Too Long; Didn't Read
You’ve probably never heard of the game Yume Nikki (literally Dream Diary), an indie psychological horror game made with an early version of RPGMaker. It was developed all the way back in 2004 as freeware. Unlike most RPGMaker titles, this game does not follow a typical RPG formula — it has no true plot, minimal dialogue, and unclear, meandering gameplay. Frankly, it’s pretty scary, but not in a jumpscare or serial killer kind of way. You’ll experience elements like blood, weapons, and the occasional chase, but this is the smallest part of the game. Themes of isolation, trauma, loss of identity, and nightmares create the game’s biggest tension. Its overall slow, eerie gameplay makes it one of the most terrifying video games.