“Resident Evil 2” (1998) is pivotal in survival horror for refining the formula established by its predecessor. It expanded the narrative with dual campaigns, enhanced graphics, and more immersive gameplay. Its atmospheric design, improved mechanics, and compelling storyline set a new standard, solidifying the genre’s mainstream appeal and influencing future titles.

“Clock Tower” (1996) is crucial in survival horror for emphasizing helplessness and tension during a period when action-focused horror dominated. Its innovative point-and-click gameplay, real-time stalking by Scissorman, and reliance on evasion over combat offered a unique, psychological experience. This shifted the genre’s focus towards vulnerability and fear, influencing future horror games.

Resident Evil is a landmark in survival horror, popularizing the gameplay first seen in Alone in the Dark. Its fixed camera angles, limited resources, and iconic zombie encounters set new standards. The game’s success paved the way for future horror titles and established “Resident Evil” as a genre-defining franchise.

Clock Tower is a 2D point-and-click survival horror game that prioritizes hiding and evasion over combat. Much of Clock Tower’s plot and artistic style are inspired by the 1985 movie “Phenomena” directed by Dario Argento. Clock Tower would go on to influenced later titles such as Haunting Ground 2005 and contributed to the genre’s focus on tension and vulnerability.  

Unlike most games in 1992, which were predominantly 2D, Alone in the Dark used 3D polygonal character models combined with pre-rendered backgrounds and fixed camera angles. The gameplay in Alone in the Dark emphasized strategic survival, encouraging players to avoid combat when possible, solve intricate puzzles, and manage limited resources like weapons and health. This blend of evasion, exploration, and careful resource management created a tense, atmospheric experience. The features introduced in Alone in the Dark would shape survival horror for decades, becoming defining elements of the genre and now recognized as hallmarks of classic survival horror gameplay.