Resident Evil 2 did a great job of modernizing survival horror, but of course there are throwaway horror games with tank controls, cinematic camera angles, and giant polygons that look like they were taped together with sellotape. Although fairly low-budget, "Dead County" is a free survival horror that manages to capture the spirit of "Resident Evil."

You are a guy, exploring a certain town that has experienced a zombie plague. Luckily, you have found a weapon to send the zombies to zombie hell. You aim with the press of a button and shoot while spinning around a bit awkwardly. There are items to find and use, first-person door-opening sequences, and textures and 3D models that would have made you giddy in the late 1990s (and still look pretty good in 2020). It's a no-frills, no-frills return to a classic genre. [but it's a good way to familiarize yourself with survival horror without having to dig your PlayStation out of the attic.

For more great free experiences, check out our roundup of the best free PC games.