Summary
Parkour is a way of navigating an area via climbing, jumping, and running. As well as becoming more visible as a legitimate sport and hobby, parkour has become an increasingly popular mechanic in games. It has made appearances in story-driven titles likeAssassin’s CreedandMirrors Edgeand simple platformers likeCluster Truck.
One genre that often flies under the radar when it comes to parkour, however, is horror. While stealth horror games can be great at building tension, movement can be just as important when creating a fast-paced, pulse-raising experience. These are some of thebest parkour horror gamesthat have players running into battle or overcoming obstacles to escape.
7IDIOTIC (The Game)
Two Dimensions, Twice The Danger
IDIOTIC (The Game)combines first-person shooter elements with parkour and free running in three different game modes: gauntlet, arena, and destruction. The player can switch between the “Top”,a dystopian-esque realitywith hostile robots and suited killers, and the “Alt”, a dangerous version of the world above inhabited by zombies. Coins can also be found and collected to gain health and teleport advantages.
While not a completed game by any means,IDIOTIChas a solid foundation in terms of mechanics and visuals, with plenty of potential for a fully-fledged FPS/parkour horror game. It would be great to see more leveling and progression. While this title is more action-heavy, the enemies encountered in the Alt are unsettling enough to make this game worth consideration.
6Only in Darkness
The Danger Catches Up When The Lights Go Out
InOnly in Darkness,players must escape a vengeful ghost. The catch is, they can only move when the lights are off, and the ghost can only move when the lights are off, meaning that they must run as far as they can when they get the chance. However, their route is not simple, and they will also need to jump over/across and crouch under various obstacles on the way.
While a simple premise,Only in Darknessmanages to create a genuinely tense experience. The parkour chases are interspersed with puzzles that stop the gameplay from becoming stale, as well as offering a “brutal” difficulty level forplayers who are looking for a challenge.
5Leap Of Sins (Demo)
Climb Out Of Hell, If You Can
Leap of Sinsis a parkour horror game currently in development, but still has a promising demo available to play. The player takes on the role of a damned soul, waking in a lava-filled version of hell and overseen by a giant evil “eye of despair”. They must climb a skyscraper to escape, being forced to restart if they fail.
There is a diverse range of parkour mechanics - climbing, running, jumping - over a range of obstacles. They will have to contend with both the environment and entities while enduring tastefuljumpscares that can prove fatal. In its current state,Leap of Sinshas a unique aesthetic and premise that makes this space worth watching.
4Beast Hour (Demo)
An Asymmetrical PvP Horror
Beast Houris set in 1886 where “Arkana”, a powerful substance that gives humans super-strength and machines energy, is in high demand. In a fusion of parkour and horror, players must pick a side in the war, choosing either the Order’s mercenary class, Raiders, or the protectors of Arkana and believed leaders of the new age, Beasts. The former must complete missions and escape while the latter hunts them down.
With the ability to jump across and climb rooftops and a skill-leveling system,Beast Hourhas some satisfying gameplay. The dark, industrial, steampunk world creates aGothic horror atmospherethat is fun to explore with others.
3Finding Frankie
Take Part In A Game Show With A Deadly Twist
Imagine opening a box of cereal to find an invitation to a parkour show, turning up to compete, and discovering that the show’smascots are murderous. This is the premise ofFinding Frankie.
Finding Frankie’s parkour mechanics are on the more advanced side, from jumping, wall running, swinging, and even trampolining, across a range of areas, including soft play zones, underground tunnels, and vents. With disturbing lore, well-designed scares, and ergonomic mechanics, the only thingFinding Frankieleaves players wanting is a longer playtime.
Ghostrunner 2is a first-person hack-and-slash game. Taking place one year after the first title with the evil dictator Keymaster gone, the player is tasked withtaking down an AI cultthat is intent on deciding the remaining humanity’s future.
If wielding swords and riding motorbikes aren’t enough, players also have a parkour skillset which makes traversing the rich, cyberpunk world much more exciting. WhileGhostrunner 2is heavy on action, there is no shortage of terrifying moments. With a larger-than-life roster of sci-fi abominations, this is a fast-paced game that is certain to get the heart racing.
Zombies are one of the most classic horror monsters of all time, and, as a saturated genre, horror games that feature these flesh-eaters need to do something innovative to make them memorable.Dying Light 2is one such game, following the protagonist, Aiden Calwell, as he navigates a post-apocalyptic world amid warring factions and a deadly virus.
Dying Light 2not only has versatile combat, with a focus on melee, but a fantastic parkour system. The player can climb, wall run, jump, and slide their way across rooftops while taking out the undead. When the sun goes down and the zombies become more hostile, the parkour becomes invaluable, seamlessly becoming part of the core gameplay. Overall, this is a must-playopen-world zombie horror.
