Right, So The Game Awards Forgot Horror Existed, But Polygon Didn't – Here Are 6 Scream-Worthy Nominees
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Polygon's stepped up where The Game Awards dropped the ball, spotlighting six absolutely banger horror games from 2025 that genuinely scared the digital socks off us. From mind-bending sci-fi to social deduction nightmares, it's a grim reminder that 2025 was a fantastic year for frights, even without an official award category.
Alright, mates, gather 'round the digital campfire, because I've been tinkering with some news that's wilder than a rogue spell in an enchanted forest. It's that time of year again, isn't it? The Game Awards are looming, ready to dish out trophies faster than you can say 'microtransaction.' But here's the rub, the bloody elephant in the room that seems to get overlooked every single year: where in the actual digital abyss is the 'Horror Game of the Year' category? Fair dinkum, it's one of gaming's most vibrant, inventive, and frankly, terrifying genres, yet it's treated like the forgotten cousin at a family reunion.
Luckily, some clever blokes and lasses over at Polygon decided to take matters into their own hands, and frankly, I reckon they've done a stellar job. They’ve gone and picked six absolute bangers from 2025 that deserve all the accolades. And honestly, after diving into their picks, 2025 was an absolute riot for scares – the kind that leave you questioning reality for days. This brilliant bit of initiative comes courtesy of Claire Lewis, Giovanni Colantonio, and Austin Manchester over at Polygon, who put together the original piece titled 'Vote for the best horror game of the year from our 6 nominees.'
### The Chosen Six (and why they gave us the digital jitters):
**Cronos: The New Dawn** First up, we've got **Cronos: The New Dawn**, Bloober Team's return to original IP territory after *The Medium*. Now, Bloober Team, they’re known for their psychological scares, and apparently, *Cronos* is no slouch. Set in a fictional 1980s Poland on Christmas Eve (because nothing says 'festive' like a viral outbreak, eh?), this sci-fi horror throws you into a town where an unnamed virus is turning folks into 'warped, horrifying monsters' that can even merge. Merge, mate! That's not just a monster; that's a bloody digital fusion dance gone wrong. Polygon's Claire Lewis points out the combat's 'punishing' – which, let's be honest, can either be a brilliant design choice or an excuse for frustration depending on your mood – but it's the 'mind-bending story' and Kelly Burke's 'phenomenal performance' that truly shine. Oh, and apparently, there are cats! Always a win, right? A good narrative, a solid performance, and feline companions? My curiosity is piqued, even if the 'punishing combat' sounds like I might accidentally throw my controller through a portal to another dimension.
**Hell is Us** Next on the terror-trophy list is **Hell is Us** from Rogue Factor. Now, if you know me, you know I've got a soft spot for games that mess with expectations. This isn't your bog-standard survival horror; it's a Soulslike that apparently scared the pants off Polygon's Austin Manchester. 'Dimly lit dungeons hiding horrors and eerie enemies' – sounds like my kind of Thursday night, to be fair. But what really caught my eye here is the promise that it 'explores the horrors of war in ways that military shooters often neglect.' Austin's quite right when he says the demons aren’t the real monsters; it’s the human element. The title itself, 'Hell is us,' is a cracking bit of wordplay, isn't it? It's a proper gut-punch, reminding us that sometimes the most terrifying monsters are the ones we create ourselves, or worse, become.
**KARMA: The Dark World** Right, so we're staying in alternate-history Europe for **KARMA: The Dark World** by Pollard Studio, which takes us to East Germany in 1984. Similar era, similar name to *Cronos*, but apparently that’s where the similarities end. This one blends 'Orwellian horror with Lynchian atmospheric weirdness.' Now, that's a cocktail I'm keen to try! *1984* meets *Twin Peaks*? Sign me up, mate. Claire Lewis describes it as playing 'like a fever dream in the best possible way,' telling a 'fascinating story without over-explaining itself.' That’s always a fine line, isn't it? Too much hand-holding and you lose the mystery; too little and you're just confused. But when it works, oh, it *works*. Polygon even suggests it’s a 'far more cohesive, far scarier version of We Happy Few,' digging into themes of guilt, betrayal, and brainwashing. Sounds like a proper mind-bender, the kind that makes you question your own digital reality after a few hours.
**No, I'm Not A Human** Speaking of questioning reality, let's dive into **No, I'm Not A Human** from Trioskaz. This one sounds like it took all our modern anxieties and shoved them into a digital blender. We're talking a climate crisis making the sun melt people (bloody hell!) *and* alien invaders disguised as humans. You're a homeowner, and each night you're playing a high-stakes game of 'who do I let in?' as news broadcasts give you new ways to spot the fakers. Giovanni Colantonio nails it by calling it a 'pitch-black nod to social deduction games like Among Us, built for a cynical world where no one seems to trust their neighbors anymore.' And you know what? That hits home, doesn't it? The horror isn't just the aliens or the melting sun; it's the erosion of trust, the paranoia that seeps into every interaction. It’s like a digital witch-hunt where you’re wielding the pitchfork, and that’s a genuinely unsettling premise.
**Eyes of Hellfire** Keeping with the social deduction vibe, we have **Eyes of Hellfire** from Gambrinous, the clever folks behind *Cardpocalypse*. This one takes an Irish urban legend and twists it into 'basically Among Us in a horror game costume – but it's much more than that, too.' Claire Lewis highlights the blend of tabletop and card game elements, setting players in the 'enormous Hellfire Lodge' with group goals and, crucially, individual 'curse cards' with private objectives. These goals, like stealing items or getting revived, are often at odds with the group, and one player might even get the 'Eyes of Hellfire' card, allowing them to snatch victory by guessing other players' curses. The constant need to lie and suspect your mates? That's pure, unadulterated tension, isn't it? They even reckon you should play this 'spine-chiller with your real-life friends,' which sounds like a recipe for either hilarious betrayal or a proper falling out. I love a game that thrives on player-generated drama, especially when it's cloaked in creepy folklore.
**Silent Hill f** And finally, the moment many horror fans have been waiting for: **Silent Hill f**. It’s been *thirteen years*, mate, since a new mainline *Silent Hill* graced our screens. Claire Lewis confirms it was 'absolutely worth the wait.' This one veers from the familiar American setting, dropping us into 1960s Japan, but apparently, the 'foggy streets of Ebisugaoka still feel familiar.' That's a clever trick, keeping the essence while changing the scenery. Expect 'stunning enemy design and multiple, equally jaw-dropping endings,' blending 'beautiful environments and grotesque monsters into a disturbing journey that unapologetically examines the horrors of growing up female.' This is where *Silent Hill* often shines, isn't it? Not just the jumpscares (though there are plenty), but the 'quiet moments of steadily building tension that eventually bloom into heart-pounding sequences of abject terror.' That's the magic – or perhaps the dark sorcery – of *Silent Hill*, leaving those scenes 'playing on a loop' in your head weeks later. A truly unsettling experience, if it delivers on that promise.
### The Final Reckoning So, there you have it, a proper digital pilgrimage through 2025's finest frights, all thanks to Polygon’s initiative to give horror its due. It just goes to show that even when the big awards shows overlook a genre, the creativity and passion of developers (and players!) will always find a way to shine. Horror isn't just about cheap scares; it's about exploring the depths of human fear, trust, paranoia, and the outright bizarre. It's a genre that often pushes boundaries, experiments with mechanics, and gives us experiences that stick with us long after we’ve turned off the console.
It’s a real shame that The Game Awards hasn’t caught up yet, but honestly, seeing lists like this—crafted with genuine appreciation and insightful analysis—feels a lot more meaningful than another golden statue gathering dust. What do you reckon? Any of these stand out for your own personal 'Horror Game of the Year' award? Or did 2025 hold even more terrifying surprises I'm yet to unearth? Always keen to hear what horrors you've been dabbling in!
*(Original article and fantastic insights by Claire Lewis, Giovanni Colantonio & Austin Manchester at Polygon. You can find their full breakdown and cast your own vote at polygon.com.)*
Tags: Horror Games, Game Awards, Polygon, 2025 Games, Indie Horror
Original article: Polygon