Summary
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Horror games focus on de-powering players with fear, with unique movement systems for a thrilling experience.
- The last of us part 2 improves on the movement from the first game, offering fluid action and crisp character-driven gameplay.
- Dying light 2 includes enhanced parkour moves, while Left 4 Dead 2 stands out with simple but effective movements.
Horror games rely on disempowering their players, and vulnerability and helplessness are key to building fear. So many of these games have intentionally terrible movement systems. Player characters can be excruciatingly slow, easily disoriented, or suffer from severe head shaking or camera shake.

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9 horror games with unique combat mechanics, ranked
Horror games have given players many ways to fight monsters, but these games have the most unique combat mechanics.
As a result of these congresses, many of the horror games that allow you to move smoothly have a distinct action-adventure element. Additionally, sequels and remakes often improve upon the movement systems of their predecessors. This list includes the horror games with the smoothest and most satisfying movements and those that have less intuitive movement that adds something special to the game.
Not all of these games are horrors in the first place, but that is largely due to the power their movement systems give the player. However, each game still leans heavily on the horror genre.
6
The last of us part 2
Switching it

- Released
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June 19, 2020
- OpenCritic rating
-
Powerful
Starting with your favorite first game, The last of us part 2 needed to improve on some of the movement issues of the previous series, where Joel essentially steered like an old boat. As you travel through a post-apocalyptic landscape littered with enemies, the ability to move between stealth and confrontational scenes remains vital. The player plays as two different protagonists, and their movement is distinctive and further develops the individuality of each character.
The last of us part 2 has intuitive third-person action that allows for improvisation and adaptive approaches. And it has a jump buttonsomething missing from the first game. Although the characters still have a sense of vulnerability, their skill and determination shine through in battle.
5
Dying Light 2 Stay human
Go back to the dark
Action
Role playing game
Survival Horror
- Released
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February 4, 2022
- OpenCritic rating
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Strong
Dying Light 2 Stay human is a post-apocalyptic first-person action-horror that follows the protagonist, Aiden, in a decaying urban environment. The advanced parkour and almost farcical approach to combat make for a game with more movement, sometimes to the point of being ridiculous. Combat is varied, with most situations being countered using stealth or action techniques.
Although there is a lot to talk about Dying light 2 did not convey the feeling of the original, the parkour is much better. The player can traverse the city in a variety of ways, sticking to rooftops to stay away from enemies below. The movement when it was first released was extremely unstable and jerky due to several bugs, but it has improved dramatically since then.
4
Left 4 Dead 2
The zombies are coming

- Released
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November 17, 2009
Left 4 Dead 2 has stood the test of time like no other multiplayer horror game. It's a cooperative team-based game where players are thrown into zombie-infested zones to achieve pre-set objectives. There are different types of enemies with different characteristics, and a “director” that defines the play space adds an element of unpredictability.

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5 Open World Games Worth Playing Just For Their Movement
The following open-world games are admirable for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is their fun movement mechanics.
Unlike some of the games on this list, Left 4 Dead 2Movement is simple – no rolling, flying or complex parkour around the game space. In many ways, it's a simple run-and-shoot game. Perhaps that's why the movement has aged so well. The variety of the environment is what adds to the complexity and variability of the movement.
3
Bloodborne
Dodge Through it

- Released
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March 24, 2015
- OpenCritic rating
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Powerful
Bloodborne has arguably one of the most satisfying movement systems in video games. For many who gave up before leaving Central Yarnham, this can be disconcerting, as it can be a steep learning curve if players aren't used to this style of play.
2:40 a.m

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Bloodborne: the most powerful weapon, ranking
Bloodborne always proves to be a challenge, no matter how familiar you are with it. But this weapon certainly makes the job easier.
However, by the time the player gets to Rom the Vacuous Spider halfway through the game, they should be nimble enough to avoid attacks, survive her AoE attacks, and get back in close to deal damage. Unfortunately, the camera struggles to keep up with the Hunter's jumps and throws during crucial moments of boss fights, but even this is a minor disappointment when everyone Bloodborne's mechanics combine in perfect harmony.
2
Control
Just a janitor's assistant
Action
Third person shooter
Supernatural
- Released
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August 27, 2019
- OpenCritic rating
-
Powerful
Control sees Jesse Fadden start his new job as head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation when he realizes almost instantly that something is wrong. What follows is a surreal third-person action horror game in which Jesse must subdue all sorts of strange supernatural phenomena.
Sprinting feels fast in this game, and throwing objects at enemies with telekinesis is a lot of fun. One of the most delightful moments of the movement is when Jesse unlocks the ability to levitate. She then flies through the Old House listening to the Old Gods of Asgard. The abrupt stop may look a little strange, but it's important in a game where objects start moving on their own. The environment moves around Jesse, and his malleability is part of what makes navigating the space so satisfying.
1
Reverse
Travel through a time loop

- Released
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April 30, 2021
- OpenCritic rating
-
Powerful
Reverse is a rogue-like sci-fi horror film that rewards the player for their dedication with a long, hard run to unravel the narrative. The third person combat is fast and the dash feature is fantastic. Dodging is very important, as is grappling, so moving quickly and smoothly is a key element of the game.
The evasive gameplay is incredibly satisfying, but there's a steep learning curve that's further complicated by the increased length of each run. Once players get the hang of it, traversing the environment becomes a joy. Players who find haptic cues useful will also appreciate how they inform movement and combat.

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The best FPS games with the clearest movements
Fans who enjoy unique, crisp movement in their FPS games will love what these games have to offer.