10 Scariest Moments in Non Horror Games

When playing a game that isn’t in the horror genre, the last thing that the player expects is to be scared. However, that doesn’t stop some games from trying.

Some games offer an otherwise horror-free experience; everything is normal, apart from one particular level, enemy, or some other encounter that leaves the player terrified.

With horror games, it’s expected to be scary; meanwhile, a huge motivator for fear in non-horror games comes from the fact that they’re almost always unexpected. In stark contrast to the rest of the game, some of the scariest moments in non-horror gaming have haunted players for years.

Be warned that this article may contain spoilers for their respective games.

10 Somewhat Damaged

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty brought loads of extra content into the main game, giving the story a much-needed breath of fresh air — and this includes additional choices that affect the endings of the game, one key choice being between siding with Reed or Songbird.

If the player chooses to side with Reed, Songbird borderline goes Cyberpsycho, leading into the mission Somewhat Damaged.

This mission takes a turn from the rest of the game, especially with how it plays. It involves V trying to navigate an abandoned Cynosure facility, all while being hunted by the robot Cerebus, which will instantly kill the player if they’re caught.

Quickly and quietly sneaking around while loud, mechanic footsteps echo throughout the facility leads to an overall sense of dread, especially at the part when it begins sprinting at full speed after V.

However, the mission becomes more frustrating than scary after a while, but that initial terror has stuck with many players.

9 Big Boo’s Haunt

Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 is a beloved classic in video games, basically reinventing Nintendo’s most iconic IP with its launch into 3D. With nostalgic music and iconic levels, there isn’t a player alive who hasn’t heard of this game in one way or another, especially since it was a childhood staple for many.

One level in particular stands out, not just for being a fun level, but also for scaring the pants off of players worldwide: Big Boo’s Haunt. There are tons to explore in the level, including a room with a very unassuming piano — that will jump out and start biting at Mario, keys slamming and flailing and terrifying players in an instant.

Ask anyone who played the game: “What did you think of the piano?” and watch the childhood trauma suddenly resurface.

8 Moira Asylum

Thief (2014)

The Thief franchise has a few notable moments that have scared players throughout the years, even though none of the games are listed as horror. Many fans think back to the original trilogy, such as Robbing the Cradle in Thief: Deadly Shadows. However, not many mention the Thief remake, which was released in 2014, nor do they bring up Moira Asylum.

Starting with peeking through a keyhole and immediately being jumpscared with a face staring right back, Moira Asylum is not just abandoned — it’s haunted.

With the ghost of The Warden stalking Garrett through the halls, heavy breathing in his ears while trying to pick locks, and other hauntings make this level particularly creepy. That’s not even considering The Freaks in the asylum’s basement.

7 Be Afraid Of The Dark

Yoshi’s Crafted World

With a relatively recent addition, Yoshi’s Crafted World (released in 2019) quickly gained attention due to the level Be Afraid of The Dark. Specifically, it gained attention due to the terrifying Bunmawashi Dolls that chase Yoshi around the level, wielding axes and swinging wildly.

Yoshi’s Crafted World is a game that’s adorable, bright, and family-friendly. Yoshi is literally made out of yarn to look like a cute doll, so when players first encountered the Bunmawashi Dolls, they were terrified. The fear of clowns is still going strong, it seems.

6 Queen Vanessa’s Manor

A Hat In Time

A Hat in Time is a cute platformer that follows Hat Kid, a little girl who earns powers by stitching hats — and it’s adorable. Genuinely, Hat Kid has been called one of the cutest protagonists in indie games, to give an idea of how the game is designed.

So, when players first encountered Queen Vanessa’s Manor, a literal haunted house, they were a little spooked. However, it quickly escalates further when Queen Vanessa herself appears, chasing Hat Kid and forcing her to hide under beds and tables, a complete 180 tone shift from the rest of the game. This doesn’t take Queen Vanessa’s horrific lore into account, either.

5 The True Laboratory

Undertale

Undertale is another iconic indie game that is known for cute graphics, witty dialogue, a well-written story, and a memorable cast of characters.

It’s no wonder that it has remained popular for years. It’s charming and wholesome until it’s terrifying, which is exactly how it goes for players entering The True Lab.

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The True Lab is where Alphys had conducted experiments with Determination, with the end result being horrific, mutated monsters known as Amalgamates.

While trying to make their way around, players also learn about the grim fates of six previous children who had fallen into The Underground, putting the events of the game into a horrifying new context.

4 Nightmares

Max Payne

Max Payne is a very troubled man. It’s not like anyone can blame him, it’s not easy being a police detective in New York City, especially after having gone through the pain and loss that he’s experienced.

Throughout the game, this comes back to torture him in his nightmares, forcing him to relive traumatic memories and fears.

From navigating bloody mazes to being haunted by the wailing of his murdered wife and child, Max Payne’s nightmare sequences are genuinely — well, nightmarish.

It’s a series staple that has scared a lot of players to this day.

3 Scarecrow

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Batman: Arkham Asylum was a massive success for fans and newcomers alike, continuing to remain one of the best DC Superhero Games ever made. Surprisingly, some of the most memorable sections from the game don’t even come from the caped crusader — they come from the master of fear himself: Scarecrow.

Scarecrow’s introduction and subsequent levels in Arkham Asylum are particularly terrifying, as they use the power of the Fear Toxin to reach into Batman’s deepest regrets and fears.

The sequences themselves are a wonderful representation of how the mind would react to the Fear Toxin, especially for a mind as troubled as Bruce Wayne’s.

2 Cave Exploring

Minecraft

Minecraft is a game that needs no introduction. It’s resurfaced in popularity, especially with the disappointing release of the Minecraft movie trailer.

However, that hasn’t stopped the game from being one of the most beloved of all time — and, at times, thanks to the power of good ambience, one of the scariest.

The Minecraft: Caves and Cliffs update has brought tons more to the game, including new ambience — and it’s made exploring new caves all the more horrifying. Imagine it: quietly exploring a cave, alone, peacefully mining to 30 minutes of silence.

What breaks the silence? A loud, haunting melody drawing out from nowhere that causes the player to jump out of their seat — or a Creeper blowing up, which is just as bad.

1 Encountering The Flood

Halo: Combat Evolved

Ask any gamer about the scariest encounter they’ve ever had in a non-horror game, and without skipping a beat, they will likely say the first time they encountered The Flood. The Flood is an unstoppable, all-devouring parasite that can appear as various forms, often referred to as “The Parasite” by The Covenant.

Up until this point, obviously, The Flood had not yet been introduced, so when players enter the prison for the first time and are met with death and destruction, there’s more questions than answers.

The tension only continues to grow after finding a log which is essentially a found footage horror film, detailing the deaths of the team that was just found all at the hands of The Flood.

So, naturally, that means once the video is done, The Flood now comes for you.