When it comes to horror gaming, Steam is a treasure trove for both casual and hardcore gamers seeking spine-tingling thrills and heart-pounding scares. With a wide selection of horror titles encompassing various subgenres, Steam offers something to cater to every horror aficionado’s taste. If youโre looking for a new scare or thrill, give one of these thirteen games a try. Here are the best horror games on Steam that you need to be playing if youโre a true fan of the genre.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010)
Frictional Games’ Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a pioneer in modern survival horror, known for its oppressive atmosphere and psychological horror elements. Players assume the role of Daniel, who awakens in a dark and foreboding castle with no memory of who he is. As you explore the eerie environments, solve puzzles, and evade horrifying creatures, the game masterfully builds tension and dread.
Amnesia is an unforgettable horror experience that has set the bar high for the genre. You can pick up Amnesia: The Dark Descent for cheap these days, and if you enjoy it, you might want to check out the sequels: Amnesia: Rebirth and Amnesia: The Bunker.
Silent Hill 2 (2001)
Considered a masterpiece of psychological horror, Konami’s Silent Hill 2 remains a haunting and atmospheric experience that continues to terrify players to this day. The game follows James Sunderland as he searches for his deceased wife in the eerie and fog-shrouded town of Silent Hill.
Silent Hill 2 is lauded for its complex characters, disturbing monsters, and a narrative that delves deep into themes of guilt and despair. With multiple endings and a sense of unease that lingers long after completion, it’s a classic in the horror genre and a must-play for gamers everywhere.
Alien: Isolation (2014)
Creative Assembly’s Alien: Isolation offers an authentic and nerve-wracking experience set in the iconic Alien universe. Players assume the role of Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she navigates a derelict space station while being pursued by the relentless Xenomorph.
The game excels in capturing the tension and atmosphere of the original film, making stealth and resource management essential for survival.
Alien: Isolation is a harrowing and claustrophobic horror experience for fans of the sci-fi horror subgenre. This game can easily give you nightmares as you relive your in-game experience of running, hiding, and eventually being caught by the monstrous Xenomorph.
Outlast (2013)
Developed by Red Barrels, Outlast is a first-person survival horror game that places players in the shoes of investigative journalist Miles Upshur. Armed only with a camcorder and no means to fight, players must navigate the nightmarish Mount Massive Asylum, uncovering dark secrets and avoiding the deranged inmates. The game’s use of night vision, coupled with its unrelenting tension and jump scares, makes Outlast an unforgettable descent into madness. Make sure you use your batteries wisely, as once theyโre out, youโre fโerm, dead.
The Forest (2014)
Endnight Games’ The Forest combines survival gameplay with psychological horror in an open-world setting. Players take on the role of a survivor of a plane crash, stranded on a remote island inhabited by hostile cannibals and mutants. As you build shelter and gather resources, you’ll explore underground caves and unravel the island’s unsettling mysteries.
The Forest excels in creating a sense of isolation and dread as you struggle to survive in an environment that feels truly hostile. If you enjoy this one, check out Sons of the Forest, which was recently released to just as much critical acclaim as the first one.
Dead Space (2008)
Dead Space, developed by EA Redwood Shores (later known as Visceral Games), reinvented the survival horror genre with its blend of atmospheric horror and innovative dismemberment-based combat. Players control Isaac Clarke, an engineer trapped on the derelict spaceship USG Ishimura, overrun by grotesque alien creatures known as Necromorphs.
The game’s chilling sound design, grotesque enemy designs, and compelling narrative make Dead Space a standout title in the horror genre. They even released a remastered version with updated visuals, audio, and gameplay improvements.
The Evil Within (2014)
Shinji Mikami, the creator of the Resident Evil series, returned to the horror genre with The Evil Within. The game follows detective Sebastian Castellanos as he arrives at the scene of a mass murder in Beacon Mental Hospital. Shortly after arriving, he is separated from his squad and finds himself face-to-face with a monstrous man wielding a chainsaw, hellbent on killing him. From there, the race is on, and Sebastian must use whatever he can find in the world around him to solve whatever the hell is going on.
With a blend of survival horror and open-world exploration, The Evil Within delivers a tense and atmospheric experience filled with grotesque monsters and psychological terror. Thereโs a sequel if youโre interested in continuing Sebastianโs story and delving deeper into the world of STEM (no, that doesnโt stand for science, tech, engineering, and math).
Layers of Fear (2016)
Bloober Team’s Layers of Fear is a psychological horror game that delves into the madness of a tormented painter. Players control a disturbed painter trying to complete his magnum opus. As they navigate a Victorian mansion filled with shifting rooms and eerie paintings, theyโll uncover more and more disturbing revelations about the artist’s past. The game’s immersive storytelling, surreal environments, and unsettling audio design create a nightmarish experience that explores themes of obsession and creativity.
Little Nightmares (2017)
Tarsier Studios’ Little Nightmares offers a different flavor of horror with its whimsical yet disturbing atmosphere. Players control a small, raincoat-clad character named Six as she navigates the grim and grotesque world of The Maw, a mysterious underwater vessel. Little Nightmares relies on atmospheric tension, puzzle-solving, and stealth as players encounter grotesque adversaries and uncover the ship’s sinister secrets. A cheap pick-up, Little Nightmares is a great โbang for your buckโ horror title on Steam.
Phasmophobia (2020)
Phasmophobia, developed by Kinetic Games, is a unique multiplayer horror game that has taken the gaming world by storm. Players assume the roles of paranormal investigators, exploring haunted locations and trying to identify and capture supernatural entities. The game’s cooperative gameplay and voice recognition system make it an engaging and terrifying experience as players use various tools to interact with and fend off ghosts.
Phasmophobia is a fresh and innovative take on horror gaming that easily earns it a spot on our list of the best horror games on Steam. Grab three of your friends and get ready to scream once the lights flicker in this amazing cooperative horror game. Or, play by yourself if you dare.
Doom 3 (2004)
If youโve played any of the early Doom titles or the recent ones, you might be surprised to see Doom 3 on the list. While the early titles are anything but scary, and the newer ones are a gorefest of action and shooting, Doom 3 is a survival horror game that redefined the series and is still a great scare to this day. With numerous jump scares, dark environments, and terrifying monsters, Doom 3 isnโt one to sleep on. Pick up the BFG Edition and turn off the lights because youโre about to take a trip to hell on EarโI mean Mars.