Games
Scariest Horror Games
Summary
Table of Contents
- Horror games are more frightening than movies due to immersive experiences like jump scares & tension.
- Doki Doki Literature Club surprises players with a genre twist, creating unnerving moments.
- Darkwood challenges players with survival in a nightmarish forest full of dread and danger.
Horror games can be more frightening than horror movies because they stimulate the player’s senses in ways that can be hardly described. There have been plenty of iconic horror franchises like Silent Hill and Resident Evil, and although many of their games are fun, they are not always scary. Horror video games can be frightening for a variety of reasons. They can contain jump scares, tense moments, or other elements of horror.
The ones that surprise players the most are often the most terrifying. Facing their fears head-on is something few players have the strength to do. So close the blinds and turn the lights off. These are some of the scariest horror games ever.
VR-only games are not going to be included. The focus is also on single-player games.
Updated February 22, 2025, by Mark Sammut: 2025 has not produced any major horror games so far, although that should change over the coming months. In the meantime, players looking for horror should check out some of the scariest games ever.
18
Doki Doki Literature Club
Breaking The Fourth Wall To Horrifying Results
Doki Doki Literature Club!
- Released
-
September 22, 2017
- Developer(s)
-
Team Salvato
What starts as a cheery dating simulator escalates into a dark, twisted psychological horror game. 2017’s Doki Doki Literature Club is a visual novel that starts fairly traditional, but eventually transforms into a genre-pushing project that constantly breaks the fourth wall.
The lightheartedness of the story’s early moments should lull players into a false sense of security, allowing the horror elements to hit harder when they arrive. Being able to choose dialogue options to influence the results of the game makes Doki Doki Literature Club stand out from other horror games. Especially for those expecting to play a dating simulator, it can be unnerving.
Doki Doki Literature Club is nowadays so well-known that most new players will probably already know the “twist,” which can hurt the game’s overall impact. Nevertheless, it is still quite scary.
17
Darkwood
An Intense Top-Down Survival Horror Game
- Released
-
August 18, 2017
- Developer(s)
-
Acid Wizard Studio
If there’s one thing that is more horrifying than a standard horror game, it’s a horror game that tests the player’s limits through survival. In Darkwood, the player must try their very best to endure in an incredibly distorted world. They must scavenge and explore the suffocating forest during the day when it’s mostly safe minus a couple of monsters, but the real danger occurs during the night.
Hunkering down in their base, the darkness will surround the shack the player finds themselves hiding in. Barricading the doors to make their last stand as the nightmares of the forest emerge to see the player’s end. With no way to see outside the room, the player finds themselves in, it can make every night a gut-wrenching experience.
16
Little Nightmares
A Surreal Nightmare
Survival Horror
Puzzle
Platformer
- Released
-
April 28, 2017
- Developer(s)
-
Tarsier Studios
There is just something extra unsettling about exploring a sinister world while in control of a small child like Six in Little Nightmares. Taking place on The Maw, the player will encounter various foes that will attempt to capture Six. As a small girl with nothing but her yellow raincoat, the player can only escape these situations.
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With an interesting story and a slew of creative monster designs, Little Nightmares gets under the player’s skin, putting them in a constant state of tension without relying on jump scares.
15
SOMA
An Underwater Nightmare
- Released
-
September 15, 2015
Created by a developer team known for horror, SOMA excels in its world-building and atmosphere, all the while delivering several intense scares that should get the player’s heart racing. Set in an underwater research facility, the story has a strong sense of mystery since both the protagonist and the player are completely in the dark about their present situation when they wake up in the seemingly abandoned Pathos-2 station. As always tends to be the case, they quickly learn that they are not alone.
Putting aside the story and writing, which are both great, SOMA‘s gameplay is fairly typical for the mid-2010s. Players are mostly defenseless, so they will need to hide and avoid enemies rather than directly confront them. This routine lends itself well to generating tension, and the campaign maintains a pretty consistent level of anxiety.
14
Alan Wake 2
Beware The Darkness
- Released
-
October 27, 2023
Both Alan Wake games are scary in their own right, but the 2010 original’s strong narrative is let down by repetitive gameplay that, eventually, hurts its fear factor. The long-awaited sequel is an improvement in every single way, and that extends to its presentation of horror. Unlike many titles in the genre, Alan Wake 2 does not try to constantly jolt players out of their seats, instead sprinkling in occasional flashes of terror. However, these moments are executed so flawlessly that they linger in the player’s mind, causing them to be constantly on edge.
Although not devoid of conventional jumpscares, Alan Wake 2 is arguably at its most terrifying when nothing major is really happening. Stretches when Saga or Alan are trudging through dimly lit environments in search of the next clue, fully knowing that one wrong step into the dark could be their last.
13
The Forest
Survival And Horror Merge
- Developer(s)
-
Endnight Games
- Released
-
April 30, 2018
Endnight’s The Forest is a rare example of a great survival AND survival horror game. While its sequel, Sons of the Forest, improves on the formula in several ways, an argument could be made that its predecessor is scarier. Part of that is due to most players likely starting with the 2018 original, so they should know what to expect when they get to the sequel.
However, The Forest features a far more poorly prepared protagonist, and Eric has no background knowledge that could help him navigate a dangerous island filled with intimidating caves and cannibals. This emphasizes the survival aspect, while also heightening the horror as both Eric and players find themselves exploring areas blindly.
12
Alien: Isolation
The Scariest A Xenomorph Has Ever Been
Considering it debuted with one of the scariest sci-fi movies of all time, the Alien franchise rarely seems to focus on pure horror. Most of the cinematic sequels fall short of the original’s high bar or lean into action, while the games are not much better. That said, Alien: Isolation is an exception. Inspired specifically by 1979’s original, Creative Assembly captures the movie’s sense of isolation, abandoning players in an unsettling space station that has a Xenomorph problem.
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Rather than focus on quantity, Alien: Isolation aims for quality. For the most part, players are just hiding from a single threat, albeit one that constantly stalks the station and utilizes advanced AI that makes them feel like a living, breathing entity. Eventually, the protagonist unlocks some offensive options; however, she is largely defenseless throughout most of the campaign. The player is the hunted, not the hunter.
11
P.T.
Short, Scary, & Gone Too Soon
P.T. was a playable teaser by Kojima Productions that was going to be titled Silent Hills if it were completed. It was planned to be a part of the Silent Hill game series. While not a full game, P.T. accomplishes a lot with very little.
Concerning scariness, P.T. exceeds expectations. This short playable teaser was scarier than most finished horror games. Not only are jump scares frightening, but it had some truly toe-curling moments due to how scary it is. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to play P.T. due to it being removed from the PlayStation Store.
10
Visage
A Terrifying Trip Through History
- Released
-
October 30, 2020
- Developer(s)
-
SadSquare Studio
P.T.‘s unfortunate demise led to one positive outcome: indie games inspired by Konami’s demo. Steam is flooded with these types of titles, and while most of them are just fine, a few releases stand out from the crowd. Visage is the scariest horror game to spawn from this movement, and it is far more than just a P.T. clone. Set in a house that just seems to attract tragedy, the story is framed around a guy who is still struggling with his demons, and he is about to experience a lot more than just his own troubles.
Visage is split into chapters, with each one taking place in a different period and introducing different central figures, even if the protagonist is consistent throughout them. Dealing with various heavy themes and consistently shaking things up to ensure players never get too comfortable, Visage is the type of horror game that can make someone feel nauseous while playing, all the while not relying on gore.
9
Resident Evil Remake
A Refresh Of An All-Time Horror Classic
- Released
-
January 20, 2015
Time and time again, the first Resident Evil remake is regarded as the scariest Resident Evil game in the series. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard has more horrific elements, but the spine-chilling rustic atmosphere of the first Resident Evil remake is unique in its own way. This remake was initially released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2002.
Since then, it has been ported to a variety of consoles including PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. A constant feeling of seclusion is what makes the Resident Evil remake one of the most frightening games of all time.
8
The Evil Within 2
Action-Horror That Nails The Horror Aspect
- Released
-
October 13, 2017
The Evil Within 2 is a more enjoyable experience than its predecessor; more importantly, it is also scarier. The sequel is loaded with jumpscares and graphic content that is not for the faint of heart, and its open nature makes encounters feel less telegraphed and more unpredictable. To top it off, the story is genuinely exciting.
All around, The Evil Within 2 was one of the most enjoyable horror games of the 2010s, particularly with players who love a more open experience. Unlike its fairly linear predecessor, the sequel is set in a small city, turning it into something of an open-world experience. While this could have diluted the horror aspect, The Evil Within 2 shines thanks to its creatures, specifically Anima, Guardian, and Obscura.
7
Until Dawn & Its Remake
A Slasher Movie But In Game Form
-
Until Dawn Until Dawn Platform(s) PS4 PS5, PC Released 2015-08-25 2024-10-04 Developer(s) Supermassive Games Ballistic Moon Genre(s) Horror Horror
Supermassive Games has become the master of interactive horror experiences. With recent releases like The Quarry or The Dark Pictures Anthology, it’s of no surprise to see its games on the list of the scariest available for players to questionably enjoy.
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Until Dawn Remake: 10 Best Rare Dialogue Scenes & How To Get Them
Until Dawn has great replay value with over 250 endings and many cutscenes that players would have missed the first time around.
Out of all those available, Until Dawn – one of the developer’s original releases – is a game many have tried but have been too afraid to complete. Each character the player controls has an interesting backstory and an important role to play. Intense choices can leave players panicked as they ask themselves if they picked the right option. Only another playthrough of Until Dawn will confirm if that truly was the case.
The remake is just as scary as the original.
6
Dead Space & Its Remake
Resident Evil 4 In Space, & Much Scarier
- Released
-
October 14, 2008
EA Redwood’s Dead Space takes fairly obvious inspiration from Resident Evil 4, and while an argument could be made that the latter is the better overall game, the former is undoubtedly the scarier package. As Isaac Clarke, players find themselves trapped in a spaceship infested with Necromorphs, alien creatures that not only have horrific (and creative) designs but are also extremely dangerous.
Compared to the sequels, the original Dead Space attempts to emphasize Isaac’s vulnerability, all the while still providing enough tools so that players do not feel powerless. The Dead Space remake is also very good and preserves the 2008 classic’s tense atmosphere and satisfying gameplay.
5
Outlast
You Will Feel Weak & Vulnerable
- Released
-
November 4, 2013
Although not the first game to strip players of their defenses, Outlast arguably helped popularize it. The 2013 original excels in its apparent simplicity, with the campaign being confined to an asylum that has an extremely dark history. Players are left to roam its decrepit halls, and they will quickly realize that they are not alone. With no access to weapons, they have to rely on a flashlight and camera to try and keep away the residents that call the asylum home.
Expanded significantly through the Whistleblower expansion and the sequel, Outlast has built surprisingly detailed lore, which has helped the franchise amass a pretty huge fanbase. Even if someone is not particularly interested in doing a deep dive, they can still enjoy both single-player games as terrifying haunted building sims.
The Outlast Trials is also a lot of fun, but it is definitely the least scary of the three games.
4
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
A New Era Of Terror
- Released
-
January 24, 2017
At a certain point, Capcom’s Resident Evil stopped prioritizing horror. While far from the scariest game ever, Resident Evil 4 is still undeniably fantastic, and it was followed by the pretty good Resident Evil 5. However, Resident Evil 6 took the series too far into action territory, dropping pretty much any traces of horror en route. After this polarizing release, Capcom needed to reset the franchise, something they accomplished by switching from a first-person to a third-person perspective. Resident Evil 7‘s reveal garnered quite an interesting response due to its change in viewpoint, but the final project mostly succeeded in winning over old fans and new players.
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The story follows Ethan, an ordinary guy who ends up going to a strange estate in search of his wife. Once there, he meets the Bakers, who are very clearly inspired by Texas Chain Saw Massacre. While losing some momentum during its second half, Resident Evil 7‘s opening few hours are consistently horrifying, intense, and upsetting. The standard console release is one of the best horror games of all time, and the VR version might genuinely be the scariest game ever.
3
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly
Masterful Youkai Designs
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterly
- Released
-
December 10, 2003
- Developer(s)
-
Tecmo
While the property has lost some steam in recent years, Fatal Frame‘s horror legacy is set in stone thanks to its PS2 trilogy. It is debatable which entry is the most terrifying; however, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly has the most enjoyable story and gameplay, all the while offering comparable scares to its predecessor and successor.
The series revolves around taking photographs of ghosts and using exorcism to free their spirits. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly nails the look of its ghosts, most of which are inspired by Japanese myths. Along with delivering arguably some of the creepiest youkai designs in gaming, the game also offers quantity as it has a fairly wide selection of ghosts.
2
Silent Hill 2
A Psychological Horror Masterpiece
- Released
-
September 25, 2001
- Developer(s)
-
Team Silent
One of the most enduring PS2 games of all time, Silent Hill 2 is psychological horror at its finest. James Sunderland receives a letter from his deceased wife beckoning him to Silent Hill, an eerie town that acts as a gateway into a visitor’s darkest subconscious traumas, fears, and desires.
2:40
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Drenched in suffocating fog and dripping with visual storytelling, Silent Hill 2 immerses players in the protagonist’s nightmare, and James is far from a noble or idealistic hero. While hardly the only fearsome entity to live within the titular town, the Nurses are comfortably among the horror genre’s most iconic (and scary) enemies.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Survival Horror
Horror
Adventure
Action
Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 deserves a special mention, especially since the remake changes quite a few things from the original masterpiece. The 2024 version is not superior to its ancestor, which would be a tall task for any developer, but it is a respectful and, most importantly, terrifying alternate take on James Sunderland’s nightmarish journey.
Like it or not, age can hurt a game’s impact, particularly when it comes to horror. Silent Hill 2‘s themes and storytelling are still among the best in gaming, but the original’s dated visuals and gameplay can leave new players craving more. The remake provides a modernized take on this classic, hopefully introducing a new generation to Konami’s franchise. While the heavier emphasis on combat might not be to everyone’s tastes, Bloober deserves ample credit for its recreation and expansion of the Silent Hill town, which is haunting and terrifying.
1
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Descend Into Hell
Survival Horror
Indie Games
Adventure
Action
Puzzle
- Released
-
September 8, 2010
This hair-raising survival horror game has been the inspiration for games like Slender: The Arrival and Outlast. Being left alone in the dark with the omnipresent threat of murderous monsters, Amnesia: The Dark Descent has left some players so frightened they have been unable to finish the horror experience.
Besides the scares, there are also some exciting puzzles to solve, making the game overall an enjoyable experience. Players will want to play Amnesia: The Dark Descent in the dark for the scariest experience of all.
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