I just wish it was more present but also more blind, like the xenomorph, that moves around and actually stalks you without feeling impossible or annoying
Nice! I decided to do one per franchise hence why I didn't include Jack Baker or Nemesis, but if you watch my RE stalkers top 10 video then you'll see them over there. It's a tough toss up between those 3, but I slightly go with Mr. X from RE2R over the other 2.
@@NerdSpaceGames I agree, Mr. X from RE2R is the best stalker enemy from the RE franchise, but those were the first 5 stalker enemies that popped into my head
Personally my fav stalker enemy is the stalker from amnesia the bunker, just the sound design makes it seem like he is all around you and the fear of the dark he evokes is terrifying. Only thing is when I played re2 remake I only encountered Mr.X twice outside of the scripted events? I dunno he just didn't feel very present in my play through.
One thing I learned when facing the stalker in amnesia is that the longer it goes without finding you the angrier it gets, it got to the point to where even the creature would not leave until it found me and it began destroying all furniture in the rooms it entered to eliminate hiding spots. A great mechanic.
Fun Fact: the Xenomorph actually has 2 (and a half) AI running it, the Dumb AI and the Smart AI. The dumb AI controls the Xeno and has no idea where you are unless it spots you. It will do things at random unless given a hint by the Smart AI, and will generally act like your standard Stalker enemy. This AI is also somewhat easy to manipulate with Gunshots and Distractions which will make it ignore the Smart AI in favor of those sounds. The Smart AI knows exactly where you are at all times, and it will use this info to drop little hints as to what room you are in for the Dumb AI to use. This AI is also how the Xeno learns, and will more often tell the Dumb AI things that you do often like hiding in lockers. The "Half" AI I was referring to is less of an AI and more of an overide. The more close calls you have with the Xeno, the more this overides progress will fill up. Once you hit your max, the overide straight up tells the Dumb AI to f&@$ off from the player and ignore the Smart AI for a short time.
That isn't exactly correct. The Xenomorph doesn't have two and a half A.I's. It only has two which are called the Director A.I and the Alien Behavior Tree. asms.sa.edu.au/app/uploads/The-AI-of-Alien-Isolation-1.pdf
@@IsThatDonnieDiddle Also if you just googled it before smashing away at your keyboard like a5 year old with their first TH-cam account, you’d see that he is totally correct.
Without a doubt, the Xenomorph from Alien Isolation. It's not even close. There is still yet to get a video game with a stalker whose AI is just as smart and unpredictable as the Alien.
OG Nemesis actually was kinda like him during bossfights. Like during the Clocktower bossfight if you try to cheese the encounter by hiding behind a statue to dodge his rockets too much he would stop shooting and instantly run towards you to beat you. And when you leave your safe spot - he whips out his rocket launcher again. Or how in the next fight at the factory he can see you shooting valves that spill acid all over him and he would take a few steps back to not get hit by that.
@MafiAc0sta It doesn't know where you are specifically but just the general vicinity. Which if they didn't do that tether, then you would go possibly hours without much tension as the alien just went to a whole different section of the ship.
@MafiAc0staI get it. I believe with them experimenting on this AI I think they nailed it for the first game, and would have loved to see how they could have expanded on it in a sequel.
@nicholasy335 Same as Mr X. He isn't there for most of the police station, and after the police station, he doesn't stalk you again. He just shows up for random chases or boss fights.
Shout out to the Nun in "Nun Massacre". Her AI can stalk the player and mask her presence, hide in roams she knows you need to visit to progress, and has one of the SCARIEST CHASE THEMES EVER! (fun fact her chase theme has audio of a women being attacked on a 911 call splyced into the chase theme.) Truly nightmareful fuel and needs to be acknowledged
"What's the best stalker enemy in a Horror ga--?" The Alien from Alien: Isolation, no contest. That bastard, in my humble opinion, is the best individual enemy in any game ever. Unlike a lot of other tough enemies in other franchises, the Alien never stops being a threat because he instakills you, and he never becomes boring or not scary because he adapts to your playstyle. It's such an insane enemy that its decade-old AI can fairly easily _outsmart_ you and not just catch you. Its insane variety of death animations (no joke, like 30 minutes of just death animations) only adds to the feeling that this thing is lifelike and smart, almost too smart to be a video game character. It almost feels like an actual apex predator stalking its prey, and not just a computer program for the player to overcome. This thing never stops being scary, is always a threat, and has some of the best design of any AI character in a video game ever. Truly worthy of a creature so terrifying that it became known in-lore as "The Perfect Organism".
Agreed. I do think Amnesia the bunker perfected the survival horror stalker, But the Xenomorph was always looking for you. I do think Pyramid head deserves to be here though
The stalker from Amneisa : the bunker, is scarier then Chris IMO, purely because your WAY closer to him and your treading the same ground over and over- meaning that if you options become limited more and more- meaning you have to go fast- but the faster you go the more times you encounter him
I am not even sure if Chris qualifies as a stalker enemy since he does not really follow you throughout the game, there are just multiple segments where he is the enemy chasing you, but in this regard he is not different from any other enemy in outlast.
@@NerdSpaceGames I think oftentimes people think with their hearts instead of their brains. Like if they have a sentimental or other attachment to a certain game, they may declare that game to be better at (insert whatever here) despite it objectively not being so. For instance, I’ve played re2r way more than Isolation, and have a particular soft spot for the many fun memories of running through RPD terrified with Mr X coming, but objectively the Xenomorph in Isolation cannot be beaten in regards to stalker element. The mechanics and AI are still unmatched ten years later. Just an absolutely horrifying anxiety trap that is 💯
@NerdSpaceGames it's impossible to make a list that people agree with, so hopefully you aren't aiming for that when making these videos. The video is great, I was surprised that you didn't have more subscribers because of the quality. Keep up the work man
Thank you for acknowledging Haunting Ground in this video, not enough people talk about it! Though I need to point out: Daniella doesn’t want to _devour_ Fiona, she wants to take Fiona’s Azoth believing that will make her into a real woman … and as the first female Belli the Azoth is her womb. If Daniella catches Fiona one of the famous death scenes plays, just a red screen with sounds but … yeah, it’s obvious what Daniella did: she took the Azoth for herself 😰😰😰 Thanks for a great video Nerd and call me a new subscriber 💙🐱💙
@@NerdSpaceGames maybe I was desensitised due to too many horror movies before Haunting Ground but I always thought Daniella took Fiona’s Azoth and tried to implant it into herself … but you made me remember the sounds Daniella made after the kill and I can only be grateful we never knew either way. But you’re right, all we knew is that Daniella wanted it to “be whole”, we never knew *how* she planned to do that and well … that would be the simplest way (in her demented mind) 😖😖😖 Thanks for the reply, sorry I never considered that was what she did just the way the video phrased it made me think of Daniella eating Fiona like a zombie from RE. I’mma go catch up on your other videos, thanks again 💙🐱💙
Idk if he counts but, One of my favorite "stalker" enemies is Sawrunner from Cry of Fear, (free game on PC) he occasionally pops up to chase you through certain segments, he always causes panic whenever he arrives
It literally faked being injured by my revolver before I had flamethrower and then jumped into a vent to reappear behind me I wouldn't be surprised it if knew it's in a game
I can get putting just one resident evil character, but I think that you could have done some honorable mentions including some of the other ones like Nemesis, Lady D, and Jack Baker, besides that this was a great list.
Walrider is my favorite stalker because because they actually stalk you, you can sometimes find it watching you or nearby with the night vision which can honestly jumpscare you pretty good
Originally i would definitely put Mr X and Nemesis as the best stalker enemies in horror games. However that all changed thanks to the existence of Alien Isolation and how the Xenomorph in that game is portrayed. Not only is it persistent but it's smart as well. You also need to be smart in avoiding becoming Xeno chow and not just by hiding. Definitely deserves the #1 spot.
My personal favourite has to be Jack Baker from Resident Evil 7. Not only is his movement great but he also uses the location (albeit in rare times) extremely well. His quotes and his mannerisms also make him rather scary and his presence (much like the Xenomorph) is felt throughout the entire level in which he inhabits. I always find that Resident Evil 7 slowly get's worse from this point on (until the horrific boat section).
Ooh... I know that Haunting Ground was the spiritual successor to Clock Tower, but I think Remothered: Tormented Fathers was the spiritual successor to Haunting Ground... that said, the old man as the 1st stalker of that game was downright terrifying... now, THAT game had great sound design in terms of not knowing where the stalker might be (it's a bit easier with headphones... which I don't like to use), but him chasing around butt-naked with only a butcher's apron covering his goods while holding a sickle, being able to see in the dark, and him talking a bunch of nonsense makes him on of my top stalkers of any game! (Oh... honorable mention to the sister in Tormented Souls)!!
Was about to recommend the same game, although i had the exact opposite experience in "Remothered: Tormented Fathers": i could pinpoint quite good, if the old man was above, below or far away (enough) from me. But that made the horror when he heard and tracked you more terrifying.
That's what i loved in general about the game. The importance of sound combined with the great level design (despite some undeniable flaws of the game) contributed to a better experience than the first impressions suggest.
@potatopower7893 by chance, did you use headphones? my 1st playthrough was on the Switch and I was using my theater surround system, and so it wasn't really good at detecting his position, but I read online that you can easily gage it by using headphones, and my 2nd playthrough on Series X went much smoother... ha, still pretty terrifying, though lol
@@jedstuhr I mostly played without headphones (only tried once for the fun) and with built-in TV speakers. But it wasn't now as precise as the motion tracker in Alien: Isolation (especially before i learned the house layout). But yeah, was a cool game.
Hunter on immposible is just terrifying. Massive damage, fast as hell, and considering he's mostly not alone, encounters are memorable and scary. Love dead space
I didn’t think Laura would make this list and even forgot her name. I am rarely unnerved by horror games but she took many deep breathes between confrontations to kill and lived rent free in my nightmares for a long time.
Pretty good list of stalkers. By the way, I’m currently actively developing my own game about stalker enemies. Shadow Pulse. I was able to create a page on Steam, but damn, how hard it is to make these games. Even the simplest 2D projects in the style of the first Clock Tower.
Great vid man. Top 10 Male and female main characters in horror games. Idk if you have already. Tons of good ones. Hope you have a great Easter weekend🤘🤘
hmmm I like that one. I'll probably do a couple different topics with these. Maybe top 10 most iconic in horror games, then my top 10 best characters. I'll get back to you on that lol
since the devs themselves described play-testing the Xenomorph's AI as "going on safari," not knowing exactly what the alien would do, i knew Xenomorph would be #1
For an introduction into a stalker type enemy for the first time I think the SA-X from Metroid Fusion was quite scary, especially when you play it while you were young like I did. Then the little details such as the lore behind it and the close up of it's face and the sound of it's footsteps and then when it sees you and starts chasing you. Really scary as a kid 😂
I know it’s not a horror game but I’m shadow of war I had an Ork who tracked me down constantly just to kick my ass more thoroughly. I swear I checked behind my character more times then I ever did in a horror game.
I've never found Nemesis terrifying, original or remake, but I did love fighting him because of the dodge mechanics, and item drops. Mr.X on the other hand, both original and Remake was just flat out creepy. The way he silently walks menacingly towards the character, or bursting through walls is unsettling. Also his themes songs just make dealing with him more heart pounding. Nemesis themes are just catchy🎶
Calling mr x silent is crazy, his footsteps are scarily loud, so loud you don’t know if he’s in the next room or down the corridor or even on the floor above or below you
@@ritualising I think he was referring to 'emotional' silence. Nemesis is loud, intelligent, and angry ("Stars!!!") and even has a sense of wanting to let Jill go to continue the thrill of the hunt, such as in the beginning of RE3R when he could've crushed Jill's skull when he picks her up in her apartment, but he lets her go because he enjoys the chase. Mr. X never makes any vocalizations, facial expressions, or any sign of higher thought -- but he does have it. Tyrants canonically have near-human intelligence, but Mr. X was stripped of most emotions, so his menacing and unstoppable march towards Leon and Claire to punch their heads off is way creepier in my opinion -- he doesn't look like he's thinking too much, but he's intelligent enough to know that the protagonist is in the hallway outside the Press Room, and to bash through the wall to ambush you. IMO this makes Mr. X's final battle against Leon even more intimidating, because Mr. X is constantly roaring and swinging his claw around maniacally, because even through his near-nonexistent emotions, he has enough higher thought to be furious with Leon for escaping and outsmarting him, and now he wants him dead once and for all. Seeing Mr. X go from his calm and emotionless normal state to a raging monster when mutated makes him even more threatening to me.
@@brendansage6876 "he could've crushed Jill's skull when he picks her up in her apartment, but he lets her go because he enjoys the chase." nope that's just bad writing, they actually ruined Nemesis in the remake, RE3R is just inferior to the OG RE3 in many ways and that's one of the reasons why.
I agree with the list, with one nitpick: Laura is technically not a stalker enemy. She appears in three scripted moments, and in two of them, you have to run. She is indeed terrifying, though. Also, you don't ever have to kill her in the end. You only have to fight her in the second encounter, but on the third (and hardest), you just need to deactivate the flames in the room to leave. She will give chase, but you will survive and never see her again. Killing her is also VERY hard unless you use a certain glitch. But, out of all the recurring enemies in the game, Laura surely is the most terrifying and efficient in keeping you on your toes... up there with Anima from the second game, who does feel more like a stalker in my opinion. Sadly, there needed to be more with her. She was, by far, the scariest thing in The Evil Within 2. And your #1 pick is also one of my favorite enemies of all time. The game is so good, and mostly thanks to that enemy.
Agreed. I tend to consider stalker enemies ones that aren't scripted (Nemesis in the REmake was a bit of both). The Anima from The Evil Within 2 is probably a better choice.
Xenomorph is the best by far for many reasons. The first being it isn't *just* "hide from it," you can, to some extent influence the outcome of encounters with diminishing returns. Additionally it is intelligent yet also cunning, I've actually walked into it while it was STANDING STILL waiting for a very long time, it's at least somewhat aware that you can track it remotely lol. Also, the whole similarity yet horrifying twisting of the human form adds so much to it. The sound it makes coming out of a vent still makes me feel intense fear to this day, no matter how many times I hear it. Next is Strongfat because of how terrifying he looks, and in a game like Outlast there is no fighting back. Walker's sheer physicality is deeply intimidating, he's not only powerful but his appearance tells you physical pain is no obstacle for him. I truly believe any horror game that allows the player the power to kill is automatically less scary.
I feel necessary to mention the Cerberus robot in the cyberpunk dlc that has a whole ass entire system and level made for him even though he is an optional ending mission for a dlc
The first thing i said going into this video was „If the Xeno ain‘t on spot 1, i‘ll lose my mind“ cause alien isolation is my favorite horror game ever. And i knew about the fact that the AI is something that has never been recreated to date
Laura, from the evil within, always gave me anxiety. Even when she appeared in the second game, I wanted to shut the game down (I still played on, just with anxiety)
Just replayed the series and I love them. Avoiding spoilers just in case someone sees this by “Jennifer” was my favorite stalker of the franchise. Tbh I might do 10 more best stalkers in horror games and get Jennifer on it. Stay tuned
"Don't worry, I'm coming. I'll make the pain stop, no need to kill yourself." - Chris Walker after the decontamination room explosion throws you out the window and into a cell block.
Damn I love your videos so much Reuben! Every evening when I stop Playing games and starting to chill on YT I see your video first and I immediately proceed to watch it! Thank you for keeping me company without even realizing!
I totally get Mr. X in the remake. It took me a LONG time to gain enough courage to play through my first playthrough (Claire A) and I still feel the anxiety now with my second playthrough. (Leon B)
Jack baker scares me more than any stalker him taunting you, him possibly taking off your leg, his environment making noise everywhere you go he has a random encounter randomly .
Not a bad list :) I agree with X being better than Nemesis. I love Nemesis to my grave, but X has always been the type to really keep you on your toes. His stomping footsteps gets your goosebumps rising lol His soulless expression makes him intimidating and terrifying. Didnt expect the Xenomorph to be the first choice, but its understandable. He's not fun I'll tell you what 8C
Nemesis in original RE 3 is definitely the best stalker. Jump scares, runs, has weaponry, and that creepy music that plays when he's a single room away. On top of that, there's no HIDING from him. He WILL run directly to you, and you can only run. I love Mr. X but orig nemesis was just a different beast entirely. Love those games tho. Good list.
the final encounter with the hunter wasn't underwhelming to me, was, and still is, one of the most challenging and stress inducing parts of DS1 (and the remake)
I mean it was definitely terrifying but I didn’t really love the final fight but I respect does that do. I def didn’t rank it lower despite that though
I know its a stretch, but I liked the Librarians from Metro 2033. Having to use 90% of your ammo to take out one and there feels like a dozen throughout the library. The only way to deal with them is to stand still and have a staring contest until they get bored and go away for a bit, while you're on a timer to get through the section before you run out of gas mask filters
Though they may not strictly qualify as "stalker" enemies, I'd say both SCP-173 and SCP-106 from SCP: Containment Breach are at least honourable mentions.
Faxs, I mean both stalk you for most of the game whenever they get the face tbh 173 forces you to always look at it and keep track of your blinking, you have to careful move around corners or objects, you have to close doors to make sure he doesn’t blitz sneak you even then he can open doors add on the fact that if you do get rid of him for awhile that’s worse cuz you never know when he might show up again so you’ll be on guard or you will die, he can kill you instantly if close enough, and he’s a pain in the ass when dealing with other SCPs too like 106. SCP-106 The Old Man or the nickname I like “Radical Larry” is extremely scary for a stalker too just due to the simple fact he can phase through walls and doors and even the ceilings and floors making almost nowhere safe as he can enter basically everything expect ofc his containment chamber ofc. So doors and barriers are nothing more than slight inconveniences for him yet still worth closing to stall him a bit, using the rare Tesla gates to shock him makes me sink down into the ground to incapacitate him, and etc. what’s worse is that if he catches you he might throw you into his pocket dimension a bit crippled to mess with and hunt if you don’t die to his traps, then if you escape you’re safe till he pops up again cuz he’s random xD
Everyone who plays stalker games NEEDS to play Clock tower 3, and haunting ground. Both of these games are stalker horror treasures that don't get the recognition they deserve. Both are incredible and insanely scary
Original nemesis and Mr.X from remake are deserving of the second spot together in my eyes, can't talk about one without having the other close by in topic
You have no Idea how happy I am you put Clock Tower on this list. The 96 PS1 game was fucking nuuuts. Edit: absolutely fuckin amazing list. 10/10. I agree with this 100%
I love stalker enemies because if done well, i think that they could fit any type of game! The day i make a video game, ill surely add a stalker enemy!
Yes, Mr. X is the better choice because he is far more persistent in stalking the player than was Nemesis. Which makes sense since Mr X is supposed to be a more advanced model than Nemesis. Mind ye, the original RE3 is still one of my top fave RE title!
Tbf most stalker enemies have scripted moments. As for them not chasing throughout the entire game, Chris Walker chases you all the way up until the lab (final 20-30 min of the game) and X in Leon’s scenario literally chases you all the way until the end of the game. Sure in Claire’s story he stops at the lab, but Leon’s it’s the whole game.
Something I like about Amnesia the bunker is that the stalker is ALWAYS present (except for one short segment). You never feel safe from that thing.
I just wish it was more present but also more blind, like the xenomorph, that moves around and actually stalks you without feeling impossible or annoying
They even put a hole in the safe room later on, just to scare you
And there's a mode with wood doors in the safe room making it not secure at all
Jesus is king repent
@@gmodiscool14yeah I just found out about the bunker and that game scares me more than outlast haven’t been able to finish it
@@sonofodin1044 I just raw dogged it and the monster had nothing on me lol
Nemesis, Mr. X, Jack Baker, The Xenomorph & Chris Walker are my top 5 in no particular order
Nice! I decided to do one per franchise hence why I didn't include Jack Baker or Nemesis, but if you watch my RE stalkers top 10 video then you'll see them over there. It's a tough toss up between those 3, but I slightly go with Mr. X from RE2R over the other 2.
i read that as 'nemesis X' and i was like 'is there a super bad ass version of nemesis i don't know about?' xD
@@NerdSpaceGames I agree, Mr. X from RE2R is the best stalker enemy from the RE franchise, but those were the first 5 stalker enemies that popped into my head
Xeno is number 1.
Personally my fav stalker enemy is the stalker from amnesia the bunker, just the sound design makes it seem like he is all around you and the fear of the dark he evokes is terrifying. Only thing is when I played re2 remake I only encountered Mr.X twice outside of the scripted events? I dunno he just didn't feel very present in my play through.
One thing I learned when facing the stalker in amnesia is that the longer it goes without finding you the angrier it gets, it got to the point to where even the creature would not leave until it found me and it began destroying all furniture in the rooms it entered to eliminate hiding spots. A great mechanic.
Fun Fact: the Xenomorph actually has 2 (and a half) AI running it, the Dumb AI and the Smart AI.
The dumb AI controls the Xeno and has no idea where you are unless it spots you. It will do things at random unless given a hint by the Smart AI, and will generally act like your standard Stalker enemy. This AI is also somewhat easy to manipulate with Gunshots and Distractions which will make it ignore the Smart AI in favor of those sounds.
The Smart AI knows exactly where you are at all times, and it will use this info to drop little hints as to what room you are in for the Dumb AI to use. This AI is also how the Xeno learns, and will more often tell the Dumb AI things that you do often like hiding in lockers.
The "Half" AI I was referring to is less of an AI and more of an overide. The more close calls you have with the Xeno, the more this overides progress will fill up. Once you hit your max, the overide straight up tells the Dumb AI to f&@$ off from the player and ignore the Smart AI for a short time.
That isn't exactly correct. The Xenomorph doesn't have two and a half A.I's. It only has two which are called the Director A.I and the Alien Behavior Tree.
asms.sa.edu.au/app/uploads/The-AI-of-Alien-Isolation-1.pdf
The entity is learning.
Source:
One doesnt exist this guy made this shit up to seem knowledgeable 😂
People bite the bait so easily 🖕😄
@@IsThatDonnieDiddle Why u gotta be like that bro
@@IsThatDonnieDiddle Also if you just googled it before smashing away at your keyboard like a5 year old with their first TH-cam account, you’d see that he is totally correct.
Without a doubt, the Xenomorph from Alien Isolation. It's not even close. There is still yet to get a video game with a stalker whose AI is just as smart and unpredictable as the Alien.
OG Nemesis actually was kinda like him during bossfights. Like during the Clocktower bossfight if you try to cheese the encounter by hiding behind a statue to dodge his rockets too much he would stop shooting and instantly run towards you to beat you. And when you leave your safe spot - he whips out his rocket launcher again.
Or how in the next fight at the factory he can see you shooting valves that spill acid all over him and he would take a few steps back to not get hit by that.
@MafiAc0sta Cheap? How? It's uses two different AIs.
The Xenomorph can always pop up anytime. Even when you do nothing specifc.
@MafiAc0sta Then git gud.
@MafiAc0sta It doesn't know where you are specifically but just the general vicinity. Which if they didn't do that tether, then you would go possibly hours without much tension as the alien just went to a whole different section of the ship.
@MafiAc0staI get it. I believe with them experimenting on this AI I think they nailed it for the first game, and would have loved to see how they could have expanded on it in a sequel.
Jack Baker deserves a place here. His voicelines and taunts just show how utterly insane he is. It makes you afraid of what he will do
One per franchise and I felt remake X was much scarier imo
@@NerdSpaceGames I def understand that. The sound of his boots slowly coming towards you and getting louder is terrifying
Jack isnt really a stalker enemy since he only appears throughout a small portion of the game
@nicholasy335 Same as Mr X. He isn't there for most of the police station, and after the police station, he doesn't stalk you again. He just shows up for random chases or boss fights.
@@Zer0Cares So Chris and Mr. X stolen the second place from The Stalker in Amnesia? L then.
Shout out to the Nun in "Nun Massacre". Her AI can stalk the player and mask her presence, hide in roams she knows you need to visit to progress, and has one of the SCARIEST CHASE THEMES EVER! (fun fact her chase theme has audio of a women being attacked on a 911 call splyced into the chase theme.)
Truly nightmareful fuel and needs to be acknowledged
Would love to hear it. If my ears will still work by the end of it. 😂
Honorable Mention: Jimmy Hall from At Dead of Night
Very unique gameplay makes unique stalker
I didn't think about him at all while watching this video. But now that you mention it...yeah, he makes for a great stalker.
"What's the best stalker enemy in a Horror ga--?"
The Alien from Alien: Isolation, no contest.
That bastard, in my humble opinion, is the best individual enemy in any game ever. Unlike a lot of other tough enemies in other franchises, the Alien never stops being a threat because he instakills you, and he never becomes boring or not scary because he adapts to your playstyle. It's such an insane enemy that its decade-old AI can fairly easily _outsmart_ you and not just catch you. Its insane variety of death animations (no joke, like 30 minutes of just death animations) only adds to the feeling that this thing is lifelike and smart, almost too smart to be a video game character. It almost feels like an actual apex predator stalking its prey, and not just a computer program for the player to overcome.
This thing never stops being scary, is always a threat, and has some of the best design of any AI character in a video game ever. Truly worthy of a creature so terrifying that it became known in-lore as "The Perfect Organism".
Agreed. I do think Amnesia the bunker perfected the survival horror stalker, But the Xenomorph was always looking for you. I do think Pyramid head deserves to be here though
100% agree, hands down the most formidable video game foe, and scary ass shit the whole time
The stalker from Amneisa : the bunker, is scarier then Chris IMO, purely because your WAY closer to him and your treading the same ground over and over- meaning that if you options become limited more and more- meaning you have to go fast- but the faster you go the more times you encounter him
Exactly...
I am not even sure if Chris qualifies as a stalker enemy since he does not really follow you throughout the game, there are just multiple segments where he is the enemy chasing you, but in this regard he is not different from any other enemy in outlast.
@@delivererofdarknessshoguno1133 Yes, he isn't a stalker, they just mentioned it because Outlast is cool.
Hands down, this is the most accurate stalker top 10 ever made. Well done! #2 and #1. Man. Just perfect
thanks!!! glad you agree with it! It's not easy making a list that people agree with lol
@@NerdSpaceGames I think oftentimes people think with their hearts instead of their brains. Like if they have a sentimental or other attachment to a certain game, they may declare that game to be better at (insert whatever here) despite it objectively not being so.
For instance, I’ve played re2r way more than Isolation, and have a particular soft spot for the many fun memories of running through RPD terrified with Mr X coming, but objectively the Xenomorph in Isolation cannot be beaten in regards to stalker element. The mechanics and AI are still unmatched ten years later. Just an absolutely horrifying anxiety trap that is 💯
@NerdSpaceGames it's impossible to make a list that people agree with, so hopefully you aren't aiming for that when making these videos. The video is great, I was surprised that you didn't have more subscribers because of the quality. Keep up the work man
Amnesia the Bunker is great, glad to see the stalker on this list!
Thank you for acknowledging Haunting Ground in this video, not enough people talk about it! Though I need to point out: Daniella doesn’t want to _devour_ Fiona, she wants to take Fiona’s Azoth believing that will make her into a real woman … and as the first female Belli the Azoth is her womb. If Daniella catches Fiona one of the famous death scenes plays, just a red screen with sounds but … yeah, it’s obvious what Daniella did: she took the Azoth for herself 😰😰😰
Thanks for a great video Nerd and call me a new subscriber 💙🐱💙
Gotcha! I could have sworn she needed to “devour” Fiona’s uterus but tbh I’m not 100% it’s been a long time haha.
@@NerdSpaceGames maybe I was desensitised due to too many horror movies before Haunting Ground but I always thought Daniella took Fiona’s Azoth and tried to implant it into herself … but you made me remember the sounds Daniella made after the kill and I can only be grateful we never knew either way. But you’re right, all we knew is that Daniella wanted it to “be whole”, we never knew *how* she planned to do that and well … that would be the simplest way (in her demented mind) 😖😖😖
Thanks for the reply, sorry I never considered that was what she did just the way the video phrased it made me think of Daniella eating Fiona like a zombie from RE.
I’mma go catch up on your other videos, thanks again 💙🐱💙
My ex is the best stalker enemy
dead lol
Fr
underrated comment
Your ex girlfriend in a horror game 😂
Insane, diabolical, downright Doobious
Idk if he counts but, One of my favorite "stalker" enemies is Sawrunner from Cry of Fear, (free game on PC) he occasionally pops up to chase you through certain segments, he always causes panic whenever he arrives
omg cry of fear was so freaking good with their monsters. Saw runner still scares tf out of me when i replay it
@@spookiuwu768 ur so right
Hearing that chainsaw rev up had me staring at the screen like 😐
Ending the video with the RE0 save theme was magnificent! Keep it up!
Daniella from Haunting Ground was one of my favorite stalker enemy
This game was the first and best to actually put in a really good stalker type besides resident evil
@@DragongodxXWell both games were made by Capcom
That thing in the lab in Separate Ways, if it counts, Lady D, and Mendez would be close seconds.
The Alien freaked me out each time, I even got a bit surprised when it stopped just out of the flame throwers reach when I pulled it out!
It literally faked being injured by my revolver before I had flamethrower and then jumped into a vent to reappear behind me
I wouldn't be surprised it if knew it's in a game
The left hand side of the screen on Rayman got my heart going as a kid haha ultimate stalker
For me personally, I will never forget Terry Akers and Jin Yoshida from SOMA.
I can get putting just one resident evil character, but I think that you could have done some honorable mentions including some of the other ones like Nemesis, Lady D, and Jack Baker, besides that this was a great list.
There’s a whole list I have dedicated to the top 10 Resident Evil stalker enemies.
Consider that as my honorable mentions tbh lol
@@NerdSpaceGamesno little nightmares stalkers
Walrider is my favorite stalker because because they actually stalk you, you can sometimes find it watching you or nearby with the night vision which can honestly jumpscare you pretty good
The Fatal Frame and Clock Tower franchises were legit nightmare fuel for me with this type of enemy
Originally i would definitely put Mr X and Nemesis as the best stalker enemies in horror games. However that all changed thanks to the existence of Alien Isolation and how the Xenomorph in that game is portrayed. Not only is it persistent but it's smart as well. You also need to be smart in avoiding becoming Xeno chow and not just by hiding. Definitely deserves the #1 spot.
My personal favourite has to be Jack Baker from Resident Evil 7. Not only is his movement great but he also uses the location (albeit in rare times) extremely well. His quotes and his mannerisms also make him rather scary and his presence (much like the Xenomorph) is felt throughout the entire level in which he inhabits. I always find that Resident Evil 7 slowly get's worse from this point on (until the horrific boat section).
He's one of the only stalker enemies I've seen who's movement is completely random
Yeah, I love RE7 but the worst thing about that g ame is how it becomes progressively less... good.
@@AlfonsoSRT I completely agree with your opinion.
You forgot the crowmauler form Fear and hunger, nice video :3333
Ooh... I know that Haunting Ground was the spiritual successor to Clock Tower, but I think Remothered: Tormented Fathers was the spiritual successor to Haunting Ground... that said, the old man as the 1st stalker of that game was downright terrifying... now, THAT game had great sound design in terms of not knowing where the stalker might be (it's a bit easier with headphones... which I don't like to use), but him chasing around butt-naked with only a butcher's apron covering his goods while holding a sickle, being able to see in the dark, and him talking a bunch of nonsense makes him on of my top stalkers of any game! (Oh... honorable mention to the sister in Tormented Souls)!!
Was about to recommend the same game, although i had the exact opposite experience in "Remothered: Tormented Fathers": i could pinpoint quite good, if the old man was above, below or far away (enough) from me. But that made the horror when he heard and tracked you more terrifying.
That's what i loved in general about the game. The importance of sound combined with the great level design (despite some undeniable flaws of the game) contributed to a better experience than the first impressions suggest.
@potatopower7893 by chance, did you use headphones? my 1st playthrough was on the Switch and I was using my theater surround system, and so it wasn't really good at detecting his position, but I read online that you can easily gage it by using headphones, and my 2nd playthrough on Series X went much smoother... ha, still pretty terrifying, though lol
@@jedstuhr I mostly played without headphones (only tried once for the fun) and with built-in TV speakers. But it wasn't now as precise as the motion tracker in Alien: Isolation (especially before i learned the house layout). But yeah, was a cool game.
Hunter on immposible is just terrifying. Massive damage, fast as hell, and considering he's mostly not alone, encounters are memorable and scary. Love dead space
I love the sounds he makes crawling around in the vents.
A N X I E T Y
I didn’t think Laura would make this list and even forgot her name. I am rarely unnerved by horror games but she took many deep breathes between confrontations to kill and lived rent free in my nightmares for a long time.
Pretty good list of stalkers.
By the way, I’m currently actively developing my own game about stalker enemies. Shadow Pulse. I was able to create a page on Steam, but damn, how hard it is to make these games. Even the simplest 2D projects in the style of the first Clock Tower.
Even though it's not a horror game, it is to some extent. The Dahaka from Prince of Persia: Warrior Within.
Yep when I mentioned POP & Metroid at start of video, I was referring to Dahaka & SA-X
Great vid man. Top 10 Male and female main characters in horror games. Idk if you have already. Tons of good ones. Hope you have a great Easter weekend🤘🤘
hmmm I like that one. I'll probably do a couple different topics with these. Maybe top 10 most iconic in horror games, then my top 10 best characters. I'll get back to you on that lol
since the devs themselves described play-testing the Xenomorph's AI as "going on safari," not knowing exactly what the alien would do, i knew Xenomorph would be #1
I need Frictional Games to be the successors, man.
The Bunker was a nice "Testing The Waters" for them to get towards such a goal.
For an introduction into a stalker type enemy for the first time
I think the SA-X from Metroid Fusion was quite scary, especially when you play it while you were young like I did.
Then the little details such as the lore behind it and the close up of it's face and the sound of it's footsteps and then when it sees you and starts chasing you. Really scary as a kid 😂
I remember "Monstrum" who had a nice pick of Stalker-Characters too, and a randomly generated map coupled with survival-horror mecanics!
I feel like the Nun from Nun Massacre is just so scary that it should be on this list. (in my opinion)
I know it’s not a horror game but I’m shadow of war I had an Ork who tracked me down constantly just to kick my ass more thoroughly. I swear I checked behind my character more times then I ever did in a horror game.
I've never found Nemesis terrifying, original or remake, but I did love fighting him because of the dodge mechanics, and item drops. Mr.X on the other hand, both original and Remake was just flat out creepy. The way he silently walks menacingly towards the character, or bursting through walls is unsettling. Also his themes songs just make dealing with him more heart pounding. Nemesis themes are just catchy🎶
Calling mr x silent is crazy, his footsteps are scarily loud, so loud you don’t know if he’s in the next room or down the corridor or even on the floor above or below you
X gon’ give it to ya
@@ritualising I think he was referring to 'emotional' silence. Nemesis is loud, intelligent, and angry ("Stars!!!") and even has a sense of wanting to let Jill go to continue the thrill of the hunt, such as in the beginning of RE3R when he could've crushed Jill's skull when he picks her up in her apartment, but he lets her go because he enjoys the chase.
Mr. X never makes any vocalizations, facial expressions, or any sign of higher thought -- but he does have it. Tyrants canonically have near-human intelligence, but Mr. X was stripped of most emotions, so his menacing and unstoppable march towards Leon and Claire to punch their heads off is way creepier in my opinion -- he doesn't look like he's thinking too much, but he's intelligent enough to know that the protagonist is in the hallway outside the Press Room, and to bash through the wall to ambush you.
IMO this makes Mr. X's final battle against Leon even more intimidating, because Mr. X is constantly roaring and swinging his claw around maniacally, because even through his near-nonexistent emotions, he has enough higher thought to be furious with Leon for escaping and outsmarting him, and now he wants him dead once and for all. Seeing Mr. X go from his calm and emotionless normal state to a raging monster when mutated makes him even more threatening to me.
@@brendansage6876 yeah seeing it that way makes more sense in terms of silence. That is creepy yes
@@brendansage6876 "he could've crushed Jill's skull when he picks her up in her apartment, but he lets her go because he enjoys the chase." nope that's just bad writing, they actually ruined Nemesis in the remake, RE3R is just inferior to the OG RE3 in many ways and that's one of the reasons why.
LOVE that Resident Evil background music 😊
I agree with the list, with one nitpick:
Laura is technically not a stalker enemy. She appears in three scripted moments, and in two of them, you have to run. She is indeed terrifying, though. Also, you don't ever have to kill her in the end. You only have to fight her in the second encounter, but on the third (and hardest), you just need to deactivate the flames in the room to leave. She will give chase, but you will survive and never see her again. Killing her is also VERY hard unless you use a certain glitch. But, out of all the recurring enemies in the game, Laura surely is the most terrifying and efficient in keeping you on your toes... up there with Anima from the second game, who does feel more like a stalker in my opinion. Sadly, there needed to be more with her. She was, by far, the scariest thing in The Evil Within 2.
And your #1 pick is also one of my favorite enemies of all time. The game is so good, and mostly thanks to that enemy.
Agreed. I tend to consider stalker enemies ones that aren't scripted (Nemesis in the REmake was a bit of both). The Anima from The Evil Within 2 is probably a better choice.
Xenomorph is the best by far for many reasons. The first being it isn't *just* "hide from it," you can, to some extent influence the outcome of encounters with diminishing returns. Additionally it is intelligent yet also cunning, I've actually walked into it while it was STANDING STILL waiting for a very long time, it's at least somewhat aware that you can track it remotely lol. Also, the whole similarity yet horrifying twisting of the human form adds so much to it. The sound it makes coming out of a vent still makes me feel intense fear to this day, no matter how many times I hear it.
Next is Strongfat because of how terrifying he looks, and in a game like Outlast there is no fighting back. Walker's sheer physicality is deeply intimidating, he's not only powerful but his appearance tells you physical pain is no obstacle for him.
I truly believe any horror game that allows the player the power to kill is automatically less scary.
I feel necessary to mention the Cerberus robot in the cyberpunk dlc that has a whole ass entire system and level made for him even though he is an optional ending mission for a dlc
He said all horror games only
The first thing i said going into this video was „If the Xeno ain‘t on spot 1, i‘ll lose my mind“ cause alien isolation is my favorite horror game ever. And i knew about the fact that the AI is something that has never been recreated to date
Laura, from the evil within, always gave me anxiety. Even when she appeared in the second game, I wanted to shut the game down (I still played on, just with anxiety)
The xenomorph scared the shit outta me so many times 😂
I kept getting flashbanged by the number transitions lol
I played ailean isolation when I was six and it freaked me out so bad
The Remothered series has some great stalkers. Especially the first one.
Just replayed the series and I love them. Avoiding spoilers just in case someone sees this by “Jennifer” was my favorite stalker of the franchise. Tbh I might do 10 more best stalkers in horror games and get Jennifer on it. Stay tuned
Mr. X: “Look at you making all this noise in my goddamn library, and that puny-ass gun ain’t gonna do a goddamn thing.”
If OG RE3 Nemesis isnt #1, ima riot.
Edit : I have decided to riot. Not because Xeno won, but because the inferior tyrant was picked.
god damn it the xenomorph still make me jump out of suprise and fear
Glad you mention Lambert from Amnesia.
"Don't worry, I'm coming. I'll make the pain stop, no need to kill yourself." - Chris Walker after the decontamination room explosion throws you out the window and into a cell block.
Great video man!
Thanks my dude lol
Mr X and Nemesis Original Form is the type of horror enemy that make horror game completely horror. Horror!.
amnesia the bunker is one of the most if not the most horrifying games ive ever played, shat my pants more that a handful of times
No other Horror Game has managed to made me sh*t my pants multiple times in a SAFE ROOM than Mr. X in RE2 Remake
Not that scary bro
Damn I love your videos so much Reuben! Every evening when I stop Playing games and starting to chill on YT I see your video first and I immediately proceed to watch it! Thank you for keeping me company without even realizing!
Also, Daniella's theme in Haunting Ground was pretty disturbing too
Mr X is even more terrifying if your not wearing headphones because you can't pinpoint where ihis footsteps are coming from.
I totally get Mr. X in the remake. It took me a LONG time to gain enough courage to play through my first playthrough (Claire A) and I still feel the anxiety now with my second playthrough. (Leon B)
Jack baker scares me more than any stalker him taunting you, him possibly taking off your leg, his environment making noise everywhere you go he has a random encounter randomly .
Hearing him rambling on and giggling on my first playthrough made me shit my pants😂
@@Misosalty683 same lol 🤣
@@PugGaming_ only lightly shidded
That Xenomooph make you need to smoke a cigarette after playing alien isolation
Already did
The hunter removes all fear factor from the game, knowing it’s always there the game gets more actiony and loses the spook factor, thing is also ez
Not a bad list :) I agree with X being better than Nemesis. I love Nemesis to my grave, but X has always been the type to really keep you on your toes. His stomping footsteps gets your goosebumps rising lol His soulless expression makes him intimidating and terrifying.
Didnt expect the Xenomorph to be the first choice, but its understandable. He's not fun I'll tell you what 8C
Nice to see someone agree with me on Remake Mr. X lol. Obv OG Nemesis is more iconic but I’m sorry what Mr. X did to me in RE2 Remake is insane lmao
@@NerdSpaceGames I feel you man. It was such a long time since I got actually scared in a horror game lol
No Jack Baker?! That dude was psycho...
One per franchise. Chose X over him from RE
Nemesis from the og Resident Evil 3 will always be number 1 for me 🔥
I respect that lol. Tbh remake Mr. X and OG Nemesis are close for me, but both are under Xenomorph imo 😅
Nemesis in original RE 3 is definitely the best stalker. Jump scares, runs, has weaponry, and that creepy music that plays when he's a single room away. On top of that, there's no HIDING from him. He WILL run directly to you, and you can only run. I love Mr. X but orig nemesis was just a different beast entirely. Love those games tho. Good list.
Without a doubt Nemesis from RE3, I think he meant a lot to what we know today as a stalker in a video game
The xenomorph was so good until they give you the flamethrower then it’s a pushover.
Lol facts good thing that doesn’t come out too early
not really because if you rely on it too much it becoems useless
Honorable Mention: George Romero
He only shows up in one level but Piggsy from Manhunt was one of the most terrifying stalkers ever.
I did consider him briefly but the short amount of time with him kept him for overtaking any other entry on this list
the final encounter with the hunter wasn't underwhelming to me, was, and still is, one of the most challenging and stress inducing parts of DS1 (and the remake)
I mean it was definitely terrifying but I didn’t really love the final fight but I respect does that do. I def didn’t rank it lower despite that though
Nemesis from the original re2 was an amazing enemy because of his high risk and high reward addition and had a really good ai
I like horror games but I despise constant stalking cause it’s the only time I actually am super freaked out lol.
Jack baker is definitely number 1 in my opinion, throughout both the main story and End of Zoe he was insanely unpredictable and scary😂
Alien isolation is a criminally underrated game.
*THE SCISSORMAN*
-Jontron
The fact that the original RE3 Nemesis isn’t on this list just makes me feel immense disappointment.
Sorry my dude! Had to choose between remake X or OG Nemesis and I ultimately went with X. He was slightly more terrifying imo
Reaper leviathan needs to be on this list, still the scariest enemy out of any game for me.
Probably an unpopular opinion, but one of my fave stalker enemies would be the Gardener from Castlevania Legacy of Darkness.
Scissor man from the og clocktower and the PSX sequel. Both scared me like no other games could.
I know its a stretch, but I liked the Librarians from Metro 2033.
Having to use 90% of your ammo to take out one and there feels like a dozen throughout the library. The only way to deal with them is to stand still and have a staring contest until they get bored and go away for a bit, while you're on a timer to get through the section before you run out of gas mask filters
Though they may not strictly qualify as "stalker" enemies, I'd say both SCP-173 and SCP-106 from SCP: Containment Breach are at least honourable mentions.
Faxs, I mean both stalk you for most of the game whenever they get the face tbh
173 forces you to always look at it and keep track of your blinking, you have to careful move around corners or objects, you have to close doors to make sure he doesn’t blitz sneak you even then he can open doors add on the fact that if you do get rid of him for awhile that’s worse cuz you never know when he might show up again so you’ll be on guard or you will die, he can kill you instantly if close enough, and he’s a pain in the ass when dealing with other SCPs too like 106.
SCP-106 The Old Man or the nickname I like “Radical Larry” is extremely scary for a stalker too just due to the simple fact he can phase through walls and doors and even the ceilings and floors making almost nowhere safe as he can enter basically everything expect ofc his containment chamber ofc. So doors and barriers are nothing more than slight inconveniences for him yet still worth closing to stall him a bit, using the rare Tesla gates to shock him makes me sink down into the ground to incapacitate him, and etc. what’s worse is that if he catches you he might throw you into his pocket dimension a bit crippled to mess with and hunt if you don’t die to his traps, then if you escape you’re safe till he pops up again cuz he’s random xD
Hey Hey You can run from Mr X but when Xenomorph sees you it's over
Holy crap that xenomorph jumpscare got me...
Lmao don’t mess with the Xenomorph
Everyone who plays stalker games NEEDS to play Clock tower 3, and haunting ground. Both of these games are stalker horror treasures that don't get the recognition they deserve. Both are incredible and insanely scary
Original nemesis and Mr.X from remake are deserving of the second spot together in my eyes, can't talk about one without having the other close by in topic
Solid list but I probably would’ve picked Richard Trager over Chris Walker for being more threatening
Great list and I would like to recommend the game Ao Oni because the stalker enemy is freaking scary
You have no Idea how happy I am you put Clock Tower on this list. The 96 PS1 game was fucking nuuuts.
Edit: absolutely fuckin amazing list. 10/10. I agree with this 100%
I love stalker enemies because if done well, i think that they could fit any type of game!
The day i make a video game, ill surely add a stalker enemy!
I’m a massive defender of stalker enemies!
The xenomorph is by far the scariest stalker in any horror game that I’ve ever played 💯
Alien isolation still has one of the best stalker enemies ever !
The resident evil 0 pause music was the best 🥹
Interesting list. The creature from the PSX game Hellnight was pretty damn relentless. Game is pretty niche but worth a look at. :D
The dead space games got some fantastic stalker enemies
Yes, Mr. X is the better choice because he is far more persistent in stalking the player than was Nemesis. Which makes sense since Mr X is supposed to be a more advanced model than Nemesis. Mind ye, the original RE3 is still one of my top fave RE title!
Agree on all accounts here my friend!
I feel like Jack Baker from RE7 should be on the list…
One per franchise, which is why there no nemesis either
@@NerdSpaceGames oh okay that makes sense! Your channel is awesome btw, love your RE content 🎮
Thanks!! Means a lot to hear that!
Chris is a scripted enemy, and I think Mr. X are too (don't chase you in the entire game). They are stealing the third and second place, lol.
Tbf most stalker enemies have scripted moments. As for them not chasing throughout the entire game, Chris Walker chases you all the way up until the lab (final 20-30 min of the game) and X in Leon’s scenario literally chases you all the way until the end of the game. Sure in Claire’s story he stops at the lab, but Leon’s it’s the whole game.
@@NerdSpaceGames Chris has scripted places to spawn.