There are many great moments in gaming that players remember vividly and discuss often. Many of these involve some unnatural, undead foe. These are just a few of my favourites, ordered by how well they claimed their place in my memory.
1. (Half-Life 2) Ravenholm
Chapter six of the legendary FPS Half-Life 2 sets the player is an abandoned mining town known as Ravenholm. The town’s residents are all zombies except for the old priest, Father Grigori. The whole chapter has great atmosphere and excellent level design.
2. (Halo: Combat Evolved) 343 Guilty Spark
In the sixth campaign level of Halo: Combat Evolved, the player encounters the Flood for the first time. For many Halo fans and anyone who played the game blind, this level was an edge-of-your-seat experience. The player has no idea what to expect in the eerie swamp of Installation 04. The level is suspenseful, scary and exciting.
3. (Super Mario World) Ghost Houses
Ghost Houses first appeared in Super Mario World for the SNES. They are large buildings where Boos and other ghosts live. They often had mind bending puzzles and irrational platforming segments that the player had to complete in order to escape. These levels were so scary that Yoshi refused to enter them.
4. (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) Dampé’s Ghost
In the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Link meets a grave keeper, Dampé, who says “I’m Dampé the Grave keeper! My face may be scary, but I’m not a bad guy…” When returning to the graveyard as adult Link, Dampé is dead, but the player can enter his grave and meet his ghost. The player is then challenged to a race against Dampé’s ghost. This is how the player receives the Hook-Shot.
5. (Donkey Kong 64) King Kut-Out
In Creepy Castle the player encounters the seventh boss of the game. This boss, King Kut-Out, is actually a giant cardboard replica of King K. Rool, the main antagonist. Don’t underestimate this comical boss though, because he has laser eyes. The boss is so memorable because it is so absurd and creative.
