The universe of horror video games has a long and rich history, full of iconic titles that defined generations. However, when we think about the origin of this genre, the question that emerges is: What was the first horror game released?
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The beginning of horror games
The first electronic games date from the 1950s, but it was not until the 1970s and 1980s that horror games began to emerge as a recognizable category. Among these first games, a frequently mentioned title is Haunted House, released in 1982 for Odyssey. This game is widely considered the first horror game ever released.
In Haunted House, players assume the role of an explorer who should navigate a haunted house, collecting pieces of a magic one while avoiding monsters such as spiders and bats. The dark environment and amazing music create an atmosphere of suspense, elements that would become registered brands of the horror genre in video games
Evolution of the genre
The evolution of horror games continued in the following years, with titles that refined and expanded the concepts introduced by the first games. A striking example is Sweet Home, released by Capcom in 1989 for Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Based on a Japanese horror movie of the same name, Sweet Home is often cited as a direct influence on the Resident Evil series, which would define the genre of survival horror in the 1990s.
Resident Evil not only consolidated survival horror elements, but also introduced innovative mechanics that would become standard in the genre. With advanced graphics for the time and an engaging narrative, Resident Evil captured the players’ imagination and set a new pattern for what a horror game could achieve.
Since then, the genre of horror in video games has continued to evolve, incorporating new technologies such as virtual reality and high definition graphics to create increasingly immersive experiences. Titles like Silent Hill, Outlast, and Amnesia: The Dark Decent continued to expand the boundaries of what is possible in the terror genre, each adding their own unique innovations and styles.