Summary
- Open-world games turn terrifying at night, keeping players on edge with unseen threats.
- Don't Starve: Death in darkness, invisible monsters, and the crackling campfire as a lifeline.
- Subnautica: Tranquil underwater turns claustrophobic, with predators and eerie noises.
Open-world games are often celebrated for their freedom, exploration, and immersive worlds. But some of them hold a dark secret: when the sun goes down, those same worlds become utterly terrifying.
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Whether it's a once-serene landscape crawling with nightmarish creatures or a peaceful village morphing into a danger zone, these games flip the script when night falls. It's one thing to explore during daylight, but when the darkness creeps in, it’s a whole different story.
5 Don't Starve
When the Campfire Dies, So Do Your Chances
Don't Starve
- Released
- April 23, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Fantasy, Violence, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Management
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PC
There’s no mistaking Don’t Starve for a lighthearted survival game—its Tim Burton-esque art style and grim atmosphere make that clear from the start. Still, during the day, it’s mostly a game of resource gathering and crafting while trying not to accidentally starve. The real danger doesn’t hit until night falls, and then everything changes. The comforting crackle of the campfire becomes the only thing keeping the darkness—and the monsters within it—at bay.
Nighttime in Don’t Starve is when players realize how truly vulnerable they are. Total darkness means death, plain and simple. If the fire goes out or a torch breaks, the darkness itself becomes an enemy, as invisible hands reach out to snuff out hope. Charlie, the unseen terror, strikes without warning, and the screen flashes red as the character takes damage from something they can’t see.
Huddled by the dwindling flames, players are stuck listening to unsettling noises—branches snapping, growls from unseen threats—hoping daylight breaks before their firewood runs out. The game doesn’t even need grotesque monsters or jump scares to build tension; it just lets the overwhelming fear of darkness do the work.
4 Subnautica
When the Ocean Becomes Your Worst Nightmare
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Gearbox Publishing
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Daytime in Subnautica almost feels peaceful—bright waters filled with colorful fish, coral formations that look like something out of a sci-fi postcard, and a sense of wonder as players explore the alien ocean floor. But then the light starts to fade, and that sense of wonder gets replaced by sheer dread. Visibility drops to almost nothing, and the once-beautiful underwater world becomes a claustrophobic nightmare where every distant noise could mean trouble.
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It’s not just about seeing less. At night, Subnautica introduces the real threats. Predators that were hiding during the day now lurk just outside the beam of the player’s flashlight, their bioluminescent eyes giving away their position for just a split second before they lunge. Then there’s the Leviathans, whose haunting calls echo through the depths, letting players know they’re far too close for comfort.
The most terrifying part is not always seeing the danger, but hearing it—growls and roars from unseen creatures that make the dark feel like it’s pressing in from all sides. Exploration becomes a risk instead of a thrill, and even the familiar areas feel foreign and hostile. It’s the kind of horror that doesn’t come from scripted scares but from the game’s environment itself, turning a tranquil alien reef into a nightmare just by flicking the lights off.
3 Terraria
When The Stars Come Out, So Do the Zombies
Terraria
- Released
- May 16, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Re-Logic
- Publisher(s)
- 505 Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Vita, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, 3DS, Stadia, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
For a pixelated sandbox adventure, Terraria hides a surprising amount of horror. Daytime is all about building, crafting, and exploring the world while dealing with slimes and other harmless enemies. But once night sets in, the calm is shattered by moaning zombies and floating Demon Eyes that swarm the player’s shelter, scratching and banging on the doors.
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Nighttime in Terraria is relentless. Zombies are not just more numerous, they’re persistent, clawing at doors while Demon Eyes dart through the sky, waiting for a moment to swoop in. Players who aren’t prepared can easily find themselves overwhelmed, especially early on when the makeshift shelter is barely more than a hole in the ground with a few wood panels.
It’s the atmosphere that really makes it terrifying. The music shifts to a more haunting melody, and the flickering torches give just enough light to see shadows moving outside. Players who dare to venture out without adequate gear will find themselves sprinting back to safety, chased by a relentless horde that only disappears when the sun rises. Even veteran players can’t deny the creeping anxiety that comes from hearing that first groan in the distance.
2 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
From Serene To Sinister In The Blink Of An Eye
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii U, Switch
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is known for its bright, colorful landscapes and tranquil exploration. But during certain nights, even Hyrule has its share of frights. Every couple of hours, Hyrule will bask in the eerie red glow of the Blood Moon, which will revive the dead monsters and make them even more aggressive, turning a peaceful night into chaos.
The worst brunt of this is received by those players who just came out of a grueling fight with little health to spare, only to be greeted by the Blood Moon. That’s when the fear factor kicks in, forcing them to either flee the scene or pick up their weapon and once again face the enemies that they just killed. The unexpectedness of it all makes every night a potential ambush, keeping players on edge despite the game’s usual whimsical tone. Plus, hearing the unsettling chime of the Blood Moon’s rise never fails to send a chill down the spine.
1 Minecraft
A Peaceful Sandbox Turns Into A Monster Lair
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Mojang
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- Platform(s)
- 3DS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
It’s almost too easy to forget that Minecraft can be genuinely terrifying once the sun sets. One moment, players are peacefully building or mining, and the next, they’re running from Creepers, Skeletons, and Endermen.
The game’s iconic blocky world becomes a danger zone at night, where even a well-fortified base can feel like a last stand against relentless mobs. The sudden hiss of a Creeper about to explode is enough to make anyone rethink their outdoor excursions after dark. And the simplicity of the game’s visuals somehow makes the experience even more eerie, as shadows stretch ominously and hostile mobs appear from the darkness. Sure, it’s just blocks and pixels, but when the night falls, it’s easy to feel like you’re on your own in a world that’s turned hostile.
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