There is nothing better than the thrill a gamer gets from playing a well-done horror game. It's incredibly investing, especially when you're coming across a superb storyline. Horror games used to be simple flash games that used cheap jump scares. Soon enough, horror elements trickled into combat-based games, such as Resident Evil or Left 4 Dead, and the horror genre grew. However, as the horror game genre started to gain popularity, scary games started to become more based on skill, luck, and bravery. It was time for players to face terrifying situations without an easy escape route.
There are staple horror games that gamers will never forget. There are modern horror games that some people don't even think about touching. These games aren't for the weak of heart, so only the bravest will pull through. Take a glance over these iconic horror games to see if you can handle the fright without flight.
10 Phasmophobia
Anybody whole loves co-op horror knows about the classic and iconic Phasmophobia video game. As a ghost hunter, it's up to you to figure out what type of ghost hunts your client's homes or buildings. Join the game with three other friends and enjoy exploring haunted areas for clues and cursed objects. Find three pieces of evidence, choose the ghost, and you're out of there! However, it rarely goes that smoothly.
Phasmophobia's popularity derives from its intense psychological and paranormal horror. The game doesn't have your traditional jump scares, but it doesn't need that to give you a thrill. The game utilizes your microphone's sound, as well as your teammates, to make the game even creepier. If you aren't quiet, you may find yourself hunted by a ghost rather quickly. There is no way to revive (unless by a cursed object), so play carefully and cautiously.
9 Sons Of The Forest
Being stranded on a remote island is scary enough, but what if that island has starving cannibals and paranormal oddities? You'll take the role of the protagonist who crashes his plane onto a stranded island and is doing anything to survive in Sons of the Forest. The game comes off as very relaxing at first, with rushing waters and cutesy animals.
However, things take a quick turn when you run into muddies or other cannibal enemies. The game goes from having a fun adventure to thrilling psychological horror, and the only way to win is to run or fight back. Now down to the basics, this simple game turns terrifying very quickly.
8 Five Nights At Freddy's
Five Nights at Freddy's stole horror fanatics' hearts in late 2014 and continues to hold a special place for fans of the series. With what seems like never-ending sequels, the Five Nights at Freddy franchise can't be stopped! But what makes this game so special?
The general premise of Five Nights at Freddy's is to protect yourself from evil animatronics. You have to check selected doors, windows, vents, etc. to ensure the monsters aren't waiting to pounce on you. The game has an incredibly intense atmosphere, where even the smallest mistake can result in a terrifying jump scare. It doesn't help that the franchise continues to release sequels, all of which are bigger, better, and scarier. Though Five Nights at Freddy's isn't as horrifying as some other scary games, its classic approach to jump scares is both well-done and spine-chilling.
7 Devour
Devour is likely one of the most underrated horror games. Though extremely terrifying, this co-op game has humorous character designs and balances horror with entertaining lore. For example, one of the selectable characters, Nathan, has the following description: "Used to be a famous chef. Nearly drowned as a child. Still pretty bitter about it." You're also able to change your character's outfits into something fashionable, classy, or simply outrageous.
But don't let the funny elements fool you; this game is horrifying. Your goal is to sacrifice ten animals (animal type is dependent on the map) without all of your teammates being downed by the possessed demon, Azazel, and his minions. You have to collect various items throughout the map for the ritual, as well as medical kits and optional collectibles. The game has high-quality proximity chat, and you can play with strangers or friends online. Devour is everything scary and funny; the perfect combination!
6 Dead By Daylight
Dead By Daylight takes classic horror film figures, such as Michael Myers, Ghost Face, or Saw, to another level. Trapped in a deserted and desolate area, it's up to you and your friends to finish five generators, so you can escape the wandering Killer. If you are captured and put on a sacrificial hook three times, you officially die and leave the work to the rest of your teammates. This co-op horror game can turn terrifying really quickly, especially when you're given an exceptional Killer.
On the flip side, you can play as the Killer as well. This is a five-player co-op game that welcomes large groups of gamer friends. Playing as the Killer is a lot less scary but sometimes equally frustrating. Survivors are given special perks that give them advantages, but don't worry — the Killer gets some too! However, whether the Survivors or Killer wins depends on who can outsmart the other quickest. It's a thrilling horror game that is both strategic and addictive.
5 Mortuary Assistant
They say you should never watch or play a scary game at night, but when you have games such as Mortuary Assistant, it's hard not to. Mortuary Assistant is likely one of the most creepy and sinister horror games released on Steam. You work as a mortician who needs to find the cursed, deceased body and burn it.
You perform eerie procedures, such as body embalming, with paranormal events happening around you. The deadly silence is suffocating in this game, so be prepared. You might want to play this one when the sun is up!
4 Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil has ruled the horror game franchise for years now, especially with its perfect balance of lore and combat. Though a part of the horror genre, most Resident Evil games are survival based and have weapons for defense. However, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard took many diehard fans by surprise with its downright spine-chilling horror atmosphere.
You play Ethan Winters, who is searching for his missing wife on a desolate plantation. You fend off an infected family who eat human remains as well as other frightening monsters. You may be equipped with a weapon, but it does nothing to take away from those horrifying jump scares and intense chase sequences. If you have access to this game in VR, it quickly becomes the most terrifying VR game you'll play.
3 Until Dawn
Games with the best storylines are often horror-based, and that includes Until Dawn. The game isn't confined by a single character. You can play up to eight people, but it's important to note that Until Dawn is decision-based. This means that whatever response or action you take, it will have effects in the future. For instance, if you decide to search for an abandoned house alone, you might get a different end result than searching with friends. That makes Until Dawn all the more exciting to play!
Until Dawn's lore is both mysterious and captivating. Eight friends vacation at a lodge in the snowy mountains, and they decide to play a prank on one of the friends. The prank goes wrong, resulting in two sisters going missing and presumed dead. The friends visit the lodge after a year to pay respects but end up getting more than they bargained for. They have to face off against a terrifying killer and possibly monsters traversing the mountains. They only have to make it until dawn to survive. Who will make it out alive?
2 The Walking Dead
One of the best decision-based scary games belongs to The Walking Dead. Following Lee Everett, you navigate a zombie apocalypse with an abandoned child named Clementine, who is in search of her parents. Your bonds with characters are dependent on how you respond to situations, especially involving someone who is infected.
However, your number one priority is to protect and teach Clementine how to survive on her own. The storyline for The Walking Dead video game is sensational. You'll find yourself having sentimental moments mixed with sudden jump scares, so be prepared for an emotional time.
1 Outlast
Outlast holds the top spot as a high-quality, well-made horror game that inspires fear in players to this day. Made up of terrifying chase sequences, perfectly-timed jump scares, and eerie lore, Outlast's replay value is incredibly high. You play Miles Upshur, a journalist who is looking to get information about Mount Massive Asylum. To do so, he infiltrates the building but is chased by various psychotic inmates, such as Chris Walker, an immensely strong patient who tracks Miles the entire game. It's up to you to find a way out of the asylum to reveal the corporation's secrets.
Outlast's unique gameplay centers around Miles' recording camera. Utilizing night vision, you have to preserve your battery long enough to make it through the building. You also have to keep an eye out for batteries around the map, or else you'll be stuck in darkness the entire game. The stress of finding batteries, along with fleeing from violent inmates and preparing for sudden scares, makes Outlast the best horror game to this day.