games that were shortlisted but didn't quite make the cut.
- Ride out – One of the most influential horror games of 2010, Ride out it makes players feel helpless all the time because they only have a video camera to rely on.
- Pathological 2 – A brutally realistic horror sim that makes every decision feel like it matters.
- Dark wood – A tough as nails and dark isometric survival game that's more brutal than downright scary.
- Green hell – More survival than survival horror, Green hell is a hardcore sim that will make you work every day.
- Face – Sanity mechanics and environment changes increase the realism of the game's home environment.
- PT – Essentially inspired Face.
- Resident Evil 2 – About as realistic as traditional Resident Evil the game can get.
- STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl – While not that scary, this world is incredibly hostile and merciless.
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Players often have to rely on their fight or flight instincts to survive in these games where ammo is scarce or non-existent.
