Whether intended to help you or bring you harm, some of the most iconic animals in horror games have left an indelible mark on players.
Animals and babies are universal symbols of innocence, but subverting those expectations by plunging innocent creatures into a world of unspeakable horror often generates some of the most effective scares. In some cases, it even makes for some truly harrowing boss fights. Many deadly animals co-exist with humankind, such as venomous snakes, man-eating crocodiles, and even territorial grizzly bears, but when demonic possession, illegal experimentation, and mutation further corrupts the DNA of these predators, they can become especially violent.
For protagonists in horror games, bloodthirsty giraffes and zombie dogs have a tendency to throw a spanner in the works as they fight the good fight or simply try to survive. Not all animals are vicious killing machines, however, as some can act as faithful companions — beacons of hope when all else seems hopelessly grim. These horror games are all about animals, no matter if they help or hurt.5 Blair Witch
Based on and set two years after the 1999 movie The Blair Witch Project, this Bloober Team survival horror game focuses on Ellis, a police officer who ventures into Black Hills Forest in search of a missing nine-year-old boy named Peter. As Ellis navigates the labyrinthine forest, he is joined by a Belgian Shepherd named Bullet, given to him by the police department prior to the events of the game. Bullet acts as a sort of emotional support companion for Ellis, who has „been through a lot“, just like Bullet has. Ellis can command Bullet to seek out clues and follow trails, return to him, stay, and stay „close“ during particularly distressing segments.
Players can also choose to reprimand, pet, or give treats to Bullet. If Bullet strays too far, Ellis‘ sanity suffers, but Bullet’s exploration is necessary to progress the story in many cases, as the dog can find significant key items. Bullet also alerts Ellis to any nearby monsters, making it easier for Ellis to dispatch them as required. As an essential tool for survival, Bullet provides many unique mechanics that set Blair Witch apart from other like-minded horror games.
