5 Horror Games Like Choo-Choo Charles

Alright, we admit it — Choo-Choo Charles has piqued our interest. We can't say whether we're intrigued by its gameplay, or by the fact that its antagonist is a locomotive with a bloodthirst for carnage. Whatever it is, the unlikely survival horror title managed to find its way to the top of our list of most anticipated games of 2022. That's subject to change, of course, as the details are still relatively thin on the ground. Nevertheless, we're curious, and we can't wait to try it.

Choo-Choo Charles had us thinking, specifically about survival horror and its outstanding experiences that are available to us right now. Although we reached a stump when trying to picture games that relate to Choo-Choo Charles, we did manage to summon a select five which feature an adequate amount of similarities. And so, if you're holding our for the unorthodox chapter, then be sure to whet your appetite with one of these stories.

5. Slender: The Eight Pages (Mods)

The original Slender: The Eight Pages was the candle that engulfed a world of creativity in the pits of a millions minds. Ambient, elementary, and intensely horrifying, the Flash game wound up inspiring a whole era of games, all of which followed a similar vibe, only with new antagonists that would later replace the suited demon. Teletubbies, for example, made an appearance at one point—and it was utterly terrifying.

Pick any clone of Slender and the goal remains the same: collect a number of pages, artefacts, or Krabby Patty's, and avoid one of the roaming characters. Sounds pretty straightforward, of course, because it is. But boy, you will never know true fear until you've been chased around a swamp by Shrek with Smash Mouth's “All Star” whispering beneath your footprints.

4. SCP: Containment Breach

Speaking of chase sequences, it wouldn't seem right to give SCP: Containment Breach the cold shoulder, given the fact that it had some of the best ones ever developed for a video game. And while its jagged and somewhat dated graphics won't sit well with newcomers to the horror platform, old fans who once lived through the terrors will most definitely speak highly of it.

SCP: Containment Breach is a series of playable experiences, one that has been glued together by a group of like-minded creators. As a test subject in a secret facility, you must brave the trials and tribulations in the name of research. However, with the labyrinth of rooms housing some of the deadliest creatures on the planet, survival becomes borderline impossible. At least, it's made to feel that way.

3. Alice: Madness Returns

Alice: Madness Returns is the only other game we can think of that involves a possessed train as an antagonist. Granted, it's not a very common enemy type, which is sort of why it sprung to mind when drawing up potential steam relatives of Choo-Choo Charles. That said, the two clearly hail from different genres, with Charles drawing blood from the survival horror realm, and Alice siding with the hack and slash world. But, you know—both have a train…so there's that.

Unlike its classic literature, Madness Returns takes a dark and incredibly gothic approach to Wonderland. Alice, who you spend your time as, is forced back into its twisted state in search of clues that will freeze the impending doom that looms on the horizon. Wonderland is on the brink of collapse, as is your very mind; it's time to buckle up before it's too late and stop the blazing locomotive in its tracks.

2. Sir, You Are Being Hunted

Now, this is a survival horror game that strikes a perfect balance of humor and horror. Rather than settling for just the one tone, the Big Robot Ltd title conjures a number of emotions, all of which build an original experience with unhinged qualities. Though, when all's said and done, it's a stealth game—and a funny one at that. The reason for its place next to Choo-Choo Charles? I mean, do we really have to spell it out?

The goal is simple: escape one of many randomly-generated British islands. Much easier said than done, of course, as robots lay in wait around every corner, looking for their reason to pounce. But if you play your cards right, as well as utilize the tools given to you on the freedom sandbox stage, then you'll surely waltz away somewhat unscathed. Probably.

1. Poppy Playtime

Okay, so bear with us on this one. Poppy Playtime may not feature rails, trains, or even spiders, but it does capture the same feeling of being isolated and watched. The major difference, of course, is that one has you railing through an island, and the other has you scrubbing through an abandoned toy factory. But don't let that put you off, because both love a good chase. And if that's what you're after—then that is what you shall get.

Poppy Playtime sees you returning to an old toy factory to make sense of the events that took place a decade prior. Upon arrival, things take a turn for the worse. And that letter you received about the staff disappearing? A minor distraction. In reality, a new game is forming, and it's happening right under your nose. Are you ready to play whatever it is the toys are threading together?

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Will you be picking up Choo-Choo Charles? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.