The gaming industry has always placed horror among its most popular genres for its jump scares and suspense. In the year 2026, there are plenty of horror games that you can play, including the most difficult survival games and creepy story adventures. So, here’s a list of the 25 best horror games that will help you find the perfect game to play in 2026.
Best Horror Games to Play in 2026
The 25 best horror games of 2026 have a wide range of experiences for you to play. Amnesia: The Bunker, Visage, Alien: Isolation, and Alan Wake 2 are praised for their beautiful atmospheres, story depth, and tension. Remakes such as Dead Space, Resident Evil 2, and Silent Hill 2 are appreciated for great visuals and mood, while games like Look Outside, The Evil Within 1 & 2, and Signalis use story-driven storytelling with challenging survival mechanics.
Multiplayer and co-op games like Phasmophobia, R.E.P.O., The Headliners, and The Blackout Club are great for teamwork. Meanwhile, story-focused games like Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut, SOMA, and Little Nightmares provide an emotional tale to the game.
Amnesia: The Bunker
Amnesia: The Bunker has the potential to give the fans the horror experience that they want. Many players find a strong horror atmosphere: tense, frightening, and anxiety-driven moments, especially the monster’s sound-based movement and the constant resource management.
Amnesia: The Bunker is the most immersive gameplay title of the series, with the mechanics, randomised resources, and the bunker layout all serving to encourage exploration and replayability. Even though a single playthrough is short, the randomising and open structure make it fun to replay and totally different every time.
The Bunker is constantly suggested for gamers who like playing alone, the atmosphere of the game, the tension, and the immersive horror with Survival mechanics over just terror. Many people think that the gameplay is a great step forward since the times of Machine for Pigs and Rebirth, and some even state it as the best Amnesia game.
Dead Space (Remake)
According to many different players’ opinions, the Dead Space Remake is worth playing. The very atmosphere of the game, its visuals, and its gameplay changes are the first elements that get praised by both long-time fans and new ones. The latter group is especially fond of the enhanced zero-gravity sections and good story moments. Players have even gone back to the game a couple of times just because they liked it so much.
When it comes to performance, the PC version still has a problem with stuttering while travelling near doors, but the shader compilation stutter, however, has been resolved. Some gamers managed to avoid the performance problem by doing things like capping their FPS or resetting the shader cache, while others simply played on the console for a more fluid experience.
Moreover, many people highlighted the fact that it was a very nice deal, particularly with the Game Pass/EA Play option. Dead Space Remake is strongly recommended for anyone who likes sci-fi horror or the original Dead Space, as it is considered a nearly perfect modernisation of the classic.
The Dark Pictures Anthology
The Dark Pictures Anthology series is really good. Most players consider The Dark Pictures Anthology to be most entertaining when played in co-op or “movie night” mode. It is fun to share choices, reactions and chaotic deaths. Solo play is often regarded as a weaker option and sometimes even boring.
House of Ashes is frequently referred to as the best in the Anthology mainly because of the captivating storyline and double-twist. The Devil in Me has won some critics’ favour for having a human antagonist instead of a supernatural one. A large portion of the gaming community believes that Supermassive has never created anything better than Until Dawn. The characters, pacing and twist of that game worked better, while the later ones feel more and more like a series of similar patterns.
The Dark Pictures Anthology is an enjoyable experience when played with others. Different branches in the story and the replayability factor. It gives a pretty good “interactive movie” vibe. House of Ashes has also has some exceptional moments (mostly for its twists). People who like interactive horror movies, don’t mind simple gameplay, and plan to play with friends or a partner tend to enjoy the series a lot.
The Evil Within (1 & 2)
The Evil Within (1 & 2) are two games that are always appreciated, but for quite different reasons. The fans consider the franchise as one of the last survival horror titles that were really classic and thus capable of offering the action and psychological horror of the Resident Evil series.
The Evil Within 1 is recognised with a “hardcore” difficulty, plus very punishing and at the same time “ old-school” style. The game is often characterised as “very difficult” and sometimes even unbalanced because of the partly interrupted development process. Some players compare it to Silent Hill or arthouse-style horror. It can also be cryptic and confusing, with a confusing story that only makes sense if you piece together files.
The Evil Within 1 is more than just a game. It connected on a very deep level with some gamers who appreciated its challenge, dreamlike atmosphere, and RE4-inspired gameplay, even though it was unpolished. The game left an impression on people. The Evil Within 1 is recommended for people likes classic survival horror design with puzzles, combat, very high difficulty, and a dark and mysterious tone.
The Evil Within 2 is usually regarded as accessible and polished, with smoother pacing and better balancing. Besides being more action-oriented, it also has areas you can opt to explore, character skill upgrades and better resource management.
Many players mention that certain skills and tools make the game too easy (smoke bolts, ambush, defensive bottles). However, it is better received by the general gaming audience, even though some hardcore fans of The Evil Within 1 prefer the first game’s difficulty and tone. Players who prefer open-ended level design, clearer storytelling, smoother gameplay, and a mix of action and horror tend to enjoy The Evil Within 2.
Some players disliked how The Evil Within 2 abandoned unresolved plot threads and changed Sebastian’s reactions and personality. The Evil Within 1 feels like psychological horror; The Evil Within 2 feels more like action-drama with horror elements. The Evil Within 2 is universally seen as easier, sometimes too easy, for series veterans.
Both The Evil Within 1 and The Evil Within 2 have strong RE4-style gameplay, great atmosphere, memorable bosses and set pieces, a unique identity in a genre with few modern successors, and a loyal fanbase. The Evil Within series is loved for how it preserves classic survival horror in a modern era. Most players agree the series deserves a third entry, but with Tango Gameworks moving on, the future looks uncertain. Still, many consider The Evil Within one of the strongest horror games created in recent years.
Visage
Visage is a game that horror fans should not miss playing, and it is also recognised as one of the scariest and most intense modern horror games. Most of the players characterise it as an experience that is heavily unsettling and stressful. It has an atmosphere that uses slow-burning dread instead of just jump scares. The majority of them relate it to P.T., and even go as far as to call it a true successor that is capable of delivering the horror, tone, and tension.
The players say that the game keeps them nervous from the beginning to the end. The house seems to be suffocating, unpredictable, and very gloomy. The unpredictable scares and the dynamic haunting make it feel like each playthrough is a new one. Though there are jump scares, the majority of the horror is derived from silence, tension and psychological fear.
A very strong aspect of the game is its puzzle design and immersive investigation. The game touches on very sensitive topics such as depression, addiction, anger, and trauma. Players consider it to be among their top horror games and even go as far as to call it the best indie horror game they have played.
Visage is a great psychological horror that is generally considered the best horror game for the genre, and it also receives credit for its uncanny atmosphere, unpredictability, and emotional impact. It is scary, the tension is high, the design is clever, but the game is also challenging and sometimes even frustrating. If your preference lies in the slow-burning, oppressive horror side of things, with well-crafted puzzles, then this is one of the best games ever made.
Look Outside
Players are constantly praising Look Outside due to the atmosphere and a sense of paranoia all the time. You can never determine which encounters are secure, and the game twists the player’s expectations, thus keeping them in constant doubt. A great number of players appreciate the world being so deep and weird with quests, NPCs, and items, which make it possible to do character exploration, take risks and uncover unsettling secrets.
The place and the mood now and then remind some players of the Korean webcomic Sweet Home, while others say that the game also takes inspiration from the classic 1989 Sweet Home RPG. The characters and world-building features are also strong. The sprite work gets continuous praise, and the soundtrack is also great and a major highlight, according to the critics. Some fans can’t wait for a vinyl release to come out.
Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 has certainly made a mark, with the mood, graphics, and overall cinematic experience receiving much praise; some even consider it the best work of Remedy. The plot is gripping, very intricately woven, surreal, and inventive, especially for the audience connecting Remedy’s universe and King’s writing.
Saga’s parts are almost unanimously viewed as the stronger, more sinister, and more interesting than Alan’s. The game is an experience that many players love, feeling they were taken to a hybrid horror show, an interactive mystery.
Alan Wake 2, as far as it concerns story, creativity, visuals, and atmosphere, is highly regarded. Players love the accessibility features such as god mode, infinite ammo, and one-shot kills. Many consider the game to be a fantastic story-wise. Some people call Alan Wake 2 a masterpiece.
Alien Isolation
Alien: Isolation is considered by many to be the best survival horror game ever made, especially for those who are fond of the original Alien movie. Players often mention its stunning atmosphere, retro sci-fi design, and the Alien AI, which is unpredictable and tense, making the first hours truly horrifying. A lot of people regard it as their most desired horror game ever.
The major reason for the praise is the way the game makes you feel. The sound design, lighting, and the sensation of being trapped in a huge and wonderfully recreated space station all add up to an experience that feels like reliving the 1979 movie.
The atmosphere and tension are unbeatable. Alien: Isolation is considered a masterwork of atmosphere and tension. One of the best Alien games ever created. It’s a game that remains with you, no matter if you finished it or gave up on it because of the high scare level.
Silent Hill f
In Silent Hill f, players enjoy its atmosphere, monster designs, and storytelling concepts. It has impressive visuals and ideas. Players praise the boss designs, the environmental art, and certain standout creepy moments. A few found the story strong, especially its themes about societal pressures, family trauma, and introspection, though others felt the narrative was confusing, inconsistent, or weakened by the tone-shifting “battle shounen” elements typical of Ryukishi’s writing.
Silent Hill f is a good horror-action game, but a weak Silent Hill game. Players are divided on Silent Hill f. Many enjoy its atmosphere, visuals, and boss designs, but feel it lacks the classic Silent Hill fear, creeping tension, and oppressive otherworld that defined the older games. Players praise the atmosphere, the strong art direction, and some disturbing moments, especially in certain endings and the Shimizu household sequence. The bosses are generally well-liked and visually striking.
Silent Hill 2 (Remake)
Players praise the Silent Hill 2 Remake for its amazing atmosphere, strengthened by the thick, haunting fog and powerful sound design that keeps the tension high. Many appreciate the beautifully crafted environments, with locations that look great both visually and in layout.
The game’s story stands out as a major highlight, starting mysterious and becoming deeply emotional and complex as it unfolds. Enemy designs remain strong and memorable, staying true to the spirit of the original. Some players also feel the remake is faithful in the right ways, modernised without breaking what made SH2 beloved.
Others note that the combat improvements feel more visceral and realistic, fitting James as a normal person trying to survive. Overall, many fans think the remake “nailed it,” delivered a polished experience with no major bugs, and successfully brought Silent Hill 2 into modern standards while keeping the unsettling mood that makes the series special.
REPO
R.E.P.O. is commonly referred to as a goofy, fun, and physics-based co-op horror game that shines when played with friends. Many players compare it to Lethal Company, acknowledging the inspiration, but say R.E.P.O. manages to bring its own charm with smoother polish, physics-based interactions, and a more humorous, light-hearted tone.
The players like the sandbox-style chaos, heavy things, androids with funny faces and sync-mouthed voices, and the crazy combination of being horrified, laughing, and playing with the environment. The game’s structure, moving through levels with increasing difficulty, not only keeps the gameplay fresh but also encourages different approaches to the game, treasure-hunting, or monster-hunting, depending on the group.
The game is ideal for laid-back, social playing. Some say it’s less nerve-wracking and “safer” than Lethal Company, as the enemies have distinct behaviours and counterplay, which makes it easier for newbies or less-skilled players.
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2 Remake won over the critics’ praises as one of the best remakes in the survival horror genre, with a lot of players saying it is almost a perfect modern rebirth. The players often speak about the game with amazement when referring to its breathtaking atmosphere, beautiful graphics, fluent animations, and thrilling gameplay, which all together bring the original game to life but in a different and more appealing way.
Many gamers, including those who usually do not like horror games, could not help but get drawn into the gameplay: aiming carefully, managing the inventory with meaning, level design with much thinking, and planning constantly. For novices, RE2 Remake was a way to get into the franchise, which turned many people into fans of Resident Evil. The ones that adored the original content praised the remake for the same magic; however, some argued that the real game still had better atmosphere, level design, and storytelling depth.
No matter how various the opinions are concerning the later RE titles, the RE2 Remake remains a modern classic. A few people even consider it one of the best games that Capcom has ever made. Resident Evil 2 Remake is undeniably an extraordinary, super-polished survival horror experience that pays tribute to its predecessors at the same time, providing outstanding modern gameplay, even if hardcore fans are still debating whether the original is good.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil 7 is widely praised as a bold reinvention of the franchise, shifting to first-person and returning to a heavier horror focus. Players love its terrifying atmosphere, tense early-game sections, and the way it blends classic Resident Evil elements with a fresh, immersive perspective. Many consider it one of the scariest entries in the entire series, especially on a first blind playthrough.
The Baker family is a major highlight, with memorable encounters and strong horror set pieces. The DLCs, particularly those involving Clancy or Joe Baker, are viewed as fun, creative additions with surprisingly satisfying gameplay. Fans also enjoy the lore connections found in the tapes and side content. RE7 is a strong, scary, and important entry that renews the series. Even those who prefer Village or older RE titles generally agree: it’s a very good game, and absolutely worth playing.
Little Nightmares
Little Nightmares will be remembered by all for its immersive horror experience, disturbing settings, and puzzles. The design of the world, mood, and story appeals to all gamers. Most have put it as “unsettling rather than scary.” The creepy monsters, plus slow chases, created tension among the players. However, all players like the atmosphere of the game.
The sound, music, and graphics together make every moment heavy, lonely, and oppressive. A few gamers said that they are haunted by the game even after the credits roll. Some players have also not fully enjoyed the game but still considered it a unique game that is worth playing, especially for lovers of atmospheric horror, environmental storytelling, and creepy, imaginative worlds.
Phasmophobia
It is gaining a strong following as one of the top multiplayer ghost-hunting games. It’s a kind of co-op game where friends join together to explore haunted houses, collect evidence, and even manipulate spirits’ encounters. Gamers usually remark on the tension, suspense, and occasional jump scares. At the same time, others can also enjoy the single-player mode.
The developers have very creatively overcome the restrictions imposed by the nature of the game and thus created an enjoyable, first-rate product, especially the mode of playing with friends, which is very addictive. Phasmophobia has developed some really incredible ghost mechanics.
VR support further enhances the experience and gives the player a feeling of being right in the midst of haunting spots. It is a fun and exciting multiplayer horror game that is highly recommended to play with friends.
Outlast
Outlast has proved to be a very successful game with a lot of frightening experiences, an atmosphere that is very disturbing, great character design, and a feeling of being vulnerable. Among the players, the first part can hence create real tension where stealth, running, and evading threats are all part of the game, offering players some frightful moments along the way.
On the other side, Outlast is not perfect; it has flaws in both its story and mechanics, but it does have a horror-like experience by relying on the player’s vulnerability, the environment, and tension rather than weapons. Gamers like the more sinister plot, rural location, and the religious issue it uses.
The Complex: Expedition
The reasons gamers liked The Complex: Expedition were for its immersive atmosphere, extremely subtle sound design, and paranoia, especially when someone stays in a dark room or with headphones on. There is a new version released, having all the completeness in comparison with the early access version.
The new version adds two endings, expanded cutscenes, and a more narrative-oriented design that gives a purpose to these creepy environments rather than just visually impressing alone. It is great for those seeking a cinematic and story-driven experience. It is easy for those who are beginners or who enjoy horror games that have a strong narrative focus.
Signalis
The players indeed like Signalis for its overall style and narrative. It has achieved the very rare combination of sci-fi survival horror. World-building, character-driven plot, retro-futuristic UI, and suspenseful sound design make the creepy atmosphere of this game more intriguing than usually scary. On top of everything, the game wants the players to closely observe and see the content, making it highly liked by horror genre lovers.
Some gamers label it the modern horror experience featuring minimal storytelling and visuals, while others consider it not as great as Resident Evil or Silent Hills back in the day. Be that as it may, storytelling, aesthetics, and atmosphere remain its three core attributes. If you are a fan of atmospheric story-driven sci-fi horror, then Signalis is definitely a must-play.
SOMA
SOMA is a story-driven psychological horror game. There are no combat and jump scares and traditional gaming thrills; rather, it involves wandering, doing a couple of puzzles, and barely surviving encounters with enemies for most of the game.
SOMA features an af plot and atmosphere, giving one an intriguing and upsetting tale that is very hard to ignore. Some gamers claimed that even though the game is long and at times even difficult, the huge story makes the whole adventure worth it, especially for those who are patient enough to wait for the end.
The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a VR survival horror game. Users will get to play the character “The Tourist” and will explore the city further in search of a secret underground facility called the Reservoir. The game uses exploration, crafting, and combat to allow very creative and interactive sessions, such as smashing through a window for some wood to make a weapon or doing an upgrade with what you find in the trash.
The story and the backdrop are not only good but also create a very tense and immersive environment. The main storyline alone can offer 15 hours of gaming, whereas the time spent in total can be very high if one takes on challenges or plays survival modes. The use of stealth and the way the game processes fear over the situation is said to be the strongest point in the game. It’s a must for VR users who like playing immersive, crafting, and strategising combat in survival horror games.
The Headliners
The Headliners is a cooperative multiplayer game found on Steam; it involves taking pictures of valuable items while walking around the city that is under the attack of giant monsters. The game has the same atmosphere as the movie Cloverfield. Up to four players can join in, and the game is extremely comic, while there are some eerie moments that make it a wild and humorous experience, especially in collaboration mode.
General feedback by gamers is positive; after all, the game is fun and introduces social dynamics. Furthermore, most of them have expressed their admiration for the mix of humour and light horror. The game, therefore, is very easy to play, which makes it attractive to casual gamers. On the other hand, even though the roughness was only on the surface, the game is considered fun. The Headliners is a game for those casual gamers who enjoy co-op games with a mix of comedy, mild scares, and creative objectives, especially when playing with friends.
Until Dawn
Until Dawn is the best horror game by Supermassive Games. Players go through an old-style horror situation and are allowed to make decisions that decide who lives. Some of the most outstanding features are the character developments. The audience can see the stereotypical horror while, at the same time, getting more complex, especially in the case of Mike and Emily. The story is filled with thrilling moments and participation that it is full of plot twists, good buildup of tension, and great encounters with the Wendigos that keep audiences on their toes and give them a taste of horror at its finest.
The production quality is nothing less than superb, from the very life-like facial expressions to the acting quality of Rami Malek and Hayden Panettiere, to the perfect utilisation of the features of the PS4 controller. For many people, this was a fittingly nostalgic and timeless horror experience, filled with the best of cinema, combined with the interactivity of the game.
Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut
Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut is a really interesting visual novel in the narrative-driven genre. It might be called a magnificent work of storytelling, branching paths, and the player’s choice. An expansion pack, The Pristine Cut, has turned the initial game into even more interesting, with new routes, chapters, dialogues, and art.
Being connected with horror elements, such a story covers life, death, free will, and morality; hence, tension and experienced emotional involvement are high. In practice, the game has absolutely no action at all; it relies entirely on text-based choices and not on traditional mechanics, which makes it ideal for gamers who want only to get the story.
Each session lasts fairly short, 2-3 hours, but there are so many varying paths and combinations that almost everyone has to replay to get a taste of the game lore, which is slowly revealed through replays. The “memories” menu is a very clever way of showing player progress without unmasking the routes taken, and at the same time, it gives the player a chance to be creative and try everything. Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut is for horror lovers who are heavily into narrated and visual novels.
Cronos: The New Dawn
Cronos: The New Dawn is a survival horror game that the same audiences who enjoy Dead Space and sci-fi horror in general will love. Players enjoy non-stop, tight, and nerve-wracking fights, a variety of enemies, and how each different level and potential encounters keep them on their toes through most of the game. Most definitely, one of the most important parts of the game is the plot, and together with worldbuilding, it exposes players to unexpected twists and the use of psychological horror under the sci-fi genre.
The average gameplay lasts for about 12-16 hours, during which the player has to explore and scavenge around to get a better experience. Cronos: The New Dawn is the kind of horror experience that is extremely irresistible, well-crafted, and with a strong narrative and worldbuilding; hence, it becomes a good option for fans of survival horror who are willing to take up the challenge of fighting and enjoy the surrounding atmosphere.
The Blackout Club
The Blackout Club is a cooperative horror game perfect for playing with friends; it skillfully blends tense stealth, investigation, and supernatural elements in a neighbourhood. The critics and the public have positive opinions of its originality, spookiness, and the necessity for cooperation to overcome mysterious enemies.
The location and idea are fascinating, but the game is only as good as the multiplayer co-op. The mix of strategy, planning, and shared tension makes it very attractive. The Blackout Club is a joyful and atmospheric co-op horror game.
