Look, I love horror games—right up until I regret playing them at 2 a.m. with every light in the house on. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys heart-pounding terror, unsettling atmospheres, and the occasional jump scare that makes you question your life choices, you’re in the right place.
This list rounds up the best horror games that will haunt your dreams (in the best way possible). Whether you’re into psychological horror, survival nightmares, or just the scariest games ever created, there’s something here to make your spine tingle.
Some of these games will test your survival instincts, while others will leave you questioning reality itself. But all of them? Absolutely terrifying. So, if you think you’re brave enough, let’s dive into the horror. Just don’t blame me when you start checking behind doors and hearing things that aren’t really there.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
If you thought the original Silent Hill 2 was unsettling, just wait until you see it with modern graphics and sound design that makes every eerie whisper feel like it’s right behind you. The Silent Hill 2 Remake takes everything that made the original one of the scariest games ever and cranks up the psychological horror to new levels.
James Sunderland’s return to Silent Hill is just as haunting as before—maybe even more so now that every fog-drenched street and crumbling hallway is disturbingly detailed. The remake promises enhanced combat, reworked controls, and a fresh perspective while keeping the heart of the story intact. But let’s be real: we’re all just waiting for Pyramid Head to show up and ruin our day.
If you love slow-burning, psychological horror that gets under your skin and stays there, Silent Hill 2 Remake is easily one of the best horror games to (reluctantly) play. Just… maybe don’t play it alone. Or in the dark. Or at all if you ever want to sleep again.
Outlast (1 & 2)
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be completely helpless while something unspeakable chases you, Outlast has you covered. Both games ditch weapons entirely, leaving you with nothing but a night vision camera, a dwindling supply of batteries, and the overwhelming sense that you’ve made a huge mistake.
The first game throws you into Mount Massive Asylum, where the patients are… let’s say less than friendly. Your only options? Run, hide, and pray they don’t find you. Meanwhile, Outlast 2 trades the asylum for a creepy cult in the middle of nowhere, proving that rural horror is just as nightmare-inducing as anything indoors.
Both games are relentless, dripping with tension, and filled with moments that will make you physically pause just to catch your breath. If you enjoy screaming, panicking, and second-guessing your life choices, Outlast is the perfect horror experience. Just don’t run out of batteries. Trust me.
Alien Isolation
If you’ve ever watched Alien and thought, “I could totally survive that,” Alien: Isolation is here to prove you very, very wrong. This game doesn’t just recreate the tense, claustrophobic horror of the movies—it perfects it.
You play as Amanda Ripley, trapped on a space station with an unstoppable Xenomorph that learns from how you play. Hiding in lockers? It’ll start checking them. Relying on the motion tracker? Guess what—it hears that too. Every encounter is a nerve-shredding game of cat and mouse where you’re always the mouse, and the cat has two sets of jaws.
It’s not just the Alien, either. The station is filled with paranoid survivors and creepy androids that are somehow just as scary. The result? One of the most intense horror experiences ever made. If you want to feel true fear, Alien: Isolation is a must-play. Just don’t breathe too loudly.
Resident Evil 7
Resident Evil 7 didn’t just bring the series back to its horror roots—it shoved players headfirst into a mold-infested nightmare they’ll never unsee. Gone are the over-the-top action sequences; instead, you’re trapped in a decaying Louisiana plantation with the Bakers, a family that redefines the term “bad hospitality.”
Playing as Ethan Winters, you’re not some trained soldier—you’re just a guy searching for your missing wife, which makes every encounter feel even more terrifying. The shift to first-person? Genius. It makes every creaky floorboard, every flickering light, and every unhinged Baker family member feel way too close for comfort.
Between the eerie atmosphere, relentless enemies, and moments of pure, heart-stopping terror, Resident Evil 7 proves that sometimes the scariest thing isn’t a zombie outbreak—it’s being locked in a house with people who really want you to stay for dinner. Forever.
Still Wakes the Deep
Being trapped on an oil rig in the middle of the ocean sounds bad enough. Now add something horribly wrong lurking in the shadows, and you’ve got Still Wakes the Deep—a slow-burning, atmospheric horror game that dials up the tension with every passing second.
There are no weapons, no easy escapes—just you, the rig’s crumbling metal halls, and something hunting you. The game leans into pure survival horror, forcing you to rely on stealth, problem-solving, and sheer panic as you try to navigate the flooding, collapsing structure. Every creak, every distant noise could mean death, and trust me, you will hesitate before turning every corner.
With its eerie setting, immersive storytelling, and the constant, suffocating fear of the unknown, Still Wakes the Deep is a must-play for anyone who loves horror that gets under your skin and stays there. Just hope the rig holds together long enough for you to escape.
Condemned: Criminal Origins
If you think jump scares are scary, wait until you’re fighting for your life in a pitch-black alley with nothing but a rusty pipe. Condemned: Criminal Origins isn’t just horror—it’s pure psychological and survival horror, mixed with some of the most brutal first-person combat you’ll ever experience.
You play as Ethan Thomas, an investigator hunting down a serial killer while dealing with the fact that, well, everyone around you seems to have lost their minds. The game’s enemies aren’t monsters or ghosts—they’re desperate, violent people lurking in the shadows, waiting to ambush you when you least expect it. And since ammo is rare, you’ll be forced into up-close, bone-crunching melee combat that makes every fight feel way too personal.
Dark, unsettling, and dripping with tension, Condemned: Criminal Origins delivers a level of fear that’s as much about raw survival as it is about the disturbing mystery at its core. Just don’t play it in a dark room—you’ll start seeing things.
I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream
Some horror games scare you with monsters. Others? With the sheer hopelessness of your situation. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream is a disturbing dive into psychological horror, morality, and human suffering—based on Harlan Ellison’s famously bleak short story.
The premise? A malevolent AI named AM has wiped out humanity, leaving only five survivors to torture for eternity. Each character is forced to relive their deepest traumas in twisted, nightmarish scenarios designed to break them. And because this is a point-and-click adventure game, the horror isn’t just in what you see—it’s in the choices you make. There are no easy answers, only moral dilemmas that will leave you questioning your own sense of right and wrong.
Unsettling, thought-provoking, and deeply disturbing, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream is a horror experience that sticks with you long after the game is over—if you even can find a way to end it.
Visage
If you think you can handle psychological horror, Visage is here to test your limits. This game doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares—it builds an atmosphere so tense, so deeply unsettling, that even walking down a hallway feels like a mistake.
Set inside a seemingly normal house with a very dark past, Visage throws you into a slow, creeping nightmare where reality twists and the house itself seems to hate you. Strange noises, flickering lights, and shadowy figures watching from the dark—it’s the kind of horror that seeps into your brain and refuses to leave. Oh, and did I mention the sanity meter? The more terrified you are, the worse things get. So, uh… good luck with that.
If you love games that make you question every sound and force you to turn around very slowly, Visage is an absolute must-play. Just don’t be surprised if you need a break. Or several.
Maddison
If you’re looking for a psychological horror experience that slowly eats away at your mind, Maddison is here to deliver in the most disturbing way possible. The game throws you into the shoes of Luca, a young man who is cursed with investigating the eerie happenings surrounding his family’s dark past—and let’s just say, the more you dig, the worse it gets.
Set in a decaying family home, Maddison builds a thick atmosphere of dread, with supernatural forces creeping through every corner. Expect plenty of eerie imagery, haunting noises, and puzzles that slowly unravel a disturbing story about loss, guilt, and, of course, the sinister force known as Maddison. The tension isn’t just from jump scares (though, there are plenty of those)—it’s from the slow realization that the house itself might be out to get you.
With its first-person perspective and immersive storytelling, Maddison will keep you glued to the screen, constantly questioning what’s real and what’s not. If you’re into horror that messes with your head long after you’ve finished playing, this one’s a nightmare worth diving into.
SOMA
If you think SOMA is just another sci-fi horror game, think again. This isn’t your typical monster-filled nightmare—it’s a psychological thriller that messes with your head long after the game ends. Set in an underwater research facility, you play as Simon, a guy who wakes up to find himself trapped in a place where reality and perception are more twisted than a pretzel.
What makes SOMA stand out is its ability to make you question what it means to be human. You’ll spend most of your time sneaking past horrifying creatures (yep, those are in there) while piecing together the disturbing truth behind the facility’s downfall. But it’s not just about surviving the monsters—it’s about grappling with existential questions and facing moral dilemmas that’ll leave you pondering long after you hit “quit.”
If you’re a fan of atmospheric horror that makes your brain ache (in a good way), SOMA is the kind of game that pulls you in and refuses to let go. Oh, and be prepared for a few mind-blowing twists—you’ll need a moment to process.
Amnesia
There’s a reason Amnesia: The Dark Descent is considered a classic of psychological horror. It’s not just about the monsters (though there are plenty of those); it’s the way the game manipulates your senses and makes every moment feel like you’re teetering on the edge of madness.
You play as Daniel, who wakes up in a dark, creepy castle with no memory of how he got there—or what’s lurking in the shadows. The horror isn’t just in what you see; it’s in what you don’t see. With no weapons, your only options are to hide or run, which makes every encounter feel heart-stoppingly real. The atmosphere? Unbeatable. The oppressive darkness, the distant sounds, the feeling that something is there, just waiting for you to make a mistake—it’s a slow-burn terror that builds up and sticks with you.
If you like horror that messes with your mind, Amnesia will deliver. It’s the kind of game where you’ll second-guess every creak of the floorboards and question whether that shadow you saw was real or just your brain playing tricks.
What Are the Best Multiplayer Horror Games?
If you think you’re scared playing horror games solo, try doing it with friends—nothing quite compares to the pure chaos that ensues when the fear is shared. Multiplayer horror games have a way of taking the tension up a notch (or ten), especially when you’re relying on your buddies to keep it together… or when they’re the ones screaming louder than you.
Whether you’re surviving a zombie apocalypse, running from something you can’t even look at, or investigating spooky stuff in an abandoned house, multiplayer horror games force you to work together—or die trying. Of course, not all of them make it easy. Some will make you question your friendships, especially when you realize your friend might just be the one to throw you under the bus for a quick escape. (We’re looking at you, Phasmophobia.)
Here are a few of the best multiplayer horror games that’ll make you laugh, cry, and scream—often all at the same time:
- Phasmophobia – Ghost hunting is way more terrifying when you’ve got your friends along for the ride… and when your friends are convinced they can hear ghosts better than they can see them.
- Dead by Daylight – One player takes on the role of the killer, while the others try to escape. Spoiler: being chased down by a serial killer never gets less terrifying.
- The Dark Pictures Anthology (Little Hope, Man of Medan, House of Ashes) – Choose your path with friends and try not to make all the wrong decisions that lead to a gruesome death.
- Left 4 Dead 2 – Classic zombie-slaying fun. Just try not to get overrun by the horde or by your friends’ friendly fire.
- GTFO – A brutal, co-op experience where the only thing more terrifying than the monsters are the consequences of messing up.
What Are the Best Horror Games for Virtual Reality (VR)?
If you think regular horror games are scary, imagine being right there in the middle of the chaos. VR horror games take the fear factor to a whole new level, making every jump scare feel like it’s happening right next to you—and let’s be real, that’s probably not something you want when you’re already on edge. But if you’re looking to take your horror experience up a notch, here are some of the best VR horror games that’ll have you wishing you could take a break… but can’t.
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard — This one is a classic in the VR horror world. The tension, the atmosphere, and the grotesque Baker family all make it a VR must-play. You’ll feel like you’re stuck in the creepy mansion with nowhere to run (and trust me, there’s nowhere to hide).
- Phasmophobia — Ghost hunting has never been more terrifying. Team up with friends, grab your ghost-hunting gear, and try not to get haunted while you hunt for paranormal activity. The scariest part? When the ghosts start targeting you, and your friends can only watch as you scream and beg for help. It’s chaotic, unpredictable, and one of the most fun (if also terrifying) VR experiences you can have with friends.
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners — If you love zombies and VR, this one’s for you. Set in the Walking Dead universe, it’s like stepping into an apocalypse. The best part? You get to use realistic weapons—knives, guns, and even your hands—to fight off zombies and other survivors. The VR aspect makes it feel like you’re really facing down the undead, and it’s intense. You’ll feel every swing, every gunshot, and every close call.
- Until Dawn: Rush of Blood — If you loved Until Dawn, you’ll love this roller coaster of a ride—literally. It’s got all the jump scares and tense moments, but it also throws you on a wild carnival ride as you shoot your way through terrifying creatures. Plus, the sense of being strapped into a rollercoaster while monsters jump at you from all sides makes it feel like the scariest theme park experience of your life.
- Blood & Truth — This one’s a bit different, but just as terrifying. While it’s not traditional horror, there’s plenty of suspense, crime drama, and action to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you like a good action-packed thriller but with a terrifying atmosphere, this one blends both perfectly. It’s the VR game you didn’t know you needed until you’re in it and realize your heart is racing.
Are There Any Horror Games Based on True Events?
Let’s face it, real-life horrors are way scarier than anything fictional. The knowledge that what you’re experiencing is based on true events or inspired by real-life stories makes everything feel way too close to home. And there are a bunch of horror games out there that take inspiration from true stories, urban legends, or real-world events. If you’re looking for some spine-chilling games that make you wonder, “Wait, could this actually happen?” here’s a list of must-plays.
- Outlast — Outlast is a perfect example of a game inspired by real-life horrors. Set in an abandoned psychiatric hospital, you’re trying to escape without weapons, just your wits—and your camera’s night-vision. The game pulls from real-world atrocities involving mental health facilities and the terrible things that can happen behind closed doors. Plus, the sheer brutality and paranoia you feel while running from disturbed inmates add a layer of terror that’s all too plausible.
- The Conjuring House — Based on the infamous paranormal investigations done by Ed and Lorraine Warren (yes, the real ghost hunters from The Conjuring movies), The Conjuring House is as close as it gets to stepping into the shoes of those brave (or foolhardy) enough to investigate real haunted houses. It’s steeped in true stories of paranormal activity and feels like it’s one creepy phone call away from being a real-life horror story. The game’s atmosphere, combined with its historical inspirations, makes it one of the most chilling true-event-inspired experiences out there.
- Visage — Inspired by the tragic true story of Anneliese Michel, a young woman who died after undergoing exorcisms, Visage builds its story around real-life events. The game’s psychological horror, set in a creepy, decaying house, draws on the experiences of those who’ve encountered real-life paranormal activity. As you dive into the game, it’s impossible not to think of the unsettling stories from real life that inspired its deeply disturbing world.
- Resident Evil Village — Resident Evil Village serves up some truly terrifying moments, with Lady Dimitrescu standing out as one of the creepiest villains in recent memory. She’s actually inspired by a real-life figure, Elizabeth Bathory, the infamous “Blood Countess,” who allegedly tortured and killed young women in an attempt to preserve her youth.
- Kholat — Inspired by the Dyatlov Pass incident in 1959, Kholat takes you into the Siberian wilderness to uncover the chilling mystery behind the deaths of nine hikers.
