The Best PS2 Horror Games to Revisit this Halloween

The PS2 arguably has the most extensive library of horror games of any console, featuring genre-defining series that spanned the entire console generation, as well as quirky one-offs that got more laughs than scares. Revisiting these gems is no simple feat, and horror titles, especially, are incredibly expensive for the PS2. This is why we have curated our selection of some of the best PS2 horror games that are worth spending your hard-earned money on for Halloween.

To avoid repetition, we will only feature a single from the same series.

10) Kuon

Release Date: April 1, 2004
Developer: FromSoftware

Before Dark Souls and Elden Ring, FromSoftware had a more diverse portfolio ranging from high-octane mecha titles to esoteric horror games with striking art direction. Kuon is one such game, brimming with atmosphere, dread-inducing sound design, and solid art throughout. Don’t believe us? Enjoy some excellent concept art from 2004 that has a clear influence on the esoteric parts of Sekiro.

The only problem is that playing can feel like a bit of a chore, and that was the main criticism back then, too. Thankfully, it’s not as obscure when it comes to puzzles and is reasonably short, making it a perfect little adventure that showcases the studio’s early work and experimentation with the horror genre. It’s also a refreshing departure from modern-day horror titles, as it takes place in Japan’s Heian period.

9) Clock Tower 3

Release Date: December 12, 2002
Developer: CAPCOM

This is kind of cheating because Haunting Ground is a spiritual successor to Clock Tower, but CAPCOM can have more than one game on the list. Clock Tower 3 is the last entry in the series and builds on the entire franchise’s strengths for an unforgettable cinematic experience.

One could argue that the failings of the repetitive gameplay would put this a bit lower on the list, but Clock Tower 3 has some of the best animation and cutscene work in the entire console generation, and it’s worth playing through for the strong script and presentation.

Yes, the hide-and-seek gameplay was a bit played out by the point, but it led to some fairly tense sections that make it a worthy pick for our list. This isn’t the scariest game here, but it’s one of the more fun experiences to ease yourself into the genre.

8) The Thing

Release Date: August 20, 2002
Developer: Computer Artworks

Who says licensed video games can’t be decent? Based on John Carpenter’s seminal horror title, The Thing from Computer Artworks is a special little game that’s set after the events of the film. It has squad mechanics, a trust system that actively influences your teammates, and some fantastic visuals for the time.

It’s also a game where you’re equipped to take on the threat, but that doesn’t make it any less scary, and the janky controls only add to it. It’s a game worth playing because it faithfully recreates the feeling of dread and uncertainty felt throughout the film. It’s also getting the Nightdive remaster treatment, so if you don’t want to hunt down a copy, maybe wait a few more months for the enhanced version.

7) Haunting Ground

Release Date: April 21, 2005
Developer: CAPCOM

This is a bit of a controversial pick, but Haunting Ground is an essential horror title from the PS2 catalog and one that challenged a lot of survival horror tropes of the time. Its display of panic through its visuals and vulnerability is often the reason it’s brought up as one of the stronger titles of the generation, and the AI companion showcased a lot of complexity, especially at the time. Plus, who doesn’t want a dog at their side in a creepy castle?

It isn’t without its faults, though, and certain aspects of its characterization have been rightly criticized over the years. Still, the stalkers are genuinely disturbing and are a constant presence throughout the campaign, and Haunting Grounds pushes the PS2 hardware for some excellent visuals and atmosphere.

6) Obscure

Release Date: June 17, 2004
Developer: Mighty Rocket Studio

Obscure is one of those hidden gems that was disregarded for being just another “Resident Evil clone” at its release, but it offers more than that. Sure, it’s derivative of a lot of other survival horror titles of the time, but its high-school setting instead of the usual castles and mansions, co-op support for the entire campaign, and permadeath system raised the stakes higher than many other titles on the platform.

It also has some of the best level design in a survival horror game, making it especially enjoyable in co-op. It’s a fun experience that’s scary and gory enough to entertain for its five to six-hour runtime.

5) Manhunt

Release Date: November 19, 2003
Developer: Rockstar Games

This is easily Rockstar’s most controversial game of all time. It might even be one of the most controversial games ever developed by a large studio. However, Manhunt is also an incredible horror title that isn’t for the faint of heart, featuring some of the most unnerving executions to date. In the game, players take on the role of a death row inmate who is directed by ‘The Director’ (voiced by Brian Cox) to commit heinous acts of violence against gang members who are hunting him in exchange for his freedom.

What follows is some of the tensest stealth gameplay on the PS2, offering a horrific yet mechanically engaging experience. Manhunt doesn’t glorify violence in the least; instead, its blunt approach to portraying a very real aspect of the world makes it a game worth revisiting with a mature perspective.

4) The Suffering

Release Date: March 8, 2004
Developer: Surreal Software

The Suffering is another game about a death row inmate who has been sentenced for a crime he has no memory of committing. This psychological horror from Surreal Software leaned into the action, but that only allowed developers to go all in with the creature design to create some of the most horrific monstrosities on the PS2.

While The Suffering is more action-horror than survival horror, its mature themes, reflective story, and genuinely frightening sections make it a worthy choice for the list.

3) Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly

Release Date: November 27, 2003
Developer: Tecmo

It can’t be the best PS2 horror games list without a Fatal Frame game, and Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly is arguably the best entry in the series. It practically improves upon everything the first title set out to do and has the best pacing compared to every other title.

Its strong visual design with a thick atmosphere, detailed animation work for the main characters, and excellent scares are still impactful to this day. While the series continued on, no other entry managed to capture the magic of Fatal Frame 2

2) Siren

Release Date: November 6, 2003
Developer: Project Siren

After directing the original Silent Hill, Keiichiro Toyama went on to create Siren with SCE (Sony Computer Entertainment), and boy, did he deliver. Siren is one of the scariest and most challenging titles on the PS2 and features some of the most bizarre character designs that haunt us to this day. Siren follows the story of multiple characters who are stuck in the fictional village of Hanuda and must survive the Shibito outbreak.

Players use a technique called Sightjacking to identify Shibito, their position, and their current state. It’s a tense and exhilarating experience that rewards careful movement and observation. Avoiding enemies in Siren is more important than direct conflict.

1) Silent Hill 2

Release Date: September 24, 2001
Developer: Team Silent

Is it any surprise that Silent Hill 2 is our number-one pick? There isn’t anything you can say about it that hasn’t been said already. Silent Hill 2 is a landmark gaming title that delivers some of the best storytelling in the medium, with deep empathy for its characters, an incredible atmosphere that even rivals modern releases, and a soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka that instantly transports you back to the foggy streets of the town.

It’s a seminal game that stands unrivaled and takes our top spot.

Silent Hill 2 has been remade from the ground up by the Bloober Team?on Unreal Engine 5, and it’s currently one of the best-reviewed titles of 2024.

This was our list of the best PS2 titles you can enjoy this year and track down. Some of these games can also be played on PC and modern hardware, and you might have a better experience overall on a different platform.