Best Co Op Horror
After helping revive the legendary vampire Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade, Koyomi Araragi has become a vampire himself and her servant. Kiss-shot is certain she can turn him back into a human, but only once regaining her full power. Araragi has hunted down the three vampire hunters that d...
Tales from the Crypt was an anthology comic series published by EC Comics between 1950 and 1955. It presented a collection of horror stories centered around the character of the Crypt-Keeper, a sardonic host who introduced each tale. The series’ dark themes and graphic content significantly influenc...
Why this score?
Canonical EC horror comic with enormous influence, iconic hosts, sharp morality tales, and lasting pop-culture legacy.
Scoring methodology
John Constantine: Hellblazer is a comic book series published by DC Comics, originally under the Vertigo imprint beginning in 1988, following its character's introduction in Swamp Thing. The series centers on John Constantine, a British occult detective and magician operating in contemporary urban s...
Why this score?
Seminal adult comic celebrated for political intelligence, horror, moral complexity, and defining characterization; long publication history creates inevitable unevenness.
Scoring methodology
Locke & Key is a comic book series created by writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodríguez, published by IDW Publishing beginning in 2008. The story follows the Locke family, who move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, in Lovecraft, Massachusetts, following the murder of the children's father. The...
Why this score?
Major critical acclaim for intricate plotting, emotional family drama, Gabriel Rodriguez's art, and inventive keys; violence and late complexity divide some readers.
Scoring methodology
"Neil Gaiman - Coraline" refers to the audiobook recording of the dark fantasy novella "Coraline," narrated by its English author, Neil Gaiman. Published in book form in 2002, the story follows a young girl who discovers a hidden door in her home leading to an alternate reality with a sinister, mani...
Why this score?
Gaiman's intimate authorial delivery and eerie restraint suit the novella well, though his vocal characterization is less polished than elite actors.
Scoring methodology
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is a third-person shooter adventure game developed by Retro Studios for the Wii. It places players in a dystopian United States ravaged by Phazon corruption, requiring them to explore hazardous environments and combat mutated threats. The game’s immersive atmosphere and i...
The Alien Original Motion Picture Score is the orchestral soundtrack for Ridley Scott's 1979 science fiction horror film, composed and conducted by Jerry Goldsmith. Goldsmith utilized strings, woodwinds, and muted brass to create a dissonant atmosphere, relying on unresolved chords and unsettling te...
Why this score?
Jerry Goldsmith's Alien score is a major horror-science fiction benchmark with strong critical reputation.
Scoring methodology
Barotrauma is a cooperative submarine simulation game developed by FakeFish and Undertow Games and released in 2023. Set beneath the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa, it gives players responsibilities such as piloting, repairing, operating machinery, treating injuries, and defending the vessel from...
Why this score?
Strong critical and player acclaim for deep cooperative systems, emergent storytelling, atmosphere, and modding; steep learning curve and chaotic public play deter some.
Scoring methodology
The Vault of Horror was an American horror anthology comic published by EC Comics during the early 1950s, following an earlier incarnation of the title as War Against Crime. Stories were introduced by the Vault-Keeper and typically combined supernatural or criminal plots with irony, graphic conseque...
Why this score?
Essential EC horror companion title, highly regarded for lurid craft and influence, slightly less iconic than Tales from the Crypt.
Scoring methodology
Kara no Shoujo - The Second Episode is a 2013 Japanese visual novel by Innocent Grey, notable for continuing the original dark murder-mystery narrative set in 1950s post-war Tokyo.
Why this score?
Often considered stronger than its predecessor through deeper characterization, broader mystery, and emotional payoff; complexity and dependence on earlier material limit accessibility.
Scoring methodology
Locke & Key is a horror-fantasy comic book series published by IDW Publishing, written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodríguez. Premiering in 2008, the story follows the Locke family as they move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, in Massachusetts. The mansion contains various magical key...
Why this score?
Highly acclaimed horror-fantasy comic praised for emotional depth, plotting, and Rodriguez art, with strong awards reputation.
Scoring methodology
Hellblazer is an American comic book series published by DC Comics under the Vertigo imprint from 1988 to 2013. The narrative follows John Constantine, a working-class occult detective and warlock operating primarily in London. Distinguished by its mature themes, horror elements, and political comme...
Why this score?
Landmark Vertigo occult comic with major influence, acclaimed writers, and durable Constantine legacy despite uneven eras.
Scoring methodology
The Psycho soundtrack recording features music by Bernard Herrmann specifically commissioned for Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film. Herrmann's score is notable for its intensely unsettling and dramatic use of orchestral instruments, particularly the prominent string arrangements that heightened the susp...
Coraline is a 2009 stop-motion animated film exploring themes of identity and deception. The movie utilizes intricate hand-crafted puppets to create a visually arresting fantasy world mirroring our own. It’s notable for its unsettling atmosphere and dark fairytale elements appealing to older childre...
The October Country is a 1955 collection of short stories by American writer Ray Bradbury. It revises and reprints selected material from his 1947 debut collection, Dark Carnival, while also presenting stories that had appeared elsewhere. The book emphasizes horror, macabre fantasy, psychological un...
Why this score?
Classic Bradbury dark-fantasy collection with enduring literary prestige, iconic stories, and major influence on poetic horror.
Scoring methodology
The Haunt of Fear was an American horror-comics anthology published by EC Comics from 1950 to 1954. Stories were introduced by the Old Witch, one of EC's three principal horror hosts, alongside the Crypt-Keeper and the Vault-Keeper, and combined supernatural plots, crime, irony, and graphic punishme...
Why this score?
Key EC horror title with strong art and host identity, historically important though less famous than its siblings.
Scoring methodology
Horrorscope is the fifth studio album by New Jersey thrash metal band Overkill, released in 1991. It was the band's first album after the departure of guitarist and songwriter Bobby Gustafson, with Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino forming the new two-guitar lineup. The record combines compact thrash s...
Why this score?
Frequently cited as Overkill peak, strong riffs, polished aggression, and excellent fan reputation.
Scoring methodology
The Sweeney Todd original Broadway cast recording captures a landmark production of Stephen Sondheim’s dark musical. Featuring Len Cariou as Joses Barber and Angela Lansbury in her final stage performance, this 1979 recording earned eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. It remains notable for it...
Courage the Cowardly Dog is an animated television series focusing on a small beagle who lives with his elderly uncle and cousin in Nowhere, Kansas. The show blends horror elements with dark comedy through surreal situations and bizarre monsters that threaten their daily life. It’s notable for its i...
The *Under the Skin* soundtrack recording features the original score by Mica Levi for Jonathan Glazer’s 2013 film. Levi's unsettling electronic compositions are notable for their experimental and atmospheric approach, creating a profoundly disorienting soundscape. This album is particularly relevan...
The Conjuring 2 is a 2016 horror film directed by James Wan, continuing the story of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens travel to England in 1977 to investigate reports of supernatural disturbances at the Hodgson family’s home, linked to the infamous Enfield poltergeist. It...
Ray Bradbury’s *Something Wicked This Way Comes* is a celebrated 1962 horror novel exploring themes of temptation and loss of innocence. The story follows two boys who confront a sinister traveling carnival that promises wishes but delivers dark consequences. Its evocative prose and exploration of c...
"Candle Cove" is a horror story, or creepypasta, written by author Kris Straub and originally published on the internet in 2009. The narrative is structured as a series of forum posts where users reminisce about a fictional, unsettling children's television show from the 1970s. The story's unique fo...
Why this score?
Widely acclaimed creepypasta for restraint, format, and atmosphere; strong reputation across internet horror communities.
Scoring methodology
EXIT: The Game - The Catacombs of Horror is a 2018 cooperative puzzle game designed by Inka and Markus Brand. Part of the popular EXIT series, this title is notable for its horror theme and its structure as a two-part adventure set in the catacombs beneath Paris. Players must work together to solve...
Why this score?
Frequently cited as one of the strongest EXIT releases, ambitious and substantial; high difficulty and length can overwhelm casual groups.
Scoring methodology
The Midsommar Original Motion Picture Score, composed by Bobby Krlic, provides a deeply unsettling soundscape for Ari Aster’s horror film. Utilizing orchestral arrangements and electronic elements, the score reflects the film's themes of pagan rituals and psychological distress within the Swedish co...
Hellblazer presents John Constantine, a British warlock operating as an occult detective. The series, published by DC/Vertigo since 1988, gained recognition for its dark horror themes and Constantine’s portrayal of a flawed, streetwise figure navigating dangerous supernatural investigations. It appe...
X-COM: Terror from the Deep is a strategy game released in 1995 and 1996, continuing the X-COM storyline. The gameplay focuses on combating a resurgence of an alien threat within Earth’s marine environments. It serves as a direct sequel to UFO: Enemy Unknown and expands upon the series' tactical com...
Lethal Company is a cooperative survival horror game created by Zeekerss, initially launched in early access in October 2023. The game is available on Windows via the Steam platform and focuses on players working together to fulfill delivery contracts. It has gained attention within the Steam commun...
Carrion Comfort is a sprawling horror novel by Dan Simmons exploring themes of mind control and vampirism. The story follows a group of psychic vampires who manipulate individuals throughout history, beginning with their actions during World War II. It’s notable for its ambitious scope and intricate...
“When Worlds Collide” is a 1951 science fiction film exploring a catastrophic collision of planets. The story, based on a novel by Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie, presents a thrilling disaster scenario suitable for fans of speculative fiction and adventure films. It’s particularly appealing to viewer...
