Video game mascots are recognizable characters representing their respective series, either appearing in multiple entries or promotional material. When it comes to horror game mascots, creepiness is essential, conveying what can be expected from the games themselves. Whether that be through the symbolism they portray, how they act as a mascot in-game, ortheir striking appearancesthat remain in your mind.
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Each of these horror game mascots is a popular character in their own right – even if you haven’t played the game they’re from, you’ll probably recognize them. They have become synonymous with their games and are the first thing you think of when considering the series.
7Mascot Of Nightmares: Something (Omori)
Omori is a psychological horror game made with RPG Maker, following Sunny in the real world and Omori in Headspace. Sunny retreats to Headspacebecause of an event in his past, represented by the creature Something. It resembles a black figure with a single eye haunting Sunny, appearing behind and following him throughout the game.
Something’s design sticks in your mind, especially after the reveal of what it truly is. Its appearance has also been used in various Omori merchandise to represent the series.
6In Your Dreams: Uboa (Yume Nikki)
Uboa’s character has become representative of Yume Nikki alongside Madotsuki, the main character. In the game, Madotsuki explores weird and creepy dreams, collecting 24 effects that alter Madotsuki’s form and give her special abilities.
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When you switch the light off in Poniko’s House, Uboa has a one-in-64 chance of appearing, making it a somewhat rare occurrence. Uboa has a bizarre black-and-white appearance and asymmetrical face, with one side having a sad expression and the other happy. Little is known about Uboa’s character, but the event is one of the most discussed because of its rarity.
5Beary Scary: Freddy Fazbear (Five Nights At Freddy’s)
Freddy Fazbear is the mascot of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza in theFive Nights at Freddy’suniverse. In the original game, Freddy appears as the antagonist, terrorizing the security guard at nighttime. He is an animatronic bear that becomes violent after the sun sets, attacking any people on the premises.
Freddy’s importance has led him to become the face as well as the name of the series, with Freddy and his likeness appearingin multiple gamessince the first. Animatronics are already creepy, so Freddy’s appearance makes him a memorable horror game mascot.
4Creepypasta Come To Life: Slender Man (Slender: The Eight Pages)
Inspired by the internet Creepypasta, Slender: The Eight Pages has a simple premise, where you need to collect eight pages in the forest while being tracked down by the Slender Man. The game garnered popularity when it first came out due to its use of the Slender Man lore.
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Slender Man is the ideal horror game mascot, as its disturbing appearance and the folklore surrounding it, help to make it recognizable. He has a blank face, is inhumanly tall, and wears a black suit – characteristics that make it uncanny and strangely close to human while remaining off-putting.
Pyramid Head is a monsterdesigned by Masahiro Ito that appeared inSilent Hill 2, representing James Sunderland’s subconscious desire for atonement. Pyramid Head gained popularity due to its horrifying appearance and the symbolism paramount to the game’s compelling narrative.
Despite Pyramid Head being intrinsically connected to James’ psyche, it has appeared in multiple Silent Hill properties and other series, including Silent Hill: The Arcade and Dead by Daylight. Pyramid Head’s popularity has led many people to conflate it with the series as a whole.
2Demon Cartoon: Bendy (Bendy And The Ink Machine)
Bendy the Devil’s design is reminiscent of 1920s cartoons. It has an imp-like appearance, with a head shaped like devil horns and a white pair of gloves similar to Mickey Mouse. In Bendy and the Ink Machine, Bendy is the mascot of Joey Drew Studios, an animation company that produces cartoons with Bendy as the protagonist.
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In the game, you play as Henry Stein, who used to work at the studios. While exploring, you solve puzzles and come face to face with Bendy, who has transformed into a dangerous beast. It’s no surprise that Bendy is the face of the Bendy series, considering it’s based on famous cartoon characters who perform a similar role.
1Move Over Easter Bunny: Robbie The Rabbit (Silent Hill 3)
Robbie the Rabbit is an example of a mascot within a mascot. Alongside being Silent Hill 3’s figurehead, Robbie is also the face of the Lakeside Amusement Park within the game itself. When investigating the park, you can see various versions of Robbie, including plushies and human-sized costumes.
Robbie’s appearance is befitting of its position as the Lakeside Amusement Park’s mascot, as it has acartoonish bunny design; however, it’s often depicted with blood stains around its mouth, suggesting that it’s not as cute as it may appear. The creator of Robbie, Takayoshi “Usagi” Tanaka, also madean unsettling short film about Robbie, adding more intrigue to this character.
