Summary

• Horror games offer a unique and thrilling experience that no other genre can replicate, with intense gameplay and immersive atmospheres.
• From asymmetrical multiplayer games to narrative-driven titles, there is a wide variety of horror games to choose from that cater to different preferences.
• Whether it’s survival, psychological, or sci-fi horror, plenty of AAA and indie horror games are available to satisfy even the most avid horror fan’s appetite for scares and suspense.

There’s just something special about horror video games — whether it’s the visceral feeling of narrowly escaping death in Resident Evil 4 or the sinking feeling that occurs when hiding in a dark corner in Dead by Daylight, the horror game genre can evoke feelings that no other game genre can. While the freedom of choice is certainly appreciated, especially for self-proclaimed gore hounds, there are so many titles it can make settling on which games to invest time into a harder endeavor than one would think.

Luckily, with this freedom of choice also comes many solid AAA and indie horror gaming titles that can frighten even the most avid horror aficionados. Whether it’s demons, ghosts, or just straight-up sadistic killers, there’s a plethora of amazing content to enjoy. From cannibalistic killers to ghostly figures, these are the best horror games to play right now.

20 System Shock (2023)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Based on the 1994 original first-person sci-fi/horror game, 2023’s System Shock is a faithful – and terrifying – recreation. Set aboard a derelict space station overtaken by an aggressive AI named SHODAN, it’s discovered that the crew is dead and that the AI system has taken over the ship. With colorful yet creepy visuals and a unique yet tense atmosphere, players explore the labyrinth-like ship while speaking with the power-obsessed SHODAN and its horrifying mutated crew members. The original game served as the inspiration for Bioshock, making this remake a unique and memorable experience and a must-play for horror fans.

19 Amnesia: The Bunker (2023)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Survival horror Amnesia: The Bunker is the fourth installment in the Amnesia series. With creepy sound design and a shadowy atmosphere, it takes much of what made the franchise so popular and improves upon it. Unlike prior games, the entire world map is available upon spawning in, enabling wider exploration not before seen in the franchise. Set during WW1 in 1916, Amnesia: The Bunker focuses on the struggle of a French soldier named Henri Clément as he seeks to survive the dank, abandoned bunker he finds himself in. Though there are many outright frights, much of the horror of the title is generated by the looming presence of the stalker and the game’s well-crafted environments.

18 Mundaun (2021)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Mundaun is a creative indie horror title with a unique black-and-white pencil art style and strange missions that sometimes border on bizarre. The game follows Curdin, who returns to his hometown for his grandfather’s funeral. What follows is a beautiful first-person horror that forces one to explore and experiment to unlock the curious story hidden within the game’s challenging puzzles. With little direction provided over its narrative, it’s up to the player to uncover the game’s true story. Mundaun is praised for its fascinating visuals, brooding soundtrack, and unique narrative based on Swedish folklore.

17 The Quarry (2022)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Filled to the brim with a talented cast of characters, 2022’s The Quarry is a playable take on the tried-and-true camp-setting horror made popular by films like Friday the 13th. Events quickly unravel as the camp counselors must avoid a killer threat – and reveal the mystery stalking the campsite. As is tradition with other Supermassive titles, The Quarry features well-known actors, including David Arquette and Brenda Song, on top of boasting 186 different endings. The game stands as one of the more recent and polished interactive horror games out there right now.

16 Alien: Isolation (2014)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Alien: Isolation is a survival horror title that owes a lot of its scares to the amazing sound design and creepy, tense atmosphere. Played from a first-person perspective, Amanda Ripley (the daughter of Ellen Ripley) must explore an abandoned space station while avoiding enemies, including other humans, androids, and, of course, the titular Alien. There is a palpable feeling of dread, and much of the story reflects beats from the original film. With lived-in-feeling detailed environments, creepy audio, and interesting stealth gameplay, Alien: Isolation is a must-play – especially for horror movie fans.

15 Outlast (2013)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

A single-player first-person experience, in Outlast the protagonist is an investigative journalist who sets off to explore the creepy corridors of Mount Massive Asylum psychiatric hospital. Filled with mutated homicidal patients, the game is highly atmospheric with a stripped-down UI, and relies on the fear of the unseen to really terrify. Rather than taking on enemies head-on, it’s imperative to use stealth and sneak around to accomplish game objectives. Prepare to run.

14 Signalis (2021)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Signalis is a pixel-art survival horror game from a 2.5D perspective, and is widely acclaimed but often goes underappreciated. With deep, hidden lore that must be uncovered throughout the game, Signalis is certainly a slower horror title that requires one to take their time to unravel the game’s deep lore. Cryptic and brooding, people must solve a variety of different puzzles scattered throughout dark atmospheric corridors littered with desiccated android corpses and threats around every corner. The neo-industrial setting, pixel visuals, and disturbing sounds create a feeling of deep apprehension. Unique and inventive with its approach, Signalis is a game for those that like alternative ideas.

13 Sons Of The Forest (2023)

Platforms: PC

Sons of the Forest was a smashing success when released in Early Access, selling 2 million copies in just 24 hours. Though it’s yet to fully launch, the game can be played with friends online or solo and centers around collecting and crafting different items to uncover a disturbing mystery, revealing more facts about the mutated people on the island. As a survival horror title, it stands as one of the best first-person games that blends elements of open-world survival with “hidden object” horror titles. With a huge map to explore, varied enemy types, and hidden secrets and lore crammed in each location, the title improves virtually everything from The Forest.

12 Phasmophobia (2020)

Platforms: PC

Phasmophobia is about as close to a real ghost-hunting experience as possible, tasking a group of other brave paranormal investigators with uncovering and identifying evil spirits found within haunted locations. Intense, creepy environments and bone-chilling audio immerse players in the role of a real ghost hunter. With a strong emphasis on creating a scary atmosphere, the game is incredibly frightening at times, especially when playing with the lights off. With very few true “ghost hunting” games in the horror genre, Phasmophobia stands as a triumph.

11 Resident Evil Village (2021)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Resident Evil Village follows the story of Ethan Winters, continuing the events of Resident Evil 7. Village has been praised for approaching the Resident Evil franchise in an action-focused way while maintaining the creepy and eerie scenarios and environments that catalyzed the franchise as an iconic of horror gaming. With fast-paced gameplay and terrifying enemies, the game still manages to bring the frights with one excruciatingly memorable scene in particular.

10 Dredge (2023)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Dredge is a unique single-player fishing game where one is thrust into the shoes of a hapless captain who must dredge the sea bottom in search of treasure. With day and night cycles, many different Lovecraftian sea beasts, and plenty of lore to find, there’s much more lurking under the surface of this indie title than meets the eye. Praised for its nuanced storytelling and creepy aesthetic, the game is certainly a unique but refreshing take on the horror game genre.

9 Until Dawn (2015)

Platforms: PlayStation

Until Dawn stands as one of the earliest – and finest – examples of an interactive horror title, truly highlighting what was possible for the genre. Until Dawn lets players control – and save – eight teens, with different story branches depending on their decisions. With a star-studded cast including Academy Award-winning Rami Malek alongside Hayden Panettiere, the game walks the line between movie and game. With great graphics, amazing atmospheric audio, and a superb story, Until Dawn stands as a terrifying game, even by today’s standards.

8 Dead by Daylight (2016)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Dead by Daylight‘s impact on the genre is undeniable, inspiring a host of other multiplayer horrors like 2023’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and 2017’s Friday the 13th: The Game. With frequent updates that include iconic killers like Pinhead from Hellraiser and, most recently, Chucky from Child’s Play, the game has stayed highly relevant. While many have criticized some perceived balance issues, Dead by Daylight is a staple of the genre, particularly for those who enjoy playing games with friends, and horror movie buffs. Blending competitive gameplay, stealth, and the fear of being caught, there’s no denying that Dead by Daylight is one of the most fun horror games people can play right now.

7 Layers Of Fear (2023)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Layers of Fear is a psychological horror game that pushes players to their limits with its decrepit, ever-changing world and interesting, albeit sometimes confusing, narrative. A sequel and remake to 2016’s game of the same name, the immersive atmosphere raises the level of dread in this first-person horror game. Like many other puzzle-based horror titles, the game is not action or combat-oriented; instead, it opts for slower and methodical thrills. Showcasing a slow descent into madness, in Layers of Fear it’s not a beast or monster one must be afraid of; the biggest threat is one’s own mind.

6 A Plague Tale: Requiem (2022)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

A Plague Tale: Requiem is an action-adventure horror game and sequel to 2019’s A Plague Tale: Innocence. The game follows the story of Amicia and Hugo de Rune as they flee the ever-looming horde of black plague-infested rats overrunning Southern France. The beautiful scenery of the French countryside is offset by the looming threat of the Inquisition and black plague as the game explores a sibling relationship set in beautiful environments with an award-winning score. Updates to combat and game mechanics make A Plague Tale: Requiem a unique title with a distinct and terrifying story that is also terrifying to play.

5 Inscryption (2021)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Inscryption is a roguelike deckbuilding game that has been praised for its creative gameplay and cryptic, spooky atmosphere. With little to no direction and a retro pixel art style, the game is one of the most creative takes on the deckbuilding genre in some time. Sinister and highly intuitive in its approach, Inscryption manages to immerse players with its excellent storytelling, atmosphere, and sound design, making for a truly spooky and memorable experience. Screen Rant dubbed this Game of the Year back in 2021.

4 The Last Of Us Part 1 (2022)

Platforms: PlayStation 5

The Last of Us Part 1 explores the journey of smuggler Joel Miller, and his “cargo,” the teenage Ellie. Throughout the game’s narrative, a strong bond and relationship form between the two as they struggle to navigate a desecrated, zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic landscape. The 2022 remake of the original game updates the visuals and adds accessibility features to bring it up-to-date with modern standards. With realistic and nuanced characters and moral arcs, the story can feel both profound and terrifying at times. Rather than hiding the ugliness that would be a world ravaged by zombies infested by cordyceps, the game explores dark and disturbing themes while keeping character reactions and emotions realistic. It’s this sense of emotion and true character-building and bonding that makes The Last Of Us Part 1 feel so special.

3 Dead Space (2023)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

2023’s Dead Space remake excels in the areas that made the original so great. Atmospheric, tense, and at times rather challenging, the game relishes in gore with a limb dismemberment system that can be used to incapacitate mutated creatures before landing the killing blow. With a compelling and interesting narrative layered on top of a true sci-fi horror theme, Dead Space is one of the best horror games out right now.

2 Resident Evil 4 (2023)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Universally acclaimed by critics and Resident Evil fans alike, the RE4 remake has been praised for properly executing a revamp while still retaining what made the original Resident Evil 4 so great. Following protagonist Leon S. Kennedy, RE4 recreates the experience while updating the title with new combat mechanics, new threats, and an even more terrifying and dark atmosphere. The original game’s creators even worked on the remake’s narrative, fixing weaker plot points and characterizations from the 2005 iteration for a modern audience.

1 Alan Wake 2 (2023)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Although Alan Wake 2 only released in October 2023, its impact on the gaming community has already been felt. Winner of the Critics Choice Award and nominated for Ultimate Game of the Year and Best Lead Performer at the Golden Joystick Awards, the game has also been nominated for eight awards at The Game Awards 2023. Alan Wake 2 continues the story 13 years after the events of the first game and follows a new protagonist in Saga Anderson. The game pushes the limits with its intriguing multi-dimensional plot while immersing players into the world that Sam Lake has created. With superb graphics, great performances, and a mind-bending plot, Alan Wake 2 is the best horror game to play right now.