It’s our favorite month of the year again – October! As the leaves turn and the nights grow longer, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in the thrilling, nerve-wracking world of horror games. From ghostly apparitions to relentless alien predators and even an evil spider train, it’s time to level up the spooky season with the best horror games!
Table of Contents
Phasmophobia
Let’s start with a classic among horror game fans. Phasmophobia is a chilling psychological horror game that puts you and your team of paranormal investigators in haunted locations where you’re tasked with gathering evidence of ghostly activity. Armed with gadgets like EMF readers, spirit boxes, and night vision cameras, you’ll collect clues to sell to ghost removal teams.
With over 20 types of unique ghosts, each with their own unique traits and abilities, no two investigations will ever feel the same. The immersive atmosphere, driven by realistic graphics and sound, draws you into the horror, while full voice recognition lets you communicate with ghosts in real-time. Phasmophobia offers fully customizable difficulty, making it accessible to beginners yet challenging enough to keep experienced players on their toes.
Ghost Watchers
We continue the ghost theme with Ghost Watchers, a survival horror game where you hunt and capture ghosts in eerie, seemingly abandoned houses. Armed with over 60 pieces of ghost-hunting equipment, you’ll gather evidence to determine the ghost’s type, age, and even mood. The game’s seven detailed locations offer clues to catch the ghosts and hidden Easter eggs for those who explore deeply.
There are different types of ghosts to catch, from terrifying demons to blood-sucking vampires. The exorcism ritual to capture ghosts is a standout feature that adds an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay. Developer Renderise is no newcomer to the horror genre. With games like Occult or Sign of Silence, the Cypriot developers have already made a name for themselves and proven that they can create immersive and eerie atmospheres.
INDIKA
One of our surprise hits of 2024 is INDIKA, a third-person horror adventure set in an alternate, surreal version of 19th-century Russia, where religious visions blur with harsh reality. You follow a young nun, Indika, on a strange journey of self-discovery, accompanied by an unlikely traveling companion – the devil himself. This game masterfully blends dark humor with a haunting, imaginative story, taking you through a bizarre world filled with surreal landscapes and thought-provoking encounters.
As you guide Indika on her journey, you’ll explore her troubled past through 2D-pixel art mini-games and solve unique puzzles that reflect her inner turmoil. The mix of immersive storytelling and retro-style gameplay creates an experience like no other. INDIKA doesn’t follow the typical adventure game formula. Instead, it weaves a story that critiques faith, invites deep reflection, and keeps you on your toes with its unpredictability. If you’re a fan of Hellblade, this is a must-play!
DEVOUR
DEVOUR is a tense, fast-paced horror survival game where you must stop possessed cultists before they drag you to hell. The game can be played in VR, where it gets extra creepy. If you like jump scares, this is the game for you. Each session can last up to an hour, with each map offering a unique challenge to keep you on your toes.
What makes this game so special is its unpredictability. No two playthroughs are the same, thanks to ever-evolving AI demons that relentlessly hunt you as you collect items to complete the ritual. Each map has its own unique vibe, offering new horrors with each update. By the way, DEVOUR is a prequel to the co-op stealth game The Watchers. Unlike other games in the genre, it doesn’t have a tutorial, so you’ll have to learn the mechanics by trial and error.
Resident Evil 4 (Remake)
Resident Evil 4 (Remake) breathes new life into the iconic survival horror game that defined a genre. Set six years after the Raccoon City outbreak, you take on the role of Leon S. Kennedy, tasked with rescuing the president’s daughter from a remote European village. But things take a terrifying turn when you realize that the locals are anything but ordinary.
What sets this remake apart is its modernized gameplay and reimagined story. CAPCOM has done a great job of bringing the world to life with stunning graphics, while new enemies, crafting systems, and knife durability add new layers of tension. Every detail feels intentional, from the redesigned map layouts to the array of weapons you can choose from. The story is gripping, the action is relentless, and the atmosphere pulls you right into the nightmare.
SIGNALIS
German indie developer duo rose-engine are the masterminds behind SIGNALIS, one of the best horror games we’ve ever played. The dark and atmospheric survival horror is set in a dystopian future where humanity has unearthed a dark cosmic secret. You play as Elster, a technician Replika, navigating an eerie retro-tech world in search of her lost partner and elusive dreams.
The game blends classic survival horror elements with a psychological edge, forcing you to evade terrifying creatures, solve intricate puzzles, and scavenge through a decaying off-world government facility. SIGNALIS features a melancholic atmosphere reminiscent of Silent Hill, with tense inventory management similar to the Resident Evil series. The 2.5D perspective adds to the eerie, retro vibe, and the four different endings will definitely make you want to play more than once!
Until Dawn
Originally released on PlayStation 4 in 2015, Until Dawn has been rebuilt for PC with stunning Unreal Engine 5 visuals and delivers an even more immersive experience with cinematic visuals and refined gameplay mechanics. The game puts you at the center of a gripping slasher horror where your choices determine who survives the night. When eight friends reunite at a remote mountain cabin a year after two of their group mysteriously vanished, things quickly spiral into a terrifying nightmare.
The branching narrative offers incredible replayability – every choice leads to different outcomes, and even the smallest decisions can affect the story in shocking ways. Collect clues, explore your surroundings, and keep your wits about you as you uncover the truth behind the lodge’s dark secrets. The remaster is a thrilling ride filled with shocking moments, unpredictable twists, and characters you will love to hate.
Outlast
Next up on our list of the best horror games is Outlast. Developed by a previously unknown indie studio, the game plunges you into the horrors of Mount Massive Asylum, where survival means running, hiding, and staying out of sight. With terrifying, unpredictable enemies lurking around every corner, you’ll be constantly on edge, relying only on your wits and your camera’s night vision to navigate the dark, claustrophobic corridors.
The immersive first-person perspective and AAA-quality graphics make every moment feel visceral, drawing you deeper into the asylum’s twisted world. Stealth-based mechanics keep the tension high, forcing you to evade enemies in a desperate game of cat and mouse. Outlast delivers a raw, heart-pounding experience that will have you wondering how long you can survive the experiment.
Alien: Isolation
The unrelenting survival horror game Alien: Isolation throws you into a nightmare where the real enemy is fear itself. Set 15 years after the original Alien, you play as Amanda Ripley on a mission to uncover the truth behind her mother’s disappearance. The true terror is the ever-present, relentless Xenomorph. It learns, adapts, and hunts you down with terrifying precision. Hide in a locker? It might pull you out. Use a distraction? It’ll investigate right where you are.
Exploration and stealth are key as you navigate Sevastopol Station, avoiding the alien, hostile androids, and a panicked human population. The game’s attention to detail in capturing the aesthetic of the Alien universe is phenomenal, with atmospheric design, lighting, and sound that make you feel like you’re living through a sci-fi horror movie.
SILENT HILL 2
A blog about the best horror games would be incomplete without the Silent Hill franchise. SILENT HILL 2 invites you back to the eerie, fog-shrouded streets of Silent Hill in this stunning remake of the psychological horror classic. James Sunderland returns to the town after receiving a letter from his late wife, but what he finds is a nightmare – a decaying, haunted place filled with disturbing monsters and oppressive fog.
With stunning ray-traced visuals and immersive soundscapes, Silent Hill’s atmosphere is more terrifying than ever. Bloober Team has improved the gameplay and modernized the controls while staying true to the core experience. There are even new locations and subtle changes to the enemy roster, offering new challenges while keeping the soul of the original intact. The remake perfectly captures the emotional weight and psychological terror that made the original unforgettable.
Choo-Choo Charles
In 2022, developer Two Star Games released Choo-Choo Charles, a unique open-world survival horror game where you’re on the run from Charles, an evil spider train. Your only defense is an old locomotive that you must upgrade into a battle-ready machine. As you explore a sprawling island by train, you’ll collect “scraps” to upgrade your train. But beware, Charles is always lurking, and the eerie sound of a distant whistle may be your only warning before he strikes.
Your missions require careful planning as you switch tracks and venture out on foot, never knowing when Charles will pounce. Along the way, you’ll encounter settlers who need your help, and in return, they’ll equip you with powerful weapons. The game masterfully blends moments of calm and tension – riding in your train feels safe until the sudden, creeping fear of Charles’ approach sends you scrambling to defend yourself. It’s fast-paced, nerve-wracking, and an absolute blast to play.
My Friendly Neighborhood
If you’re looking for a fun and quirky survival horror game that feels like Resident Evil crashed into Sesame Street, My Friendly Neighborhood is for you. You play as Gordon, a repairman sent to investigate why everyone’s beloved Saturday morning puppet show has suddenly returned, only to find that the puppets have turned terrifying. The once-happy cast now stalks the halls of an abandoned TV studio, and it’s up to you to fend them off while solving puzzles and managing your scarce resources.
The game blends dark humor and light horror to create a unique, creepy, and oddly charming atmosphere. The tension is real, but the quirky characters make it an unexpectedly heartwarming experience. With strong audio-visual design and a story that hits harder than you might expect, My Friendly Neighborhood is a fun, slightly unhinged adventure you won’t soon forget.
Alone in the Dark
Alone in the Dark returns to the eerie halls of Derceto Manor, a reimagined survival horror masterpiece that blends Southern Gothic charm with psychological horror. Set in interbellum Louisiana, this game plunges you into a world where dark secrets fester beneath the surface of a crumbling mansion and unimaginable horrors lurk in the shadows. Every encounter, every bullet, and every decision matters as you unravel the mystery of Derceto and face unspeakable madness.
What sets Alone in the Dark apart is its rich narrative that weaves a tale of past trauma, societal intolerance, and cosmic terror. As you explore, you’ll face twisted monstrosities, solve mind-bending puzzles, and navigate nightmarish realms. You’ll have the chance to play as two different characters, offering various perspectives and adding depth to the story. With stunning visuals, a Lovecraftian tale, and an immersive atmosphere, Alone in the Dark is a love letter to the 90s classic!
Dead Space
Another remake that shouldn’t be missing from our list of the best horror games is 2023’s Dead Space. Completely rebuilt, this sci-fi survival horror classic offers visual, audio, and gameplay improvements while staying true to the haunting atmosphere of the original. Play as Isaac Clarke, an engineer tasked with repairing the massive mining ship USG Ishimura, only to find its crew slaughtered and deadly Necromorphs lurking in the shadows.
This remake raises the stakes with improved graphics, refined combat mechanics, and new content. Enemy placement has been made unpredictable, keeping you on edge. The weapon system has been upgraded with improvements such as the grenade launcher alt-fire for the pulse rifle from Dead Space 2. With additional story details scattered throughout the text and audio logs and more surprises in New Game+, there’s always something new to discover.
Amnesia: The Bunker
Prepare to descend into the abyss of fear and uncertainty with Amnesia: The Bunker. This chilling first-person horror experience transports you into the claustrophobic nightmare of a World War I bunker, where every creak and shadow could mean your time is up. Armed with only a revolver, a hand-cranked flashlight, and a few scarce supplies, you’ll face a relentless AI-driven monster that stalks your every move.
What sets The Bunker apart is its intense atmosphere and dynamic gameplay. No two playthroughs are identical; item placement is randomized, and the monster adapts to your actions. As Henri Clément, a French soldier trapped in this abandoned bunker, you’ll have to think fast and adapt to a non-linear environment where every decision carries weight. This game masterfully captures the essence of psychological horror, keeping the tension high and the monster frighteningly unpredictable.
Inscryption
One of our favorite horror games, and a nice change of pace from all the survival horror games on our list, is Inscryption. It’s a dark, twisted journey that blends roguelike deck-building, escape-room-style puzzles, and psychological horror into an unforgettable experience. You’ll build a deck of creepy forest creatures, sometimes through unexpected means like surgery or even self-mutilation. These aren’t just any cards; they’re the key to unlocking the secrets beneath the surface.
This game isn’t just about mastering the mechanics – it’s about surviving an unpredictable, deeply disturbing adventure that will never cease to surprise you. The deeper you dive into its inky black depths, the more it subverts your expectations. If you’re looking for a unique gaming experience that will mess with your mind as much as it will challenge your strategy, Inscryption is one of the most creative and daring games you’ll ever play.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Seven years after the release of Hellblade, we finally got the sequel this year. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II takes you on a brutal and breathtaking journey through the myth and madness of Viking Iceland. As Senua returns to face new horrors, both external and within her own mind, you’ll be drawn into a world like no other. Every step through this harrowing landscape will immerse you in a cinematic survival experience with stunning visuals and hauntingly realistic sound design.
You’ll witness Senua’s battle with her inner darkness through her own eyes and hear the voices of her psychosis in stunning binaural audio. Though brutal and cinematic, the combat isn’t about difficulty – it’s about conveying the weight and themes of the story. We recommend Hellblade II for those who want a powerful narrative, immersive storytelling, and unparalleled visuals.
Little Nightmares
Little Nightmares may look cute at first glance, but this puzzle platformer creates an eerie and dark atmosphere, making it a perfect choice for our list of the best horror games. It draws you into a twisted world where danger lurks around every corner. You play as Six, a small, lonely child trapped in a terrifying place known as The Maw, a grotesque, ever-changing ship filled with twisted adults. Your only goal is to escape before the horrors consume you.
The haunting atmosphere, with its brilliantly eerie art direction and haunting soundtrack, immerses you in this nightmare. Each room you enter presents a new challenge, a mix of simple yet satisfying puzzles that keep the tension high. The game is short, but every moment is packed with intensity and chilling detail. For fans of Limbo or Inside, Little Nightmares is a must-play experience. We also highly recommend Little Nightmares II if you can’t get enough of the gameplay.
Left 4 Dead 2
The penultimate game on our list is an absolute horror classic. Valve had already won our hearts with the Half-Life series, so it’s no surprise that we loved Left 4 Dead 2. As a sequel to the co-op classic, this game ramps up the action and takes you through the swamps, cities, and graveyards of the Deep South during a zombie apocalypse.
What sets L4D2 apart is its AI Director 2.0, which adapts to your performance in real-time – changing the weather, routes, and enemy population to keep every playthrough fresh and intense. Whether you’re smashing zombies with a frying pan or fending off a Charger, every moment feels unpredictable. With over 20 new weapons, multiple game modes, and a dynamic environment to keep you on your toes, Left 4 Dead 2 delivers some of the best zombie action gaming has to offer.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach
A blog about the best horror games couldn’t be complete without a game from the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise. We chose Security Breach, where you play as Gregory, a young boy trapped in the sprawling Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex. Your only mission is to survive the night. But that’s easier said than done with newly designed animatronics like Glamrock Chica, Roxanne Wolf, and Montgomery Gator hunting you down. Even Pizzaplex security guard Vanessa is on the prowl.
You must stay one step ahead by using security cameras to plan your escape, create distractions, or hide when danger is near. The game gives you plenty of ways to survive, but you’ll have to adapt to the unpredictable threats around every corner. Explore the vast Pizzaplex, uncover its secrets, and try to stay alive. Security Breach delivers nail-biting suspense and a vast, vibrant world to explore. Prepare for one of the most intense FNAF experiences yet!
Customize the best horror games with PLITCH!
If you want to experience the games on this list differently and spice things up, it’s time to try PLITCH! PLITCH is a game trainer software for single-player PC games, which means that we offer codes that you can use to customize your games and make them easier or harder!
With a massive library of over 4,900 games, there’s something for everyone! We have codes for every game on this list. Whether you want unlimited health and oxygen in Dead Space, faster speed to beat the evil spider train in Choo-Choo Charles, or a low health challenge in SILENT HILL 2, PLITCH has you covered.
Check out this blog and our YouTube channel to learn more about PLITCH and see our cheats in action.
Happy Gaming!
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