Goosebumps guaranteed: games that work with atmosphere, tension and the unknown.
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How to find games that really suit you:
Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 36 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
An episodic narrative adventure where Lee protects young Clementine through a zombie apocalypse, forced into agonizing timed moral decisions. The bond between the two makes it one of the most emotionally powerful games of its kind.
A wordless, oppressive puzzle-platformer in which a boy slips through a bleak dystopia, controlling bodies with his mind along the way. Masterful atmosphere and a disturbing finale make it unforgettable.
A wordless puzzle-platformer rendered in stark black and white, following a boy through a hostile shadow world full of deadly traps learned through trial and error. Its oppressive atmosphere and minimalist art make it a haunting, memorable experience.
An episodic narrative adventure where Lee protects young Clementine through a zombie apocalypse, forced into agonizing timed moral decisions. The bond between the two makes it one of the most emotionally powerful games of its kind.
An episodic narrative adventure where Lee protects young Clementine through a zombie apocalypse, forced into agonizing timed moral decisions. The bond between the two makes it one of the most emotionally powerful games of its kind.
A wordless, oppressive puzzle-platformer in which a boy slips through a bleak dystopia, controlling bodies with his mind along the way. Masterful atmosphere and a disturbing finale make it unforgettable.
A wordless, oppressive puzzle-platformer in which a boy slips through a bleak dystopia, controlling bodies with his mind along the way. Masterful atmosphere and a disturbing finale make it unforgettable.
A wordless puzzle-platformer rendered in stark black and white, following a boy through a hostile shadow world full of deadly traps learned through trial and error. Its oppressive atmosphere and minimalist art make it a haunting, memorable experience.
2010PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified11.49 €93 % positive
Very positive, 57,284 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Jumping and platforming
Puzzles and brain teasers
A wordless puzzle-platformer rendered in stark black and white, following a boy through a hostile shadow world full of deadly traps learned through trial and error. Its oppressive atmosphere and minimalist art make it a haunting, memorable experience.
As engineer Isaac Clarke, you fight through the derelict mining ship USG Ishimura, strategically dismembering grotesque Necromorphs limb by limb. Its diegetic HUD-free interface, scarce ammo and oppressive sound design make it a landmark of sci-fi horror.
2008PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified19.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 27,660 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Dread and tension
Shooting and gunplay
As engineer Isaac Clarke, you fight through the derelict mining ship USG Ishimura, strategically dismembering grotesque Necromorphs limb by limb. Its diegetic HUD-free interface, scarce ammo and oppressive sound design make it a landmark of sci-fi horror.
A claustrophobic first-person reboot of the series that traps you in the rotting Baker family estate in Louisiana, scraping by on scarce ammo while stalked by relentless hosts and solving puzzles. It trades action spectacle for intimate, grimy dread.
A claustrophobic first-person reboot of the series that traps you in the rotting Baker family estate in Louisiana, scraping by on scarce ammo while stalked by relentless hosts and solving puzzles. It trades action spectacle for intimate, grimy dread.
A claustrophobic first-person shooter set in Moscow's post-nuclear metro tunnels, where scarce ammo, gas mask filters and darkness turn every encounter into a fight for survival. Hidden moral choices quietly shape which ending Artyom reaches.
2010PCXboxSteam Deck playable93 % positive
Very positive, 16,386 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Shooting and gunplay
Action-packed real-time combat
A claustrophobic first-person shooter set in Moscow's post-nuclear metro tunnels, where scarce ammo, gas mask filters and darkness turn every encounter into a fight for survival. Hidden moral choices quietly shape which ending Artyom reaches.
You play as Clementine, now forced to survive on her own in a brutal zombie apocalypse, and make tough moral calls that shape relationships and fates. It's a bleak, emotional narrative adventure with a comic-book look.
You play as Clementine, now forced to survive on her own in a brutal zombie apocalypse, and make tough moral calls that shape relationships and fates. It's a bleak, emotional narrative adventure with a comic-book look.
As tiny Six you sneak through the Maw, a nightmarish vessel full of grotesque giants, solving environmental puzzles while evading capture. Its dollhouse-like, unsettling art style and wordless storytelling make this short adventure unforgettable.
As tiny Six you sneak through the Maw, a nightmarish vessel full of grotesque giants, solving environmental puzzles while evading capture. Its dollhouse-like, unsettling art style and wordless storytelling make this short adventure unforgettable.
As a defenseless journalist armed only with a night-vision camcorder, you creep through a nightmarish asylum where hiding and running are your only options. Relentless, unfiltered terror with no way to fight back.
As a defenseless journalist armed only with a night-vision camcorder, you creep through a nightmarish asylum where hiding and running are your only options. Relentless, unfiltered terror with no way to fight back.
A harrowing combat-free horror journey through a ruined deep-sea research station that confronts you with unsettling questions about consciousness and identity. Its philosophical story lingers long after the credits roll.
A harrowing combat-free horror journey through a ruined deep-sea research station that confronts you with unsettling questions about consciousness and identity. Its philosophical story lingers long after the credits roll.
From the makers of Little Nightmares, a brother and sister brave a grotesque, monster-infested island, solo or in co-op. Expect oppressive atmosphere, environmental puzzles and tense chase sequences.
From the makers of Little Nightmares, a brother and sister brave a grotesque, monster-infested island, solo or in co-op. Expect oppressive atmosphere, environmental puzzles and tense chase sequences.
The genre-defining hack-and-slash: you descend floor by floor through randomized catacombs beneath Tristram all the way into Hell, chasing ever-better loot. Its oppressive gothic atmosphere and iconic soundtrack remain legendary.
The genre-defining hack-and-slash: you descend floor by floor through randomized catacombs beneath Tristram all the way into Hell, chasing ever-better loot. Its oppressive gothic atmosphere and iconic soundtrack remain legendary.
Silent Hill f moves survival horror to 1960s rural Japan, where young Hinako fights through a town overgrown by crimson flowers. Ryukishi07's story explores social pressure and transformation across multiple endings, backed by melee-heavy combat built on dodges and counters.
Silent Hill f moves survival horror to 1960s rural Japan, where young Hinako fights through a town overgrown by crimson flowers. Ryukishi07's story explores social pressure and transformation across multiple endings, backed by melee-heavy combat built on dodges and counters.
Defenseless in a gloomy Prussian castle, you hide from monsters, ration lamp oil and fight to keep your sanity instead of fighting back. A genre-defining horror classic built on physics-based puzzles and relentless dread.
Defenseless in a gloomy Prussian castle, you hide from monsters, ration lamp oil and fight to keep your sanity instead of fighting back. A genre-defining horror classic built on physics-based puzzles and relentless dread.
A standalone Silent Hill entry that relocates the series' dread to mid-90s Scotland, where exploring the fog-bound town of St. Amelia blurs the line between reality and delusion.
2026PCPlayStation49.99 €68 % positive
Mixed, 4,024 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Strong, story-driven narrative
Lavish presentation
A standalone Silent Hill entry that relocates the series' dread to mid-90s Scotland, where exploring the fog-bound town of St. Amelia blurs the line between reality and delusion.
A stunning, film-like journey through mythic Viking Iceland that renders Senua's psychosis through remarkable binaural audio. Light on gameplay depth, but heavy on atmosphere, weighty one-on-one duels and perception puzzles.
2024PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified49.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 6,909 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Lavish presentation
Strong, story-driven narrative
A stunning, film-like journey through mythic Viking Iceland that renders Senua's psychosis through remarkable binaural audio. Light on gameplay depth, but heavy on atmosphere, weighty one-on-one duels and perception puzzles.
An atmospheric shooter set in the decaying underwater city of Rapture, blending Plasmid powers and weapons into creative combat. It is celebrated for its iconic Art Deco setting and a story with a legendary twist that questions free will.
2007PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable19.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 30,931 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Strong, story-driven narrative
Action-packed real-time combat
An atmospheric shooter set in the decaying underwater city of Rapture, blending Plasmid powers and weapons into creative combat. It is celebrated for its iconic Art Deco setting and a story with a legendary twist that questions free will.
Shinji Mikami's brutal survival horror sends detective Sebastian Castellanos through a shifting, nightmarish world. Scarce ammo, deadly traps and grotesque monsters keep the tension constantly high.
2014PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified19.99 €85 % positive
Very positive, 30,305 reviews on Steam
Challenging difficulty
Dread and tension
Action-packed real-time combat
Shinji Mikami's brutal survival horror sends detective Sebastian Castellanos through a shifting, nightmarish world. Scarce ammo, deadly traps and grotesque monsters keep the tension constantly high.
Heather is dragged into a nightmarish otherworld where a mall, a subway and a hospital rot into rust, flesh and blood. Disturbing imagery, Akira Yamaoka's oppressive soundtrack and cryptic puzzles carry the game, while clumsy, desperate combat keeps every encounter tense.
Heather is dragged into a nightmarish otherworld where a mall, a subway and a hospital rot into rust, flesh and blood. Disturbing imagery, Akira Yamaoka's oppressive soundtrack and cryptic puzzles carry the game, while clumsy, desperate combat keeps every encounter tense.
A wordless first-person horror journey through a Giger- and Beksiński-inspired biomechanical nightmare, driven by grotesque environmental puzzles and sparse, clunky combat. Its story is told entirely through its deeply unsettling world.
2022PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified−90 %49.99 € 4.99 € 2 days left77 % positive
Mostly positive, 15,500 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Lavish presentation
Puzzles and brain teasers
A wordless first-person horror journey through a Giger- and Beksiński-inspired biomechanical nightmare, driven by grotesque environmental puzzles and sparse, clunky combat. Its story is told entirely through its deeply unsettling world.
A grim, gothic loot-driven action RPG where you carve through demon hordes across a shared open world, endlessly tuning your build with skills, aspects and legendary gear. A brooding story about Lilith's return sets the stage, while the endgame keeps you chasing better loot in dungeons and seasons.
A grim, gothic loot-driven action RPG where you carve through demon hordes across a shared open world, endlessly tuning your build with skills, aspects and legendary gear. A brooding story about Lilith's return sets the stage, while the endgame keeps you chasing better loot in dungeons and seasons.
This remake of the horror classic follows James through the fog-choked town of Silent Hill as he searches for his dead wife. Oppressive atmosphere, puzzles and scarce resources serve a deep, psychological story.
2024PCPlayStationXbox69.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 43,049 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Dread and tension
Lavish presentation
This remake of the horror classic follows James through the fog-choked town of Silent Hill as he searches for his dead wife. Oppressive atmosphere, puzzles and scarce resources serve a deep, psychological story.
A surreal survival horror thriller alternating between FBI agent Saga Anderson investigating ritual murders and writer Alan Wake trapped in a nightmarish dark realm. Stunning presentation, live-action sequences and a layered meta-narrative make it stand out.
A surreal survival horror thriller alternating between FBI agent Saga Anderson investigating ritual murders and writer Alan Wake trapped in a nightmarish dark realm. Stunning presentation, live-action sequences and a layered meta-narrative make it stand out.
A brutal first-person survival horror game set in the Hellraiser universe, where you harness the powers of a puzzle box to survive a deadly bargain with Pinhead.
2026PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable39.99 €93 % positive
Very positive, 8,496 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Action-packed real-time combat
Lavish presentation
A brutal first-person survival horror game set in the Hellraiser universe, where you harness the powers of a puzzle box to survive a deadly bargain with Pinhead.
A survival horror game set in a flooded Arkham, where you scrape by on scarce resources while fighting Lovecraftian horrors and exploring an oppressive, drowned city.
2026PCPlayStationXboxNintendo Switch49.99 €83 % positive
Very positive, 1,743 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Action-packed real-time combat
Lavish presentation
A survival horror game set in a flooded Arkham, where you scrape by on scarce resources while fighting Lovecraftian horrors and exploring an oppressive, drowned city.
Locked inside his own apartment, Henry Townshend crawls through a hole in the wall into nightmarish worlds while his home slowly becomes haunted. It is the series' most claustrophobic and experimental entry, with first-person apartment sections and an unsettling Akira Yamaoka score.
Locked inside his own apartment, Henry Townshend crawls through a hole in the wall into nightmarish worlds while his home slowly becomes haunted. It is the series' most claustrophobic and experimental entry, with first-person apartment sections and an unsettling Akira Yamaoka score.
As defenseless cameraman Blake, you flee through a remote Arizona village of religious zealots armed only with your camcorder's night vision. A disturbing, relentlessly intense horror trip that blurs reality and hallucination.
2017PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable19.50 €91 % positive
Very positive, 55,500 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Challenging difficulty
Lavish presentation
As defenseless cameraman Blake, you flee through a remote Arizona village of religious zealots armed only with your camcorder's night vision. A disturbing, relentlessly intense horror trip that blurs reality and hallucination.
A linear, narrative-heavy first-person horror journey through Victorian London, where an industrialist descends into a monstrous machine searching for his missing children. It trims the survival mechanics of its predecessor in favor of a disturbing parable about greed and industry, carried by a superb score.
A linear, narrative-heavy first-person horror journey through Victorian London, where an industrialist descends into a monstrous machine searching for his missing children. It trims the survival mechanics of its predecessor in favor of a disturbing parable about greed and industry, carried by a superb score.
Rockstar's notoriously brutal stealth thriller casts you as a death-row convict forced to star in a snuff film, stalking gangs through a decaying city. Lurking in shadows and executing hunters creates a grim, deeply unsettling atmosphere.
2003PCPlayStationXbox70 % positive
Mostly positive, 7,088 reviews on Steam
Sneaking and hiding
Action-packed real-time combat
Dread and tension
Rockstar's notoriously brutal stealth thriller casts you as a death-row convict forced to star in a snuff film, stalking gangs through a decaying city. Lurking in shadows and executing hunters creates a grim, deeply unsettling atmosphere.
A punishing survival shooter set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, where deadly anomalies, mutants and rival factions wait around every corner. You scavenge for gear, hunt rare artifacts and make decisions that shape the story, all wrapped in a thick, oppressive atmosphere.
2024PCPlayStationXbox59.99 €81 % positive
Very positive, 113,346 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Open world
Lots to discover
A punishing survival shooter set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, where deadly anomalies, mutants and rival factions wait around every corner. You scavenge for gear, hunt rare artifacts and make decisions that shape the story, all wrapped in a thick, oppressive atmosphere.
As engineer Isaac Clarke you fight through an infested starship, dismembering monsters limb by limb. The remake stands out with dense atmosphere, striking visuals and oppressive sound design.
2023PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable59.99 €91 % positive
Very positive, 51,259 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Dread and tension
Lavish presentation
As engineer Isaac Clarke you fight through an infested starship, dismembering monsters limb by limb. The remake stands out with dense atmosphere, striking visuals and oppressive sound design.
The genre-defining hack-and-slash classic: pick one of seven classes and carve through four grim acts, hoarding randomized loot and refining skill builds. Chasing runewords and uniques remains compelling to this day, solo or online with friends.
The genre-defining hack-and-slash classic: pick one of seven classes and carve through four grim acts, hoarding randomized loot and refining skill builds. Chasing runewords and uniques remains compelling to this day, solo or online with friends.
The ninth mainline Resident Evil switches between vulnerable FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, whose sections lean on classic survival horror, and the more action-heavy Leon S. Kennedy. Their two storylines weave together into a grim, emotional tale.
The ninth mainline Resident Evil switches between vulnerable FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, whose sections lean on classic survival horror, and the more action-heavy Leon S. Kennedy. Their two storylines weave together into a grim, emotional tale.
A grim first-person horror thriller where you hunt serial killers as detective Ethan Thomas. Gritty melee combat with pipes, lockers and other scavenged objects plus a oppressive atmosphere define the experience.
2005PCXbox87 % positive
Very positive, 3,939 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Dread and tension
Action-packed real-time combat
A grim first-person horror thriller where you hunt serial killers as detective Ethan Thomas. Gritty melee combat with pipes, lockers and other scavenged objects plus a oppressive atmosphere define the experience.
A grim open-world action RPG set in medieval Europe, where Coen is a human by day and a vampire by night. That shift shapes how you fight and explore, and your choices steer the fight to save his family.
2026PCPlayStationXbox69.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 21,389 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Open world
Choices with consequences
A grim open-world action RPG set in medieval Europe, where Coen is a human by day and a vampire by night. That shift shapes how you fight and explore, and your choices steer the fight to save his family.
You play a neural detective who hacks into the memories and minds of others while prowling a decaying, dystopian future Poland. Disturbing hallucinations, thick atmosphere and a paranoid crime story make it a bleak cyberpunk nightmare.
You play a neural detective who hacks into the memories and minds of others while prowling a decaying, dystopian future Poland. Disturbing hallucinations, thick atmosphere and a paranoid crime story make it a bleak cyberpunk nightmare.
A classic survival horror game with scarce resources, inventory puzzles and a cryptic, melancholic sci-fi story. Its blend of retro 3D aesthetics, anime-inspired bleakness and cosmic dread creates a dense, unsettling atmosphere.
A classic survival horror game with scarce resources, inventory puzzles and a cryptic, melancholic sci-fi story. Its blend of retro 3D aesthetics, anime-inspired bleakness and cosmic dread creates a dense, unsettling atmosphere.
A dark psychological horror adventure about a lonely, suicidal woman drawn into a fight against grotesque serial killers. With its gritty collage-like look, strong voice acting and heavy themes of depression and loss, it is an intense and emotional experience.
2012PCSteam Deck playable8.79 €94 % positive
Very positive, 5,703 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Distinctive, stylised art style
Dread and tension
A dark psychological horror adventure about a lonely, suicidal woman drawn into a fight against grotesque serial killers. With its gritty collage-like look, strong voice acting and heavy themes of depression and loss, it is an intense and emotional experience.
A brutal sci-fi survival horror set in a prison on a moon of Jupiter, where you play convict Jacob Lee fighting mutated inmates with melee, dodging and scarce ammo. Its grim, cinematic presentation and graphic gore define the experience.
A brutal sci-fi survival horror set in a prison on a moon of Jupiter, where you play convict Jacob Lee fighting mutated inmates with melee, dodging and scarce ammo. Its grim, cinematic presentation and graphic gore define the experience.
Isaac Clarke carves through a Necromorph-infested space station with strategic dismemberment while battling his own haunting hallucinations. It is a faster, more cinematic sequel that keeps the original's oppressive sci-fi horror intact.
2011PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable19.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 25,946 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Action-packed real-time combat
Shooting and gunplay
Isaac Clarke carves through a Necromorph-infested space station with strategic dismemberment while battling his own haunting hallucinations. It is a faster, more cinematic sequel that keeps the original's oppressive sci-fi horror intact.
A brutal, linear WWII shooter that drags you through the savage Pacific and Eastern Front campaigns all the way to Berlin. It also offers co-op campaign play, competitive multiplayer and the debut of the iconic Nazi Zombies survival mode.
2008PCPlayStationXbox19.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 50,549 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Historical setting
Action-packed real-time combat
A brutal, linear WWII shooter that drags you through the savage Pacific and Eastern Front campaigns all the way to Berlin. It also offers co-op campaign play, competitive multiplayer and the debut of the iconic Nazi Zombies survival mode.
Two sisters are trapped in a cursed Japanese village and fend off ghosts with the Camera Obscura, a camera used as a weapon. The remake leans on thick dread, vulnerability and a tragic story.
Two sisters are trapped in a cursed Japanese village and fend off ghosts with the Camera Obscura, a camera used as a weapon. The remake leans on thick dread, vulnerability and a tragic story.
A first-person Lovecraft horror that blends shooting, stealth and desperate escapes with a minimalist, HUD-free approach. As unstable detective Jack Walters you uncover the horrors of Innsmouth while your sanity steadily erodes.
2005PCXbox4.99 €68 % positive
Mixed, 3,170 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Strong, story-driven narrative
A first-person Lovecraft horror that blends shooting, stealth and desperate escapes with a minimalist, HUD-free approach. As unstable detective Jack Walters you uncover the horrors of Innsmouth while your sanity steadily erodes.
A short, harrowing psychological horror story aboard a crippled space freighter, where the survivors unravel under guilt, despair and madness. Its fractured timeline, bleak humor and grimy low-poly look make it memorable.
A short, harrowing psychological horror story aboard a crippled space freighter, where the survivors unravel under guilt, despair and madness. Its fractured timeline, bleak humor and grimy low-poly look make it memorable.
A story-driven horror ride on a collapsing Scottish oil rig in 1975, where you play a rig worker fleeing a fleshy otherworldly creature. Dense atmosphere, strong voice acting and frantic escape sequences instead of combat.
2024PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable34.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 6,723 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Lavish presentation
Strong, story-driven narrative
A story-driven horror ride on a collapsing Scottish oil rig in 1975, where you play a rig worker fleeing a fleshy otherworldly creature. Dense atmosphere, strong voice acting and frantic escape sequences instead of combat.
A first-person horror adventure set in the 1937 Algerian desert, where you play the defenseless Tasi, hiding from monsters, solving puzzles and slowly uncovering a disturbing truth. Its strengths are dense atmosphere and a dark, emotional story.
A first-person horror adventure set in the 1937 Algerian desert, where you play the defenseless Tasi, hiding from monsters, solving puzzles and slowly uncovering a disturbing truth. Its strengths are dense atmosphere and a dark, emotional story.
As a traumatized asylum escapee you sneak through grim environments and dispatch enemies with brutal executions. This stealth horror game is notorious for its extreme violence and oppressive atmosphere.
As a traumatized asylum escapee you sneak through grim environments and dispatch enemies with brutal executions. This stealth horror game is notorious for its extreme violence and oppressive atmosphere.
A cooperative tactical survival shooter where you scavenge loot between colossal war machines locked in endless conflict, trying to slip out alive. The bleak, oppressive perpetual-war world defines the mood.
2024PC28.99 €72 % positive
Mostly positive, 19,046 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Playing together in co-op
Co-op or multiplayer
A cooperative tactical survival shooter where you scavenge loot between colossal war machines locked in endless conflict, trying to slip out alive. The bleak, oppressive perpetual-war world defines the mood.
A claustrophobic first-person shooter set in the post-nuclear Moscow metro, where scarce ammo, gas mask filters and stealth turn every encounter into a fight for survival. Dense atmosphere and a grim story following Artyom drive the experience.
A claustrophobic first-person shooter set in the post-nuclear Moscow metro, where scarce ammo, gas mask filters and stealth turn every encounter into a fight for survival. Dense atmosphere and a grim story following Artyom drive the experience.
A nerve-shredding survival horror game where, as Amanda Ripley, you are hunted through Sevastopol station by an unpredictable, unkillable Alien. Its faithful lo-fi retro-futurist look from the 1979 film and constant dread make hiding in lockers terrifying.
2014PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified39.99 €93 % positive
Very positive, 60,831 reviews on Steam
Sneaking and hiding
Sci-fi setting
Dread and tension
A nerve-shredding survival horror game where, as Amanda Ripley, you are hunted through Sevastopol station by an unpredictable, unkillable Alien. Its faithful lo-fi retro-futurist look from the 1979 film and constant dread make hiding in lockers terrifying.
A grim survival adventure set in a dust-shrouded ruined city where limited stamina, scarce resources and risky climbing define the experience. Instead of constant gunplay it relies on bluffing with an empty weapon and tension while searching for the hero's family.
2012PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable68 % positive
Mixed, 2,753 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Jumping and platforming
A grim survival adventure set in a dust-shrouded ruined city where limited stamina, scarce resources and risky climbing define the experience. Instead of constant gunplay it relies on bluffing with an empty weapon and tension while searching for the hero's family.
As the healer Artemy Burakh, you struggle through a plague-ridden steppe town against hunger, relentless time pressure and scarce resources. Every decision leaves lasting consequences, and the bleak, surreal narrative never lets you rest.
2019PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified33.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 10,915 reviews on Steam
Challenging difficulty
Distinctive, stylised art style
Strong, story-driven narrative
As the healer Artemy Burakh, you struggle through a plague-ridden steppe town against hunger, relentless time pressure and scarce resources. Every decision leaves lasting consequences, and the bleak, surreal narrative never lets you rest.
A bleak action-adventure set in a war-torn country that drops quest markers and hand-holding, so you navigate by clues, notes and conversations. Puzzles and tense melee fights against eerie creatures born of a mysterious calamity round it out.
A bleak action-adventure set in a war-torn country that drops quest markers and hand-holding, so you navigate by clues, notes and conversations. Puzzles and tense melee fights against eerie creatures born of a mysterious calamity round it out.
A first-person, story-driven psychological horror game in which you play an investigator tracing lost memories through a dark, unsettling world. The emphasis is on atmosphere, puzzles and an enigmatic narrative.
2025PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified24.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 2,835 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Sci-fi setting
Distinctive, stylised art style
A first-person, story-driven psychological horror game in which you play an investigator tracing lost memories through a dark, unsettling world. The emphasis is on atmosphere, puzzles and an enigmatic narrative.
Agony drops you into a grotesque, brutally graphic Hell as a tormented soul who must sneak, flee and possess demons to survive. Its appeal is its disturbing atmosphere rather than combat depth.
Agony drops you into a grotesque, brutally graphic Hell as a tormented soul who must sneak, flee and possess demons to survive. Its appeal is its disturbing atmosphere rather than combat depth.
A short, disturbing horror visual novel from Nitroplus: after an accident a medical student sees the world as flesh and viscera, with only Saya appearing beautiful to him. It is a bleak, uncompromising blend of cosmic dread and tragic romance.
2003PC91 % positive
Very positive, 7,136 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Dread and tension
A short, disturbing horror visual novel from Nitroplus: after an accident a medical student sees the world as flesh and viscera, with only Saya appearing beautiful to him. It is a bleak, uncompromising blend of cosmic dread and tragic romance.
A grim point-and-click adventure where an amnesiac man wakes in a disturbing asylum. Surreal chapters in which you step into different roles and a deeply unsettling atmosphere make it a classic of psychological horror.
1998PCSteam Deck playable10.25 €94 % positive
Very positive, 1,202 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Distinctive, stylised art style
Strong, story-driven narrative
A grim point-and-click adventure where an amnesiac man wakes in a disturbing asylum. Surreal chapters in which you step into different roles and a deeply unsettling atmosphere make it a classic of psychological horror.
As death-row inmate Torque, you fight through a maximum-security prison overrun by monstrous creatures and hallucinations. A grim third-person horror shooter where your moral choices shape Torque's fate and the ending.
As death-row inmate Torque, you fight through a maximum-security prison overrun by monstrous creatures and hallucinations. A grim third-person horror shooter where your moral choices shape Torque's fate and the ending.
A free Half-Life total conversion that tells a oppressive psychological horror story with a bleak atmosphere and scarce resources. Multiple endings and an optional co-op mode add replay value.
2013PC89 % positive
Very positive, 74,408 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Strong, story-driven narrative
A free Half-Life total conversion that tells a oppressive psychological horror story with a bleak atmosphere and scarce resources. Multiple endings and an optional co-op mode add replay value.
The survival horror classic sends Leon and Claire through zombie-infested Raccoon City, where scarce ammo, inventory management, puzzles and fixed camera angles keep tension high. Two intertwined scenarios reward multiple playthroughs.
The survival horror classic sends Leon and Claire through zombie-infested Raccoon City, where scarce ammo, inventory management, puzzles and fixed camera angles keep tension high. Two intertwined scenarios reward multiple playthroughs.
Horror games work because they take control away from you in small, deliberate ways: scarce ammo, dark corridors, enemies you can't simply outgun. The genre covers a lot of ground, though, so it helps to know what kind of fear you're after. Some games lean on helplessness, others on atmosphere, others on story and loss. Before picking, think about how much combat you want, whether you enjoy hard challenges, and whether you'd rather play something short and unsettling or a long, emotional campaign.
If you want pure, defenseless terror, Outlast gives you only a night-vision camcorder and leaves hiding and running as your only options. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is the pick for claustrophobic first-person dread, with scarce ammo and puzzles inside the grimy Baker estate. Players who like a steep challenge should try Bloodborne, a fast, aggressive Soulslike that slowly turns into cosmic horror, but expect brutal bosses. For story-first horror, The Last of Us pairs tense stealth and scarce resources with a character-driven journey, while The Walking Dead focuses on timed moral decisions instead of combat.
If you prefer something shorter and more artistic, Inside, Limbo and Little Nightmares are wordless puzzle-platformers that build unease through art style and atmosphere rather than jump scares. They're also a gentler entry point if you're new to the genre.
Frequently asked questions
What is the scariest horror game on this list?
Outlast is the most relentless, since you can't fight back at all and must hide or run. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a close contender thanks to its claustrophobic first-person view and stalking enemies.
Which horror games are good for beginners?
Little Nightmares, Inside and Limbo are approachable puzzle-platformers that rely on atmosphere instead of difficult combat. The Walking Dead is also easy to get into, as it centers on story and choices rather than reflexes.
Which horror games have the best story?
The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II are known for their emotional, cinematic storytelling and strong performances. The Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: Season Two build their stories around Clementine and tough moral decisions.
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