Sometimes, even the most beloved games have moments that send chills down your spine or even scare you stiff. It could be a grotesque monster or a sudden jump scare, but often the thing that sticks with players the most is a creepy room. These aren’t always from horror games, some other genres have weird rooms hiding messages that catch players off guard. There are plenty of rooms gamers regret ever stepping into, so here’s a list of the top 10 to help you avoid those nightmares.
(Warning: Not for players under 16+)
Dampe’s Grave, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time revolutionized the legendary Zelda series, marking its leap into 3D on the N64 and introducing time travel mechanics.
Waking up in the future, Link is greeted by Rauru, one of the six sages, who tells him to find the others to stop Ganon from taking over Hyrule Castle. The first stop is the Forest Temple, but before that, you have to visit the graveyard in Kakariko Village to get the hookshot.
To complete this, you explore Dampe’s grave, the gravekeeper who died seven years ago. His ghost challenges Link to a race, but if you take a wrong turn, you’ll regret it.
Like some of Hyrule’s desolate future areas, Dampe’s grave is home to ReDead, one of the scariest monsters in the series. When they spot you, they scream and paralyze Link with terror. You probably can’t win the race, but Dampe still gives you the hookshot. While not a traditional room, Dampe’s grave is definitely a haunting spot for players.
Hotel Basement, The Last of Us
The Last of Us made a huge impact when it launched in 2013. Naughty Dog’s masterpiece offered PS3 players an intense story and convincing performances. Despite all the praise, there’s one scene that makes players want to smash their controllers: the hotel basement.
About a third into the game, Joel and Ellie enter Pittsburgh and find an old hotel. Bad luck strikes when Joel falls into the flooded basement, leaving Ellie upstairs. Joel must find a generator to open the door back up. Sounds simple… until you turn on the generator and a horde of infected rushes you, including a terrifying Bloater.
The basement is damp, disgusting, covered in mold, and pitch dark. It creates an incredibly tense and unsettling atmosphere, making it one of the most intense scenes in The Last of Us.
Bathroom, P.T.
The horror game P.T., developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami, made a huge splash when it launched in 2014. It left a lasting impression on players, especially one unforgettable moment.
Players get stuck in a dark hallway and start hearing noises from the bathroom. When you enter, the door slams shut, trapping you in a dimly lit room with just a flickering flashlight, enough to see something you’ll wish you hadn’t.
There, in a filthy sink, is a deformed fetus screaming and writhing in pain before it starts speaking through a radio voice. This scene is deeply disturbing for anyone with a weak heart. Since P.T. was a demo for a new Silent Hill game, this room left players wondering what Hideo Kojima had planned next.
The Hive, Alien Isolation
Alien Isolation is one of the best game adaptations in the entire series. Released in 2015, it follows Amanda Ripley searching for clues about her mother’s disappearance after 15 years.
Arriving at the Sevastopol space station, Amanda finds it overrun by the deadly Xenomorph alien. The creature hunts every corner of the station, making every step nerve-wracking for players.
After defeating some of them, Amanda reaches the station’s reactor area, discovering it’s become a Xenomorph hive. She also finds victims used as hosts, with alien eggs implanted inside. When the creatures hatch, they tear through their hosts to escape. This is probably the creepiest room in the game.
ADAM’s Office, Budget Cuts
Budget Cuts might not be a horror game, but it definitely delivers intense tension. This VR game mixes satire of modern corporate life with stealth action.
You fight against an army of hostile robots. Near the end, you reach HR and discover the CEO of Transcorp has been replaced by a robot named ADAM, who finds killing humans entertaining.
In this scene, you need to get the key from ADAM’s office to advance. But it’s not easy, ADAM is immune to weapon damage and super fast. If you’re quick, you can trap him in another room to grab the key. If not, your only option is to run and hide.
