Home invasion is a subgenre of horror that often goes overlooked in the gaming industry. Yet, it’s a subgenre that has the potential to evoke deep fear in gamers. The general idea of home invasion horror involves a poor unsuspecting person being stalked within their own home by an unknown person or entity.
Games within this niche are a rarity, but it is possible to find some if you trawl through the masses of horror games ever released. Here we present 5 home invasion horror games for you to try out.
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1. Intruders: Hide and Seek
Intruders: Hide and Seek is a first-person horror game played from the perspective of a vulnerable boy, Ben, who is placed in a precarious situation after three intruders invade the family home.
Intruders, developed by Tessera Studios, is the most recent game on this list and was released in September 2019. The game received largely positive reviews, with gamers praising the games ability to create an authentic atmosphere and successfully blending the genres of stealth and horror.
The game utilizes stealth and suspense in a way that delivers a nerve-wracking drama and pulsating tension. For the brave, the game is also available in VR format.
This home invasion horror game evokes a real sense of achievement, too. There is a certain level of satisfaction to be had from outwitting the criminals in your home and protecting the boy’s family from danger.
Intruders can be purchased on Steam here.
2. Cleansuit
Cleansuit is a text adventure game that offers an alternative approach to the home invasion horror genre.
Released in November 2017 by developer Goblin Council, Cleansuit has a unique ability to create horror in a charming and humorous way. In fact, the game’s main appeal is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The retro-style graphical text in the game allows you to manipulate the environment in order to outwit the enemy. The comments are often displayed as something light-hearted, but you shouldn’t let your guard down. Doing so can leave you vulnerable to some intense jump scares that, admittedly, may turn to laughs soon after.
If you’re not bothered about the latest graphics and prefer a game with solid gameplay, you should try Cleansuit. It offers a fulfilling gameplay experience and has replay value if you feel like experimenting with ways to win the game.
Cleansuit is available to buy on Stream here for a very reasonable price.
3. Home Security
Home Security is a home invasion survival horror game developed by Toshihiko Kikuchi. The story revolves around a little girl whose parents are away on a business trip. She is responsible for taking care of her older sick brother whilst they are away.
Things aren’t so simple, of course, and you are tasked with stopping the neighbor from invading your home. If you survive for 5 days, you succeed.
The graphics are smooth, and the jump scares are intense. Yet, Home Security received mixed reviews upon its release in late 2018. Critics of the game were mainly bothered by the slightly confusing gameplay and lack of cohesion.
For those who enjoy the home invasion horror subgenre, though, Home Security is a must. The way the game builds suspense masterfully and keeps you engaged and attentive throughout.
The game is available for a very modest price on Steam. Click here to visit the Home Security Steam page.
4. Night Trap
Night Trap is a home invasion game that takes the format of an interactive movie. It was originally released in 1992 for Sega CD, but has been re-released for many modern gaming systems over the past few years.
The game was highly controversial when it was first released and received mixed reviews. It was even heavily implicated during a 1993 congressional hearing into video game violence by a US Senate committee.
The player takes on the role of a member of the Special Control Attack Team (S.C.A.T.) and is tasked with investigating the disappearance of a group of teenage girls at the Martin winery estate. As an operative of the S.C.A.T. team, you are given control of traps and security cameras from the operational control system in the basement of the residence.
Whether you think the game was good or not, there is no questioning its status as a pioneer in interactive movie and home invasion gaming. It’s a little cheesy and overacted at times, but there’s certainly fun to be had.
Steam members can buy Night Trap here.
5. Emily Wants to Play
Some may argue that it’s a little disingenuous to put Emily Wants to Play in this list. Generally, in the home invasion horror genre, you play the role of a person trapped inside their own home while a perpetrator tries to enter your space. Yet, with this game, you take on the role of a pizza delivery guy who gets trapped in the home of a young girl and three of her creepy dolls.
That being said, the game is so good that it has to be included. Of all the games on this list, Emily Wants to Play is arguably the most terrifying.
The game starts as the pizza delivery man (the playable character) is nearing the end of his shift. It’s 11pm – one more delivery to go and then he can get home, right? Wrong. Emily has different plans for you.
No one answers the door to collect the pizza, but the door is open. It looks safe enough to step inside out of the rain for a moment to drop off the pizza. Big mistake.
From here on in, terror ensues. You can freely roam Emily’s house to try and make sense of the situation, but that just leads to more dread and fear. Without giving too much away, just try to mindful of what’s happening in every direction – at all times.
Follow the link here to purchase Emily Wants to Play on Steam. If you’re feeling extra brave, try this game with a compatible VR headset.
Get in Touch
If you enjoyed reading about these home invasion horror games, you might also like our article on the scariest horror games ever made.
Do you agree with this list? Have anything to add? Let us know in the comment section below or get in touch at richard@blogofgames.com