There is no doubt that well-made horror games can be incredibly scary. Roaming around eerily dark, quiet, seemingly abandoned buildings where sinister serial killers and malevolent entities are lurking is the core source of fear in many of these experiences, and having to face the dangers alone only makes it more isolating.
Many horror games feature animals as enemies - like the zombie dogs inResident Evil- or as their own characters in the narrative - like Alice fromThe Last of Us Part 2- but some offer players a little comfort in the shape of an animal friend that sticks by their side throughout. From protective dogs to mischievous cats, these are some of thebest animal companions in horror games.
This list focuses on animal companions that accompany and/or help the player throughout the game, rather than simply being present in some scenes.
Claireis a relatively less talked-aboutretro-style 2D horror gamethat follows Claire as she searches for her mother in a hospital. It’s not long before her surroundings begin to decay, and monsters emerge to confront Claire about her past. The game is often compared toSilent HillandLone Survivor, though it has a lot of its own merits in terms of story and atmosphere.
Throughout the game, Claire is accompanied by her dog,Anubis, who will growl or bark when there are monsters nearby. His name is also a reference to the ancient Egyptian god of the dead, perhaps hinting to morbid themes within the narrative.
This entry contains minor spoilers for the outcomes of decisions surrounding Wolfie!Until Dawnwas Supermassive Games’s first title to use the “butterfly effect” structure, followingmultiple protagonists with branching storylines.It was well-received, earning both a remake in 2024 and a film the year after, and setting the standard for their future games of the same ilk.
Set on Mount Washington, deemed sacred by the native Cree tribe, the protagonists soon find themselves hunted by threats both human and monstrous. If they play their cards right, players can befriendWolfie, a wolf who will return to guide and help later in the game.
7Bella (Baisu)
K-9 Turned Ghost Hunter
Baisuis a bodycam horror game with players taking on the role of Clay Kriest, a police detective who has been summoned to the Smith house. Finding the property empty, players must investigate and unravel the mystery behind the family’s fate, uncovering a much darker presence in the process.
It is not just Kriest’s life in players' hands, though, as his dogBellaaccompanies him on the investigation. Players can use their voice to give Bella commands like “stay”, “follow”, and “search”, but must be careful with their in-game choices, as there are multiple endings, and not all of them are happy.
2D horror games, while simplistic in design and mechanics, can prove some of the most unsettling.Fran Bowis one such example, following the titular young girl as she flees Oswald Asylum to rescue her helpful and comforting cat,Mr. Midnight, facing benevolent and sinister monsters along the way.
Fran Bowis not overtly scary, but the familiar environments are twisted into something strange and uncanny, leaving players uneasy. The game also engages in anuncomfortable exploration of traumaand mental health struggles, making Mr. Midnight’s presence all the more welcome.
Rule of Roseis a survivalhorror inspired by the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Players take on the role of a teenager, Jennifer, who finds herself at an orphanage after following a young boy off of the bus. What ensues is a psychological nightmare that confronts Jennifer with her traumatic past.
Fortunately, she has her labrador retriever,Brown, by her side throughout the game. Brown can track and locate items, as well as distract enemies during combat. Despite some janky gameplay elements,Rule of Rose’s atmosphere and story prevail for an overall poignant experience.
On the surface,Alice: Madness Returnsis an action-packed hack-and-slash game, but that’s not all there is to it. Beneath the whimsical Wonderland settings is a dark psychological horror narrative about abuse and exploitation, which is not-so-subtly implied through the symbolism in the world.
Guiding Alice through Wonderland is the iconicCheshire Cat, though he appears much less approachable than in the movie adaptations. But despite having an attitude problem and a menacing grin, this scraggy feline has plenty of insight and advice (which is admittedly often enigmatic at best).
In Sound Mindis a psychological horror with an interesting premise. The game follows amnesiac therapist Desmond Wales as hedelves into the troubled minds of his patients, gradually uncovering the dire events that connect their fates. The story is told via a visually striking combination of puzzles, platforming, and gunplay.
Toniais Desmond’s cat that politely resides on his desk and appears to aid and encourage him throughout the game. She talks and sings but, more importantly, offers emotional relief from the horrors of the psyche; pet therapy in its truest form.
The Blair Witch Projectmovie paved the way for found footage cinema and, of course, the “lost in a dark scary forest” trope that is becoming ever more popular in horror games.Blair Witchtakes place in the same universe as the film, following ex-cop Ellis as he searches for a missing boy in Black Hills Forest.
As the sun sets and the player delves deeper into the woods, the more sinister things become as shadows of the past begin to emerge. Fortunately, they have the company of German shepherdBullet, who can track scents, detect enemies, and keep Ellis’s sanity stable. Perhaps most importantly, players can pet Bullet.
TheResident Evilfranchise is most often hailed as Capcom’s legacy in the survival horror genre, but fans shouldn’t forget about another of the developer’s classic titles,The Haunting Ground. The protagonist, Fiona,awakens in the dungeon of a castleafter a car crash and must find a way to escape the hostile inhabitants.
Navigating the castle, players will come across a white Alsatian,Hewie, who will follow Fiona for the rest of the game. Hewie is an invaluable asset; not only can players give him basic commands, they can also ask him to search for items, scout out suspicious areas to expose traps, and attack enemies. Players must make sure, though, to maintain the pooch’s happiness via praise and treats to ensure his obedience. Fortunately, caring for this canine is not at all a chore.
