Summary
Horror is a genre that may seem like it offers nothing in the way of lighthearted fun or laughter, as surely this would dispel all the gloom and dread that the developers worked so hard in establishing. That said, those who are brave enough to explore the world of horror sometimes need a break; otherwise, the process can become too tiring to endure. This can also add to a game’s fear factor, as a moment of levity can help make any horrifying moment that follows even more impactful.
As such, there are a few titles that strive to blend the two, whether it is through a witty protagonist, moments of comedy, or just a premise that is so bizarre and campy that players can’t help but chuckle at it. Here are some excellentgames that perfectly blend horror and comedy.
Everyone knows that there is very little to laugh at throughout the grueling and emotional experience ofSilent Hill 2. The psychological horror and sensitive subjects can become rather draining, leaving players to switch off the game before it weighs too heavily on their mind. Searching the titular town for his missing wife, James has very little to smile about throughout the game, as every lead takes him through a new round of horror rather than down a direct path to his partner.
Then, there aretheSilent Hill 2endings. Some continue the overall tone of the game, with Leave or In Water being perfect examples of this. Then, there are the less serious endings, with the Dog Ending being among one of the most famous. It can only be acquired after the game has already been completed once and if the player fulfills certain requirements in their second save file. Doing so will reveal that the game was all a simulation, and the one behind it all is an adorable and mischievous Shiba Inu. It is a great way dispel the tension and emotions of the game, and it’s easily one of the funniest game endings of all time.
Until Dawnwas the first entry in Supermassive’s line of horror games, starting things off inthe cold, snow-swept mountainsas a group of friends reconvenes at a lodge on the anniversary of twins Hannah and Beth’s disappearance, with players witnessing their fate first-hand. The group of teens is then assailed by a mysterious masked man and dangerous monsters, with the beasts eventually being revealed as wendigos.
Aside from the horror of trying to outrun the psycho and surviving wendigo encounters, there are plenty of similarities to this game and a B-horror movie, such as the archetypes that several of the characters fit right into, cheesy dialogue delivered even in tense moments, and genuinely funny scenes, normally brought on through the catty girls Jessica and Emily. PlayingUntil Dawnwill have players laughing and screaming in equal measure.
By now, there are countless multiplayer horror games that fans can check out, fromthe grandfather of asymmetrical horror,Dead by Daylight, to the quota-gatheringLethal Company. Then, there isContent Warning, a rather unique title where players control avatars with text or emojis written on their face and leave the safety of their bright and colorful home to the dangerous and dark underground to shoot good content to nurture their channel.
The game uses the clever mechanic of recording the player’s actions and voices while they explore the dark underground and encounter horrifying monsters. This can make for some hilarious videos, with players watching themselves panic and hearing themselves scream in terror.
With its adorable art style, one might expectLittle Misfortuneto be a fun and cutesy experience, but it also features some truly creepy scenes and a tragic twist ending. To top things off, it even comes with its own brand of humor. In this game, the titular main character ventures out to find the gift of Eternal Happiness in order to give it to her mother, accompanied by an unseen narrator simply called Mr. Voice. The duo travel to a few places on their quest, encountering bizarre, amusing, and even rather startling scenes as they progress.
It turns out that Mr. Voice is a dangerous being known as Morgo, a demon with an animal skull for a head who sustains himself on the death of young children. Though Little Misfortune learns of his true nature and escapes, the truth is that she has been dead all along, being hit by a car when she first left home. Before this dark turn, however, players can still enjoy the surreal witticism that the game is completely jam-packed with.
Another multiplayer horror game has entered the arena to compete with the other countless titles available, and that game isR.E.P.O.to appease the tax-man, players need to explore their surroundings and transport valuables back to the extraction point. The premise sounds simple enough, butthe presence of several dangerous monstersthat can harm the players or their loot makes it that much harder.
R.E.P.O.is truly a chaotic and fun experience to enjoy with friends, and it still manages to deliver plenty of scares with the monsters that relentlessly hunt players down. The creative and horrifying creature design also serves as a fantastic way to offset the humorous appearance of the player characters, whose large pac-man-like mouths move as they speak.
A love-letter toTwin Peaks,Deadly Premonitionis a wonderfully bizarre game that takes place in Greenvale, where a recent murder perfectly matches the MO of others that have occurred across the USA. The killer, who earns the moniker the Raincoat Killer, must be stopped before he can kill again. Francis York Morgan is the man who intends to put him to justice while whispering asides to his invisible companion, Zach.
Between fending off humanoid creatures and hunting down a killer,the over-the-top strangeness of the gameshines through, from cheesy music to the rather wooden performance of the main character. Even the monsters cry out their fear of death in long-drawn-out words and deep voices, which, during the moment, sounds more comical than it does frightening.
Though the remake added more horror toResident Evil 4, the original remains gloriously campy, thanks tothe schlocky dialogue of both Leonand various antagonists. The voice-acting is over the top, and some of the lines, particularly those quipped by the hero himself, are just pure gold, with the infamous “bingo” line still quoted thanks to its inclusion in the 2023 version.
While the remake strived to create a darker and more serious title, the originalRE4remains as one that seems toperfectly straddle the line between horror and comedy. Leon still has to fight through a village full of infected ganados, cultists, and a menagerie of terrifying monsters, such as the regeneradors; however, the genius comedy of the game shines during cutscenes and dialogue.
