Vault 11 - Fallout: New Vegas
When it comes to visual storytelling, Fallout: New Vegas stands out as an excellent example. Every known and hidden location is rich with lore and narrative depth. Each Vault in the Fallout games often contains a dark storytelling element, but none are as disturbing as Vault 11. Vault-Tec’s human and social experiments are rarely peaceful, and this vault is no exception. Vault 11 has a history of human sacrifice, with each year calling for a new vault dweller to be sacrificed or risk the entire vault’s destruction. What the residents didn’t know was that refusing the sacrifice would have saved them. Unfortunately, human nature prevailed, leaving the vault with only five remaining residents, four of whom met mysterious fates, while the fifth dweller was never found. Though the area lacks traditional gameplay horror, the unsettling tone and dark lore make for a truly chilling experience.

Brick Lane Community Nursery - Zombi
Zombi is an underrated zombie-horror game released on the Wii U. One of its most disturbing and chilling experiences is the Brick Lane Community Nursery. This level is by far the tensest in the game, blending undead and supernatural horrors. The tension and anxiety in this section are relentless; as a child, it took me several attempts to complete. The constant jump scares and pervasive darkness create a never-ending sense of terror in this spine-chilling work of art.

Picture obtained from YouTuber xibataxit

Children of the Taronne Tenement - SWAT 4
“But SWAT 4 isn’t a horror game.” Oh, my friend, you have no idea of the horrors hidden within this FPS classic. Aside from this mission, SWAT 4 also has the Fairfax Residence, where you attempt to save hostages from a terrifying serial killer. This mission follows a SWAT team trying to rescue hostages from a cult led by Andrew Taronne. The level is incredibly disturbing, with the cult headquarters creating a dark, unnerving atmosphere. The most disturbing moment comes with the discovery of a mass grave in the basement—a chilling revelation in an otherwise tactical SWAT game.

The Entire Game - P.T.
It might be unfair to include an entire game, but every moment of the unfinished P.T. deserves a place on this list. Released in 2014 as an interactive teaser for the canceled Silent Hills, P.T. was removed from the PlayStation Store, becoming a legendary piece of horror. The unending hallway, filled with horrific moments, is especially memorable. If you can find a way to play it, P.T. is one of the best horror experiences in gaming.

Shalebridge Cradle - Thief: Deadly Shadows
I adore stealth games, and 2004’s Thief: Deadly Shadows is no exception. Aside from sharing a name with the protagonist (a win for team Garrett), the game offers a fun and unique stealth experience. But in Shalebridge Cradle, a decrepit insane asylum, you realize you’re not lurking alone. This level relies on its chilling premise and uses outstanding visual storytelling to create anxiety-inducing horror. Haunted by spirits cursed to remain, the area is filled with hidden traps and constantly shifting elements, making it a one-of-a-kind horror experience.

Department Store - Condemned: Criminal Origins
The Condemned series has a wealth of amazing scares, but none are as chilling as the department store section in the original game. Here, enemies hide among mannequins, lying in wait to jump out at just the right moment. This simple mechanic makes the entire mission feel like a nightmare that won’t end. With effective jump scares and a creeping sense of dread, this eerie shop of horrors will keep you up at night.

Library - Metro 2033
Oh, Metro, my beloved—why must you put me through the library level? My first playthrough of Metro 2033 stalled when I reached this section. Lurking between the ruins of this library are the Librarians: giant, brutish ape-like monsters, unmatched in speed and strength. With a tendency to sneak up on you, they deliver several heart-stopping moments. As your journey takes you through dark, narrow hallways, the terror only intensifies. Between this level and Halo: Combat Evolved’s library, I’m starting to think books might be more dangerous than they seem.

Lab X-18 - S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
While S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is the third radioactive apocalypse game on this list, I won’t apologize for acknowledging the storytelling potential of the genre. The plot-driven Lab X-18 is one of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’s most chilling experiences. The lore of this facility is filled with grim stories of experimentation, and the sheer number of enemies present makes it a formidable challenge. Terrifying anomalies also play a significant role, making this mission the epitome of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.’s dark, brooding atmosphere.

Photo obtained from YouTuber Aestheticgamer aka Dusk Golem

Titan Elementary - Dead Space 2
Though Dead Space has earned a legendary reputation for its scares, the sequel raises the tension even further. Dead Space 2 is full of heart-pounding chases and terrifying cinematic moments, but none stand out as much as the Titan Elementary section. Before the game’s events, the school had a disturbing history, with children haunted by visions of deceased loved ones triggered by the Site 12 Marker. When Isaac Clarke encounters the school, it’s a rundown bloodbath. I won’t spoil this level, but it’s best experienced fresh—thank me later.

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