Obscure & Niche Recommendations (a few select entries of the above is repeated, but basically these are overlooked Horror games I urge more to check out, and some are notably worth next to nothing for some fantastic experiences):
(I'm going in alphabetical order this time, the horror games I re-recommend above will have some new write-ups about why I like them in a bit more detail)
Astray - $3.49
This is not the most amazing horror game you'll ever play, but it's a nice little experience. Doesn't force jump scares, the monster is a bit dumb, but some fun puzzles, varied locales and objectives, and mixes things up well. It's quaint, it's an okay to good game, but one of the better 'Okay' indie horror games I think worth mentioning, and a nice little experience.
BlackSoul: Extended Edition - $1.99
I couldn't list this game in the main OP without some serious resentment, but really, if you're a fan of old-school B-horror games that aren't exactly good, but interest, I'd say give this a go. It has a lot of technical problems, but some pretty decent puzzles, atmosphere.... It's like a pure raw indie version of an old-school horror game, it fails in some ways, succeeds in others, but I find myself a bit fond towards it. For my complicated thoughts on this one, I'll just link my Steam review here:
http://steamcommunity.com/id/AestheticGamer/recommended/264480
Claire - $2.49
I really enjoyed my time with Claire. It maybe doesn't give the best first impression, as your map is kind of hard to use and the stages in the game are like sprawling labyrinths... But they aren't lifeless labyrinths. What I think a lot of games get wrong with labyrinth design is the labyrinths are uninteresting. This one isn't copy or pasted rooms, but rather rooms with personality, landmarks, notable points, doors to unlock... It also has a pretty good story and atmosphere, and in some ways reminds of Lone Survivor, Clock Tower, and Silent Hill. Enemies are unkillable but can be held-off with light, and they can stalk you through the labyrinths for a while if you can't shake them. Also has a sanity system like the Clock Tower games. Mixed with all of this is a dog companion like Haunting Ground, who's name is Annubis. It wears its inspirations on its sleeves, but I think is an experience worth taking, though maybe not for the impatient.
Curse: The Eye of Isis - $0.99
An old PS2 game that's a Resident Evil clone, set in a Museum with Egyptian-themed enemies. It's not AMAZING, but a pretty solid RE-clone game for those who want more old-school horror games in their lives. Has a good story, good atmosphere, some fun puzzles.
DreadOut - $3.74
I love this game. It's low-budget, but it has a lot of heart, creativity, and variety. It's probably the best 'old-school' style horror game to come out in years. It has a surprising number of ghosts, all who function differently, some cryptic, but in my opinion fun, puzzles, excellent sound design, and some moments (especially in the last third of the game) really stand-out in my memory as being fantastic horror scenes. I do urge those who don't mind some low-budget things and like older horror games to check this out. It doesn't have fixed camera angles or tank controls or inventory management, but it does capture that sort of intrigue older horror games had of the unexpected and strange, mixed with variety of scenarios to survive, rather than a one or two trick pony, matched with the ability to fight back but with intimidating foes, and crypticness at times.
Dreaming Sarah - $0.59
Not straight-horror, but has some interesting nightmare moments. A Yume Nikki-inspired sidescrolling exploration game that's actually pretty good. And for that price, really it's worth checking out.
Enola - $7.49
This is NOT a game for everyone, but I enjoyed it. It's kind of a slow psychological game with a focus on exploration. It has some technical faults, but a very interesting, surreal world. You can go long segments of gameplay with nothing really happening outside of exploring, there's some puzzles, stalkers, and creepy scenes, but it's kind of a slow-burn game about exploring what seems like an abstract, dying world, and I thought had an interesting story.
I Can't Escape: Darkness - $8.03
Sequel to a free online game, it is a great trap-focused game. You're stuck in a diabolical ruin full of traps, monstrosities, puzzles, and you must be cunning and survive to find your way out of this maze. Full of multiple paths, secrets, and a large variety of things that can kill you.
The Last Door Season 1 - $2.49
This one often gets looked over, it's an episodic series with super pixely graphics. But really, this game has a pretty amazing story, stand-out moments, and some good music. It's one of the finer horror point'n'clicks I've played, and I think deserving of far more attention than it gets. The Second Season just hit Steam, as well.
Lisa- $2.99
It's not a straight-up horror game, but yes, it's worth checking out, especially at that price. Quite an experience.
Long Night - $0.99
I was reluctant to post this game as I have some mixed feelings on it, but it is definitely worth $0.99. It has fixed camera angles, but isn't really old-school... If anything, it's like an older horror game on crack. The game moves at a stupidly fast pace, both you and the monster run like Olympic Marathon runners. If the monster catches you, that's it. If it weren't for these two things, I think I'd enjoy it a lot more though. It has some creepy imagery, interesting setting, and actually did scare me a few times, but I wasn't big on the one-hit kill monster and how fast paced the chases were, going super fast doesn't mix well with fixed camera angles. But if you can stomach that, there is actually a pretty decent game in here.
The Lost Crown - $1.99
This is a long game, like it's loooooong. It's a point'n'click, kind of slow. However, it has a pretty good story, and one of the best atmospheres I have ever experienced in a point'n'click. It's not a typical point'n'click OR horror game, it features you basically as a ghost hunter dealing with being from beyond. And it succeeds in capturing that feel. It tells an interesting, slowly unveiled tale, along with more atmosphere than you may expect. Slow, but unique.
Malebolgia - $3.24
Made by a GAFer! A stylized dark-fantasy game where you go deep into a grim castle, must combat monsters, with an oppressive atmosphere. The fighting is somewhat clunky, but the atmosphere is great, and set in a compelling world.
Murdered: Soul Suspect - $5.99
Not scary, but it does have its creepy moments (especially in the findable ghost stories). It was a rushed game, signs of this shows, and it's basically Collectibles: The Game, but I liked it well enough actually. I liked exploring around, phasing through walls, and the story and characters were interesting. If you want a story-driven experience that's not a straight-up walking simulator but a bit light on gameplay, I'd say give this one a shot.
The Music Machine - $1.49
It's a walking simulator, but I enjoyed it. It has an interesting story with an interesting character duo in an interesting scenario with each other. The style is flashy but simple, and I really liked the atmosphere and character-driven story. Really as simple as that, but I enjoyed it quite a bit for what it was.
The Rake - $2.49
Graphically, it leaves a lot to be desired, but actually, very unique! You're in the woods with a monster, have to use cameras (which the monster can destroy) and a limited gun to locate and kill the monster before it kills you. Use live animal bait, set-traps, and try to outsmart the monster. It's a really good predator, cat-mouse game, and actually literally just yesterday added online co-op, so worth checking out.
Silence of the Sleep - $3.39
Very overlooked, and a shame since it's actually pretty good. Made by one person, has an interesting style. Gameplay is mixed up into two kinds, areas where you are safe with other people around as you solve puzzles, and isolated locations with spooky shadow monsters trying to kill you that you must hide from as you solve puzzles. Story is pretty good, atmosphere is great, and some scenes are very memorable. Also is a fantastic showing of this single man's talents. Audio design is ace, also.
Slender: The Arrival - $1.99
It's not the cheapest it's ever been, and some will see Slenderman and roll their eyes. More-so, the game is more like a cinematic found-footage horror film in game form. But I actually really like it, I think it has a short but enjoyable campaign, really fun secrets and whole secret levels (the secret levels, of which there are four, are the best part of the game in my opinion), It's very different than Eight Pages, but if you like atmosphere, and something of a walking simulator meets Slender gameplay, but with some mix-ups, I think it's a good time. And I do urge anyone who plays to look-up how to access the secret stages, they are worth finding.
Sylvio - $6.49
SUPER slow-burn, but very interesting! Different than any other horror game you'll ever play. You play as a woman who enters into a strange, red-tinted abandoned amusement park to figure out why it was abandoned. The place is huge, with lots of different sectors, and the game is lacking action... You do have to deal with some shadow monsters with an air gun and bug spray sometimes, but it mostly is puzzle solving, finding spirits, recording them and figuring out what they say with an audio player you can forward-wind, rewind, speed-up, slow-down, and reverse (and combine these affects) to find out what they said to questions you ask. The story is cryptic but interesting, and it's got a unique yet odd atmosphere.
Vanishing of Ethan Carter - $6.79
I find myself a bit hesitant to call this one a straight-up horror game; it has its moments, but really it is more of a fantasy game. But anyways, it is good, gorgeous visually, and up there as one of the best walking simulators I've played. I would recommend it for those who want a pretty trek through a world with some interesting variety and events, though I feel the story falls a bit short.
White Night - $7.49
The game is slow, stylistic, has a lot of reading in it, and honestly the story is just okay, with some cryptic puzzles, but I found it to be an enjoyable experience through a creepy house with limited light sources and fun noir themes and era stylizations. It is more style than substance, though, but has some spooky and tense moments. Let-down a bit by its eventual story course, but I found it to be a fun moody ride.
White Noise Online - $1.19
It's basically an online co-op version of Slender, except Slenderman's not in it, and the main cast seem like Scooby-Doo rejects. However, it's fun for a few hours, has some interesting varied maps, and some smart decisions for a co-op Slender game (three cool features I really like are that when you die, you see the world brightly and become a ghost that can either help keep other characters sane or scout out with increased movement speed to help friends locate cassette players (this game's version of pages), the different character stats and fun to try and unlock them all, and the post-game map which shows the paths and events everyone went through). It's got some mixed reception, but I've had some fun with friends in it.
