Small studios, big scares: indie horror that is often bolder and more original than the big names.
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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.
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.
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.
What starts as a sugary anime dating sim about a school poetry club gradually turns into unsettling psychological horror that breaks the fourth wall and even toys with the game's own files.
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.
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.
What starts as a sugary anime dating sim about a school poetry club gradually turns into unsettling psychological horror that breaks the fourth wall and even toys with the game's own files.
What starts as a sugary anime dating sim about a school poetry club gradually turns into unsettling psychological horror that breaks the fourth wall and even toys with the game's own files.
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.
After a plane crash you build shelters and traps in a dense forest while tribes of cannibals stalk and attack you. Creepy mutant-filled caves and the mystery of your missing son drive the exploration, and it's best played with friends in co-op.
After a plane crash you build shelters and traps in a dense forest while tribes of cannibals stalk and attack you. Creepy mutant-filled caves and the mystery of your missing son drive the exploration, and it's best played with friends in co-op.
A frantic top-down roguelike shooter where Isaac fires tears through randomly generated basements. Hundreds of items stack into wild combinations, making every run different and grotesquely strange.
A frantic top-down roguelike shooter where Isaac fires tears through randomly generated basements. Hundreds of items stack into wild combinations, making every run different and grotesquely strange.
A creepy card game played against a shadowy figure in a dark cabin, mixing deckbuilding with escape-room puzzles while constantly breaking its own rules. Beneath the surface lies a surprising, fourth-wall-bending mystery.
A creepy card game played against a shadowy figure in a dark cabin, mixing deckbuilding with escape-room puzzles while constantly breaking its own rules. Beneath the surface lies a surprising, fourth-wall-bending mystery.
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.
2017PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified19.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 52,424 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Distinctive, stylised art style
Sneaking and hiding
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.
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.
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 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 dark, story-driven RPG Maker horror about two siblings starving in a quarantined apartment. Your choices lead to disturbing, macabre and often darkly funny turns across many endings.
A dark, story-driven RPG Maker horror about two siblings starving in a quarantined apartment. Your choices lead to disturbing, macabre and often darkly funny turns across many endings.
A dark point-and-click adventure in which you play a young girl with a mental illness who shifts between a brutal reality and a disturbing alternate world. Nightmarish hand-drawn art and inventory puzzles carry a bleak, emotional story.
A dark point-and-click adventure in which you play a young girl with a mental illness who shifts between a brutal reality and a disturbing alternate world. Nightmarish hand-drawn art and inventory puzzles carry a bleak, emotional story.
A surreal RPG that contrasts bright dreamlike worlds and childhood friendship with psychological horror and heavy themes. Its emotional story and memorable soundtrack stand out, and turn-based battles use emotions as a core mechanic.
A surreal RPG that contrasts bright dreamlike worlds and childhood friendship with psychological horror and heavy themes. Its emotional story and memorable soundtrack stand out, and turn-based battles use emotions as a core mechanic.
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 €91 % positive
Very positive, 40,995 reviews on Steam
Jumping and platforming
Distinctive, stylised art style
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.
An atmospheric 2D horror adventure set in 1960s martial-law Taiwan, where you sneak through a haunted school and solve puzzles as a student. It blends political repression with Taiwanese folk religion and myth for a deeply unsettling story.
An atmospheric 2D horror adventure set in 1960s martial-law Taiwan, where you sneak through a haunted school and solve puzzles as a student. It blends political repression with Taiwanese folk religion and myth for a deeply unsettling story.
A dark point-and-click puzzle game where you grow the Vanderboom family tree across generations. Bizarre, macabre puzzles and an eerie atmosphere tell the story almost without words.
A dark point-and-click puzzle game where you grow the Vanderboom family tree across generations. Bizarre, macabre puzzles and an eerie atmosphere tell the story almost without words.
You and your friends play ghost hunters, using EMF readers, spirit boxes and cameras to work out which kind of ghost haunts a location. Voice recognition and sudden hunts make for genuine panic and plenty of hilarious co-op moments.
2020PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable18.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 686,738 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Playing together in co-op
Dread and tension
You and your friends play ghost hunters, using EMF readers, spirit boxes and cameras to work out which kind of ghost haunts a location. Voice recognition and sudden hunts make for genuine panic and plenty of hilarious co-op moments.
Darkwood is a bleak top-down survival horror where you scavenge a eerie, partly randomized forest by day and barricade your hideout against horrors by night. Its surreal atmosphere and deliberately cryptic story create constant dread.
2017PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified19.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 22,570 reviews on Steam
Lots to discover
Challenging difficulty
Dread and tension
Darkwood is a bleak top-down survival horror where you scavenge a eerie, partly randomized forest by day and barricade your hideout against horrors by night. Its surreal atmosphere and deliberately cryptic story create constant dread.
A short RPG Maker horror adventure in which you play Aya, uncovering the dark secrets of her mad doctor father inside a mansion. Puzzles, chase sequences and multiple endings deliver a macabre yet emotional story.
A short RPG Maker horror adventure in which you play Aya, uncovering the dark secrets of her mad doctor father inside a mansion. Puzzles, chase sequences and multiple endings deliver a macabre yet emotional story.
An unforgiving zombie survival sandbox where you loot, build, craft and train skills until your inevitable death. Its deep simulation and highly customisable rules turn every run into a personal survival story, solo or with friends.
2013PCSteam Deck verified25.49 €94 % positive
Very positive, 373,195 reviews on Steam
Open world
Sandbox with your own goals
Post-apocalyptic setting
An unforgiving zombie survival sandbox where you loot, build, craft and train skills until your inevitable death. Its deep simulation and highly customisable rules turn every run into a personal survival story, solo or with friends.
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, 4,845 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Dread and tension
Distinctive, stylised art style
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 short pixel-art point-and-click horror adventure about the darkest depths of the human soul, following a kind woman whose life unravels when a mysterious voice begins speaking to her.
A short pixel-art point-and-click horror adventure about the darkest depths of the human soul, following a kind woman whose life unravels when a mysterious voice begins speaking to her.
Dusk is a fast, 90s-style boomer shooter with eerie atmosphere and maze-like levels full of secrets. It focuses on fluid movement and punchy weapons against hordes of cultists and worse horrors.
Dusk is a fast, 90s-style boomer shooter with eerie atmosphere and maze-like levels full of secrets. It focuses on fluid movement and punchy weapons against hordes of cultists and worse horrors.
A grim hack-and-slash ARPG set in a world torn apart by otherworldly invaders, where combining two classes and chasing loot enables staggering build variety. Perfect for players who love endlessly theorycrafting their ideal character.
2016PCXboxSteam Deck playable25.99 €93 % positive
Very positive, 93,727 reviews on Steam
Strong character progression
Fantasy setting
Action-packed real-time combat
A grim hack-and-slash ARPG set in a world torn apart by otherworldly invaders, where combining two classes and chasing loot enables staggering build variety. Perfect for players who love endlessly theorycrafting their ideal character.
A minimalist horror game where you play a round of shotgun Russian roulette against a sinister Dealer in a grimy nightclub. Odds, risk management and special items create tense, tactical decisions in short, nerve-wracking runs.
A minimalist horror game where you play a round of shotgun Russian roulette against a sinister Dealer in a grimy nightclub. Odds, risk management and special items create tense, tactical decisions in short, nerve-wracking runs.
A co-op survival horror where you endure the cruel experiments of the Murkoff Corporation, alone or with up to three friends. You sneak, flee and complete objectives while sadistic stalkers hunt you down.
2024PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified38.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 101,536 reviews on Steam
Playing together in co-op
Co-op or multiplayer
Sneaking and hiding
A co-op survival horror where you endure the cruel experiments of the Murkoff Corporation, alone or with up to three friends. You sneak, flee and complete objectives while sadistic stalkers hunt you down.
An episodic point-and-click adventure about a boy with a prosthetic face who investigates a murder series and supernatural secrets in a gloomy apartment building. Its distinctive comic-like low-poly look, 90s atmosphere and emotional story set it apart.
An episodic point-and-click adventure about a boy with a prosthetic face who investigates a murder series and supernatural secrets in a gloomy apartment building. Its distinctive comic-like low-poly look, 90s atmosphere and emotional story set it apart.
Ib is a short, eerie adventure set in an art gallery where you solve puzzles and slowly uncover the world through paintings and notes. This remake adds new graphics, new puzzles and a new soundtrack to a cult classic of the genre.
Ib is a short, eerie adventure set in an art gallery where you solve puzzles and slowly uncover the world through paintings and notes. This remake adds new graphics, new puzzles and a new soundtrack to a cult classic of the genre.
A classic-style survival horror set in a small American town, mixing scarce resources, puzzles and interconnected exploration into a grim mystery about redemption.
A classic-style survival horror set in a small American town, mixing scarce resources, puzzles and interconnected exploration into a grim mystery about redemption.
A short, unsettling visual novel in which you help a girl with the seemingly mundane task of buying milk. Beneath the everyday setup lies a disturbing psychological drama.
A short, unsettling visual novel in which you help a girl with the seemingly mundane task of buying milk. Beneath the everyday setup lies a disturbing psychological drama.
A grotesque twin-stick roguelike set in randomly generated basements, where countless bizarre items transform Isaac in wildly different ways each run. Dark, religiously tinged humor meets huge replayability and a wealth of secrets to unlock.
2011PCSteam Deck playable4.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 49,357 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Action-packed real-time combat
Shooting and gunplay
A grotesque twin-stick roguelike set in randomly generated basements, where countless bizarre items transform Isaac in wildly different ways each run. Dark, religiously tinged humor meets huge replayability and a wealth of secrets to unlock.
You manage the daily life of streamer Ame, scheduling streams and time slots while trying to keep her fragile mental state in check. Behind the colorful internet-culture look lies a dark story about dependency, with many different endings.
2022PCPlayStationNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable13.29 €94 % positive
Very positive, 55,055 reviews on Steam
Choices with consequences
Distinctive, stylised art style
Strong, story-driven narrative
You manage the daily life of streamer Ame, scheduling streams and time slots while trying to keep her fragile mental state in check. Behind the colorful internet-culture look lies a dark story about dependency, with many different endings.
A psychological horror visual novel where you are sent to slay a princess in a cabin while a cast of voices in your head keeps commenting. Every choice sends the story spiraling into new branches, and the hand-penciled art and superb voice acting make each loop eerie and surprising.
A psychological horror visual novel where you are sent to slay a princess in a cabin while a cast of voices in your head keeps commenting. Every choice sends the story spiraling into new branches, and the hand-penciled art and superb voice acting make each loop eerie and surprising.
A new point-and-click puzzle adventure in the Rusty Lake series, expected to deliver the franchise's dark, surreal atmosphere and intricately layered puzzles. As it is a new release, this rating relies mostly on the series' established style.
A new point-and-click puzzle adventure in the Rusty Lake series, expected to deliver the franchise's dark, surreal atmosphere and intricately layered puzzles. As it is a new release, this rating relies mostly on the series' established style.
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 €90 % positive
Very positive, 55,035 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Lavish presentation
Challenging difficulty
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.
You are trapped in your apartment building while the world outside breaks down, fighting mutated neighbors in turn-based combat. Ammo, supplies and your sanity must be carefully managed in a dense pixel-art horror atmosphere.
You are trapped in your apartment building while the world outside breaks down, fighting mutated neighbors in turn-based combat. Ammo, supplies and your sanity must be carefully managed in a dense pixel-art horror atmosphere.
An eerie point-and-click puzzle adventure on a remote island where the ten biblical plagues torment your family. Bizarre rituals, a dark atmosphere and surreal art make it classic Rusty Lake.
An eerie point-and-click puzzle adventure on a remote island where the ten biblical plagues torment your family. Bizarre rituals, a dark atmosphere and surreal art make it classic Rusty Lake.
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, 9,645 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Challenging difficulty
Post-apocalyptic setting
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.
You run a secret company that studies dangerous anomalies, balancing employees, energy and containment. Every mistake triggers a chain of disasters, while a deep and unsettling story unfolds behind the grim corporate routine.
2018PCSteam Deck playable22.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 53,820 reviews on Steam
Economy and management
Tactical depth
Deep systems to master
You run a secret company that studies dangerous anomalies, balancing employees, energy and containment. Every mistake triggers a chain of disasters, while a deep and unsettling story unfolds behind the grim corporate routine.
A short, unsettling pixel-art visual-novel-style adventure that returns to the surreal and oppressive world of its predecessor. You guide a girl through bizarre, bleak scenes while trying to make her a little happier.
A short, unsettling pixel-art visual-novel-style adventure that returns to the surreal and oppressive world of its predecessor. You guide a girl through bizarre, bleak scenes while trying to make her a little happier.
A macabre point-and-click puzzle game in which you play a hotel chef serving odd guests through clever, twisted puzzles. Its surreal, eerie atmosphere and cryptic Rusty Lake lore make it stand out.
A macabre point-and-click puzzle game in which you play a hotel chef serving odd guests through clever, twisted puzzles. Its surreal, eerie atmosphere and cryptic Rusty Lake lore make it stand out.
You play a shapeless alien creature breaking out of a research facility and hunting humans in a reverse horror twist. Its Metroidvania structure, fluid tentacle movement and unlockable abilities make growing and devouring everything in your path the core thrill.
2020PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified19.50 €94 % positive
Very positive, 33,869 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Sci-fi setting
Lots to discover
You play a shapeless alien creature breaking out of a research facility and hunting humans in a reverse horror twist. Its Metroidvania structure, fluid tentacle movement and unlockable abilities make growing and devouring everything in your path the core thrill.
A grim visual novel set in a fog-bound Japanese village, where a werewolf-style game of suspicion, logic and betrayal plays out. Its intricate, looping plot thrives on deduction and shocking twists.
A grim visual novel set in a fog-bound Japanese village, where a werewolf-style game of suspicion, logic and betrayal plays out. Its intricate, looping plot thrives on deduction and shocking twists.
You pilot a cramped submarine blindly through an ocean of blood on an alien moon, relying on coordinates, maps and photos. Its claustrophobic, oppressive atmosphere makes this short game an intense horror experience.
2022PCPlayStationNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable7.79 €92 % positive
Very positive, 10,298 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Dread and tension
You pilot a cramped submarine blindly through an ocean of blood on an alien moon, relying on coordinates, maps and photos. Its claustrophobic, oppressive atmosphere makes this short game an intense horror experience.
A grim adventure steeped in Nordic folklore and nightmarish creatures, in which a boy tries to rescue his sister. It blends puzzles, hiding and boss encounters with an oppressive, fairy-tale atmosphere.
2023PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified29.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 6,698 reviews on Steam
Fantasy setting
Lavish presentation
Distinctive, stylised art style
A grim adventure steeped in Nordic folklore and nightmarish creatures, in which a boy tries to rescue his sister. It blends puzzles, hiding and boss encounters with an oppressive, fairy-tale atmosphere.
An atmospheric fishing adventure where you haul catches and upgrade your trawler by day while Lovecraftian dread creeps in with the night fog. Inventory-packing puzzles and eerie island stories give it a unique hook.
2023PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified−50 %39.99 € 19.99 € 10 days left95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 48,461 reviews on Steam
Lots to discover
Open world
Strong character progression
An atmospheric fishing adventure where you haul catches and upgrade your trawler by day while Lovecraftian dread creeps in with the night fog. Inventory-packing puzzles and eerie island stories give it a unique hook.
You follow a visual novel where the village of Hinamizawa slides into dread, with music, backdrops and characters pulling you deep into the story. As the scenarios unfold, you piece together the mystery behind the events.
You follow a visual novel where the village of Hinamizawa slides into dread, with music, backdrops and characters pulling you deep into the story. As the scenarios unfold, you piece together the mystery behind the events.
A minimalist survival horror where you play a child defending your bedroom, doors and closet from animatronics using only sound cues and a flashlight. Precise timing and steady nerves decide whether you last until 6 AM.
2015PC93 % positive
Very positive, 14,751 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Dread and tension
Challenging difficulty
A minimalist survival horror where you play a child defending your bedroom, doors and closet from animatronics using only sound cues and a flashlight. Precise timing and steady nerves decide whether you last until 6 AM.
A stylish first-person survival horror game about Michelle's final days, where you hide in unsettling places and fight back with a demon gun. Rich lore and multiple endings encourage replays.
A stylish first-person survival horror game about Michelle's final days, where you hide in unsettling places and fight back with a demon gun. Rich lore and multiple endings encourage replays.
A first-person speed-climbing game where precise movement and scarce resources carry you up through a menacing, decaying concrete shaft. One slip can end the run, keeping the pace and tension high.
A first-person speed-climbing game where precise movement and scarce resources carry you up through a menacing, decaying concrete shaft. One slip can end the run, keeping the pace and tension high.
As a night guard at a pizzeria, you fend off murderous animatronics using only security cameras, doors and a dwindling power supply. Tense resource management, infamous jump scares and cryptic hidden lore made it a cult horror phenomenon.
2014PC93 % positive
Very positive, 52,237 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
As a night guard at a pizzeria, you fend off murderous animatronics using only security cameras, doors and a dwindling power supply. Tense resource management, infamous jump scares and cryptic hidden lore made it a cult horror phenomenon.
A brutal retro-styled arena shooter where you survive as long as possible against escalating demon swarms in a pitch-black void. Every second counts, with tight movement and crucial audio cues deciding your spot on the global leaderboard.
A brutal retro-styled arena shooter where you survive as long as possible against escalating demon swarms in a pitch-black void. Every second counts, with tight movement and crucial audio cues deciding your spot on the global leaderboard.
You crew a submarine with friends through the icy ocean of Jupiter's moon Europa. Every task, from reactor to weapons to hull leaks, matters, and small mistakes quickly spiral into chaotic survival.
2023PCSteam Deck playable34.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 62,660 reviews on Steam
Playing together in co-op
Co-op or multiplayer
Sci-fi setting
You crew a submarine with friends through the icy ocean of Jupiter's moon Europa. Every task, from reactor to weapons to hull leaks, matters, and small mistakes quickly spiral into chaotic survival.
As a night guard in a pizzeria you watch cameras and survive until morning while a larger, more aggressive set of animatronics hunts you. Jump scares, limited resources and tense timing define it, with scattered lore hints on the side.
2014PC94 % positive
Very positive, 22,697 reviews on Steam
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
Dread and tension
Challenging difficulty
As a night guard in a pizzeria you watch cameras and survive until morning while a larger, more aggressive set of animatronics hunts you. Jump scares, limited resources and tense timing define it, with scattered lore hints on the side.
A first-person horror game in a WW1 bunker where you survive with scarce resources, a hand-cranked light and an unpredictable monster stalking you. The semi-open, systemic layout lets you improvise routes, hiding spots and puzzle solutions.
2023PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified24.50 €93 % positive
Very positive, 10,656 reviews on Steam
Sneaking and hiding
Dread and tension
Lots to discover
A first-person horror game in a WW1 bunker where you survive with scarce resources, a hand-cranked light and an unpredictable monster stalking you. The semi-open, systemic layout lets you improvise routes, hiding spots and puzzle solutions.
A short indie horror adventure in which you search a cave for a missing woman and uncover a disturbing story shaped by your decisions. It is brief, dark and narrative-driven.
2013PC96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 12,033 reviews on Steam
Choices with consequences
Dread and tension
Strong, story-driven narrative
A short indie horror adventure in which you search a cave for a missing woman and uncover a disturbing story shaped by your decisions. It is brief, dark and narrative-driven.
A grim point-and-click adventure where you solve puzzles as a prisoner in a nightmarish castle. Its oppressive, surreal world draws heavily on the paintings of H.R. Giger and Zdzisław Beksiński.
2015PCSteam Deck verified9.90 €93 % positive
Very positive, 2,562 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Distinctive, stylised art style
Fantasy setting
A grim point-and-click adventure where you solve puzzles as a prisoner in a nightmarish castle. Its oppressive, surreal world draws heavily on the paintings of H.R. Giger and Zdzisław Beksiński.
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.
Indie horror tends to scare you in ways big-budget games rarely try. Instead of relying on huge set pieces, these games lean on mood, odd ideas and unusual formats. The list covers a wide range, so it helps to decide first what kind of fear you want: running and hiding, quiet dread, or a story that unsettles you.
If you want to be chased and have no way to fight back, Outlast and Amnesia: The Dark Descent are the classic picks. Both are built around hiding, stealth and managing your nerves. For slower, story-driven horror with a sci-fi setting, Soma and Signalis are strong choices, and Signalis adds survival elements. If you prefer side-scrolling and puzzles over open threats, Inside and Little Nightmares are tense without being long-winded, and Limbo shares that style.
Some games on this list are not what they first appear to be. Inscryption mixes a deckbuilder with a roguelike structure and a mystery, while The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a difficult roguelike shooter, so expect repeated failure. The Forest is the one to pick for co-op survival and exploration. Check platforms too: Doki Doki Literature Club! is listed for PC only, and The Forest for PC and PlayStation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best indie horror game for beginners?
Inside and Little Nightmares are good starting points, since they are platformer-puzzle games built around atmosphere and stealth rather than combat. Limbo works in a similar way.
Which indie horror games can I play with friends?
The Forest is the co-op option on this list, combining survival and exploration in an open world. It is available on PC and PlayStation.
Which indie horror games focus on story and psychological horror?
Soma, Mouthwashing and Doki Doki Literature Club! are all tagged as story rich and psychological. Signalis and Amnesia: The Dark Descent also lean on atmosphere and mystery.
Not quite your taste?
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