The best horror game that mixes puzzles and combat

Key Takeaways

• Some of the best action horror games mix tense combat with challenging puzzles to enrich the overall experience.
• Titles such as
  The Evil Within 2, Dead Space Remake,
  and
  alan wake 2
  Each offers a unique dynamic between combat and puzzle solving.
• games like
  resident evil village
  and
  Silent Hill 2 Remake
  Maintain the perfect balance of combat, puzzles, and atmosphere.

The best horror games don't rely solely on scares and jump scares. Other elements are also incorporated, such as tense combat limited by factors such as insufficient ammo or indestructible enemies, maintaining a constant sense of danger. Limited resources and a focus on strategic encounters make combat an intense yet well-rounded experience.

In addition to exciting combat, players will typically encounter a variety of obstacles and puzzles that will force them to think outside the box. Depending on the game setting, you may find yourself trapped in a simulation, an alternate reality, an abandoned ship, an underground laboratory, or an abandoned town overrun with hostile creatures. Each environment has its own set of rules and unique puzzles to solve. Below, we'll take a look at some of the best horror games that offer the perfect mix of intense combat and challenging puzzles to keep players on the edge of their seats as they navigate their next obstacle.

7 The Evil Within 2

Great crafting-based combat with sparse but effective puzzles

but The Evil Within 2 Although it focuses more on combat rather than complex puzzles, it's still worth mentioning. The game builds on the strengths of its predecessor to deliver a sophisticated survival horror experience with intense combat in a vast, semi-open space that players can explore at their own pace. With a focus on crafting, players can set traps, craft powerful crossbow bolts, or use the environment to their advantage.

In addition to focusing on combat, The Evil Within 2 Knows when to slow down and gives players opportunities to tackle. resident evilThis is a puzzle in the same style as the rotating platform puzzle in Chapter 9 or the mirror door puzzle in Chapter 6. Puzzles are relatively sparse but particularly intense, often requiring players to think quickly while unstoppable monsters pursue the protagonist. Suspense and challenge.

6 dead space remake

Survive the horror of an abandoned spaceship collapsing

that dead space remake is the ultimate way to experience Isaac Clarke's harrowing journey as he faces the horrors of space at every moment aboard the abandoned mining ship USG Ishimura. In every respect, the remake surpasses the iconic original, bolstered by top-notch technical execution and refined gameplay mechanics, such as improved combat and Necromorph gunfire reactions.

The game is filled with engineer-centric puzzles spread throughout an aging ship. To survive, players must repair vital ship systems using Isaac's stasis and kinesis tools, which are also invaluable in combat. Remakes often maximize their haunting settings, thrusting players into zero-gravity zones to solve puzzles, heightening the game's tension and unsettling atmosphere of isolation and danger.

5 alan wake 2

A space in the mind for detective work combined with reality-bending puzzles.

alan wake 2 It stands out in the survival horror genre with its unique structure and two main characters, each offering fresh elements. From chilling jump scares to intense combat with Remedy's signature gunplay, the sequel packs a powerful punch. What really sets it apart alan wake 2 But the creative approach to the puzzle is something else.

Players play as Alan, trapped in the dark world of his fictional creation, where he must literally reshape reality in order to progress. But switching to Saga gives her access to a unique space called the Mind Place, designed to help her handle her detective work as an FBI agent. This mechanic may seem unnecessary at first, but as the cases become more complex, it grows essential and the game reveals the interesting nature of Mind Place in unexpected ways.

4 Resident Evil 4 Remake

The best battle in the series, full of puzzles and treasure hunts

that Resident Evil 4 Remake It needs little introduction and is widely regarded as the ultimate remake of one of the best games ever made. faithful to the form, resident evil 4 It prioritizes combat, providing a more action-oriented experience than its predecessor. But the familiar formula of mixing action, horror, and puzzles is all there, and there isn't a weak link in the mix.

It may not be as heavy as a puzzle, but resident evil 2, RE4 Keep things varied and skillfully balance each aspect to avoid overstaying your welcome. Players can expect a steady stream of new types of gameplay that transition seamlessly from complex puzzles to high-stakes boss battles or tense, dark encounters with fearsome monsters.

3 resident evil village

The best combination of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7

resident evil village Building on the direction that makes the series stand out RE7 And then add these lovely elements: RE4It takes players through haunting villages, towering castles, and hidden underground factories. The game intensifies combat compared to before. RE7 As we put the puzzle back together, the balance between the two became almost perfect.

resident evil village It delivers some of the series' most intense action moments, from fighting off hordes of werewolves to taking on powerful bosses while controlling towering metal creatures cobbled together from junk and farm machinery. At the same time, it satisfies fans of puzzles with several complex challenges. In certain sections, such as the creepy House Beneviento, combat is removed entirely, forcing players to rely on puzzle solving and survival instincts to escape.

2 Silent Hill 2

A horror classic reimagined with expanded puzzles and enhanced combat.

that Silent Hill 2 Remake It took the industry by storm earlier this month and established Bloober Team as a studio that should be on every horror fan's radar. Despite initial skepticism, the remake is faithful and innovative, maintaining the perfect balance between action, puzzles, and the haunting atmosphere of the original.

Not only have the developers modernized combat to current standards, giving players more options to fight their fears, they've also significantly expanded the puzzles, adding new and engaging tasks for players to solve and pursue. Modern with excellent technical execution Silent Hill 2 Regardless of preference, this is a work that can be easily recommended to any fan of survival horror.

1 Resident Evil 2 Remake

A perfectly modern reinterpretation of an iconic classic.

Resident Evil 2 Remake is still considered one of the best survival horror games, and one of the best remakes of recent years takes the iconic original to new heights. The overall structure of the game feels like one complex puzzle, providing a complex, layered environment that rewards strategic exploration and careful planning with countless small decisions to be made at every moment.

The gunfights and enemy reactions to gunfire are some of the most impressive in the genre, and along with the variety of well-crafted puzzles, keep the player constantly engaged. From lockpicking and inventory management to finding missing pieces, the puzzles are varied and challenging, and have some memorable moments, like the famous chess puzzle in the sewers. Adds the option to play as a variety of protagonists, each with unique weapons and challenges. RE2 Remake It offers a near-perfect survival horror experience that no other game can match.