“Horror”, the term itself, brings thrills and chills to many individuals. But, the excitement and climax, this genre holds make it a massive hit amongst the audience.

If noticed closely, it is well-understood that whether it is a game or a movie, horror titles have accelerated significantly over the past few times. Since then, there has been no looking back to it, turning it immensely strong.

Similarly, the legacy of horror games has skyrocketed currently, with millions of gamers waiting to get their hands on more new petrifying titles. Things turn more intense when it becomes relatable. Here’s a detailed list of must-try Top 10 Horror Games Based on Real Life.

10 Blood-Curdling Horror Game Titles For A Deadly Experience!

The genre considers many distinct elements to scare people while surviving to reach a verdict. During the journey, the hurdles shook individuals deeply in the terrifying settings. Sometimes, horror games can be more than a simply fictional story. Surprisingly, the following 10 horror titles are inspired by the real world.

Five Nights At Freddy's

Release Date: August 8, 2014
Based On: Chuck E. Cheese Murder Incident

Five Nights’ plot and Chuck E. Cheese's murder incident setting seem identical. The original mishap of 1993 in Aurora, Colorado was the basis of this horror game. According to the reports, a former Chuck E. Cheese employee shot the other four employees. The incident took place while they were clearing up the store in the evening, murdering them badly and leaving one injured.

In contrast, Five Nights At Freddy's puts players in the shoes of a security guard. In the game, the guard needs to ensure that every night everything runs smoothly. However, there are animatronics that will test your survival abilities as a guard. The game doesn’t feature the exact animatronics that assassinated humans but lets players estimate the severity and fear the employees witnessed during the mishap.

Outlast

Release Date: September 4, 2013
Based On: Loosely Influenced By Project MKUltra Program

The second worthy mention to this list is Outlast, a loosely inspired piece by Project MKUltra. Based on the reports, the CIA's mind-control techniques tried to brainwash individuals as a part of the Project MKUltra program. However, the incident wasn’t apparent, but, this game gives a transparent view even by being influenced.

The game asks players to take on the journalist role of an asylum full of patients undergoing MKUltra-like treatments. While finding the root cause, you, as a player, need to protect your life from incoming threats.

Neverending Nightmares

Release Date: September 26, 2014
Based On: Developer’s Personal Mental Struggles

Often, stories developed from word-of-mouth of other individuals. But, things become more crucial when you become the lead of any story. Isn’t it? Well, a similar case could be behind Neverending Nightmares’ creation. The psychological horror game takes inspiration from its own designer’s mental hurdles. Simply put, the game is based on Matt Gilgenbach's issues with depression and OCD.

That being said, the game’s protagonist rouses from a deep night terror, keeping him puzzled as to whether he’s actually awake. The deeper you dive into the protagonist’s journey, the more you will understand what is coming towards you. Remember to make room from the terror-packed world and sweep out the parabolic creatures on the way.

Silent Hill

Release Date: February 23, 1999
Based On: The Eerie Surroundings of Centralia, Pennsylvania Coal Mine

Silent Hill is one of the most obvious names that might stick in many individuals’ minds. Well, have you ever wondered how and why developers got the idea of choosing such a ghostly place? The question will become clear when you try to relate to the spookiness of the coal mine area of Centralia, Pennsylvania.

Yes, that’s legit!

Before being a coal mine, Centralia was an ideal mining community that turned abandoned in no time. But, now, it has become a ghost area. Everyone who visits Silent Hill can sense the emptiness and strangeness of the nearby surroundings. Many still believe that Centralia has burning sparks glowing to date too.

Resident Evil Village

Release Date: May 7, 2021
Based On: Noblewomen Elizabeth Bathory’s Life

Do you know whether Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village is inspired by a real individual? Well, her charm is inevitable causing many fans to fall for her. But the game introduced her as a legendary evil mistress, still, her limelight witnessed no reduction. Surprisingly, she is an inspired character by the real-life noblewoman, Elizabeth Bathory.

Bathory was convicted of torturing young women before murdering them. The accusations don't end here as she was alleged to have their flesh and bath in their blood. Simply put, she was condemned for possessing vampire-like traits.

Additionally, it is reported that her husband provided her with clawed gloves to control servants. Lady Dimitrescu featured similarly wearing gloves for similar excruciating purposes.

The Town of Light

Release Date: February 26, 2016
Based On: Italy’s Ospedale Psichiatrico di Volterra Hospital

2016’s “The Town of Light” draws inspiration from the Ospedale Psichiatrico di Volterra Hospital of Italy. According to the reports, the hospital is a real-life psychiatric hospital, and the game’s setting follows identical surroundings.

The psychological horror game transverses players through mental illness and brutal scenes from the asylum. While retaining the game’s environment identical to the asylum’s settings, it is real that the in-game characters and the story are imaginary.

But, they are inspired by the research into patient’s behaviors from the original story. The game traces the life of Renée, a woman serving the asylum since 1930, who explores her experience while blending flashbacks and memories.

Fatal Frame (Project Zero)

Release Date: December 13, 2001
Based On: Real Haunted Regions and Japanese Urban Legends

Tagged as a survival horror game series, Fatal Frame projects mysterious locations based on supernatural events. Moreover, the series was set in Japan in the 1980s and got appraisals for frequent use of female characters. However, rumors have been circulating regarding this series being connected to real-life scenarios, leaving individuals confused.

But, what is the exact truth to this? Is the Fatal Frame series based on a tragedy?

As per the sources, the game is developed centering around the events of Japan’s Himuro Mansion. The residence has been a grisly death spot for a Japanese family and several others.

However, when Makoto Shibata, the game’s producer was asked about the game’s connection with the Himuro Mansion, he didn’t mention anything. Rather, he pointed at two old Japanese legends and horror stories. Importantly, it is noted that the game didn’t express or advertise as based on a real-life scenario.

Home Sweet Home

Release Date: September 26, 2017
Based On: Thai Folklore and Real-life Horror Stories

Developed by the Thai Developer, Yggdrazil Group, Home Sweet Home appeared as a first-person survival horror game. Reportedly, the game takes heavy inspiration from Thai folklore, requiring players to traverse through spooky environments. During the journey, they will have traditional ghostly encounters, like Preta and Krasue.

However, the main gameplay sticks to explaining the story of the protagonist Tim while dodging evil spirits on the way. The story follows Tim who awakes in an unfamiliar place after suffering from the sudden disappearance of his wife. He is being hunted by a female evil spirit, but needs to do all deeds to find her love and the place he once trusted as a “Home Sweet Home”.

Kholat

Release Date: June 9, 2015
Based On: Russia’s 1959 Dyatlov Pass Incident

The survival horror from 2015, Kholat, kicks off players with a journey of a protagonist tracing the steps of the nine missing Russian students. Surprisingly, the game is based on a true Dyatlov Pass incident which involved ten Russian students.

According to the reports, nine students were missing from Kholat Syakhl and were discovered deceased after four months. However, the tenth student walked back because of a sudden illness. Thus, this mishap forms the basis of the horrific Kholat game by IMGN.PRO.

Interestingly, the game began with the narrator elaborating on the Dyatlov Pass Incident details immediately before the player reached Ivdel. While hiking, the player witnesses a long line-up of noteworthy locations and accessories.

Masochisia

Release Date: October 9, 2015
Based On: Albert Fish, A Real-life Serial Killer

Masochisia was a popular title when it debuted in 2015, bucketing mostly positive reviews. The psychological horror game is taught to be loosely inspired by the actual events and traits of a serial killer, Albert Fish.

Fish was one of the most notorious killers in American history.

When diving deeper into Fish's personal life, it was found that he underwent an abusive childhood and grew up in an orphanage. Since he was beaten up often in the orphanage, he discovered a spark in witnessing people in pain.

However, the game doesn’t highlight or mention Fish’s name directly. But, it presents a look-alike young man who thinks his goal is to be a serial killer.

Wrapping-Up

The list of horror games based on real life can continue even more but the titles mentioned above are the most disturbing and can leave you confused about reality and a virtual world.

However, most titles incorporate high-grade tortures and bloody stains, so proceed carefully.