Horror Games that are Just Jump Scare Simulators

Survival horror games usually have a few key elements: a creepy and unsettling mood, fantastic sound that builds tension, and, predictably, sudden, startling moments – often called jump scares.

Whether you love them or hate them, jump scares are a common part of horror games. Most players expect them and play with a sense of anticipation. Some games use jump scares effectively, enhancing the experience, while others overdo it, potentially making the game less enjoyable.

As a fan, I’ve started calling these games “Jump Scare Simulators” because, honestly, they rely on them a lot. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing! They’re still really fun horror games, you just know what you’re getting into with all the sudden scares.

In fact, without jump scares, these games probably wouldn’t be the same in the slightest.

10. Ikai

Shrine’s Haunted

I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese horror, particularly when it draws on traditional folklore and superstitions. The game Ikai really stands out in this regard, heavily featuring creatures and stories from Japanese folklore, known as Yokai.

In Ikai, you play as a shrine maiden – a miko in Japanese – who is responsible for maintaining the shrine, keeping it tidy, and warding off evil spirits. The game is known for being suspenseful and doesn’t shy away from using jump scares to create a frightening experience.

Like many horror games, this one uses sudden scares when you fail, but it also features carefully planned moments designed to make you jump. The game builds tension by making you worry about these scares, but thankfully, they aren’t overused and don’t become predictable.

The team behind this game is also working on a new project called Silent Road, which seems to be based on a more recent, but equally famous, urban legend. Because the story is genuinely frightening, they might hold back on excessive jump scares – though ghosts can be unpredictable, so who knows!

9. Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion

Well, Duh

If you’re looking for a game filled with jump scares, Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion is a popular free option. It’s a charming pixel-art game where you explore 1,000 floors, each designed to startle you – and the scares get more frightening the further you go. Interestingly, the game was initially called Spooky’s House of Jump Scares, but the developers had to change the name because of copyright concerns.

The game’s charming look can be deceiving, particularly as you progress towards Floor 1,000. The monsters become increasingly disturbing, and the initial sweetness gives way to a genuinely unsettling atmosphere.

This game is truly surprising, and it’s more than just scary. By the end, you’ll not only have gotten used to the jump scares, but you’ll actually enjoy them and be eager to see what happens next.

The game does involve a lot of repeating the same actions, which some players found frustrating if they weren’t aware of this beforehand. Just be ready for that!

8. Aka Manto

Before Chilla’s Art Focused on the Mundane

Developer	Chilla’s Art
Release Date	September 23, 2019
Platform(s)	PC

Japanese game developer Chilla’s Art has become well-known for creating horror games that find fear in everyday life and common situations, making for truly terrifying experiences. However, one of their first games, Aka Manto, is different – it’s based on a traditional Japanese urban legend about a spirit called the Aka Manto.

Aka Manto is a Japanese spirit famous for haunting school restrooms. They’re known to approach people using a stall without toilet paper and ask them a chilling question: “Red paper, or blue paper?”

If you respond with red paper, you’ll be killed instantly. Blue paper will cause you to suffocate, usually in the bathroom. Any other color will lead to an even worse fate, as it will be seen as a dishonest attempt to deceive. The only way to survive is to simply run away and don’t answer at all.

You’re trapped in an empty school by bullies, but that’s just the beginning of your troubles. A terrifying spirit called the Aka Manto is also hunting you. You need to escape, and fast! Be careful, though – this game features permadeath, meaning one wrong move sends you back to the very start.

While other games from Chilla’s Art focus on creating a creepy atmosphere, Aka Manto relies heavily on jump scares. The creature is startling when it appears, and it’s accompanied by a loud, ringing noise that really gets under your skin. It’s a tense and anxiety-inducing experience, and it’s interesting to see how the developers have grown and refined their skills.

7. Resident Evil

All the Way to the Classics

When people think of classic survival horror games, Silent Hill stands out for its deeply unsettling atmosphere and focus on mysterious cults. Resident Evil, however, delivers more traditional horror, like you’d find in classic monster movies – complete with sudden, startling scares. The zombie dogs bursting through the windows of the Spencer Mansion are particularly memorable, becoming as iconic as the very first zombie ever seen in a game.

Resident Evil games are generally known for being a great entry point into the survival horror genre. They effectively use jump scares, and you’ll often even startle yourself by forgetting about enemies you’ve already passed!

Recent Resident Evil games like Resident Evil 7 and Village focus heavily on creating a creepy atmosphere, though they still use jump scares quite often – just like the older games did.

While lots of jump scares can sometimes lessen the overall feeling of fear in a game, this one manages to do it really well, making it genuinely enjoyable. Having played these kinds of games since childhood, I still think Resident Evil represents the best of classic survival horror – even with all the jump scares.

6. Alien: Isolation

Hiding Can Only Get You so Far

Okay, so Alien: Isolation is seriously intense. It’s basically the ultimate game of hide-and-seek, but with a terrifying alien that actually wants to catch you. Seriously, hiding is everything – your life depends on it! If the alien finds you, you’re in for a really bad time, let me tell you.

This game uses jump scares that happen in specific situations, most often when you die – and you will die, because the enemy AI is incredibly smart and takes multiple playthroughs to master. For instance, while you can hide in the vents, the enemy will eventually figure that out and start looking there, leading to a sudden jump scare.

No matter how you try to prepare, the Xenomorph will always manage to surprise and terrify you. Plus, the game cleverly plays on your own mind, making each scare far more shocking than the one before.

5. Layers of Fear

Just Walk and Be Freaked Out

Walking simulators usually focus on either creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere or relying on sudden, startling scares. Layers of Fear stands out because it excels at both, establishing a style that Bloober Team became famous for. In fact, during an interview with the developers of Silent Hill f, the director noted that other developers specifically recognized Bloober Team’s skill in balancing atmosphere and jump scares.

I’m really into Layers of Fear – it puts you in the shoes of a painter desperately trying to finish his masterpiece. But it’s not just about painting, it’s a psychological horror game, so you’re battling his personal demons along the way before you can even think about completing the artwork. It’s super creepy and immersive!

This game has a lot of jump scares – even more than the first one released ten years ago. Thankfully, most of them feel appropriate for the situation. If you really dislike jump scares, there are so many that they might bother you, but it’s still worth trying the game anyway.

It’s appropriately creepy and disturbing, and even though I think it could be even more frightening, it’s a great example of well-executed jump scares.

4. Until Dawn

Cheesy Horror Always Has Jump Scares

Supermassive Games excels at creating stories where your decisions deeply impact both the overall plot and the fates of the characters. They first gained widespread recognition with Until Dawn, a horror game that highlighted the power of player choice, and also became known for its frequent jump scares.

Until Dawn stands out with its use of jump scares because it forces you to control your own instincts. Often, when something scary happens, the game asks you not to move. Any reaction can be fatal, so you need to stay calm, even if you’re startled.

And trust that there are frequent jump scares.

To be honest, I didn’t enjoy Until Dawn. I tried to like it, but the poor acting and cheesy writing just didn’t work for me. However, it’s clearly popular with horror fans, so I acknowledge that it does have its strengths.

3. The Mortuary Assistant

Subtle Jump Scares are Still Horrifying

What makes a truly great jump scare—one that’s both startling and cleverly concealed? The game The Mortuary Assistant offers many excellent examples, each more frightening and well-executed than the last.

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In The Mortuary Assistant, you’re a mortuary worker, but your job gets complicated when demons begin possessing bodies – and trying to possess yours! The game then becomes a clever puzzle where you have to identify the demon and figure out which body it’s hiding in to perform an exorcism.

These frightening creatures are relentless and enjoy subtly appearing in your peripheral vision. If you catch a glimpse of something, it’s probably real – many of the scares happen in complete silence, with the demons patiently waiting for you to look directly at them. Each time they appear, you’ll feel a jolt of fear. While loud jump scares exist, the game relies heavily on quiet, unnerving moments where the demons simply watch.

If someone asked about games with really effective, subtle scares, this would be the first one I’d mention. I haven’t genuinely been frightened by any other game as much as this one.

2. MADiSON

Jump Scares, Jump Scares Everywhere

Horror games and photography have often gone hand-in-hand, starting with the popular Fatal Frame. MADiSON builds on this idea with its own photography-based gameplay, but it also relies heavily on sudden, startling scares – and there are a lot of them.

Many players feel the game is almost perfect, but jump scares detract from the experience. This is largely because the beginning of the game is much more compelling than the latter half.

If you go into MADiSON expecting plenty of jump scares, you’ll likely have a much more enjoyable – and even great – experience. Knowing what to expect really changes how you perceive the game.

After a while, the jump scares just start to become endearing.

1. Five Nights at Freddy’s

You’ll Get Used to Them

Five Nights at Freddy’s is famous for its sudden, startling moments – so much so that ‘FNAF Jump Scare’ has become a common phrase. I teach high school, and my students will jokingly call anything that surprises them a ‘FNAF Jump Scare,’ even if it has absolutely nothing to do with the game.

You can practically hear it upon mention, can’t you?

The Five Nights at Freddy’s games are packed with jump scares – from the classic death screens to sudden frights while checking cameras or lights, and even in the retro bonus games and unusual locations like the butterscotch sundae. After experiencing so many, though, they lose their impact and become less startling.

Whenever I hear the phrase “Jump Scare Simulator,” Five Nights at Freddy’s is the first game I always think of.

2026-02-04 02:12