Several of the papers focus on Sir Keir Starmer’s future, with the Times suggesting “disgruntled backbenchers” are plotting a “putsch”, inspired by the move against Tony Blair by then Chancellor Gordon Brown in 2006. After this week’s local elections, it reports MPs intend to send an open letter to Sir Keir asking that he set a time table for his resignation. Several cabinet ministers are aware of the plot, it reports. Starmer has asserted in recent weeks that he intends the fight the next election.
Kim Kardashian wore a sculpted bronze breastplate to the 2026 Met Gala (Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
This year, the Met Gala wasn’t about subtle glimpses of nipples through sheer dresses, but about sculpted, moulded, and engineered busts as the unapologetic center of attention.
If Fashion Is Art was the brief, then apparently the body itself became the canvas — or more specifically, one very particular part of it.
Afterall, one thing most great sculptures of the human form have in common? Prominent nipples.
Leading the charge, unsurprisingly, were the Kardashian-Jenner dynasty, who arrived in three entirely different outfits that all somehow landed on the exact same… point.
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Kim Kardashian opted for a corseted look that leaned into exaggerated, cone-like structure, courtesy of artists Allen Jones and Whitaker Malem — a duo known for turning the human form into something closer to statue than clothing.
Meanwhile, Kylie Jenner took a more illusion-based route in a painstakingly detailed Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown by Daniel Roseberry.
Kim’s was a cone-shaped leotard of sorts (Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Kylie followed suit in a nude coloured bodice (Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
The gown was designed by Schiaparelli (Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
It featured thousands of pearls, hand-painted scales, and enough embroidery to make your head spin, but the real trick was in the barely-there bodice, engineered to mimic the body beneath.
Then there was Kendall Jenner, who turned a humble white T-shirt into something that would make a museum curator weep.
Designed by Zac Posen for Gap, her look referenced classical sculpture, specifically the Winged Victory of Samothrace, proving that even ancient marble knew the power of a well-placed contour.
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Kendall Jenner kept things more subtle, only revealing on fake nipple (Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
And just in case you thought this was a family-only phenomenon, Hailey Bieber arrived in a cobalt Saint Laurent gown complete with a gold moulded bustier that was specifically molded to her body.
At this point, it stopped being a coincidence and started feeling like an exhibit in the Vatican Museum.
One user on X wrote: ‘Okay they all look good but so far 3/3 of the kardashain looks have all included their nipples like did they plan that was there a group chat’
Another posted: ‘The way Jenner sisters are matching the NIPPLES detail.’
A third posted a picture of Kendall’s look, captioning it: ‘best dressed of the Kardashian Jenners, but what’s this trend of fake nipples.’
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Hailey Bieber was an honorary Kardashian for the evening in a similar look (Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
Of course, this isn’t fashion’s first flirtation with the idea.
Designers have been toying with sculptural busts for decades — from Jean Paul Gaultier’s infamous cone bra to Thierry Mugler’s hyper-moulded silhouettes.
It was clear that the most popular interpretation of the Met Gala’s theme was wearable statues, creating a red carpet full of bodies reimagined, exaggerated, and polished into something just slightly uncanny.
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The tapes were recorded in 1991 during private conversations with her friend James Colthurst and formed the basis of Andrew Morton’s biography, Diana: Her True Story.
In them, the late Princess of Wales reflects on her marriage to Charles, her struggles with bulimia, and her views on what was then his ongoing relationship with Camilla.
They also include personal thoughts on her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, as well as comments about Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
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The Radio Times reports that in the 30 years since her death, less than an hour of this material has been made public.
The new docuseries, Diana: The Unheard Truth, will air in 2027 to mark 30 years since her death and will include never-before-heard recordings.
Love Monday TV said: “The series will challenge the reductive narrative that has too often framed Diana as a victim of her circumstances.
“Instead, it will show a resilient, perceptive, and relatable young woman, finding herself in the brightest of global spotlights, and navigating the challenges with grace, self-awareness, and determination.”
The three-part series has been created by Love Monday TV, which has secured full access to the archive tapes in partnership with Morton and Colthurst, who also feature in the series.
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No broadcaster or streaming platform has yet been confirmed.
The series will also include interviews with those who knew her best.
Recommended reading:
Contributors will include school friend Delissa Needham, hairdresser Sam McKnight, and astrologer Penny Thornton.
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Other voices featured are dancer Wayne Sleep, former bodyguard Ken Wharfe, royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter, photographer Kent Gavin, and journalist Richard Kay.
The programme follows a recent episode of ITV’s Reporting History, which shared previously unbroadcast footage of Princess Diana’s famed visit to Angola in January 1997.
Will you be interested in watching Diana: The Unheard Truth next year? Let us know in the comments.
Departures from what is the country’s third busiest airport were an average of 19-and-a-half minutes behind schedule in 2025, according to analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by the Press Association.
That was longer than all other UK airports despite representing a 30-second improvement from the previous year.
Flight delays are often caused by issues outside the control of airports, such as air traffic control (ATC) disruption and bad weather.
UK airports with longest delays for departures in 2025 (Image: PA Wire)
Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said the choice of airport “shouldn’t make or break your trip” but “too many holidays got off to a terrible start last year”.
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He went on: “ManchesterAirport has ranked last in our airport survey for four consecutive years and these new CAA figures validate why this is a particularly poor place to be stranded during delays.
“For passengers already wary of travel uncertainty, seeing such consistent underperformance makes it difficult to book with any real confidence.”
Birmingham Airport had the second poorest flight punctuality last year, with an average delay of 18 minutes and 42 seconds.
In third place was Bournemouth Airport (17 minutes and 18 seconds).
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Liverpool John Lennon Airport – less than 30 miles from Manchesterairport – had the most punctual flights, recording an average delay of just nine minutes and 24 seconds.
The analysis took into account scheduled and chartered departures from the 23 commercial UK airports with at least 1,000 outbound flights last year.
Cancellations were not included.
The average delay for departures last year was 14 minutes and 54 seconds, down from 18 minutes and 24 seconds in 2024.
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Manchester is the UK’s only two-runway airport other than Heathrow, and was used by 32 million passengers last year.
Its scheme to revamp Terminal 3 is ongoing, while a 10-year £1.3 billion transformation which included modernising and doubling the size of Terminal 2, and closing Terminal 1, was recently completed.
A spokesperson for the airport said: “Punctuality is affected by factors that are outside of an airport’s control.
“The two most significant factors contributing to delays in the last year have been industrial action affecting air traffic control in Europe, and the weather.
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“These were exacerbated by airspace restrictions above conflict zones meaning airports with significant long-haul networks, like Manchester, were more significantly affected than others.
“As an industry we are working collectively to achieve the best possible on-time departure rates, while protecting flight schedules and avoiding the need for cancellations.”
A spokesman for Bournemouth Airport said the reason for delays are outside its control “in the majority of cases”, and it is “one of the UK’s top-ranked regional airports for passenger satisfaction”.
Birmingham Airport did not respond to a request for a comment.
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Depending on the distance of the route and length of delay, passengers booked on delayed flights from UK airports are entitled to assistance such as a reasonable amount of food and drink, a means to communicate and overnight accommodation if required.
Airlines often fail to provide this during major disruption as they are overwhelmed by requests.
Passengers may also be able to claim compensation of up to £520 from the airline if the reason for the delay is deemed within its control, which could be a fault with the aircraft or pilot sickness.
ATC issues are considered to be an “extraordinary circumstance”, meaning affected passengers are not entitled to payouts.
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Anna Bowles, head of consumer at the CAA, urged the aviation industry to be “focused on delivering punctual and reliable journeys for passengers wherever possible” as she warned that delays have a “real impact for people heading off on holidays”.
She added: “When disruption occurs, how the industry responds really matters.
“Passengers should be kept informed and given the care and support they are entitled to.”
A spokesperson for trade body AirportsUK said passengers are “benefitting from improvements in the service they receive”, and delays in 2025 were “down significantly on the previous year”.
US claims to sink six Iranian boats as Trump moves to reopen Hormuz
Bryony Gooch5 May 2026 02:00
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Watch: Trump tells Fox that Iran will be ‘blown off the face of the earth’ if military targets ships in Strait
Trump tells Fox that Iran will be ‘blown off the face of the earth’ if military targets ships in Strait
Bryony Gooch5 May 2026 01:00
Aragchi: events in Hormuz show no military solution to the crisis
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said events in the Strait of Hormuz showed there was no military solution to the crisis, adding that talks were making progress with Pakistan’s mediation while warning the United States and the United Arab Emirates against being drawn into a “quagmire by ill-wishers.”
Bryony Gooch5 May 2026 00:00
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Fire extinguished on South Korean shipper
South Korean shipper HMM said on Tuesday that the fire on its vessel in the Strait of Hormuz has been extinguished.
The ship will be towed to a nearby port in Dubai, the company said, adding no casualties have been reported so far.
Bryony Gooch4 May 2026 23:30
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Oil jumps, stocks drop as Iran tightens grip on Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices jumped 6 per cent on Monday and stocks fell as Iran escalated its military campaign, hitting several ships in the Strait of Hormuz and setting a United Arab Emirates oil port ablaze.
Brent futures rose $6.27, or 5.8%, to settle at $114.44 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $4.48, or 4.4 per cent, to settle at $106.42. The moves came after US president Donald Trump pledged over the weekend that the US Navy would force the strait open, provoking the war’s biggest escalation since a ceasefire was declared four weeks ago.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil and gas normally flows, has been severely disrupted for two months.
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US stocks fell broadly, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 1.13 per cent, the S&P 500 0.41 per cent lower, and the Nasdaq Composite off 0.19 per cent.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.99 per cent. Germany’s 10-year bond yield, the benchmark for the euro zone bloc, rose 5 basis points to 3.08 per cent. Markets in London were closed for a public holiday.
Bryony Gooch4 May 2026 23:00
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UAE confronted 19 missiles and drones from Iran on Monday
The United Arab Emirates defence ministry says it confronted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones fired by Iran on Monday.
Bryony Gooch4 May 2026 22:00
Saudi crown prince condemns Iranian attacks
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Iran’s “unjustified” attacks on the United Arab Emirates in a phone call with the UAE president, according to the Saudi state news agency.
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Bryony Gooch4 May 2026 21:51
US claims to have reopened a lane through the strait
The US.-led Joint Maritime Information Center had advised ships Monday to cross the strait in Oman’s waters, saying it had set up an “enhanced security area.”
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, told reporters that American forces have successfully opened a passage through the strait that is free of Iranian mines. He said Iran launched multiple cruise missiles, drones and small boats at civilian ships under the U.S. military’s protection.
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US military helicopters sank six of the small boats, Cooper said, adding that “each and every” threat had been defeated.
“The US commanders who are on the scene have all the authority necessary to defend their unit and to defend commercial shipping — as we saw and demonstrated earlier today,” Cooper said.
Trump had warned Sunday that Iranian efforts to halt passage through the strait “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”
Bryony Gooch4 May 2026 21:30
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Trump says gasoline prices will drop once Iran conflict resolved
President Donald Trump said on Monday that he believes high gasoline prices will drop rapidly once the Iran conflict is resolved.
Bryony Gooch4 May 2026 21:08
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Watch: Trump tells Fox that Iran will be ‘blown off the face of the earth’ if military targets ships in Strait
Trump tells Fox that Iran will be ‘blown off the face of the earth’ if military targets ships in Strait
The players had traded blows for most of Monday evening, with Wu repeatedly edging in front only to be pegged back by the unshakeable Murphy.
Having resumed at 13-12 up, Wu opened with a break of 88 as echoes of his name reverberated around the auditorium.
He also enjoyed runs of 70, 56 and 91 after rolling in a sensational pot on the yellow with the rest.
But he could never quite get clear of Murphy, who has now endured the heartache of losing his past four finals in snooker’s showpiece match.
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Murphy, who had been aiming to fulfil a 21-year dream by setting a new record for the longest gap between a player’s first and second world titles, produced some wonderful breaks of his own with an 82, 65, and a sublime 131.
While another half-century gave him a chance to take it to a one-frame shootout, he once again fell short at the final hurdle.
“I’d like to be the first to congratulate Wu Yize and his family, and everyone around him for being a wonderful world champion,” Murphy said.
“I hate being right – I said sometime earlier in the season when we had a great game out in China somewhere, I won that one but I came out afterwards and said that he would be world champion one day. It’s just a real shame that it was today, but I couldn’t have given it any more, I couldn’t have tried harder.
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“I played the best shots I could have played and I didn’t get my chance. I couldn’t do any more than that.”
Flames are ravaging the coastal path this evening with crews trying desperately to put out the fire.
A fire is currently raging on a popular Scots coastal path, sparking an emergency response. The blaze is believed to have started sometime around 9pm on a coastal path in North Queensferry on Monday, May 4.
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Mercy crews, including Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, rushed to the scene and it is understood personnel remain on site as firefighters battle to contain the flames.
Photos taken at the scene and shared with the Record show smoke billowing from the site which can be seen from the Forth Bridge coming from Edinburgh.
Fireman in full, florescent safety gear can be seen sprinting across the path as bright, angry, orange flames consume the green and gorse. Massive hoses are believed to be running along the coastal path.
Multiple blue-lit fire engines and marshal cars can be seen in the vicinity, including some stationed at the bottom of the brae of Ferryhills Road, which is understood to be blocked as a result of the inferno.
It is unclear how the fire started or if anyone was involved.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has yet to release a statement on the incident.
Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.
City have three home games remaining – against Brentford, Palace and Aston Villa, on the final day of the season (24 May).
Their remaining away match is at in-form Bournemouth, who City play just three days after their FA Cup final.
While City are aiming for a domestic treble, Arsenal now have a realistic chance of claiming both the Premier League and Champions League trophies.
Their European semi-final against Atletico Madrid is finely poised before Tuesday’s second leg after a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital last week.
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Arsenal‘s three remaining league games are at relegation-threatened West Ham, then home to already-relegated Burnley before a final-day trip to Palace.
“I am worried for the West Ham game,” added Henry. “Like I was worried for Manchester City‘s match today.”
BBC Sport pundit and former England captain Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, has predicted on his BBC podcast Arsenal will win all of their remaining league games and lift the title.
He said: “We’ve heard a lot about Arsenal cracking under pressure, but Guehi has never been in a position where he’s challenged for the Premier League, [Antoine] Semenyo hasn’t. And I think you’ve seen tonight might be the first sign of that.
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“I think it’s Arsenal‘s year. And I hope it is for Arteta’s sake. The work he’s put in over the last five years, and then against his former boss, Guardiola – if he goes and wins that title, that is huge for him.
“Arsenal are very consistent while City can be a little bit up and down. City at their best, you’re the best team in Europe.”
City, though, will be left extremely concerned by their capitulation against Everton, having gone ahead but been unable to see out the game.
January signing Guehi was culpable for the opening goal and City’s defence were sliced open time and time again – Everton should have been out of sight by the time they conceded a 97th-minute equaliser.
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City fans who had left the stadium had to scramble back when Haaland scored to give their side hope, before Doku earned a point.
Guardiola looked to the positives by saying: “A really good performance. We played outstanding in the first half. Really, really good.
“In the second half, they made a step up and we maybe weren’t as aggressive and after [that] we gave away the goal.
“They came back and made it a proper English game – so, so aggressive in the duels.
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“But in general, we made a really good performance.”
Tonight’s annual star-studded fundraiser for the museum’s Costume Institute is inspired by “Costume Art”, the Met’s blockbuster Spring exhibition, which explores depictions of the dressed body through a series of thematic body types: “the naked body,” “classic body,” “pregnant body” and “ageing body.”
Guests have been instructed to “celebrate the countless depictions of the dressed body throughout art history” on the red carpet, and stylists have told us to expect plenty of naked dresses and subversive, sculptural silhouettes. But which celebrities will play it safe, and who will leave us speechless?
Actor Nicole Kidman was one of the first stars to arrive on the blue carpet Monday night in her role as co-chair for this year’s event, wearing a breathtaking sequinned and feathered Chanel gown — gorgeous, but not exactly nailing the dress code (yes, we are the theme police tonight).
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Beyoncé, who returned to the Met Gala for the first time in a decade (now as a co-chair), blew us away in a custom diamante skeleton-style bustier dress by Olivier Rousteing, with her daughter Blue Ivy by her side in an all-white ensemble.
On the more bizarre end of the spectrum, Katy Perry was channelling fencing chic in a futuristic headpiece covering her entire face and a matching white gown from Stella McCartney, while Heidi Klum — known for her imaginative fancy dress looks — transformed into a walking statue.
Find our best and worst dressed below…
Beyoncé
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Tens across the board: Beyoncé made her first Met Gala appearance in a decade and blew us away in a custom diamante skeleton-style bustier dress by Olivier Rousteing (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)
The queen is back! Beyoncé interpreted the anatomical aspect of this year’s ‘Fashion is Art’ theme (Getty)
Beyoncé, who acts as a co-chair for this year’s Met Gala, was joined by her teenage daughter Blue Ivy and husband Jay-Z for their Met Gala return (Getty)
Doechii
The rapper stole the show in a burgundy draped gown with cut-out detailing, worn with bare feet (Getty Images)
Doechii arrived on the carpet with the fabric draped over her head before revealing her full outfit (Getty Images)
Madonna
Madonna stole the show wearing one of Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent designs, accessorized with a pirate-ship hat and a brass circular trumpet (Getty Images)
The ‘Vogue’ singer was also joined by several women with sheer blindfolds who help display her outfit (Getty)
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman looked sleek and slightly festive in a crimson red gown by Chanel, but she missed the mark when it came to understanding the theme (Getty Images)
The actor’s dress was finished with fluffy, Mongolian wool cuffs (Getty Images)
Naomi Osaka
Tennis star Naomi Osaka wore a magnificent custom two-piece set from designer Robert Wun, a look that’s featured in the Met’s ‘Costume Art’ exhibit (PA)
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
Emma Chamberlain
Internet personality and presenter Emma Chamberlain understood the assignment by using her body as a canvas wearing custom Mugler by Miguel Castro Freitas (AFP/Getty)
The gown features a mesh turtle neck and cascading fabric with a multi-toned watercolor design (AFP/Getty)
Connor Storrie
While not entirely on theme, ‘Heated Rivalry’ star Connor Storrie stunned in a Saint Laurent black suit with an extra-long lavallière top in white dotted silk muslin (Getty)
The actor brought the drama with a cascading train attached to his blouse (Getty)
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter channelled an old Hollywood vibe in a dress designed by Dior’s Jonathan Anderson (Getty)
The ‘Taste’ singer’s dress was made entirely out of film from the 1995 movie ‘Sabrina’ (Getty)
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid chose the naked dress route in a custom sheer Miu Miu dress that showed off her body (Getty Images for The Met Museum)
The model showcased a pair of satin briefs underneath her translucent dress (Getty Images)
Ashley Graham
Model Ashley Graham turned to Greek designer Dimitra Petsa of Di Petsa to make her showstopping second-skin nude dress, which excellently interprets the ‘nude body’ section of the Met’s new exhibit (Getty Images)
Graham was hand-sewn into the dress ahead of tonight’s event (Reuters)
Heidi Klum
You can’t knock Heidi Klum’s commitment to the theme. She came dressed as an actual statue (Getty Images)
You’d expect nothing less from the queen of costumes! (Getty Images for The Met Museum/)
Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner played on the naked body aspect of the theme in a Schiaparelli gown with a nude corset top that has visible nipples and a belly button (Getty Images)
At the waist, the top looked like it had been pulled down and folded over and down, to reveal the nude body (Getty Images)
Jenner’s bustier looked strikingly similar to her sister Kim Kardashian’s nipple bra sold through her lingerie brand Skims (Getty Images)
Katy Perry
Fencing chic: Absolutely no words for Katy Perry’s Met Gala look… (Getty Images)
Get ready to joust… Katy Perry in a white gown with a headpiece that covered her entire face, by Stella McCartney (Getty Images)
Surprise! Katy Perry appears from behind the mask (Getty)
East of England, 16 closures to 3,682 pubsWest Midlands, 11 closures to 3,910 pubsSouth West, 13 closures to 4,582 pubsNorth West, 18 closures to 5,145 pubsYorkshire and The Humber, 10 closures to 4,235 pubsSouth East, 26 closures to 5,643 pubsLondon, 17 closures to 3,432 pubsNorth East, 2 closures to 1,926 pubsEast Midlands, 10 closures to 3,579 pubsWales, 3 pubs gained to 2,901 pubsScotland, 41 closures to 4,188 pubs
In space, no one can hear you have a good time with these video games (Sega/EA/Nightdive Studios/Metro)
GameCentral prepares for the launch of Directive 8020 by listing some of the best sci-fi horror video games ever made, from big publishers and indie devs.
Having taken a crack at ghosts, witches, vampires, and serial killers, horror anthology series The Dark Pictures is making its long-awaited return, after 2022’s The Devil In Me, with a full-on sci-fi flavoured entry called Directive 8020, which is out later this month on May 12.
We have high hopes for this one, as The Dark Pictures’ games have gradually improved with each entry, although it also has us thinking about what other sci-fi horror games we’d recommend, should Directive 8020 leave you hankering for more.
So we’ve put together a list of what we consider the best sci-fi horror games of the modern era, all of which are easily available right now, across consoles and PC.
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Alien: Isolation
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Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Alien: Isolation is one of the most effective movie adaptations of all time, perfectly replicating the aesthetic and atmosphere of the original Alien film.
It could’ve done with a stronger narrative, and it drags itself out for far too long, but it is suitably and effectively scary. With very few ways of defending yourself, you truly feel helpless as the titular alien stalks you through an abandoned space station.
Since there is room for improvement, the promise of a sequel means we’re very excited to see what developer Creative Assembly is cooking up next. A purposefully vague teaser was shared recently, but hopefully it’s just setting the stage for a proper reveal trailer later this year.
Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android
The original System Shock (which was remade in 2023) holds up well despite being over 30 years old, with an impressive degree of non-linearity as you navigate a space station to thwart SHODAN’s plans, whose constant and chilling presence throughout the game makes her one of gaming’s best villains.
Thankfully, everything great about System Shock is still present in its sequel (which saw a remaster just last year) alongside newly incorporated role-playing elements that incentivise multiple playthroughs.
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A System Shock 3 is apparently still in the works (or at least there’s no official word on its cancellation), but if it ever does see the light of day it has a lofty legacy to live up to.
Available on: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
Dead Space
The original Dead Space maintained a cult following even after the series strayed from its horror roots and was eventually abandoned by EA.
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Sadly, Dead Space has now died a second death, with EA reportedly putting the series ‘on ice,’ which is a shame as developer Motive Studio proved it was perfect for taking over stewardship of the franchise with the 2023 remake.
While it didn’t fix all of the original game’s issues, it strode the fine line between being a faithful remake and a modernised update, with very natural feeling new elements. It’s not necessarily the scariest horror game ever, but it’s still a very tense and atmospheric adventure.
Spiritual successor The Callisto Protocol tried to fill the void Dead Space left behind (it was even directed by Dead Space’s creator Glen Schofield), but it’s difficult to recommend and you’re much better off sticking with the remake.
It’s more action-focused than most survival horrors, with plenty of weapons and means of dealing with enemies, and was noted at the time for its state-of-the-art enemy AI.
The whole series could do with a modern re-release on consoles as the two sequels maintain the enjoyable shooting and foreboding atmosphere. The third one even had John Carpenter, director of The Thing and Halloween, help out with the script and cut scenes, as he’s a self-professed fan of the games.
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You can get the series on current Xbox consoles through backwards compatibility, but the first F.E.A.R. still requires a physical copy, while the second and third games can be purchased digitally.
We also want to give a quick shout-out to Monolith’s two Condemned: Criminal Origins games, which seem paranormal at first but are gradually revealed to have more sci-fi elements than expected. A planned movie tie-in would’ve even involved aliens.
Available on: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
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Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl
Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl is certainly one of the more unique entries on this list as it’s a hybrid of first person shooter, survival horror, and role-playing game; one that sees you exploring a more fantastical depiction of the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl power plant.
The ‘survival’ part is especially emphasised, as you need to contend with both hunger and exhaustion as well as the horrific mutants that stalk the Zone and the bizarre anomalies that can kill you if you get too close.
It’s consistently compelling thanks to its non-linear progression and engaging open world, and while its primary focus is not horror it certainly does make you fear for your life when you’re low on resources.
Now is a good time to check it out since its first DLC expansion is scheduled to launch later this year, which will add two new areas and new story content.
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Available on: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
SOMA
Like many, we didn’t fully appreciate SOMA when it launched in 2015, but the 2017 revamp helped propel it to new highs, ironically by adding an optional Safe Mode that makes it so you can’t die.
The clumsiness of dealing with enemies is one of SOMA’s weakest aspects, so removing that helps you better appreciate the writing and puzzle-solving, although the atmosphere remains chilling throughout, proving games can be scary even when the dangers are purely mechanical.
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SOMA’s still guilty of indulging in some horror game cliches, like audio logs filling you in on the backstory, but it’s a fantastic sci-fi sister title to developer Frictional Games’ more supernatural flavoured Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Signalis
Another indie gem, and so far the only release by two-person German studio rose-engine, Signalis is a deliberate throw back to the early days of survival horror.
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There is a satisfying clunkiness to it all, with Resident Evil style fixed camera angles, deeply interactive puzzles, and resource management, though its anime-inspired visuals and stylish presentation help keep it feeling modern.
Its biggest downside is that it’s too easy, with enemies rarely posing that much threat and generous amounts of healing items. Thankfully, Signalis’ setting of an underground lab on an alien world makes up for that with its atmosphere.
Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
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Routine
Routine only launched last December, following a 13-year development cycle, but it absolutely deserves its spot on this list alongside older games, with small indie team Lunar Software delivering something on par with Alien: Isolation (which it clearly takes some inspiration from).
Stuck on a moon base with a malfunctioning security system, your job is to fix it while avoiding the patrolling Terminator-like robots. This is a welcomingly unkind game, leaving you to figure out how to progress without any helpful icons or yellow paint to guide you, which makes the whole experience incredibly immersive.
Combined with the impressive graphics and excellent sound design, Routine is perfect for those who truly want to feel helpless in their horror games and are frustrated by intrusive hand-holding.
Available on: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
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Doom 3
In a way, the Doom games have always been survival horrors… except you’re the big scary monster mowing through hordes of demons from Hell. Doom 3, though, is a more traditional stab at horror gaming.
You’re still armed to teeth, as you fend off Hellspawn and mutated zombies, but some levels are cloaked in darkness, forcing you to choose between lighting your way with a flashlight or aiming your weapon – which doesn’t make much sense but is very atmospheric.
The updated re-release made it so you can have a flashlight and gun out at the same time though and it also comes with the fun The Lost Mission DLC, although that’s more of a straight shooter, like the original Doom.
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Available on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream
Before SHODAN, there was AM, the AI mastermind responsible for wiping out most of humanity, leaving only five survivors – for the express purpose of torturing them for eternity. Such is the basis for the short story I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison.
Cyberdreams, a developer well versed with psychological horror thanks to its Dark Seed games, later adapted I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream, with Ellison’s assistance, into one of the most acclaimed and disturbing point ‘n’ click adventure games ever made.
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Given how it tackles adult themes such as mental illness and the Holocaust, forcing you to partake in extreme ethical dilemmas, it’s no wonder it flopped when it launched in the 90s. It’s thankfully not faded into obscurity and persists through a very affordable remaster.
Fittingly enough, the remaster was handled by Nightdive Studios, which is also responsible for the aforementioned System Shock remake and System Shock 2 remaster.
Available on: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, Android
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Resident Evil 2
While the sci-fi genre tends to be associated with outer space, aliens, and futuristic settings, it technically also includes Resident Evil, where the monsters are not otherworldly but manmade scientific creations that highlight humanity’s hubris and science gone awry.
Most Resident Evil games end up with you exploring an underground lab, including Resident Evil 2, which kickstarted the modern run of remakes and emphasised that the zombies and biological weapons are entirely man-made.
Its success led to other remakes, such as Dead Space and the purely supernatural Silent Hill 2. We’d be remiss not to also shout out Capcom’s other survival horror classic Dino Crisis, which traded mutant zombies for time-displaced dinosaurs and is in desperate need of a remake itself.
Furthermore, Square Enix’s Parasite Eve, which was an early attempt by Square Enix to tap into the success of Resident Evil, is also technically sci-fi, with its biological monstrosities, complete with disturbing Thing-like transformations. Sadly, it’s not been re-released though and remains locked to the PlayStation 1.
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Available on: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS
Bloodborne
On a surface level, there’s nothing obviously sci-fi about Bloodborne, especially given its Gothic Victorian-inspired setting. However, it is heavily inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft, with its Great Ones clearly based on the eldritch Great Old Ones.
Although their origins are open to interpretation, especially in Bloodborne, Lovecraft’s Cthulhu is an alien, not a demon or supernatural entity. Bloodborne is even classified as a game about alien invasions on Wikipedia, even if that’s not how most people think of it.
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So-called cosmic horror is difficult to make work outside of prose but arguably the first Alien movie, and by association Alien: Isolation, is part of the genre, with its unknowable horrors and descents into madness.
The excellent Look Outside is a more traditional portrayal of the concept, while the recent Saros, and its predecessor Returnal, are filled with Lovecraftian themes – even if they’re not strictly horror games.
As for Bloodborne, it’s genuinely baffling that Sony and FromSoftware haven’t done anything with it, since its release over a decade ago – not even a PlayStation 5 patch, let alone a remaster. Although an animated movie adaptation was announced last month.
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