Best Open-World Games That Are Pure Nightmare Fuel

Horror elements have become commonplace in most video games, with players getting immersed in titles that manage to scare them time and time again. Open-world games are no exception and let players enjoy some scintillating video gaming experiences.

While these titles may haunt a player’s nightmares, the games are still so compelling that players will find themselves seeking out the very best of what these games have to offer. As long as players can endure the scares, they’ll have a blast with this title.

Dying Light

The Volatiles Will Haunt A Player’s Nightmares

The very first time players experience night in Dying Light makes for one of the most harrowing video game moments of all time. Seeing the nightmarish Volatiles sprint at breakneck speeds to catch Kyle and rip him apart at night will make players pray for morning.

Volatiles are present in the sequel too, but the novelty of these chases from the first game is hard to replicate. By the time players reach the end of Dying Light, Volatiles and other infected creatures of this game will leave a lasting impression on them.

Dredge

The Aberrations Of This Game Can Be Quite Haunting

Despite being weirdly relaxing, there’s no denying that the horror in Dredge can be rather hard to stomach, at times. The hostile sea creatures of this world will cause the fisherman’s ship to sink in no time, while the increase in Terror can lead to unfavorable situations.

Eventually, some of the monsters and revelations in Dredge will send chills down a player’s spine as the game shows off its Lovecraftian trappings. Players will find themselves experiencing nightmares of some particularly horrifying creatures in the game, which defy explanation.

Sons Of The Forest

The Threat Of The Cannibals Is Overbearing

As great as Sons of the Forest is to play, there’s no denying that the overbearing threat of the cannibals can be hard to stomach. Players may find themselves tearing their hair out after being ripped apart for the umpteenth time.

Even the most prepared players will quake in their boots at the sight of these cannibals. A cool head and self-defense tools are a must to take out these threats, even if they may start haunting a player’s nightmares.

Metro Exodus

The Intense Exploration And Tough Enemies Will Leave A Lasting Impression

The Metro games are known for having terrifying and intense segments, and Metro Exodus is no exception. The shift to an open world was handled naturally and helped players enjoy one of the scariest and most riveting survival horror games set in a wide-open sandbox.

The mutated enemies in this game are horrifying, love ambushing players, and can take out chunks of Artym’s health in no time. Players must be on their toes in a hostile, irradiated world full of nightmarish enemies.

Pathologic 2

The Surreal Horror Of This Game Is Pretty Impactful

One of the most surreal horror games players can get their hands on, Pathologic 2 remakes a classic open-world game that structures itself like an elaborate play. Players will love exploring this mysterious town and figuring out the problems that plague it.

The story goes down some wild routes and can disturb players. The eerie nature of Pathologic 2, coupled with its unnerving moments, makes it a game that players will love as long as they can stomach its horrors.

Subnautica

Thalassophobic Nightmares Will Become Common After This Game

As beautiful a game as Subnautica may be, players who weren’t even aware of their thalassophobia will be crippled by this fear for days after playing this game. Exploring an ocean full of unknown horrors is as scary as it comes and can cause players to jump out of their seats multiple times.

Given how important this exploration is to the core experience, it’s easy to see why players will both love and dread making progress in Subnautica. They’d prefer not to discover some of the game’s scariest creatures, with ignorance being bliss in this instance.

Outer Wilds: Echoes Of The Eye

This Immersive Puzzle Game Is Full Of Shocking Jump Scares

Outer Wilds had its fair share of scary moments, but this ramped up to the max in the DLC. Echoes of the Eye can be so overbearingly scary that the game adds an option in the settings to turn down the scares if they’re getting too much to handle.

Players who don’t want to skimp out on the best way possible to play this game must steel themselves for numerous jump scares. Thankfully, the game’s mystery is so riveting that players won’t mind dealing with this game’s nightmarish horrors to uncover more of what Echoes of the Eye adds to the Outer Wilds experience.

Elden Ring

Some Especially Challenging Bosses Will Cause Players To Experience Flashbacks

Every FromSoftware game can scare players out of their wits, even if they may not be outright horror games, and Elden Ring is no exception. This title is not for the faint of heart and will force players to either improve their skills in the game or advance to higher levels after encountering a roadblock.

Some of the bosses and ambushes in this game are so unnerving that players will have nightmares about these foes long after they’re done with these challenges. In some instances, the bosses in Elden Ring can be so challenging that players may just give up, which isn’t going to be a good subject to revisit during their dreams.