16 Best PlayStation 2 Horror Games

Looking back, the PS2 was the bastion to a slew of horror titles that spawned critically acclaimed sequels that would go on to become undying franchises. It goes without saying that the PS2 was the best when it came to horror games, simply for the fact that the horror library was diverse and full of extraordinary ideas you won’t pretty much see any developers mimicking these days.

With new and old gamers alike discovering games they missed out on in the past, they’re bound to discover some of the best horror titles the PS2 had to offer. Come read about the best horror games on the PlayStation 2, including the popular, underrated and obscure.

Haunting Ground 2005 デメント (Demento)

About
	Release Date April 21, 2005
	Developer Capcom
	Publisher Capcom
	Genre Horror
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2005-04-21
2005-04-29
2005-05-10

Haunting Ground is a survival horror game that follows a young girl named Fiona who was abducted to a creepy castle only to encounter some of the craziest human beings on earth. She has to do everything she can to escape, and in the process, she’ll learn the mystery that surrounds the castle.

Haunting Ground remains a recommended title to this day because of the dreadful atmosphere that will put any grown-up man on the edge of their seat. The visuals and voice acting are nicely done as well. The game also features a Shepard dog companion known as Hewie who will prove to be useful to the player, especially when encountering the different stalkers in the game. As you progress, you can pet, praise and play with Hewie, and even give him commands. These actions create a bond between Fiona and Hewie that plays a significant role later on.

The game has aged like fine wine in terms of the controls, however, the horror element is still beating strong with this one. If you’re a fan of hide-and-seek horror games and want some challenge, Haunting Ground is recommended. After Clock Tower 3 failed to meet sales expectations, Capcom took it upon its shoulders to give the franchise one last shot. And while the initial plan was to develop a follow-up to Clock Tower 3, things took a different path.

Clock Tower 3 2002 クロックタワー3 (Kurokku Tawā Surī)

About
	Release Date December 12, 2002
	Developer Sunsoft
	Publisher Capcom
	Franchise Clock Tower
	Genre Horror
	Concept Fantasy
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2002-12-12
2003-03-18
2003-06-27

Clock Tower 3 was the last game in the franchise, and since nothing new was heard. Sunsoft currently owns the rights of the franchise and we have yet to see them doing anything with it in the foreseeable future.

Released back in 2002, Clock Tower 3 follows the frightening nightmares of a 14-year-old girl named Alyssa as she confronts evil spirits known as Entities. Since she is part of a family lineage known as the Rooders, it is her job to stop them.

Looks may be deceiving but Clock Tower 3 is an eerie game. The game succeeds at creating tension and fear. Every enemy encounter proves to be challenging as foes aren’t made dumb, in fact, it’s the opposite. Stalkers appear suddenly without any warning which creates a sort of realism instead of the scripted encounters seen in horror games nowadays. Most of the game sees you running away from these entities by hiding or using the surroundings to your advantage, and once captured, escaping can be challenging.

Clock Tower 3’s controls may be considered dated nowadays, but fans of the genre looking for a frightful experience will find themselves hooked into this one instantly.

Silent Hill 2 / Silent Hill 3 2001 / 2003

About
	Release Date September 24, 2001
	Developer Team Silent
	Publisher Konami Digital Entertainment
	Franchise Silent Hill
	Genre Psychological Horror
	Perspective Third-Person
	Concept Atmospheric
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2001-09-24
2001-09-27
2001-11-23
2003-02-06

About
	Release Date May 23, 2003
	Developer Team Silent
	Publisher Konami Digital Entertainment
	Franchise Silent Hill
	Genre Psychological Horror
	Concept Atmospheric
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2003-05-23
2003-07-03
2003-08-05

Silent Hill 2 and its sequel are still regarded as some of the best classical horror games to date. The franchise, as a whole, changed the way people would look at horror titles in the future. Horror wasn’t merely about scaring the player anymore, it was beyond that. The franchise manages to build a ubiquitous sense of hopelessness and doom that leaves the player both frightened and fascinated with the level of detail Team Silent spent hours crafting. It is a beautiful nightmare one couldn’t get enough of at the time. It goes without saying that one cannot talk about the best horror games on the PS2 without mentioning Team Silent’s franchise, Silent Hill.

Silent Hill 2 may be regarded as the best entry due to how it touches on the psychological side of the story more than delivering a horrific experience like Resident Evil, but Silent Hill 3 has its positives as well. I tend to lean more towards Silent Hill 3 due to the excellent level of design, eery atmosphere that surrounds Silent Hill town and most importantly, the badass main character, Heather Mason. Silent Hill 3 is way more challenging than Silent Hill 2, and the level of detail in each environment you stumble upon is a work of art.

Konami has yet to revive this franchise by making it accessible on newer hardware in the foreseeable future. Here we are hoping that happens one day.

The Suffering / The Suffering: Ties That Bind 2004 / 2005

About
	Release Date March 08, 2004
	Developer Surreal Software
	Publisher Midway Games
	Genre Horror
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

PS2 Releases
2004-03-08
2004-05-14

About
	Release Date September 26, 2005
	Developer Surreal Software
	Publisher Midway Games
	Genre Horror
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

PS2 Releases
2005-09-26
2005-10-28

The Suffering brings you an unsettling journey by combining different factors, and the result is? Unmatched experience. The first game sees you playing as Torque who was imprisoned for the murder of his family. It quickly turns to chaos when bizarre creatures appear out of the blue, brutally murdering anything that comes their way. On the one hand, the sequel continues from where the first game left off, although it focuses a bit on the action unlike the original. Regardless, both of these titles are a must-have. Video games featuring prison as the main setting are a pretty scarce commodity in the gaming industry, and I think they should definitely make a comeback.

Similar to Silent Hill, the developers focus heavily on delivering an unsettling experience including some of the most twisted psychological frights you’ll ever experience. Moreover, featuring a morality system similar to that of Bioshock where your actions decide the ending you receive, The Suffering is nothing but a timeless classic.

Thankfully, if you don’t own your PS2 anymore, you can play this game on PC. It works great on a potato PC as well.

Forbidden Siren 2 2006 サイレン２ (Sairen Tsū)

About
	Release Date February 09, 2006
	Developer Japan Studio
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Franchise Forbidden Siren
	Genre Horror
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2006-02-09
2006-06-28
2006-08-04

Forbidden Siren 2 isn’t like any other horror game out there. You’re not a Rambo loaded with an AK47 ready to blast anything that moves.  The game does away with the traditional combat system seen in classic horror titles, opting instead for a challenging stealth horror experience. The characters are powerless and cannot fight enemies one-on-one so easily, their only way to confront these foes is through sight jacking. Basically, this gameplay mechanic lets you look through the eyes of any individual, and by using it, you have a chance to avoid confronting enemies.

After the release of the original Silent Hill, Keiichirō Toyama left Konami to join Japan Studio where he went to create one of the most atmospheric and scariest horror franchises to date, Siren.  Known as Forbidden Siren in 2 in Europe, the game follows the story of several characters who are suddenly trapped on Yamijima Island with no way to call for help or anything.

The game puts heavy emphasis on the elements of darkness and powerlessness as you roam the corners of Yamajima Island. The game may be dated when it comes to controls’ fluidity, but the impressive graphics of the time and sight jacking mechanic makes Forbidden Siren 2 a recommended classic.

Fatal Frame / Fatal Frame™ II: Crimson Butterfly 2001 / 2003

About
	Release Date December 13, 2001
	Developer Tecmo
	Publisher Tecmo
	Franchise Fatal Frame
	Genre Horror
	Concept Ghost
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2001-12-13
2002-03-08
2002-08-30

About
	Release Date November 27, 2003
	Developer Tecmo
	Publisher Tecmo
	Franchise Fatal Frame
	Genre Horror
	Graphics 3D
	Perspectives First-Person, Third-Person
	Concept Ghost
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2003-11-27
2003-12-10
2004-04-30
2004-06-24
2004-06-30

The original Fatal Frame came out as a surprise when it first launched. What made the game stand out from the horde at the moment is its focus on the dreadful atmosphere. The game did away with the traditional method of confronting enemies and instead introduced a unique system featuring a mystical camera. The camera is your only friend in this hour of fear as it acts as both a weapon and an eye for you to see invisible ghosts.

The game is pretty challenging as players have to be alert to their surroundings, ready for a tormented soul to show up at any moment. These ghosts can only be defeated using the camera, and as you progress, you confront harder and more difficult-to-handle spirits.

The sequel, Fatal Frame II, is superior to its already excellent predecessor. It ups the scare level and improves the overall mechanics of the game by providing a multitude of tools. Plus, the chosen setting this time around plays a massive role in making the horror experience much scarier. To many, Fatal Frame two is the best instalment in the franchise, and if you’re looking for something up at night for, then this is the one.

Kuon 2004 九怨 (Kyūon "Nine Evils")

About
	Release Date April 01, 2004
	Developer FromSoftware
	Publisher FromSoftware
	Genre Horror
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2004-04-01
2004-12-07
2006-04-14

Kuon is perhaps one of FromSoftware’s unique takes on the horror universe and one that is still discovered to this very day. FromSoftware is renowned for the making of some of the best-selling franchises ever. And while their success with the souls’ games has influenced other developers to capitalize on that achievement by mimicking the formula, FromSoftware has had a humble journey into the horror genre starting from the Echo Night franchise up to Kuon. The latter is yet another atmospheric horror title produced by Atsushi Taniguchi. The best thing about Kuon is its use of the spooky ambient to deliver an eery yet immersive experience.

It’s a shame that the game costs a fortune to own physically these days. However, rest assured, if you own a PC gaming you can still experience this masterpiece with the PCSX2 emulator.

Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare 2001

About
	Release Date May 18, 2001
	Developer Darkworks
	Publisher Atari SA
	Genre Horror
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin France

PS2 Releases
2001-09-28

Alone in the Dark franchise deserves the credit for being the game that inspired Capcom’s now-juggernaut, Resident Evil series. And while the first game initiated the survival horror genre, the sequels began to lose more and more recognition throughout the years. It was until the release of The New Nightmare that a bit of hope remained until Darkworks closed its doors forever.

Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmares comes on top of the original Resident Evil trilogy due to the well-written dialogue, obscure story, diverse enemies and most importantly, the nicely made sound design. The game was originally released on the PS1 and the Dreamcast, while the PS2 version acts as an enhanced edition. For fans of the genre, the Alone in the Dark franchise is a recommended horrifying experience.

Obscure: The Aftermath 2007

About
	Release Date September 07, 2007
	Developer Mighty Rocket Studio
	Publisher Ignition Entertainment
	Franchise ObsCure
	Genre Survival Horror
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Atmospheric
	Players Co-Op, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin France

PS2 Releases
2007-09-07
2008-03-25
2008-05-26

Obscure 2: The Aftermath, simply known as Obscure 2 in Europe, is a survival horror game featuring co-op mechanics. You control a set of university students as they explore, investigate and attempt to stop a wicked plant from infecting the entire world. The game features a set of challenging puzzles that will put your mind to the test. Moreover, the game’s emphasis on working as a team is crucial to progress further.

You know something is lucrative when everyone is experimenting with new settings and ideas in the genre. Obscure 2 is a neat idea that was executed well, although, at times, the dialogue may feel cringe. The former is a sequel to the original Obscure title and that too is a solid game.

Resident Evil 4 2005 バイオハザード4 (Baiohazādo Fō)

About
	Release Date January 11, 2005
	Developer Capcom
	Publisher Capcom
	Franchise Resident Evil
	Genre Survival Horror
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept S
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2005-11
2005-10-25
2005-11-04
2005-12-01

Resident Evil 4 single-handedly changed the way developers would approach survival horror in the future. The fourth entry in the RE franchise dropped the fixed camera and the pre-rendered backgrounds, opting instead for a dynamic free camera system that allowed players to fully interact with the surroundings. And while ammo was no longer made scarce, the action was tight, making the player feel restless at all times.

Almost two decades after its original release, Resident Evil 4 is still a recommended entry for newcomers who are getting their feet ready for some horror.  The scary environment, brutal enemies and feeling of uneasiness accompanied by a sense of panic and dread have helped make Resident Evil 4 a unique experience. Resident Evil 4 would go on to influence a plethora of other titles including The Last of Us, Dead Space and Bioshock.

Hungry Ghosts 2003 ハングリィ ゴースト (Hanguryi Gōsuto)

About
	Release Date July 31, 2003
	Developer Deep Space
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Genre Horror
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2003-07-31

Hungry Ghosts is an obscure title made by the now-defunct Deep Space and a game that handled horror differently. The game is basically King’s Field meets Echo Night in a hellish setting filled with monstrous foes from the underworld and a bizarre atmosphere.

The game is played from the first-person perspective where you control a now-dead person who once was a warrior that took the lives of many people. You’re brought to the River Styx where Death himself tasks you with two choices: Either give up hope and throw yourself to hell where your soul shall suffer for eternity, or accept the offer of Death to reach the Gate of Judgement where you could be reborn.  Reaching it won’t be easy as the path is filled with danger and monstrosity.

Similar to the Suffering’s mortality system, your actions have an effect on the ending of the game. For instance,  breaking unnecessary barrels and excessively collecting loots will make the Gate of Judgement mark you as a selfish being. And since  Tokuro Fujiwara directed the game the man behind the Ghosts N Goblins series, don’t even think your gameplay will be a walk in the park.

Unfortunately, for non-japanese speakers, the game is unplayable since it was released exclusively in Japan. There were several attempts from fans to translate this game fully to English, but each time, the project ended up being discontinued. Here we are hoping that the game receives an English Translation in the future.

Constantine 2005 コンスタンティン (Konsutantin)

About
	Release Date February 14, 2005
	Developer Bits Studios
	Publisher THQ
	Genre Third-Person Shooter
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

PS2 Releases
2005-02-14
2005-03-04
2005-05-26

Constantine is a third-person shooter featuring blazing guns and demons from the underworld. The atmosphere and action are tight with horror elements sprinkled on top. Constantine has different magical powers under his sleeve, and similar to Max Payne, the game features a bullet-time mode where you can slow down time temporarily. If you’re in for an interesting licensed movie game, Constantine deserves a shot. Although, it is best to play this game on PC for the best experience.

Games based on movies are often looked down upon, simply because a bunch of them are mediocre or plain forgettable experiences. Digging deep into the PS2 games library, one may find that there exists a number of great tie-in movie games out there, and Constantine is one of them. Developed by the now-defunct British Bits Studios and published by THQ, Constantine is a game based on the movie of the same name, starring John Wick– I mean John Constantine who is sent to stop an impending invasion of unholy demons on earth.

Curse: The Eye of Isis 2003

About
	Release Date October 21, 2003
	Developer Asylum Entertainment
	Publisher DreamCatcher Interactive
	Genre Horror
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

PS2 Releases
2004-02-18

Curse: The Eye of Isis as nothing is often labelled as nothing but a Resident Evil clone. However, the game is more like Call of Cthulhu meets Alone in the Dark. The atmosphere and impressive sound design know how to play with your mind.

Featuring traditional elements from classic horror games like the tank controls, fixed camera and pre-rendered backgrounds, Curse: The Eye of Isis is an interesting obscure horror entry in the genre which isn’t often discussed these days.

Cold Fear™ 2005

About
	Release Date March 15, 2005
	Developer Darkworks
	Publisher Ubisoft
	Genre Survival Horror
	Concept Zombie
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin France

PS2 Releases
2005-03-15
2005-03-30

Cold Fear has probably taken a small bite from Resident Evil’s influence, but the unique setting of the game makes it a recommended choice. Cold Fear is also one of the latest games from the now-defunct Darkworks before they closed for good.

The entire action happens aboard a Russian whaler lost in the middle of a storm, and you, as Tom Hanson have to board the ship and investigate what happened to your crew. What makes Cold Fear a recommended game is because of its interesting game physics which were amazing at the time. For instance, the player will feel the whaler moving as they progress and that itself affects the player’s aiming. And unlike Resident Evil 4, players could move and shoot at the same instead of being cemented to the ground.

I have previously included this game in another article featuring similar games to Classic Resident Evils if you want to check it out.

The Thing 2002

About
	Release Date August 20, 2002
	Developer Computer Artworks
	Publisher Vivendi Games
	Genre Survival Horror
	Concept Sci-Fi
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

PS2 Releases
2002-09-10
2002-09-20
2002-12-20

The Thing focuses heavily on the concept of teamwork to survive, and trust is a sensitive matter as you never know which member of the crew is the threat. You, as the player, are tasked with making a series of decisions that could earn your allies’ trust or break it.

Yet another tie-in movie-based game that doesn’t suck. This entry acts as a sequel to the original 1982 film. Known in Japan as The Thing from the Planet X episode II, The latter is all about surviving and countering the odds of being attacked and eaten by a ruthless hungry monster.

Extermination 2001 エクスターミネーション (Ekusutāminēshon)

About
	Release Date March 08, 2001
	Developer Deep Space
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Genre Survival Horror
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Sci-Fi
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PS2 Releases
2001-03-08
2001-06-08
2001-07-25

Although Extermination faced challenges in gaining a significant following upon its initial release in 2001, it stands out as the genre’s closest attempt to capturing the essence of The Thing movie. The game manages to embody the atmosphere and elements of suspense and paranoia that made the film so iconic.

Unlike typical games that feature hordes of zombies or ferocious monsters, Extermination sets itself apart by introducing a diverse range of parasitic adversaries. These threats span from microscopic organisms to grotesque, limb-devouring creatures and various other biological entities.

What makes Extermination even more distinctive is its infection mechanic. If players sustain too many hits from these creatures, they become susceptible to infection. Surviving in such a state becomes immensely challenging without access to an antidote, adding an additional layer of tension and strategic decision-making to the gameplay experience.

Thank you for reading.