7. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl – Meeting a Blood Sucker for the first time; THQ/GSC Game World; PC; 2007

Recently I’d thought I’d been acclimated to scares in video games, so it was surprising to find a great scare in THQ’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl. When you play the game you are essentially surviving out in the barren wasteland of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, scraping together enough rubles to keep some ammo and supplies together. I was just starting out, and was feeling pretty confident now that I had found an AK-47 in decent condition. I was supremely confident in my new rifle as I roamed about, popping off headshots and gathering goodies.

So when I dropped down into a very dimly lit underground area filled with industrial equipment and piping, I figured it would be little more than killing more bandits in the dark. It was at first, but changed quickly when I reached a doorway leading into a large room and hear a massive screeching roar echoing inside. That was already unsettling enough, as it obviously didn’t sound like a bandit or some hairless mutt, but upon walking into the room I saw a pair of brightly glowing white eyes through the darkness. The eyes were moving closer at a quick pace, and the outline of the creature was impossible to make out as the rest of its body was invisible. I raised my rifle up and started popping off shots which seemed to do absolutely nothing to slow the advance of those eyes. Finally the creature closed to within a few feet and roared once more as it uncloaked for the final, letting me see it was a nasty humanoid with a mouth that would make Cthulhu cringe. I screamed like a little girl and started hosing the thing down with full-auto fire and the thing still didn’t drop, making my prized rifle feel all but useless against the beast.

The moral of the story? All your confidence and armament can be quickly dismantled by an invisible baddie with a gory octopus for a face about as quickly as your dignity gets dismantled as your roommates wonder in amazement at how you could possibly scream at that high of a pitch. - Tony Mitera; Staff Writer

8. Silent Hill 2– Pyramid Head; Konami; PS2; 2001

Your first real peek at Pyramid Head is, as James of course--you're in a closet and staring out through the slats on the door. He comes moseying through with his mannequins and, as he is known to do, goes to town on a few fake ladies before wandering off. At one point, you find yourself trapped in a small area, a landing between floors if I remember correctly, with Pyramid Head. Having to run around and avoid one of the most horrific game characters for a set amount of time in a small room is pretty terrifying. After a few attempts to attack him, you realize that you're just going to have to outlast him.... - Jason McMaster ; Staff Writer