Ada Wong in Resident Evil 4 Remake Separate Ways coming to TGS 2023
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Great Japanese Horror Games to Play This Year

There are many amazing Japanese horror games for all platforms, especially over the last few years. Whether you like a bit of action in between the jump scares or a pure experience that will have you on the edge of your seat, these are the best Japanese horror games that you need to check out this year for Halloween.

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Screenshot of the Resident Evil 4 Remake
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Great Japanese Horror game for zombie fans: Resident Evil 4 Remake

Though they aren’t, technically, zombies, Resident Evil 4 Remake offers a similar experience with its terrifying Las Plagas-infected enemies. This remake features tremendous action and gorgeous visuals from Capcom. There’s a reason this is one of the best survival horror games ever made, and it plays so well in this remade version as you play as Leon Kennedy trying to save the daughter of the President of the United States.

Best Japanese horror games yomawari
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Underrated Japanese Horror Game: Yomawari Lost in the Dark

Though this is the latest game in this popular Japanese franchise, you can certainly play Yomawari Lost in the Dark without checking out the other titles before it. This 2D atmospheric horror adventure series has you take the role of a cursed young girl who has no memories. You have to explore the town at night to rediscover her lost memories while fending off horrific ghosts.

Best japanese horror games
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Scariest Japanese Horror Game: Fatal Frame Mask of the Lunar Eclipse

If you are playing horror games solely for the jump scares and terrifying moments, this is the game for you. A little lighter on the action, it focuses on you playing as a girl returning to an island where she was previously imprisoned. You use a special camera to illuminate and defeat ghosts, which are especially detailed in gruesome ways.

Best Japanese horror games
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Japanese Horror Game for Open-World Fans: Ghostwire Tokyo

From the studio behind The Evil Within series comes this Tokyo-set open-world game. You explore a city overrun by ghosts and spirits. As you explore the city, you have to battle against these supernatural elements with your own powers. It might not be as scary as some other games on this list, but it certainly has some unnerving designs for some of the ghosts you face off against.

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Image via Square Enix

Japanese Horror Game for Visual Novel Fans: Paranormasight

There are few visual novels and adventure games as horrifying as this one. The unsettling story centers on a group of people and the seven mysteries that surround a resurrection ritual. It has some of the most fascinating character designs and gameplay, with unexpected twists you won’t see coming. Make sure to check it out if you can stomach the tense atmosphere.


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Author
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Cody Perez
Cody is a writer who has been sharing his love for video games and anime since his high school days in 2012. When he isn’t writing about the latest JRPGs and anime series, he can be found in Final Fantasy XIV, occasionally playing some Call of Duty, or lurking on Twitter @SoulcapCody.