PC gaming has always been a haven for the most terrifying and groundbreaking horror experiences. From hidden indie gems whispering chilling tales to genre-defining classics screaming in your face, the platform consistently delivers nightmares in digital form. Whether your taste leans towards the slow burn of psychological terror, the frantic struggle for survival horror, or the heart-pounding tension of asymmetrical multiplayer scares, PC has a horror game waiting to crawl under your skin. 2025 has already proven to be a banner year for horror fans, with titles like [The Best Horror Games on PC 2025] setting new standards and exciting announcements for even more chilling experiences on the horizon.
There’s a unique thrill in conquering a truly terrifying horror game. That adrenaline surge, the clenched jaw, the white knuckles gripping the mouse – it’s an experience unlike any other. Personally, I’ll confess, games like Outlast push my limits. The sheer vulnerability, the constant sense of dread… it’s almost too much. But the satisfaction of finally overcoming those challenges, of seeing the credits roll after a grueling gauntlet of fear, is absolutely intoxicating. If you, like me, crave that specific blend of terror and triumph, then prepare yourself. What follows is a curated collection of some of the best horror games currently available on PC. Consider this your personal descent into madness – proceed with caution, and remember to leave the lights on. This list isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you dare to venture forth, you might just discover your new favorite nightmare..
25. Sylvio 2
Sylvio 2 is a hidden gem in the horror genre, often overshadowed by bigger titles but deserving of recognition for its uniquely unsettling atmosphere. Developed by a one-person studio, this sequel improves upon its predecessor with refined mechanics and a deeply immersive ghost-hunting experience. You play as Juliette Waters, a paranormal investigator armed with audio and video equipment to capture evidence of spirits haunting an abandoned television station. The game’s standout feature is its use of distorted recordings: players must analyze static-filled audio and video clips to decipher messages from the dead, creating an eerie sense of authenticity. The lo-fi visuals and haunting sound design amplify the dread, making every creak and whisper feel like a direct threat. Sylvio 2’s slow-burn scares and cerebral puzzles reward patience, but its oppressive ambiance ensures you’ll never feel safe—even in broad daylight.
Platforms: PC
Release Year: 2017
Developer: Stroboskop
Scare Factor: 9/10
24. The Evil Within 2
The Evil Within 2 blends psychological horror with semi-open world exploration, delivering a terrifying follow-up to Shinji Mikami’s 2014 original. Protagonist Sebastian Castellanos returns, diving into the nightmarish STEM system to rescue his daughter from a twisted reality shaped by collective trauma. Unlike the linear first game, this sequel introduces hub areas like the decaying town of Union, where players scavenge for resources while evading grotesque creatures. The game’s standout antagonist, “The Harbinger,” a spectral woman wielding a lantern, stalks players with relentless precision. Combat is tense but satisfying, offering stealth kills and brutal weapon upgrades. While the story leans into melodrama, its surreal set pieces—such as a house that shifts like a living entity—cement The Evil Within 2 as a masterclass in blending action and existential dread.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, Xbox One, PS4
Release Year: 2017
Developer: Tango Gameworks
Scare Factor: 8/10
23. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
This asymmetrical multiplayer horror game faithfully adapts the 1974 cult film into a heart-pounding 4v3 survival experience. Players either take on the role of the Slaughter Family—including Leatherface, Hitchhiker, and Cook—or their victims, attempting to escape the family’s blood-soaked farm. The killers’ perspective emphasizes brutal melee combat and environmental traps, while survivors rely on stealth, teamwork, and quick thinking. Matches are dripping with tension, amplified by the game’s grimy visual style and nerve-wracking sound design (Leatherface’s chainsaw roar alone is enough to induce panic). Unlike other multiplayer horrors, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre prioritizes slow, methodical scares over chaotic action, making every close call and narrow escape feel earned—or devastating.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, Xbox One, PS4
Release Year: 2023
Developer: Gun Media and Sumo Nottingham
Scare Factor: 10/10
22. Observation
Observation trades jump scares for cerebral sci-fi horror, casting players as SAM, an AI aboard a derelict space station. Tasked with helping astronaut Emma Fisher uncover the mystery behind the crew’s disappearance, you’ll navigate the station’s claustrophobic corridors via security cameras and interact with systems using a retro-futuristic interface. The game’s genius lies in its perspective: as an AI, your “body” is limited to drones and cameras, creating a disorienting sense of vulnerability. Eerie phenomena—like sudden gravity loss or cryptic symbols appearing on screens—build an atmosphere of cosmic dread. While its pacing is deliberate, Observation rewards players with a mind-bending narrative that questions free will and humanity’s place in the universe.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, Xbox One, PS4
Release Year: 2019
Developer: No Code
Scare Factor: 7/10
21. The Blackout Club
The Blackout Club combines co-op stealth and cosmic horror in a suburban nightmare. Players join a teen resistance group investigating a cult that abducts residents during “blackouts”—periods of missing time experienced by the entire town. By night, you’ll sneak into underground lairs to gather evidence, avoiding sleepwalking “Sleepers” and a monstrous entity known only as The Shape. The game’s standout mechanic is its “red blindness”: when The Shape appears, players must close their eyes to avoid detection, navigating by sound alone. Procedurally generated missions and permadeath for captured teammates keep the stakes high, while the lore-rich world invites exploration. Though its visuals are modest, The Blackout Club excels at turning mundane settings—schools, neighborhoods—into stages for existential terror.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, Xbox One, PS4
Release Year: 2018
Developer: Question
Scare Factor: 8/10
20. Lethal Company
Lethal Company redefines co-op horror with its darkly comedic take on corporate dystopia. Teams of four scavenge abandoned facilities to meet profit quotas for an oppressive company, all while avoiding monstrous entities that lurk in the shadows. The game’s genius lies in its proximity-based voice chat: communication cuts out when players separate, turning simple tasks into panic-inducing ordeals. One moment you’re laughing at a teammate’s mishap; the next, you’re sprinting through pitch-black halls as a creature mimics their voice. Randomized levels and enemy behaviors ensure no two runs are alike, and the game’s low-poly art style contrasts with its sophisticated AI, which adapts to player strategies. A perfect blend of chaos and camaraderie, Lethal Company proves horror is best endured—and enjoyed—with friends.
Platforms: PC
Release Year: 2023
Developer: Zeekerss
Scare Factor: 8/10
19. The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners
This VR-exclusive entry in The Walking Dead universe immerses players in a flooded New Orleans overrun by walkers. As the Tourist, you’ll craft weapons, barter with survivors, and face moral choices that impact the story. The game’s physics-driven combat is brutally visceral: stabbing a zombie through the skull or blocking a bite with your forearm feels unnervingly real. By day, you explore districts teeming with supplies and secrets; by night, the streets swarm with undead hordes. The tension peaks during “The Bell” mechanic, where lingering too long in an area triggers an endless wave of enemies. With its gripping story and unparalleled immersion, Saints and Sinners isn’t just a standout VR horror game—it’s a landmark title for the medium.
Platform: VR
Release Year: 2020
Developer: Skydance Interactive
Scare Factor: 8/10
18. Silent Hill 2 Remake
Bloober Team’s remake of the 2001 classic revitalizes James Sunderland’s haunting journey through Silent Hill with stunning modern visuals and reworked gameplay. The fog-drenched town feels more oppressive than ever, with updated creature designs—like the iconic Pyramid Head—retaining their symbolic terror while leveraging next-gen lighting and sound. Combat has been overhauled to emphasize tension, with limited ammo and weighty melee strikes. New camera angles and environmental details deepen the narrative’s exploration of guilt and grief, while the voice acting strikes a balance between the original’s rawness and modern nuance. Purists may debate changes, but the remake stands as a respectful reimagining that honors the source material while inviting new audiences into its nightmare.
Platform: PS5, PC
Release Year: 2024
Developer: Bloober Team
Scare Factor: 8/10
17. Alien Isolation
A love letter to Ridley Scott’s 1979 film, Alien: Isolation traps players aboard the Sevastopol station with a single, unscripted Xenomorph. The creature learns from your behavior, adapting its patrol routes and attack strategies. Tools like the motion tracker and flamethrower offer fleeting safety, but resources are scarce, and every encounter feels life-or-death. The retro-futuristic art design, from CRT monitors to clunky keyboards, authentically replicates the film’s aesthetic. Amanda Ripley’s quest to uncover her mother’s fate is intercut with harrowing set pieces, like vent-crawling under androids’ lifeless stares. Few games capture the primal fear of being hunted as masterfully as this—a must-play for horror and sci-fi fans alike.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Release Year: 2014
Developer: Creative Assembly
Scare Factor: 9/10
16. Amnesia: The Bunker
Frictional Games reinvents its signature formula with this claustrophobic WW1-themed horror. Trapped in a collapsing bunker with a blind, rat-like beast, you’ll scavenge for supplies while managing a generator that powers lights and traps. The monster reacts to noise and light, creating agonizing trade-offs: do you risk darkness to conserve fuel, or lure the creature with a lit grenade? Procedurally generated item placements and enemy paths make each playthrough unique, while environmental storytelling reveals the bunker’s grim history. The game’s greatest triumph is its atmosphere—every creak of rusty metal or distant growl feels like a death sentence. The Bunker proves that even after 15 years, Frictional remains unmatched in psychological horror.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC
Release Year: 2023
Developer: Frictional Games
Scare Factor: 9/10
15. Phasmophobi
This viral ghost-hunting sim tasks teams with identifying paranormal entities using tools like EMF readers and spirit boxes. The twist? Ghosts react to your voice, both in-game and via real-life microphone input. Whisper a ghost’s name, and it might manifest; scream, and it could hunt you down. With over 20 ghost types—each with unique behaviors—no investigation plays the same. The game’s janky visuals somehow enhance the terror, turning ordinary houses into labyrinths of dread. Whether you’re a skeptic or believer, Phasmophobia will make you question every shadow and static-filled whisper.
Platforms: PC (Coming soon to Xbox Series X|S)
Release Year: 2020
Developer: Kinetic Games
Scare Factor: 9/10
14. Dead Space (2023)
EA Motive’s remake of the 2008 classic elevates the original’s spine-chilling formula with modern tech. The USG Ishimura feels more alive—and deader—than ever, with seamless loading, enhanced lighting, and grotesquely detailed Necromorphs. Isaac Clarke now has a voice, adding depth to his fight for survival. New mechanics like the “peeling system” (where enemies lose flesh and limbs dynamically) make combat more visceral, while redesigned zero-g sections offer fluid movement. The scares are relentless, from regenerating Hunter enemies to audio logs that flesh out the crew’s demise. A masterclass in remaking a beloved title without losing its soul.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC
Release Year: 2023
Developer: EA Motive
Scare Factor: 8/10
13. Resident Evil 2 (2019)
Capcom’s remake of Resident Evil 2 modernizes the 1998 survival-horror masterpiece without sacrificing its essence. Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield’s campaigns intertwine as they navigate Raccoon City’s zombie-infested streets and the labyrinthine RPD station. Mr. X, the trench-coated Tyrant, stalks players relentlessly, his footsteps echoing through hallways. The over-the-shoulder camera and realistic gore (zombies lose limbs but keep coming) amplify the tension, while puzzles and resource management stay true to the original. With its impeccable balance of nostalgia and innovation, this remake sets the gold standard for how to revitalize a classic.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, Xbox One, PS4
Release Year: 2019
Developer: Capcom
Scare Factor: 8/10
12. IMSCARED
Unlike any other game on this list, IMSCARED: A Pixelated Nightmare shatters the fourth wall, turning your own PC into part of the horror. As you navigate its pixelated world, pursued by the unsettling entity known as White Face, the game manipulates your desktop—creating eerie text files, opening your browser, and even forcing you to delete in-game documents to progress. It’s an unnerving, meta-horror experience you won’t forget.
Release Date: January 31, 2016
11. The Cat Lady
A deeply psychological horror adventure, The Cat Lady follows Susan Ashworth, a lonely woman who has recently attempted suicide. Given a second chance at life by the enigmatic Queen of Maggots, Susan must eliminate five “parasites” before she can find peace. Blending surreal visuals with a compelling narrative about mental health, this point-and-click horror game is as thought-provoking as it is unsettling.
Release Date: December 1, 2012
10. Dead By Daylight
Starting as an ambitious multiplayer slasher game, Dead By Daylight has evolved into a horror icon, featuring legendary villains like Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, and Pyramid Head. Whether you’re a survivor running for your life or the killer hunting them down, the game’s asymmetrical gameplay provides endless thrills and heart-pounding moments.
Release Date: June 14, 2016
9. Amnesia: The Dark Descent
One of the most influential horror games of all time, Amnesia: The Dark Descent redefined survival horror with its emphasis on helplessness. As Daniel, you awaken in a dark castle with no memory of how you got there. With monstrous entities hunting you and no means of fighting back, your only options are to run and hide. But beware—staying in the dark too long will drive you insane.
Release Date: September 8, 2010
8. World of Horror
Inspired by the works of Junji Ito and H.P. Lovecraft, World of Horror is a retro-styled roguelite horror RPG set in a cursed Japanese town. Players must investigate supernatural occurrences, fight grotesque monsters, and prevent an impending apocalypse—all while being immersed in a uniquely disturbing 1-bit art style.
Release Date: February 20, 2020
7. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series delivers an unparalleled sense of dread, dropping players into the desolate Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Between radiation, supernatural anomalies, and bloodthirsty mutants, survival is never guaranteed. This blend of horror, survival, and immersive simulation makes S.T.A.L.K.E.R. one of the most haunting experiences in gaming.
Release Date: March 20, 2007
6. Five Nights at Freddy’s
Few things are as unsettling as animatronic mascots, and Five Nights at Freddy’s turns them into nightmare fuel. As a security guard working the night shift, you must monitor cameras and survive against the eerie, malfunctioning robots of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Simple yet terrifying, this game has earned its place as a horror staple.
Release Date: August 18, 2014
5. Pathologic
A cult classic that blends horror and mystery, Pathologic places players in a plague-ridden town where they must survive for 12 days while uncovering the truth behind the deadly disease. Every decision matters, as time-limited quests and a suffocating atmosphere make for one of the most intense horror experiences ever crafted.
Release Date: August 18, 2006
4. Phasmophobia
Ghost hunting has never been more terrifying than in Phasmophobia. This co-op paranormal investigation game tasks players with identifying different types of ghosts using tools like EMF readers and spirit boxes. The longer you stay, the more aggressive the spirits become, creating an adrenaline-fueled experience that makes every session unique.
Release Date: September 18, 2020
3. Chilla’s Art Games
Chilla’s Art is a duo of Japanese indie developers who specialize in short but deeply unsettling horror games. Titles like The Convenience Store and The Closing Shift turn everyday jobs into harrowing nightmares, proving that the mundane can be just as terrifying as the supernatural.
Release Dates: 2018–2020
2. Puppet Combo Games
Puppet Combo embraces retro horror aesthetics, delivering PS1-style, VHS-inspired slasher games like Babysitter Bloodbath, Power Drill Massacre, and Nun Massacre. These low-fi, gore-drenched experiences channel the spirit of ’80s horror films, making them perfect for fans of classic slasher flicks.
Release Dates: 2012–2021
1. Visage
A spiritual successor to P.T., Visage is a psychological horror game that immerses players in a haunted house filled with supernatural terrors. Playing as Dwayne Anderson, you must navigate an ever-changing environment while managing your sanity. The game’s oppressive atmosphere, chilling sound design, and unpredictable hauntings make it one of the scariest horror games in years.
