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Looking for horror games that don't rely on jumpscares

A topic by i8sigmapi created Feb 27, 2021 Views: 3,069 Replies: 11
Viewing posts 1 to 13
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I've been a fan of the horror genre for a very long time, but unfortunately, I have intense anxiety that makes it difficult to enjoy a game that's going to suddenly throw things in my face, or even a game where I don't know if that will happen or not. Does anyone have recommendations?

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There's one jumpscare in this. Or is that worse? XD

Bunny Hill Horror: Bunny Boiler


I quite like sluggish morris, a delicate time in space.

It's more of a phycological horror than a jump scare.

https://jackspinoza.itch.io/sluggish-morss-a-delicate

it has inspired a few games of my own!

like this one

https://thesneak.itch.io/upload-soul

It's only loosely a horror game, but you may still like it.

Hello!

Would you be interested in a nonlinear point&click adventure with puzzles in a surreal world? 

The art is cutesy-looking, but it's actually a game with horror themes - non-graphical horror though.

It's currently a demo and features very light horror. The full game will be darker literally and plot-wise, but the intention is that the horror is more psychological and slow-paced. There is and will not be any jumpscare or uncensored gore.

Here's the link: https://buttoncupcake.itch.io/butterflytea

Hope you're interested!

I'm working on a "horror" game where jumpscares are an opt in.

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100% jump scare free ;) im not a fan of jump scares myself to be honest. (im a wuss)

https://argondevilguiderods.itch.io/room


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This game I recently released contains none of those typical jump scares like a close-up face suddenly appearing with a loud noise.

Instead, it’s designed with a gloomy atmosphere that evokes fear through mood alone, while keeping the gameplay itself extremely simple.

If you're interested, I’d love for you to try it out. Though, I do think it’s a game that people will either really enjoy or not—it depends on personal taste.

https://had2apps.itch.io/hey-anybody-there

I'd like to suggest my game demo, Oakley's World.  It's a nostalgic, virtual pet game, that has more going on than first appears.  Also, even though it's Horror, it doesn't rely on jumpscares.  There's currently 4 endings, and has ARG elements both in and out-of-demo.  

https://danielles-games.itch.io/oakleys-world-demo

Totally get that — you're definitely not alone. You might enjoy slow-burn psychological horror or atmospheric games with more tension than jumpscares. Something like Oxenfree, What Remains of Edith Finch, or The Vanishing of Ethan Carter might hit the right tone — spooky, but not overwhelming.

Like you, jumpscares are not my thing. So I avoided them when making Red Balloon of Happiness. The game is a dark exploration side-scroller with some horror elements.

Feel free to share your feedback.

You can try this game too.

It's not horror. but it's psychological thriller and it's inspired by Remedy's CONTROL and Inception movie.

I hope you enjoy that.


The Lost Frame:

https://moeinsaadati.itch.io/the-lost-frame-demo

Try may Leatherface game...?

https://spooneystone.itch.io/leatherface-chase