4) Friday The 13th: The Game (2017)
Inspired by: Friday The 13th series
Similar to the aforementioned Dead By Deadlight, Gun Media and Illfonic’s Friday The 13th: The Game is a night and day difference compared to the somewhat uneven experience that was first released.
Constantly evolving the core experience with a multitude of free updates, Friday The 13th: The Game’s 7v1 asymmetric murder-‘em-up is maturing nicely. With a deadlier Jason, a fresh-faced killer and A New Beginning map, a ton of balancing tweaks, new single-player missions and an engine upgrade on the way, it’s a great example of a game putting things right and listening closely to its rabid fanbase.
In regards to the title’s authenticity, OG Jason Voorhees actor Kane Hodder (from the movies Part VII, VIII, IX and X) did motion-capture and 3D modelling for Jason, while esteemed original composer Harry Manfredini contributed to the eerie soundtrack.
In the words of Friday The 13th’s crazy Ralph: “You’re doomed! You’re all doomed!”
3) Alien: Isolation (2014)
Inspired by: Alien
Though this is the second time I’ve included H.R. Giger’s seminal space monster on this list, I believe Creative Assembly’s first-person survival horror experience is a different enough beast to Rebellion’s more action-focused effort to warrant a noteworthy top three entry.
By eschewing the iconic action-horror of James Cameron’s Aliens in favour of Ridley Scott’s slow-burn cat-and-mouse 1979 classic, Alien: Isolation opts for an authentically crafted love-letter to the heart-pounding sci-fi horror of the uber influential original film.
Not only is the game’s crackling audio design, faithful aesthetics, solid story and stealth-focused gameplay a highlight, but it also cleverly captures the unpredictable predatory AI of a sole xenomorph threat and builds a captivating heart in mouth rollercoaster thrill-ride around it.
This is undoubtedly an essential for any Alien fans out there.