Recommendations for Really Scary Horror Games Based on True Stories

Kapanlagi.com - Horror games are not just about jumpscares or scary visuals. Some of them feel even more terrifying because they are inspired by true stories that send shivers down your spine. This element of reality is what makes the gaming experience much more intense and psychologically disturbing.

Summarized by KapanLagi.com from various sources on Thursday, (8/5/2025), this article will summarize recommendations for really scary horror games that are truly based on real events, ranging from terrifying Japanese myths to medical experiments that have taken place. If you're a true horror lover, get ready to be chilled from start to finish.

1. Fatal Frame: Terror of the Camera and Spirits in Japanese Rituals

Photo: Stream.

This very scary horror game comes from a Japanese legend about an ancient sacrifice ritual. In Fatal Frame (2001), you will play as a young girl who must photograph spirits to banish them. This game is inspired by the story of a haunted house in Japan that is said to be real.

The uniqueness of Fatal Frame lies in its survival method: not with weapons, but with a camera! The sensation of being trapped in an old house with restless spirits feels very real and chilling. With a thick atmosphere and innovative gameplay, this game has become a favorite among horror fans.

2. Outlast: Uncovering Mad Experiments in the Asylum

Photo: PlayStation.

If you are looking for a really scary horror game, Outlast (2013) must be on your list. This game is inspired by the MK-Ultra experiments, a CIA project that actually happened in real life. You will play as a journalist who infiltrates Mount Massive Asylum, a mental hospital full of secrets and horrors.

Without weapons to defend yourself, the only way to survive is to hide. The tension and fear are constantly present, intensifying the psychological horror atmosphere. The thrilling stealth elements make every step feel extremely dangerous.

3. Kholat: The True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Tragedy That Gives You Chills

Photo: Nintendo Everything.

Adapted from the 1959 Dyatlov Pass tragedy, Kholat (2015) is a horror game that is truly terrifying because its story setting is indeed mysterious and remains unsolved to this day. In this game, you explore the snow-covered and misty Ural Mountains while uncovering what caused a group of hikers to die in strange circumstances.

A strong narrative and haunting atmosphere make Kholat provide a horror experience that is calm yet very psychologically intense. With stunning graphics and eerie sounds, this game successfully creates an unforgettable tension.

4. The Town of Light: Real Trauma in an Italian Asylum

Photo: Stream.

The Town of Light (2016) is a very terrifying psychological horror game, based on real archives from the Volterra asylum in Italy. You play as Renée, a former patient who returns to the abandoned hospital to remember her past. This game does not explicitly feature ghosts, but the horror comes from the mental experiences and violence that actually occurred.

With realistic graphics and a touching story, this game is more disturbing than frightening. Renée's experience filled with trauma and sorrow will make you reflect and feel the injustices that once happened.

5. Resident Evil Village: Classic Horror with a Touch of European Legend

Photo: PlayStation.

Although better known as a fiction franchise, Resident Evil Village (2021) draws much inspiration from Eastern European myths and folklore. The character Lady Dimitrescu, for example, is said to be inspired by the real-life figure Countess Elizabeth Báthory, a noblewoman notorious for her cruelty and sadism. This game is a blend of survival horror with the atmosphere of a cursed village that is terrifying.

If you enjoy horror games that are truly scary with a gothic vibe and mystery, Village could be the ideal choice. The combination of action and horror elements makes every moment in this game feel thrilling and full of surprises.

6. Maid of Sker: Haunted Hotel and the Legend of a Real Family

Photo: Stream.

Maid of Sker (2020) is a game inspired by the true story of Sker House Hotel in Wales, England. This extremely scary horror game brings to light the legend of a family that harbors dark secrets and a tragic story about a young woman locked in a room. The quiet atmosphere and stealth-based gameplay (holding your breath) make the gaming experience very chilling.

This game offers horror that is not excessive, yet still manages to haunt its players. With a strong narrative element and innovative gameplay, Maid of Sker provides a unique experience in the horror genre.

7. The Suffering: Manifestation of Sin and Punishment in Prison

Photo: Stream Community.

The Suffering (2004) may not be well known to the current generation, but it is one of the scariest horror games that combines psychological and supernatural elements. This game is set in a prison haunted by creatures that are manifestations of the ways the inmates died. Although fictional, this game is inspired by the dark stories of notoriously brutal prisons in America, such as Alcatraz.

The combination of moral narrative and brutal violence makes The Suffering an intense and meaningful horror experience. The deep psychological elements will make you think about the consequences of actions and sins committed.

(kpl/sfh)