Blue Stinger
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Released as a pre-launch title for the Dreamcast in North America (it came out a few days before the Dreamcast was officially released on 9/9/99), Blue Stinger was the system's first horror game and it definitely didn't disappoint. There was nothing else quite like this epic adventure game at the time, or even until the release of Dead Rising on the Xbox 360 in 2006. Mixing arcade style beat-em-up and hack and slash melee action with over-the-top gunplay, a fully-realized 3D world that felt a lot bigger and more realistic than anything that had come before it, incredible monster designs, an epic big budget movie-like soundtrack, insane Christmas setting, River City Ransom-esque RPG elements like character upgrades and grinding for cash, as well as tons of optional weapons to play around with, this criminally underrated Dreamcast exclusive is one of my favorites of all time on any platform.
D2
One part interactive movie, one part RPG, part point and click adventure, with a little bit of hunting simulation mixed in for good measure, D2 is the very unique Dreamcast exclusive sequel to the original D for the 3DO, Sega Saturn, and Sony PlayStation. The story has absolutely nothing to do with the first game other than featuring the same "digital actress" Laura, but the gameplay will definitely be familiar to anyone who's played WARP's earlier horror titles. Be prepared to watch a lot of lengthy cutscenes as you traverse through this bizarre horror adventure set in the snowy Canadian wilderness. Also another Dreamcast horror game that takes place during Christmas! (For even more Christmas-themed Dreamcast content, check out our list of Dreamcast Christmas games)
Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Capcom brought out the big guns for this at-the-time Dreamcast exclusive that was actually supposed to be Resident Evil 3. Code Veronica was a huge upgrade to the series, finally offering fully 3D graphics which are some of the best on the system, while retaining the familiar gameplay and ambience the series was known for. This is definitely one of the best of the old-school style Resident Evil games - personally I'd rank it right up there with the original game. If you're looking for some classic survival horror action on the Dreamcast, Code Veronica is a fantastic option.
Resident Evil 2
After bringing us the amazing Code Veronica, Capcom gave Dreamcast gamers a version of the classic Resident Evil 2. It's more or less the same game that we saw back on the PlayStation, but the graphics are definitely a lot better. Either way, you can't go wrong with playing this one on the Dreamcast as it's arguably the best version of the game that was released back in the day.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
And after Resident Evil 2, Capcom kept the hits coming with a port of the sequel Resident Evil 3. This one has you playing as Jill Valentine trying to escape Raccoon City and takes place at the same time as RE2, originally being developed as a side story rather than a fully fledged sequel. Think of it like Resident Evil 2.5. RE3 offers some new mechanics that improve the gameplay including a dodge move and the ability to go up and down stairs in real time, and a terrifying new foe named Nemesis who stalks you throughout the game. This more action-focused take on the classic Resident Evil formula gives the Dreamcast yet another great horror title.
Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare
Carrier
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Right before the release of Resident Evil: Code Veronica, Jaleco came out with their take on the survival horror genre with the Dreamcast exclusive Carrier. It's the unintentionally campy low budget b-movie to Resident Evil's comparatively more serious blockbuster horror game, but it's still a good solid horror adventure that brought a unique element to the genre - Having to scan NPCs to figure out whether they're actually monsters or not, a la The Thing. It's a pretty cool mechanic and one that makes Carrier worth checking out.
Illbleed
From the makers of Blue Stinger (fittingly renaming their company Crazy Games for this release), Illbleed is another horror game for the Dreamcast that really had no peers at the time of its release. The game was a very unique and fairly experimental take on the horror genre, one where you constantly have to monitor not only your health, but also your heart rate, adrenaline and bleeding, as well as your senses as you try to avoid deadly traps strewn all over the levels. While it's gameplay is a lot weirder, slower-paced, and more obtuse than that of Blue Stinger, the insane, over-the-top atmosphere and B-movie inspired charm makes this one an experience like no other that every horror fan should check out. You'll puke with pleasure! You'll vomit with excitement! You'll shit with fear!
Dino Crisis
Zombie Revenge
After giving us a port of the arcade classic The House of the Dead 2, Sega came back with a brand new spin-off from the series called Zombie Revenge. The game takes place in the same universe but is now an arcade beat-em-up with a heavy emphasis on gunplay. If you're familiar with the Die Hard Arcade/Dynamite Cop/Dynamite Deka series you'll feel right at home here with tons of crazy, over-the-top weapons you can pick up that are a blast to use. Zombie Revenge is a great action-packed take on the horror genre, and features 2-player co-operative play, so you can slaughter hordes of zombies with a friend!
Evil Dead: Hail to the King
Evil Dead: Hail to the King is a very Resident Evil-inspired horror game based on the Evil Dead films. Instead of just being a rehash of the story from the movies, Hail to the King offers a brand new story featuring voice acting by the one and only Bruce Campbell. While the gameplay has some quirks to it that can be somewhat irritating, it's completely playable and a pretty amusing time once you've adapted to its style of play, and the original story is a hoot. Definitely a must-have for Evil Dead fans and/or fans of survival horror games looking for a solid horror adventure to play through on the Dreamcast.
The House of the Dead 2
It's The House of the Dead 2 again, only with typing instead of shooting. Improve your words per minute in this quirky cult classic, surely the greatest typing tutor game ever created!
Shop for The Typing of the Dead on eBay!
The Ring: Terror's Realm
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Based on the popular-novel-turned-into-popular-movie series Ringu, the Dreamcast got an exclusive survival horror title that was released in the west as The Ring: Terror's Realm. Unfortunately, it's not all that good. Production values are extremely low, with poor graphics and a mind-numbingly repetitive soundtrack - This definitely feels and plays like a budget title. But it does have a lot of similarities to the Silent Hill games (namely the Otherworld-like settings and flashlight mechanics), so if you're looking for something in that realm for the Dreamcast, The Ring is worth checking out. It's not completely unplayable or anything and die-hard horror fans should be able to find some redeeming qualities hiding somewhere in here. If nothing else, the FMV cutscenes are absolutely hilarious.
Shadow Man
Acclaim brought a port of its multi-platform hit Shadow Man to the Dreamcast, which combines classic gothic horror elements with 3D Zelda-inspired gameplay and progression. The atmosphere in this one is really great, with excellent writing, voice acting, music and sound, and it plays extremely well to boot. This horror adventure is as close as you're going to get to a 3D Zelda/Metroid style game on the Dreamcast. Highly recommended!
Sword of the Berserk: Gut's Rage
While this might not be a pure horror game, the story and atmosphere have enough horror themes that I'm putting it on the list anyway. Sword of the Berserk: Gut's Rage is based on the manga and anime series of the same name and features a brand new original story that is very well written and interesting. Which is good because the excellent real time cinemas are the majority of the game. Between the extremely well done story segments you get an excellent and surprisingly deep hack and slash action game somewhat reminiscent of Devil May Cry, which forces you to take into account your surroundings as you slice your way through legions of mutated zombies, demons, and other foes. This Dreamcast exclusive is a unique and fantastic beat-em-up adventure and a must have for the system.
Nightmare Creatures II
Nightmare Creatures II is a hack and slash horror adventure that came over to the Dreamcast straight from the PlayStation, and it definitely shows. But despite it's visual shortcomings, the game still manages to provide a nice creepy gothic atmosphere. There's not a lot of depth to the gameplay here, but it's a decent enough experience that's worth checking out.
Half Life
While the Dreamcast port of Half Life was unfortunately canceled before it could finish development, a fairly complete and fully playable beta was leaked years ago. It's not well optimized for the system, but it can be played to completion, and this all-time first person shooter classic is a great horror title that makes an excellent addition to the Dreamcast's horror library. If you have never played the original Half Life, you owe it to yourself to finally experience this amazing title.
The expansion packs Blue Shift and Opposing Force are available to download and play on the Dreamcast as well.
They Hunger
They Hunger was a free Half Life mod by the magazine PC Gamer that was brought to the Dreamcast by fans thanks to the previously mentioned unfinished Half Life port to Dreamcast that actually supports mods! If you're looking for a pure horror FPS, this is one of the best in its genre - truly an incredible experience featuring amazingly creepy atmosphere. A great addition to any Dreamcast horror fan's library!
The other horror-themed Half Life mods ported by fans won't get their own writeups here but here's the list of all that are currently available:
- Paranoia
- U.S.S. Darkstar
- Gunman Chronicles
- Grunt
Seven Mansions: Ghastly Smile
Seven Mansions: Ghastly Smile is a horror game with a unique-at-the-time 2 player mechanic. While the game was never officially released outside of Japan, it has since been fan translated into English so it's now playable for Western audiences. As far as the game itself goes, it's not one of the system's best - I'd rate it on the same tier as The Ring - but if you're looking for another horror game on the Dreamcast to play, this is one.
DOOM
Thanks to the hard work of the Dreamcast homebrew scene, Doom, Doom II, and a ton of mods are all available to play on the system. Not much more to say about this one, you should know what Doom is all about by now - shooting through hordes of demons as you try to escape a military base on Mars where everything's gone completely FUBAR.
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