5 Best Anthology Horror Game Series, Ranked

The horror genre is extremely popular among players, as it not only presents them with spine-chilling stories and moments that get their adrenaline rushing, but it also has a ton of variety in terms of the titles it offers. Whether it is a standalone game that plays with people’s fear of the dark or a franchise that’s beloved by all, there’s always something new to discover.

While many titles of a horror franchise are typically connected together by a series of characters, a haunted place or even a story, others have separate narratives that have nothing to do with each other. Here are some of the best anthology horror game series , ranked.

5 Corpse Party: Book Of Shadows

A Scary Series Of Tales In Various Timelines

• Platform(s): PC, PSP, PS Vita, iOS
• Released: September 1st, 2011
• Developer(s): Team GrisGris, 5pb, MAGES
• Genre(s): Adventure game, Adventure
• Eight different timelines
• An anthology that acts as a prequel and sequel

Corpse Party: Book of Shadows is one of those games that shines thanks to its design, narrative elements, and overall theme. The game presents players with an anthology that serves both as a sequel and a prequel, as well as an alternative universe story to other Corpse Party titles.

Consisting of eight different chapters, including Encounter, Purgatory, and Shangri-La, this game covers several different timelines, which adds a layer of complexity to the experience and makes everything much more interesting.

On paper, this would disqualify this title as an anthology horror game. However, since the contents of Corpse Party: Book of Shadows are actually an anthology, it still deserves to make the list. While not as well received as other entries on this list, the game still offers an amazing experience for players who are into this genre.

4 The Dark Pictures Anthology

Something Lurks In The Shadows Of The Galaxy

• Survivors of a crashed ship must face an unknown alien threat
• Amazing anthology covering deep-space horror

Ever since the Alien film came out back in 1979, the horror subgenre revolving around an unknown alien species that preys on stranded survivors in deep-space has become very popular, and this is exactly what makes The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020 so great.

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When the colonist ship Cassiopeia crash lands on a mysterious planet known as “Tau Ceti f” (which actually exists in real life), the crew inside it will have to survive an unknown threat that is stalking them from the shadows. The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020 not only excels at deep-space horror, but also offers players an anthology story that works very well with the overall concept of the game.

3 Layers Of Fear

A Painter’s Quest To Finish His Best Work Yet

• Wonderful color palette and grim setting that works amazingly well with the game’s concept
• Six different chapters to explore and complete

As far as non-AAA psychological horror games go, Layers of Fear is among the best ever released. Players will walk in the shoes of a disturbed painter trying to complete his final masterpiece as he makes his way through a creepy mansion from the Victorian era that will reveal many secrets about his past. Presented from a first-person perspective and driven mainly by puzzle-solving and exploration, Layers of Fear will keep players extremely entertained.

This title is divided into six main chapters, and in each one, players will have to find different items with the ultimate goal of completing the artist’s masterpiece. The atmosphere set in the game is gloomy, dark and grim, which perfectly complements its concept and delivers an unforgettable, spine-chilling experience.

2 Amnesia

A Series That Has Given Players Nightmares For Years

• The Amnesia series is known for spine-chilling moments and hideous monsters
• Amnesia: The Bunker is arguably the title with the fewest connections to other games in the series

The Amnesia series is vast and covers many topics, but for the purpose of this article, the main focus of this particular entry will revolve around Amnesia: The Bunker, which is, arguably, the title that’s more loosely connected to the rest of the series.

World War 1 and 2 are already very dark periods in human history, which means that horror games set in either period will most likely offer players a spine-chilling and near-traumatic experience. In Amnesia: The Bunker, players will take control of a French soldier who goes by the name of Henri Clément and is constantly being chased by a monster referred to as “The Beast”. The protagonist’s main objective is to escape the bunker alive while trying his best to keep the lights on and gather as much ammunition as he can possibly carry to defend himself against this supernatural threat.

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While this title is not as big as others in its genre, there are still a lot of things that players can miss as they’re trying to escape the horrendous Beast. Although some players argue that a few elements of Amnesia: The Bunker might be connected to other titles in the Amnesia franchise, this is debatable and, in most cases, it’s a statement that doesn’t really hold up. If players want an unforgettable experience as they try to escape a creepy bunker that they share with an unknown supernatural creature, they should look no further than Amnesia: The Bunker.

1 Stories Untold

A Game That Perfectly Combines Horror, Puzzles, And Adventure

• Four episodes for players to enjoy
• Mind-blowing ending that connects many dots

Stories Untold is an anthology that’s heavily based on puzzles and adventure. There are a total of four episodes, each with its own theme. However, when players reach the surprising end of the game, they will find a mind-blowing truth that they will most certainly not be expecting. Players who have not completed the game should stop reading at this point, as there are spoilers ahead.

Throughout the majority of the game, it would appear that the first three episodes are standalone and have nothing to do with each other. However, once players reach the fourth and final episode, they will discover that every single one is connected. So, while this title isn’t really an anthology, players will play it as such until they reach the end of the game, which makes it a solid addition to the list.

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