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Horror video games, to some extent, can be a much more terrifying experience than just watching a film, mainly because more is at stake when playing a horror game and the user is actively involved in what's on the screen rather than passively watching what's on the TV. Join us as we take a look at the next year or so and the killer lineup of horror games that are on the horizon.

#20: Saw

Virtually nothing about the video game based on the tremendously grisly Saw franchise has been revealed other than the news that the original film's director James Wan will be heavily involved in the project and Billy the Puppet will appear in the Saw game. Our guess is that players will be the ones attempting to escape from traps built to rip them limb from limb.

#19: Sadness

The upcoming survival horror game Sadness has caught our attention for several reasons. The first is the game's plot which involves a mother who must protect her narcoleptic son after they survive a train wreck. The other reason the game has us interested are the graphics which are done entirely in black and white.

#18: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Castlevania, the reason everyone still fears Dracula, will bring the fear back with its newest DS game: Castlevania Order of Ecclesia. This time, you're filling the role of resident hottie Shanoa, battling the gruesome and grotesque monsters of Big D's undead army. It's a potential pocket-size thriller in the works...

#17: Castle Wolfenstein

Even though there have been no updates in many months on the first next-gen Wolfenstein game tentatively titled Castle Wolfenstein, we haven't given up hope that we'll eventually get to wage war against the Nazis and the horrible genetically engineered monsters they've birthed to further the Fuhrer's cause.

#16: Witches

Coming soon to next-gen consoles and PC is the lesser-known title Witches, a medieval horror game where the player will slay a variety of gruesome looking beasties. Making the game sound even sweeter is the fact that you'll deal out your onslaught as three different half-naked Witches.

#15: Alone in the Dark

Forget that abysmal Uwe Boll movie which had absolutely nothing to do with the Alone in the Dark series. The latest game, simply titled "Alone in the Dark," is the first game in the series in seven years and were extremely anxious to see the final product which is said to explore an ungodly evil below New York City's Central Park which is causing mutated trees and other strange occurrences.

#14: Zombie Massacre

Though no one has seen the game in action as of yet, the way 1988 Games describes the gameplay in Zombie Massacre is more than enough to get us pumped to slaughter our way through massive armies of the undead. Zombie Massacre is being developed for the Nintendo Wii and is being described as Blast Corps or Crazy Taxi in the regard that you'll be fighting zombies under a time limit. But unlike the games mentioned, the timer in this game is attached to a nuclear warhead that will obliterate everything living and dead once it runs out. On the surface, Zombie Massacre seems like the closest thing to a game based on Return of the Living Dead's premise.

#13: Siren: Blood Curse

Sony's genuinely horrifying Siren really never got the attention it deserved on the PS2, and that's probably why it's coming to the PS3 in a re-imagining of the original game told through the perspectives of all new characters, a new storyline, a new graphics engine (translation: only the kickass story of the original will be the same). If you're looking for a high quality horror title to play in addition to Resident Evil and Silent Hill, Siren: Blood Curse should be a good game to pick up.

#12: Dead Space

The films Event Horizon, The Thing, and Alien, along with video games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill are all listed by the game's creators as influencing Dead Space, and when you see the trailers for the game you'll know why. The game follows the story of an engineer and his coworkers as they investigate a distress call from a "planet cracker" which destroys dead planets in order to extract valuable minerals inside them. Once they reach the ship, they encounter aliens that aren't quite as affable as E.T.

#11: Project Origin

For those who don't know, Project Origin is the sequel to the popular horror shooter F.E.A.R. and is not called F.E.A.R. 2 due to the previous game's company owning the license. Despite the confusing name, you can expect all the paranormal action of the original and more once we see Project Origin in action, which is toted as having more variety than F.E.A.R. and open-environments.

#10: Operation Darkness

Role-playing games certainly aren't for everybody--but for the horror enthusiast, you may want to check out Atlus's upcoming Operation Darkness which places the player in the role of a British Special Forces unit which has been ordered to take down Adolf Hilter himself, the Nazi war machine, flesh-eating zombies, werewolves, skeletons, and vampires. Yes, this all sounds a bit campy to us too, but it also sounds like an awesome way to relax after a long day at the office.

#9: Dead Rising 2

We all know Dead Rising 2, the sequel to the commercially successful Xbox 360 game which takes place in a huge mall overrun by zombies (which is strikingly similar to the basic premise of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead), is probably eventually coming. What we don't know is any details about the game. There's almost zero chance the game will take place in a mall again, so why not place the next one in an underground military facility (like in Day of the Dead) or in a metropolitan city teeming with zombies (like in Land of the Dead). Hell, they could set Dead Rising 2 at Chuck E Cheeses and we'd still play it--actually, that's not a bad idea.

#8: Silent Hill: Homecoming

Konami's atmospherically surreal answer to Resident Evil is any but a poor man's version of the latter--in fact, some people actually prefer Silent Hill's unique brand of frightening imagery to that of RE's. The newest game in the horror franchise, Silent Hill: Homecoming, tells the tale of Alex Shepherd, a soldier who after returning home from the war discovers that his family is missing and eventually finds himself in Silent Hill.

#7: Gears of War 2

While it could be argued that the highly-anticipated Gears of War 2 classifies more as "horror-themed" than "horror," but that doesn't make us any less excited to exchange gunfire with the repugnant Locust race in the next chapter of this gruesome shooter. Did we mention that Gears 2 allows you to engage in chainsaw fights?

#6: Ghostbusters: The Video Game

Do you really need a reason to get excited about Ghostbusters: The Video Game? Well, in case the game's title is not enough for you, the game will feature Slimer, the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, and the Ghostbusters, and the films' writer and actor Dan Aykroyd even describes the forthcoming game to essentially be Ghostbusters III, with elements from a never produced "Ghostbusters in Hell" script to be included in the game. It's also the best-looking game based on the film series to date (not that the other Ghostbusters games were anything other than total crap).

#5: BioShock 2

We still have stains in our underpants from the first time we faced off against the hulking menaces known as Big Daddys in the original BioShock. And we can't fathom anything more blood-curdling than the freaks you fight in the original. While BioShock 2 will likely be more of a slight upgrade + continuation of the original (ala God of War to God of War II or GTA3 to GTA Vice City/San Andreas) rather than a full-blown sequel, we still can't wait to get our hands on it.

#4: Left 4 Dead

It's hard to believe that after so many years, no one has made an even half-way decent zombie FPS game, but it looks as though all that's going to change thanks to Left 4 Dead. In the game, players control a team of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world where diseased hordes of the "Infected" are rampant. One of the coolest things we've heard about the game is how players will get the chance to play as several different zombie types, such as a morbidly obese zombie that can spray enemies with projectile vomit (which attracts insects carrying the virus) and also explodes when it dies, splattering its surroundings with its rotten insides.

#3: Doom 4

Although the fourth game in id Software's flagship first-person shooter franchise was announced just weeks ago, we're still beyond stoked that we're officially going to get to battle whatever demonic abominations manage to crawl out of the bowels of hell in Doom 4. Especially if they up the number of much-needed outdoor levels.

#2: Resident Evil 5

Since the original Resident Evil's inception back in 1996, Capcom's survival horror series has remained the king of horror video games, and even from what little has been shown of Resident Evil 5 (it's set in Africa, enemies attack in large swarms, the plot is centered around the origin of the virus, etc.), the game looks like it has the potential to be the best Resident Evil game yet. The mysterious new sack-headed enemy in RE5 looks like a worthy successor to Resident Evil 4's chainsaw-weilding Dr. Salvador too.

#1: Aliens: Colonial Marines

With no new Alien sequels in the foreseeable future, Aliens: Colonial Marines is a welcome return to the Alien saga for fans that picks up shortly after where Alien 3 left off. In the game, you'll control a squad of colonial marines who have been ordered to rescue several military personnel, one of which is Ellen Ripley, blowing away any xenomorphs that get in your way. It almost makes up for two wretched AVP movies in a row.

Be sure to also check out OMGHorror's related feature article: 19 Upcoming Horror Movies We're Dying to See which lists the most-highly anticipated new horror films of 2008 and beyond.

#19: Rogue
Release Date: TBA
Aussie writer/director Gregg McLean follows up his incendiary feature length debut Wolf Creek with Rogue; a movie that highlights the travails of American journalists touring the Australian outback. Once there, they encounter man eating crocodile out for fresh feast; picking off the tourists one by one from a stranded muddy oasis. If this packs half the punch of Wolf Creek, this could be a bonafide '08 sleeper. The movie stars Radha Mitchell, Michael Vartan, John Jarratt (Wolf Creek's villain) and Robert Taylor (of Matrix fame). A tentative U.S. release date is un-slated at the moment.

#18: The Box
Release Date: TBA 2008
After Richard Kelly's sublime, cryptically dark cult debut Donnie Darko, it took him seven or so odd years to release his sophomore effort Southland Tales, a widely lambasted debacle of a film that resonated with neither audiences nor critics. It appears his plans as auteur have been relegated to work for hire, now Kelly opens The Box; about a couple who mysteriously receives a small wooden box on their doorstep. Opening the box rewards with the couple with instant wealth; yet little do they know that every time the box is opened, a complete and total strange is killed. The movie features James Marsden, Cameron Diaz and Frank Langella, based on the storied urban legend by Richard Matheson. The movie is in post-production and will be released some time in 2008.

#17: Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Release Date: July 11, 2008.
The Golden Army - Though not technically a horror film proper, Guillermo Del Toro returns with his kick ass off beat comic book character with Ron Perlman reprising the titular role. Not only directing, Del Toro's new script will focus on Hellboy and his team's attempt to save planet Earth from rebellious creatures out to conquer the world, stopping at nothing short of all out intergalactic war. On board this time are the familiar faces of John Hurt, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Brian Steele and Jeffery Tambor, among others.

(RELEASED ALREADY, I'VE WATCHED IT. GOOD =))

#16: Cell
Release Date: TBA
Horror icon Stephen King lends his conception of a zombie filled technological future run amok in Eli Roth's new film Cell. The writer/director of Cabin Fever, the highly successful Hostel and Hostel Part II, now tries his hand at adapting perhaps the most notorious of difficult material in the genre; a King novel. The film revolves around a deadly pulse that radiates through the every cell phone; causing each user to degenerate into flesh hungry fiends out to eviscerate all who stand in there way. The film is currently in pre-production and is scheduled to hit theaters some time in 2009.

#15: Teeth
Release Date: May 6, 2008 (video)
Well, what can we say about Teeth? Perhaps the best premise combining horror with humor in the most unique way since, I don't know, Re-Animator? Evil Dead 2 maybe! Writer/director Mitchell Lichtenstein (son of Pop Art pioneer Roy Lichtenstein) takes his first bite out of filmmaking with Teeth; a picture about a young girl who develops deadly fangs along the inside walls of her gender region. She lures horny teenage boys like flies to a trap, offering them something intimate they'll never forget. I mean, I've heard of a girl being a dog, but canines in her crack? DAMN!! The flick stars Jess Weixler, John Hensley, Josh Pais, Hale Appleman, and Ashley Springer. Teeth starts with a limited release in May 2008, hoping for wider distribution in the months to come.

#14: Machete
Release Date: TBA
Robert Rodriguez's send up to action exploitation can never be more evident than his soon to be straight to video release of Machete. The film stars Danny Trejo as a one time Mexican Federale, hired and ultimately set up to assassinate a corrupt senator. As Machete survives an onslaught of initial attacks, he sets out to exact revenge on those conspiring to ensure his demise. Though not your typical horror fare, this will certainly have plenty of blood shed, campy humor, nudity, even cooler 70's low budget production values, and an awesome throw back soundtrack. Fun, if nothing else! No release date has been set. Note: below is the faux trailer of Machete from the film Grindhouse and not the official trailer for the planned full length film.

#13: Mirrors
Release Date: August 15, 2008
Alexandre Aja seems to be cornering the horror remake market. After his 2006 rendition of The Hills Have Eyes Aja is now focusing his efforts on the remake of perhaps the most original Asian (South Korea) horror flick to come out in many a moon, Into the Mirror. The film, about a mall security guard who notices strange happenings in a department store, focuses on one man's tireless determination to solve mysterious murders linked with the mirrors that align the store. Aja has locked familiar American talent such as Kiefer Southerland, Amy Smart, Paula Patton, as well as British imports John Shrapnel and Jason Femyng.

#12: The Ruins
Release Date: April 4, 2008
Director Carter Smith tackles his first horror effort with The Ruins; a film about a group of young twenty something friends whose rural Mexican vacation gets side swiped upon the decision to explore an archeological dig in the heart of the jungle. Inside the ruins, an ancient evil presence festers and threatens to overtake every last newcomer; a premise that pits the survivors against each other as much as against the root of the evil (ala The Thing). The Ruins features Jonathon Tucker, Jenna Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey and Joe Anderson.

#11: Giallo
Release Date: TBA 2008
Argento returns to his roots with Giallo, a slasher flick cut from the same cloth as Tenebrae, Deep Red and Opera. This time out, we have an American stewardess in Milan, who must cooperate with an Italian detective to reclaim her abducted sister from a deadly assailant simply known as "Yellow." In addition to literally translating in Italian as "Yellow," the word Giallo has come to represent a film genre unto itself; one featuring elaborate, bloodletting death scenes accompanied with strange musical tones and ambient sounds (Argento and Bava being the fathers). Along with daughter Asia Argento, Ray Liotta and Elsa Pataky will also star in Dario's latest dance with the dead. Giallo is in pre-production and has a provisional 2008 release date.

#10: The Midnight Meat Train
Release Date: May 16, 2008
From the demented mind of horror veteran Clive Barker, comes the twisted story of The Midnight Meat Train, where a photographer in the Big Apple is hell bent on tracking down and ending the life of a rampant serial killer. This particular yarn weaves horror with mystery as well as elements of the crime thriller; all helmed by Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura, who's dipped into this sort of territory with prior works such as Alive, Sky High (not the Kurt Russell piece) and Versus. The script is adapted by up and coming horror enthusiast Jeff Buhler, who currently has his own feature length horror debut in post-production called Insanitarium, which also might be worth keeping eyes on. The film stars Vinnie Jones, Bradley Cooper and Brooke Shields.

#9: Silent Night, Deadly Night
Release Date: TBA
Easily one of the most inspired, yet polemical slasher flicks ever to be sprung into the mainstream; Alexandre Aja is back at rehashing good ideas with his remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night. The movie focuses on a maniacal psycho killer who roams the streets of a small town decked in a Santa Clause outfit, viciously laying to waste all who cross his path; gorily disposing all he deems naughty, on Christmas Eve no less. The original '84 version was met with rabid criticism and protest, and although Aja can't seem to conjure an original idea for himself, he does seem to have a flare for directing this kind of material. No actors are on board yet, and a release date is nowhere in sight.

#8: Mother of Tears
Release Date: June 6, 2008
The undisputed maestro of Italian punk splatter Dario Argento is back at work, adding to his impressive oeuvre with the conclusion of the "Three Mothers" trilogy; the final installment being Mother of Tears. The film is set in Rome, where an ancient urn discovered in a cemetery becomes pierced, unleashing an evil spirit that plagues the city with murder, rape, looting; all around violent chaos. The fate of the city is left in the hands of a young art student, who with her own supernatural ability; has finally met her ultimate match. The film stars Asia Argento, Dario Nicolodi, Udo Kier, and Christian Solimeno; and a limited NC-17 theatrical release is in negotiation.

#7: 25/8
Release Date: TBA 2009
With recent artistic departures in films like Red Eye, and Paris, I Love You, Wes Craven is back with slasher vengeance in his newest project 25/8. Like many of the highly esteemed directors listed above, we all hope that one last savage entry into the genre will debunk any notion of these men slipping into effete categorization of washed up old hacks. In 25/8, a homicidal psychopath returns to his home town to stalk a handful of children who share the same birthday as the day he was left for dead. Not only directing, Craven penned his own script, and since the film is merely in pre-production without a cast, a 2009 release is looking more and more imminent.

#6: Wizard of Gore
Release Date: TBA
Herschell Gordon Lewis' original vision was so offbeat and underground that it took two years after the film was wrapped to find distribution. Almost four decades later, director Jeremy Kasten, who's headed such horror fare as All Souls Day and The Thirst, takes Allen Kahn's story updated by Zach Chassler, and attempts to put his own stamp on it. The flick is centered on a sadistic magician who finds pleasure in maiming, torturing and brutally killing his on stage volunteers. Or so it would seem! The movie will feature Crispin Glover, Bijou Philips, Brad Dourif, Kip Pardue and Jeffrey Combs. A release date has not been ascertained as of yet.

#5: From a Buick 8
Release Date: TBA 2009
Speaking of the aforementioned Tobe Hooper, the man responsible for genre greats like Eaten Alive, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Funhouse; also has the pick back in hand, ready to carve another master work in the Stephen King adaptation of From a Buick 8. The film highlights a strange car looking vessel, a Buick 8; that serves as a portal into another dark dimension for human beings to experience. Those who have read the book know this bears no resemblance to King's other automotive horror story, Christine. The film is currently in pre-production and is chalked for an unknown 2009 release.

#4: Stuck / House of Re-Animator
Release Date: May 30, 2008 (Stuck); TBA (House of Re-Animator)
Stuart Gordon, chiefly known for his comic horror gem Re-Animator, has immersed himself in the horror world once again, steadfast at work with the release of his next two features. The first, Stuck, is a blood-splattered horror/thriller dealing with the intricacies of a hit and run car accident, and the fate of being "stuck" in the wrong place at the wrong time. The flick stars Mena Suvari and Stephen Rea with a hopeful limited release to start May 30, 2008. Not to be outdone however, Gordon goes back to the well with the announcement of House of Re-Animator, delivering Jeffrey Combs' iconic role of Herbert West into the White House for some presidential comic gore. Along with Combs, George Wendt and William H. Macy are attached to star. No release date is set.

#3: L.A. Gothic
Release Date: TBA 2008
Along with colleagues like Argento, Hooper and Gordon, working on the Showtime series "Masters of Horror," has seemed to pump new, invigorated blood into horror legend John Carpenter. With a slew of misses (albeit at times fun) like Ghosts of Mars and Vampires, Carpenter now devotes his time and effort to L.A. Gothic; a quintet of horror stories surrounding an ex-Priest's fervent attempt to save his teenage daughter from the unnecessary evils of the Los Angeles underworld. With a hopeful 2008 release, so far only Brent Gorcie is rumored to play a part.

#2: Frankenstein
Release Date: TBA
Although Guillermo del Toro has been relatively silent about his plans to direct his own version of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, we're still extremely excited the acclaimed director is even considering to provide his own take on the classic story. Del Toro, who is known for directing Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, and other films, has said that he believes that he'll be able to "tell the myth in a different way." Prior Del Toro fare in the horror world include Mimic and the must see Cronos.

#1: Drag Me to Hell
Release Date: TBA
Before becoming an A-list director behind behemoth blockbusters like the Spiderman franchise, Sam Raimi was deeply steeped in the horror genre. He pushed the envelope with The Evil Dead series, combining technical ingenuity with a blend of horrific and humorous story elements. Not only that, but he basically apotheosized the character of Ash, the immortal Bruce Campbell camp cult hero. And now, for the first time since '92, he returns to the genre with Drag Me to Hell, about a supernatural curse gone awry, permeating a human host. So far, Justin Long is in line to star, an unsettled 2009 release date to be seen.

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