Horror game series in order

Release order

1. 

   1996

   Resident Evil

   MultiplatformSurvival horrorSeries hub

   Resident Evil (1996 US) invents mainstream survival horror—mansion puzzles, limited ammo, and Umbrella conspiracy. This hub row points to the full series timeline on Resident Evil, including remakes and spin-off guidance—not every RE remake duplicated here.

   Overview

   Tank-control tension, item-box logistics, and zombie house design that still define the genre. Later over-the-shoulder remakes modernize the same Raccoon City mythos without erasing why the original mattered.

   In-game setting

   Series setting spans Raccoon City, Europe, and global bioterror arcs across decades. Start the deep dive on Resident Evil for release vs story inside Capcom’s canon; this hub only marks the franchise’s 1996 US origin.

   Should you play it?

   Default classic-survival Essentials stop. Newcomers usually follow remake-first advice on the RE page; veterans can chase originals. Required if you want the genre’s foundation before Silent Hill’s psychological turn.

   Release date

   First US mainline: March 30, 1996 (Resident Evil / Biohazard on PlayStation). Later platforms and remakes detailed on the series page.

2. 

   1999

   Silent Hill

   MultiplatformPsychological horrorSeries hub

   Silent Hill (1999 US) trades Umbrella zombies for fog, radio static, and town-as-psyche horror. Use this row as the gateway into Silent Hill for remakes, Team Silent classics, and modern reboots—kept as one series cluster here.

   Overview

   Fog-of-war exploration, otherworld shifts, and personal guilt stories differentiated Konami’s flagship from Capcom’s biohorror. Still the reference point for “psychological survival horror.”

   In-game setting

   The town of Silent Hill and its shifting otherworlds are the franchise spine. Full entry order, remakes, and skip advice live on Silent Hill—this hub marks the 1999 US series start only.

   Should you play it?

   Second classic-survival Essentials title after Resident Evil. Play when you want dread and symbolism over shotgun spectacle. Not a sequel to any RE plot.

   Release date

   First US mainline: February 23, 1999 (Silent Hill on PlayStation). Later Team Silent and remake windows on the series page.

3. 

   2008

   Dead Space

   MultiplatformSci-fi horrorSeries hub

   Dead Space (2008) strands engineer Isaac Clarke on the USG Ishimura among necromorphs—strategic dismemberment, diegetic UI, and industrial space dread. Deep dive the trilogy and remake on Dead Space.

   Overview

   Limb-targeting combat and HUD-in-world presentation made sci-fi horror feel modern without losing resource panic. The Ishimura remains one of gaming’s great haunted ships.

   In-game setting

   Story sits in a Marker/Unitology sci-fi continuity separate from Raccoon City or Silent Hill. Series order and remake guidance: Dead Space.

   Should you play it?

   Best cosmic/industrial alternative when classic mansions feel done. Essential if you want sci-fi horror; optional on pure cam or cinematic Essentials paths.

   Release date

   First US mainline: October 13, 2008 (Dead Space on PS3, Xbox 360, PC). Remake and sequels on the series page.

4. 

   2010

   Alan Wake

   MultiplatformPsychologicalCinematicSeries hub

   Alan Wake (2010) drops a thriller novelist into Bright Falls’ darkness-vs-light combat—flashlight as weapon, manuscript pages as lore, and Remedy’s cinematic storytelling. Continue on Alan Wake for American Nightmare, Alan Wake 2, and crossover notes.

   Overview

   Light-as-combat and TV-episode structure made psychological action-horror feel like a live-action thriller game. Still a prestige gateway for story-first players.

   In-game setting

   Bright Falls / Dark Place mythology is self-contained (with later Remedy-verse echoes). Full release and story lanes: Alan Wake.

   Should you play it?

   Cinematic Essentials pick beside Until Dawn. Start here if you want narrative prestige more than inventory tetris. Not required before Outlast or RE.

   Release date

   First US mainline: May 14, 2010 (Alan Wake on Xbox 360; PC later). Sequels and remasters on the series page.

5. 

   2010

   Amnesia

   PCConsoleFirst-personPuzzle horrorSeries hub

   Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010) popularized modern first-person helplessness—no combat, sanity drain, and castle corridors that taught a generation to hide. Hub details for Machine for Pigs, Rebirth, and The Bunker live on Amnesia.

   Overview

   Defenseless exploration and sanity systems became the template for indie horror that followed. YouTube Let’s Plays made it a cultural event as much as a game release.

   In-game setting

   Each Amnesia title tends to stand alone with shared design DNA rather than one continuous RPG plot. Series browsing: Amnesia.

   Should you play it?

   Modern cam Essentials partner with Outlast. Play when you want puzzle-darkness over shotgun combat. Skip if you need agency and guns to stay engaged.

   Release date

   First US/worldwide digital landmark: September 8, 2010 (Amnesia: The Dark Descent on PC). Later entries and ports on the series page.

6. 

   2013

   Outlast

   MultiplatformCamcorderFirst-personSeries hub

   Outlast (2013) traps you in Mount Massive Asylum with a camcorder night-vision kit—run, hide, record. Whistleblower DLC and Outlast 2 expand the Red Barrels formula on Outlast.

   Overview

   Camcorder framing and zero-fight design turned asylum horror into a mainstream stealth-panic hit. Battery management and chase sequences still define “modern cam horror.”

   In-game setting

   Mount Massive / Temple Gate settings are franchise-specific—not Umbrella labs. Full order and DLC timing: Outlast.

   Should you play it?

   Core Modern cam Essentials title. Pair with Amnesia for first-person dread; skip if cam-shake nausea or chase panic is a hard no.

   Release date

   First US mainline: September 4, 2013 (Outlast on PC; consoles followed). Sequels and DLC on the series page.

7. 

   2014

   The Evil Within

   MultiplatformSurvival horrorSeries hub

   The Evil Within (2014) is Shinji Mikami’s post-RE4 nightmare—detective Sebastian Castellanos trapped in STEM’s shifting horrors, scarce ammo, and grotesque set pieces. Sequel and edition notes live on The Evil Within.

   Overview

   Mikami-led third-person survival with trap-filled realms and deliberate difficulty. It bridges classic RE resource panic and modern cinematic set-dressing.

   In-game setting

   STEM / Mobius conspiracy continuity spans the two main games. Deep dive: The Evil Within.

   Should you play it?

   Strong optional bridge between classic survival and cinematic tastes. Not required on the three Essentials paths, but excellent if you loved older RE and want Mikami’s later vision.

   Release date

   First US mainline: October 14, 2014 (The Evil Within on PS3/PS4, Xbox 360/One, PC).

8. 

   2015

   Until Dawn

   PlayStationPCCinematicChoice horrorSeries hub

   Until Dawn (2015) turns a mountain cabin weekend into a butterfly-effect slasher—eight playable teens, totem clues, and “anyone can die” tension. Spin-offs and remaster notes sit on Until Dawn.

   Overview

   Choice-driven cinematic horror with movie casting energy made couch co-op speculation a feature. Still the clearest “play a horror film” gateway on this hub.

   In-game setting

   Blackwood Pines story is self-contained; later related titles are optional branches on Until Dawn. Heavy spoiler risk—finish before reading deep guides.

   Should you play it?

   Cinematic Essentials anchor with Alan Wake. Ideal first horror game for players who want narrative and choices over inventory management.

   Release date

   First US mainline: August 25, 2015 (Until Dawn on PS4; later PC/remaster windows on the series page).