10) The Thing (PS2, Xbox)

A sequel to John Carpenter’s intense film, The Thing strands you in the middle of Antarctica and forces you to battle a vicious alien that shape shifts its hosts into disgusting monstrosities. Although you normally have a fire team at the ready, it’s impossible to tell whether they’re infected. One of them can morph at any time, a grim fact that always keeps you second-guessing their loyalty. On top of that, the snowy atmosphere and disturbing audio will leave you ready to scream like a little schoolgirl the moment a detached head sprouts legs and scurries across the floor.

9) Clive Barker’s Undying (PC)

Horror master Clive Barker’s Undying is a petrifying romp into a world consumed by the occult. As the game’s hero, Patrick Galloway, explores his friend’s estate in Ireland, he uncovers supernatural creatures that want to tear his head off. An excellent mix of first person shooting and spell casting, Undying lets you deal considerable damage to your enemies, but the absence of ammo, disturbing images and gorgeous (for the time) lighting effects made this hair-raising PC game one to play with the lights off.

8) System Shock 2 (PC)

In this classic first person adventure, you play a soldier suffering from amnesia that wakes up on a seemingly abandoned space ship and makes a horrifying discovery. Its crew transformed into scary monsters called the Many, and a homicidal artificial intelligence called SHODAN runs the show. Even worse, you need to work alongside the evil computer in order to survive. With monsters running all over the place and SHODAN feeding you lies (or is it the truth), System Shock 2 creates a wonderful sense of dread.