Exploration is a core part of gameplay across a variety of genres, from open world titles and Souls-like games to action-adventure and survival horror. It's no surprise that horror games often feature terrifying explorations in which players control weak characters who are typically unprepared for combat. However, some games in other genres create atmospheric worlds that feel eerie and unsettling to explore, even if you play as a competent, battle-ready hero.
Developers achieve this through a variety of techniques. You can make enemies stronger and more dangerous, design specific areas with high threat, create environments that don't feel safe to explore, and even change navigation rules based on the time of day when night is often dark and full of unpleasant surprises.
This list focuses on scary games with an emphasis on exploration. We'll mostly avoid survival or horror games typical of those criteria (with a few exceptions), prioritizing titles where selective exploration is rewarding but always feels dangerous, tense, and unsettling.
Stalker 2: Heart of Cornobyl
John's world is truly unforgiving.
After a year of updates and adjustments, Stalker 2: Heart of Cornobyl It launches on PS5 on November 20th, bringing the unique and dangerous open world of Zone to the platform. This is a worthwhile journey for fans of exploration-focused first-person shooters. stalker 2 It’s unique, breathtakingly unforgiving.
From roaming bandits and heavily armed mercenaries to all manner of creepy mutants, dark and scary nights, deadly anomalies scattered both outdoors and indoors, and deadly emissions that players cannot survive unless they find shelter, exploring the Zone is always a tense and unforgettable experience. One wrong move can end a stalker's life in an instant.
hell is us
In Hadea, players can only rely on themselves.
One of the most overlooked new games of 2025 hell is us It's somewhat reminiscent. stalker The series offers a unique, desolate world filled with complex mysteries, strange creatures, and deadly anomalies, as well as valuable and powerful artifacts and treasures. Powerful visual effects and sound contribute greatly to the game's chaotic atmosphere, where players can rely only on their own perception and memory for exploration and puzzle solving.
hell is us Other modern games invest heavily in making exploration challenging and tricky, with no maps or obvious clues for players to be familiar with. Instead, every step in this harsh world could be your last. This is especially true during business hours when everything feels fresh and unknown.
contempt
definition of anxious fear
contempt
2/10
- released
-
October 14, 2022
By design, contempt is a horror game, but it's so unique that it fits perfectly here. Set in a haunting universe with unforgettable environment and creature design inspired by the art of HR Giger and Zdzisław Beksiński. contempt It's a sight worth seeing. Unforgiving exploration only deepens the constant sense of fear and feeling trapped.
contempt Although it's a short and relatively linear game, the exploration aspect is still strong, with plenty of optional areas to discover and complex puzzles to solve. good night hell is usPlayers should not expect any help or hints throughout their journey and must be ready to die at any time.
Bloodborne
Survive the Nights of Yharnam
A true gem of FromSoftware's Soullike collection, BloodborneThe world of is as unique and breathtakingly beautiful as it is dangerous. Players start with nothing and must fight through the night in Yharnam, mentally mapping this dark, gothic city to find their way to new areas and track down their next prey.
A borderline horror game with a complex and deep story that fans still debate. Bloodborne You may feel incredibly nervous and anxious. The game surprises players at every turn with a mix of terrifying, grotesque monsters, and even unimaginable cosmic beings. Thanks to its interconnected design, exploring the world can be deeply satisfying, with a wealth of well-hidden treasures and entire secret areas to discover.
chernobylite
Return to area with different rules
Another game set in the Chernobyl area stalker 2, chernobylite You play your cards very differently. But it's another example of how a shared setting filled with dark mystery and danger makes optional exploration feel both creepy and dangerous, as well as exciting and rewarding. Unlike the smooth open world, each map chernobylite These are separate zones that allow for a variety of memorable locations for players to constantly return to.
What makes it chernobylite Aside from the benefits of an apocalyptic setting set in an abandoned city, what's especially scary and unsettling is the unique Black Stalker feature. These deadly enemies can appear randomly in any location and stalk players at the most inconvenient times. It's possible to fight most other threats, like the Black Stalker and mutants, but since the protagonist isn't a superhero, it's always an uphill battle.
control
The oldest house is a house of all kinds that cannot be explained
control Probably one of the most traditionally “scary” games on this list. However, it does provide one of the most exciting and unsettling exploration experiences. Within the mysterious Oldest House, a hub of paranormal activity and artifacts, players embark on a unique journey through shifting environments, eerie hissing sounds, mentally enslaved or unstable individuals, and unexplained anomalous phenomena.
control It is not designed to be a pure horror game, as players are well-equipped to take on almost any threat using powerful weapons and supernatural, almost superhero-like abilities for spectacular and dynamic combat. But the game's oppressive environment and constant sense that things are going very wrong create a constant sense of unease throughout.
The Evil Within 2
Exploring Union City is equally rewarding and scary.
What is significantly different from the previous work is that The Evil Within 2 We take bold steps towards a more action-oriented approach, while embracing open areas. This is still a rare phenomenon in the horror genre. Over the course of the story, players are free to explore large sections of the STEM simulation multiple times, including entire city blocks and underground complexes filled with dangerous creatures, deadly traps, and much-needed rewards.
Although it's tempting to take a break from the main story and explore, it's always risky and scary, as players can find valuable upgrades, powerful new weapons, and interesting side quests that add depth to the story. Too far off the main path The Evil Within 2 Especially if you act too early or in areas you are unprepared for, the losses may outweigh the gains. These areas often have scary mini-bosses lurking in them that aren't worth fighting at all.
Dragon's Dogma 2
Night exploration is not for the faint of heart
At first glance, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a classic open-world fantasy RPG that offers a vast world to explore, companions known as Pawns, and a wealth of skills and weapons for fun and dynamic combat. This is all true unless the players decide to venture out at night. Almost every character in the game warns you about this, and for good reason. Exploring at night is often a nightmarish experience that is rarely worth the risk.
night of Dragon's Dogma 2 It's pitch black and terrifying, and ruthless enemies lurk around. With no fast travel options, players can't easily escape to safety if they get into trouble. Trust me. Exploring the game's world at night should be a last resort, especially until players have become familiar with the game's rules, enemies, and weaknesses.
