Japanese horror games
Japanese horror games like Silent Hill and Resident Evil have made their way into international waters, and there’s no doubt that they are absolutely terrifying. What makes these games stand out from the rest is their ability to creep you out in countless ways beyond basic jumpscares.
We have compiled a list of spine-chilling Japanese horror games of different genres that will not only scare you silly, but will also leave you with a sense of fulfilment upon completion.
– Free games –
1. Misao
Image credit: PLAYISM
Misao is a free Japanese horror RPG set in a school where the titular character, Misao, disappeared three months ago. Following her disappearance, creepy supernatural phenomena start to occur.
Image credit: PLAYISM
There are rumours alleging that Misao is the one behind the paranormal activity as she seeks revenge.
Image credit: sen via vgperson
Players will have to get to the bottom of things and prevent any more misfortunes from happening. Is Misao really behind these occurrences, and if so, can you stop her?
You can play the original Japanese version of the game here and the translated English version here. Alternatively, a remake of the game is available on Steam – it even has updated visuals and additional content.
2. Mad Father
Image credit: PLAYISM
Mad Father is a Japanese horror RPG that follows Aya Drevis, a young girl who lives in a remote manor in the outskirts of Germany. Ever since Aya’s mother passed, Aya has been living with her father and his assistant, Maria.
Image credit: sen via vgperson
Aya’s father often locks himself in the basement and conducts mysterious experiments with the aid of Maria, which leaves Aya lonely and curious about her father’s work. Aya often hears strange sounds and screams coming from her father’s basement, and one day, she decides to check it out.
Image credit: PLAYISM
Players will take on the role of Aya, and they will have to find out the truth behind what has transpired in her father’s basement.
You can play the original Japanese version of Mad Father here and the translated English version here. You can also play the remake of the game on Steam. The remake costs USD9.99 and includes improved graphics and a new second playthrough that changes the narrative.
3. The Witch’s House
Image credit: DANGEN Entertainment
The Witch’s House is a Japanese horror RPG that revolves around Viola, a young girl who wakes up in the middle of a forest and seeks refuge in a manor nearby.
Image credit: DANGEN Entertainment
However, as Viola enters the manor, the door shuts behind her and she finds herself trapped. Viola has to search through the manor in order to escape, but finds the house to be increasingly sinister as dangerous things keep happening to her.
Throughout the game, players will find diary entries scattered around the manor, detailing the life of the resident of the manor – a witch named Ellen.
Image credit: DANGEN Entertainment
The Witch’s House brilliance lies not only in its amazingly crafted puzzles and well-coordinated jumpscares, but also in the shocking twist in the ending. The game actually presents two versions of the ending, which depends on the player’s actions throughout the game.
You can play the original Japanese version of The Witch’s House here and the translated English version here. You can also play the remake of the game, The Witch’s House MV, on Steam for USD14.99. It has completely remastered visuals and a new difficulty mode that unlocks new content upon completion.
4. Ib
Image credit: kouri
Ib is a free horror RPG that features the titular character Ib, who visits an art museum with her parents. While admiring various art pieces, Ib suddenly finds herself alone with no other museum visitors – including her parents – in sight.
Image credit: PLAYISM
Determined to find her parents, Ib explores the museum, only to find that the place has changed, and that she might not be alone after all.
Will Ib be able to escape the eerie museum unscathed and find her parents?
Image credit: PLAYISM
Ib is a puzzle-solving game that requires players to explore the areas and find hidden clues. Players will have to stay alive while solving the puzzles in order to progress in the game.
You can play the original Japanese version of the game here and the translated English version here. Alternatively, you can play the remake of Ib on Steam for USD12.99.
5. The Crooked Man
Image credit: Uri via vgperson
The Crooked Man is a Japanese horror RPG that is part of The Strange Men series created by Japanese game designer Uri.
Image credit: PLAYISM
The game follows David Hoover, a troubled young man who has moved into a new apartment for a change in pace with the help of his two friends.
Image adapted from: PLAYISM
However, after experiencing a myriad of strange supernatural occurrences in the apartment, David decides to find out more about the previous tenant.
You can play the original Japanese version of The Crooked Man here and the translated English version here. Alternatively, The Crooked Man is also available on Steam for USD2.99.
– Paid games –
6. Corpse Party (2021)
Image credit: XSEED Games/Marvelous USA, Inc.
Corpse Party (2021) is the latest remake of the 1996 classic horror RPG Corpse Party. The story follows a group of high school students, who decide to hold a farewell session for their friend, Suzumoto Mayu, as she is transferring to a different school.
Image credit: XSEED Games/Marvelous USA, Inc.
One of the students, Ayumi, suggests that the group participate in a supposedly harmless ritual that she found online. According to her, it would bind them together as friends for eternity.
Image credit: XSEED Games/Marvelous USA, Inc.
However, as soon as they complete the ritual, an earthquake hits and they find themselves still in the same classroom, but in an alternate dimension.
Image credit: XSEED Games/Marvelous USA, Inc.
In order to escape, the students will have to find out the truth behind the tragedy that struck their school in this alternate dimension and what caused its ruin.
You can purchase Corpse Party (2021) on Steam for USD19.99.
7. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Image credit: Capcom U.S.A., Inc. via PlayStation Store
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a survival horror game that is part of CAPCOM’s – a Japanese video game developer and publisher – popular video game series, Resident Evil.
The Resident Evil series primarily focuses on the monstrous biological weapons that Umbrella Corporation – a pharmaceutical company – creates for use in biological warfare. As a result, zombies, as well as mutated animals and plants, have morphed into monstrous creatures that players have to defeat even before confronting the corporation itself.
Image credit: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard features Ethan Winters, who travels to an abandoned plantation in Dulvey, Louisiana, after his wife – who was supposedly dead – contacts him.
Ethan finds Mia imprisoned by the eldritch Baker family, but when he attempts to free her, she turns to attack him. Players will have to escape the insane and extremely dangerous Baker family while looking for a way to turn Mia back to the way she was.
Image credit: CAPCOM: RESIDENT EVIL 7 Biohazard
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard has been dubbed by many fans as the scariest game of the series, and it is not an exaggeration. Being the first Resident Evil game to adopt a first-person perspective, the player is completely immersed in the visceral survival horror experience.
Image credit: CAPCOM: RESIDENT EVIL 7 Biohazard
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard makes full use of everything, from grotesque body horror to the thrills of being chased, to develop and enrich its dark narrative.
You can purchase Resident Evil 7: Biohazard on Steam for USD29.99.
Video credit: GameTrailers
8. Resident Evil Village
Image credit: Resident Evil Village | CAPCOM
Resident Evil Village is the eighth instalment in the Resident Evil series and takes place a few years after Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
Ethan and Mia, who had been peacefully living with their daughter away from their horrifying past, find their lives thrown into chaos once again when Captain Chris Redfield of the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA) – an organisation created to combat biological weapons – kidnaps their daughter.
Image credit: Resident Evil Village | CAPCOM
Ethan now has to delve into the terrifying hell of biological weapons once again in order to rescue his daughter.
Despite being a continuation of the Resident Evil series, Resident Evil Village manages to deliver a fresh take on the survival horror franchise as it successfully diverges from its predecessors.
Image credit: Resident Evil Village | CAPCOM
Resident Evil Village also has many well-designed villains that Ethan has to defeat, and Lady Dimitrescu – a towering and alluring mistress – is one of them. Lady Dimitrescu is without a doubt the game’s most famous character, leaving many fans simping for her despite being a villain.
You can purchase Resident Evil Village on Steam for USD59.99.
9. Silent Hill 2
Image credit: Konami
Silent Hill 2 is the second instalment in the Silent Hill series. It focuses on James Sunderland, who travels back to the titular Silent Hill after his wife, Mary, sends him a letter despite being dead for three years.
Image credit: Konami
The letter states that Mary is waiting for him at their “special place” – Silent Hill. This initially leads James to think that it was a prank, but he realises that the handwriting in the letter is Mary’s, without a doubt.
Image credit: Konami
When James arrives at Silent Hill, it is no longer the beautiful town that he remembers. The town is now dilapidated and shrouded in fog, and as James journeys into the town, he is attacked by various monstrous creatures.
Image credit: Konami
As James, players will have to find Mary while fending off the creatures and trying to stay alive. Along the way, the truth behind the terrors of the place is slowly revealed.
Silent Hill 2 is notably one of the greatest horror games of all time. It has a compelling narrative that’s complemented by a clever use of symbolism, effectively delivering a terrifying type of psychological horror without resorting to cheap jumpscares.
Silent Hill 2 was released on PlayStation 2 in 2001.
10. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
Image adapted from: 任天堂ホームページ
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is the second instalment in the Fatal Frame series created by Tecmo. The game follows twin sisters Mio and Mayu, who find a desolate village upon venturing deep into the woods.
Image credit: Tecmo
After encountering the ghosts of the village, the twins decide to investigate the truth behind the village, but Mayu becomes increasingly influenced by the ghosts.
In order to save Mayu and safely escape the village, Mio needs to dig deep and find the secrets behind the village and its ghostly inhabitants.
Image credit: Tecmo
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is widely acclaimed as one of the most terrifying video games ever created, but beneath its horrors lie a deeper significance to the ghosts in the game. The game enriches its own narrative by revealing the painful and tragic stories behind the ghosts as the twins explore the village.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly was released on PlayStation2 in 2003.
Japanese horror games are truly terrifying
These Japanese horror games are truly a test of one’s fortitude as they provide such an immersive experience for their players that might just leave some in tears. If you are looking for horror games that do not solely rely on cheap jumpscares, this list will be perfect for you.
Also check out:
- Free Japanese horror mobile games
- Horror manga recommendations
- Japanese horror stories that will keep you up
- Horror anime that will scare you silly
- Japanese urban legends
Cover image adapted from: CAPCOM Co., Ltd. (top left), PLAYISM (top right), 任天堂ホームページ (bottom left), and Resident Evil Village | CAPCOM (bottom right)