The best horror games for PC, PS4, PS5 & Xbox

In this guide around the best horror games you will learn:

  • Which new horror games have been released that we can recommend
  • Which horror game classics you should not miss under any circumstances

Horror games are an incredibly popular genre. In this guide we present you the best current horror games and some classics that every lover of shock moments should have played.

Call of Cthulhu

In the horror adventure Call of Cthulhu () you play the investigator Edward Pierce, who tries to solve the murder of a family. In the course of his investigations, he eventually discovers that the revival of the god Cthulhu is imminent, which of course must be prevented.

The detective gameplay of Call of Cthulhu is comparable to the Sherlock Holmes games. You collect clues, and have lots of conversations via a role-playing game-like dialog system. There is also a skill tree to improve abilities. The horror elements are more limited to atmosphere and typical Cthulhu elements, and rely less on jumpscares. Well done: when Edward gets scared, his breathing speeds up and the field of vision gets smaller, which can even lead to panic attacks.

  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Genre: Adventure, Horror
  • Addons: None
  • Subscription/Microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Fans of games like Sherlock Holmes, but who like things creepier.

Until Dawn

Until Dawn () is only available for the PlayStation 4, but the horror adventure is one of the must-haves there. The story follows eight young adults in a mountain hut and is graphically perfectly staged - but the gameplay can also convince.

The protagonists set off on a weekend trip to the mountains, but they soon have to deal with a crazy killer and mysterious events. Gameplay-wise, Until Dawn focuses on exploring the environment, finding clues and quicktime events. There are no fights. However, what makes the game stand out: During the course of the story, you control each of the characters and make decisions that influence the course of the story. These have a direct impact on the course of the story and the survival of the characters, which invites you to play Until Dawn multiple times.

  • Platform: PlayStation 4
  • Genre: Horror, Adventure
  • Addons: None
  • Subscription/Microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Gamers who like teen horror movies like Scream.

Until Dawn: Rush of Blood (VR)

Until Dawn: Rush of Blood () is a VR horror adventure for the PlayStation 4 that is based on the horror adventure Until Dawn. The gameplay is reminiscent of a ghost train ride: In good, old rail shooter style, you are driven through seven different levels and can shoot all kinds of monsters to kingdom come with pistols and other guns. This makes Until Dawn: Rush of Blood an entertaining horror fun for PlayStation VR owners.

  • Platform: PlayStation 4
  • Supported VR glasses: PlayStation VR
  • Genre: Action
  • Addons: None
  • Subscription/Microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Fans of the horror adventure game Until Dawn.

The Medium

At the beginning of 2021, The Medium () was released as a next-gen exclusive and received almost entirely positive reviews. As Marianne, you move in the third-person perspective through an abandoned vacation resort and wander on the trail of the supernatural. What's special about The Medium is that you don't play in one world at a time, but in two! Again and again, your path will lead you parallel to this world into the afterlife, since you can't solve some puzzles any other way.

  • Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  • Genre: Psycho-Horror, Adventure
  • Addons: None
  • Subscription/Microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Fans of creepy games who want to wander between two worlds and track down a mysterious secret.

Martha is Dead

We are in Italy in 1944 - and Martha is Dead (). Her desecrated body is found on the shore. You take on the role of Martha's twin sister Giulia, who not only has to cope with her sister's death, but also wants to find out how it could have happened. In the midst of the Second World War, you go on a search for the truth. The Italian voice acting and the atmospheric soundtrack provide special immersion.

  • Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  • Genre: Horror-Adventure
  • Addons: None
  • Subscription/Microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Gamers with a thick set of nerves who aren't afraid of a sometimes disturbing story.

The best Resident Evil parts

Resident Evil is one of the most popular horror series and should not be missing from any collection. However, the series has a lot of parts to offer that have action and survival moments in them. Also, some classics that have been re-released as remakes still provide scary moments.

Resident Evil (Remake)

The reinterpretation of the first Resident Evil - the game that made survival horror respectable. The remake is superior to the 1996 original not only because of the modern graphics. There are also new puzzles, new enemies and even new game sections. Despite the stale controls, this is still one of the best experiences in survival horror! The hard-hitting gameplay, the crushing atmosphere and the exciting story around the sinister Umbrella Corporation and its experiments make Resident Evil an absolute must. If you feel like really getting into the beginnings of the story, the Resident Evil Origins Collection () is a good choice.

  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Gamecube, Wii
  • Genre: Classic survival horror
  • Addons: No addons
  • Suitable for: Fans of classic survival horror with static camera angles.

Resident Evil 2 (Remake)

Resident Evil 2 () from 2019 is a comprehensive remake of Resident Evil 2 from 1998. You play either Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, who find themselves in the midst of a zombie disaster. The biggest change to the game is a new camera perspective: while the original had a fixed camera for each room, the remake is played from a third-person perspective.

  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Genre: survival horror
  • Addons: multiple DLCs available
  • Suitable for: Fans of the original or the classic Resident Evil series.

Resident Evil 4 (VR)

Resident Evil 4 represents a break in the popular franchise. Instead of zombies, there are now intelligent infected, instead of static cameras, the over-the-shoulder perspective is used for the first time, and the survival aspect is replaced by a stronger focus on combat given way to. Thanks to the almost perfect mix of exploration, item management, adrenaline-pumping battles, and dense atmosphere, Resident Evil 4 is a title that not only survival horror fans should play, but anyone with a soft spot for action adventures.

Since the end of 2021, Oculus Quest 2 owners can even experience the classic in VR. You'll then experience the entire game from the first-person perspective (you'll only switch back to the third-person view during quick-time events and cutscenes), which makes for an even more immersive gaming experience.

  • Platform: PC, Playstation 2 to 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Gamecube, Wii, Nintendo Switch
  • Supported VR glasses: Oculus Quest 2
  • Genre: Third-person horror action
  • Addons: No addons
  • Suitable for: People looking for a great mix of action and horror.

Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

The story of Resident Evil 7 () revolves around Ethan Winters, who finds himself on the Baker family's run-down plantation in search of his wife. Ethan soon discovers that something is wrong, because the Bakers have mysterious powers and the estate is besieged by slimy monsters.

Resident Evil 7 is more oriented towards the early installments of the series. Instead of action, the focus is once again on exploring, collecting resources and solving puzzles. Brave gamers can play through the game completely in VR, by the way.

  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Supported VR glasses: PlayStation VR
  • Genre: survival horror
  • Addons: several DLCs available
  • Subscription/microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Gamers who like a mix of horror and action.

Resident Evil Village

Resident Evil Village () continues the story from part 7. You once again take on the role of Ethan and this time explore a remote winter village, which is of course once again teeming with dangerous monsters - this time you even have to deal with werewolves. In contrast to Resident Evil 7, there is a lot more shooting in Village, and the many action sequences are very reminiscent of Resident Evil 4.

  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • Genre: survival horror
  • Addons: multiple weapon/resource packs available
  • Subscription/microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Gamers who haven't found Resident Evil 7 action-packed enough.

The Evil Within 2

The Evil Within 2 () is a sequel, but previous knowledge is not absolutely necessary. Once again, you take on the role of ex-cop Sebastian Castellanos. Until now, he thought that his daughter Lily was dead, but in reality she was kidnapped. Therefore, he sets out to save his daughter.

In The Evil Within 2 you won't explore limited areas, like the mental hospital in the predecessor, but an open game world. The game offers an entire city that is divided into several areas. What's special is that you can decide for yourself whether you want to play in third-person or first-person perspective. The gameplay is reminiscent of Resident Evil: you explore the environment, search for ammunition, solve puzzles and deal with monsters and bosses.

  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Genre: Horror, Adventure, Action
  • Addons: one DLC with in-game items available
  • Subscription/microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Gamers who like wacky monsters and action-packed boss fights.

Little Nightmares 1 & 2

Little Nightmares () is a jump-and-run with horror elements. You play Six, a small child who is imprisoned in the so-called maw. Your goal is to escape from there. Compared to the environment, Six is very small, so even chairs and other everyday objects seem unusually large. Besides, on your way to freedom you'll meet all sorts of strange creatures that want to stop you.

Little Nightmares 2 picks up where Little Nightmares left off - but this time you're not alone! In the role of the little boy Mono, new eerie levels full of puzzles and sinister creatures await you. Six, the character from part one, is also present as your companion and helps you out in difficult situations.

  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Part 2 also available for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
  • Genre: Jump&Run/Horror-Adventure
  • Addons: various DLCs available
  • Subscription/microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Gamers who like whacky worlds.

Alan Wake (Remastered)

In Alan Wake (Remastered) () you slip into the skin of an author who suffers from insomnia, nightmares and writer's block. Together with his wife Alice, he goes to the country to relax in a mountain cabin. But no sooner does he arrive than both his wife and the house and the island it stood on disappear. Alan wakes up and sets out to solve the mystery.

Along the way, you'll find manuscript pages from Alan's books that add depth to the story. In the course of the game you'll have to be careful with ammunition and batteries. You'll encounter dark figures that must first be weakened with the flashlight before you can wound them with firearms. The story is divided into individual episodes like a TV series, but these can be played through directly one after the other.

  • Platform: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5
  • Genre: Third-person action, horror
  • Addons: Two DLCs with additional story chapters
  • Subscription/Microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: anyone who likes thrilling stories and episodic storytelling.

Carrion

Carrion () is no ordinary horror game. The Metroidvania relies on simple graphics with brief flashbacks to the past. After you start the game, you quickly realize the real point of the game: eating your prey - humans. You move around as a red, indefinable creature that uses tentacles and sharp teeth to collect and eat the screaming humans.

As befits a real monster, you not only eat people on your journey, but also literally damage everything that gets in your way. Shimmy from ladder to ladder or light bulb to light bulb to satisfy your bloodthirsty hunger. Carrion relies on a gritty environment where you are the hunter and not the hunted for a change.

  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
  • Genre: Horror, Metroidvania
  • Addons: No addons
  • Suitable for: Pixel lovers and fans of jump-and-run horror games

Dead by Daylight

In the multiplayer horror game Dead by Daylight you can take on the role of either the killer or one of the four survivors. The killer resorts to nasty traps and weapons to prevent the survivors from escaping. The survivors win the game by repairing generators that open the exit gates. The game is played on a procedurally generated map based on one of seven game world templates.

A Dead by Daylight edition of the same name has also been released for "Stranger Things". In this edition, you can play the killer Demogorgon and two new survivors, Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington, in addition to the previous characters.

  • Platform: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Android, iOS, Stadia
  • Genre: Action game, Horror
  • Addons: Numerous DLCs available for "Killer" and "Survivor", also a "Stranger Things" edition is available
  • Suitable for: Fans of multiplayer games

Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 is a true classic in the horror genre, but it also has a corresponding number of years under its belt. However, you shouldn't let that put you off, because Silent Hill 2 is considered by many to be one of the best horror games ever. The main character, James Sunderland, visits the small town because he received a letter from his deceased wife.

Once there, you'll encounter mysterious characters, but also plenty of monsters. Besides, similar to the Resident Evil series, you'll always be busy collecting resources or solving puzzles to advance. Silent Hill 2's greatest strength, however, is its story, which has moved many a person to tears.

  • Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, PC, (Silent Hill: HD Collection is also playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S)
  • Genre: Survival Horror
  • Addons: None
  • Subscription/Microtransactions: None
  • Suitable for: Fans of the Resident Evil games

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