5 Must-Play Action Horror Games Like Resident Evil

Resident Evil is one of Capcom's greatest achievements in gaming. This Japanese horror franchise has captivated players for decades with its perfect blend of challenging puzzles, resource management, intense gameplay, and compelling storytelling with memorable boss encounters.

While Resident Evil remains a cornerstone of the action horror genre, several other games deliver similar thrills through their own unique approaches. We've compiled a list of 5 games that capture the essence of Resident Evil while offering fresh experiences:

In this article, we’ll break down what makes each game worth your time, how they compare to Resident Evil's gameplay mechanics, available platforms, retail prices, and where to find the best deals to add these titles to your collection.

Also Read: All Resident Evil Games in Order

1. The Last of Us Part 1

Naughty Dog's 2022 remake brings the acclaimed 2013 original to modern hardware with enhanced visuals, refined gameplay mechanics, and expanded accessibility options. Players guide Joel, a smuggler, as he escorts Ellie across fungal-infected America. The relationship between these two characters drives the narrative as they navigate hostile environments filled with infected creatures and desperate survivors.

The game shares Resident Evil's survival horror foundation through resource scarcity and strategic combat. Ammunition and supplies remain limited, forcing players to decide when to fight or sneak past threats. Both franchises use an over-the-shoulder perspective that heightens tension during encounters. While Resident Evil focuses on bioterrorism conspiracies, The Last of Us delivers character-driven storytelling with the same pulse-pounding gameplay.

Our Opinion: The Last of Us Part I is carried by Joel and Ellie's relationship more than anything else. The combat keeps you on edge because resources are always tight, and the level design fills in the story without needing to spell everything out. The 2022 remake sharpens the visuals and gameplay enough to make it worth playing even if you finished the original.

Get The Last of Us Part 1 on GameBoost → Buy The Last of Us Part 1

2. The Callisto Protocol

Striking Distance Studios' debut title puts players in the role of Jacob Lee, a starship captain imprisoned on Jupiter's moon after a crash landing. Black Iron Prison becomes a nightmare when inmates transform into grotesque creatures during a mysterious outbreak. Jacob must fight through the facility's dark corridors to uncover what caused the infection and find a way off Callisto.

The game mirrors Resident Evil's approach to horror through atmospheric tension and strategic resource management. Combat blends ranged weapons with brutal melee attacks, requiring the same tactical thinking Resident Evil demands.

The over-the-shoulder camera matches Resident Evil 4's perspective, creating claustrophobic encounters with evolving creatures. Game Pass subscribers can access the title at no additional cost, giving players multiple affordable options to experience this sci-fi horror adventure.

Our Opinion: The Callisto Protocol nails atmosphere better than most horror games in its budget range. The melee system takes some getting used to, but once it clicks, the close-quarters fights against biophages feel genuinely tense. It's not a long game, and the story wraps up without much payoff, but the prison setting and creature design make the ride worth it.

Get The Callisto Protocol on GameBoost → Buy The Callisto Protocol

Also Read: 7 Best Co-Op Horror Games to Play With Friends

3. The Evil Within 1 & 2

Tango Gameworks delivers a direct lineage to Resident Evil through director Shinji Mikami, who created the original Resident Evil series. The Evil Within throws players into Detective Sebastian Castellanos' twisted nightmare as he investigates a mass murder at Beacon Mental Hospital. The sequel expands the formula three years later as Sebastian searches for his daughter within the sinister STEM system.

Both titles mirror Resident Evil's core design philosophy with resource scarcity, puzzle-solving, and third-person combat. Mikami's influence shows in every encounter where ammunition remains limited, and enemies require strategic approaches.

The series distinguishes itself through surreal psychological environments that shift reality around players. Game Pass subscribers can access both titles through their subscription, giving players multiple affordable paths to experience these horror classics.

Our Opinion: The Evil Within 1 is brutal in the best way, constantly throwing you into situations where resources run out fast and mistakes cost lives. The sequel loosens that tension with a more open structure, which makes it more accessible but slightly less gripping. Together they cover two very different approaches to survival horror, and Mikami's fingerprints on the first game make it essential for anyone who cares about the genre.

Get The Evil Within 2 on GameBoost → Buy The Evil Within 2

4. Alan Wake 2

Remedy Entertainment's 2023 sequel follows novelist Alan Wake as he attempts to escape the dark dimension where he's been trapped for 13 years. His method: writing a horror story involving FBI Agent Saga Anderson. Players control both characters in parallel narratives that merge reality and fiction as the story progresses.

The game embraces Resident Evil's survival horror elements through limited resources and strategic combat. The over-the-shoulder perspective matches recent Resident Evil remakes, creating controlled tension during exploration.

Remedy openly acknowledges Resident Evil's influence on their approach to vulnerability in gameplay. What sets Alan Wake 2 apart is its meta-narrative structure—horror through storytelling itself rather than biological threats. The premium $49.99 price point reflects its 2023 release, with no current discounts available. Fans of Resident Evil's atmospheric design will find similar satisfaction in this narrative-driven experience.

Our Opinion: Alan Wake 2 is more of an experience than a game, and that works in its favor. The dual narrative between Alan and Saga keeps things moving, and the way the story bends reality around both characters is genuinely creative. Combat is functional but never the focus, which is fine because the writing and atmosphere carry the whole thing.

5. Silent Hill 2

Bloober Team's 2024 remake modernizes the 2001 psychological horror classic with current-generation visuals and refined gameplay. James Sunderland returns to the foggy town of Silent Hill after receiving an impossible letter from his deceased wife, Mary. The journey through fog-shrouded streets and decaying buildings forces James to confront manifestations of his guilt and trauma.

The remake adopts the over-the-shoulder perspective from recent Resident Evil titles, enhancing immersion during exploration and combat. Streamlined combat allows quick weapon switching without menu navigation, matching modern Resident Evil's design.

Where it differs is its psychological approach—horror stems from personal trauma rather than biological threats. The atmosphere builds dread through fog, sound design, and environments that respond to James' mental state.

Our Opinion: Silent Hill 2 remake does justice to the source material without losing what made the original unsettling. The fog, the sound design, and Pyramid Head's appearances are handled well, and the over-the-shoulder combat feels natural without breaking the atmosphere. James as a protagonist works because the game never lets you fully trust him, and that uncertainty drives the whole experience.

Get Silent Hill 2 on GameBoost → Buy Silent Hill 2 Deluxe Edition

Also Read: Best Psychological Horror Games Like Silent Hill

FAQs About Games Like Resident Evil

Q: What is the best game like Resident Evil?

A: The Last of Us Part I is the closest match overall. It shares the same survival tension, limited resources, and third-person perspective while adding a story that rivals Resident Evil's best entries. It's the natural first pick for anyone coming off the series.

Q: What games like Resident Evil are available on PC?

A: All five games on this list are available on PC. The Evil Within 1 and 2 offer the best value on GameBoost, while Silent Hill 2 and Alan Wake 2 represent the more recent options with modern visuals and updated mechanics.

Q: Where can I buy games like Resident Evil at the best price?

A: GameBoost carries discounted Steam keys for most titles on this list, with prices significantly lower than retail.

Final Words

These five games capture what makes Resident Evil special while offering their own unique takes on the survival horror formula. From The Last of Us Part I's emotional storytelling to Silent Hill 2's psychological dread, each title delivers the resource management, atmospheric tension, and third-person perspective that define the genre.

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