Horror games are a special breed. They’re not just about survival—they’re about testing how much fear your heart (and your keyboard) can handle before you slam ALT+F4. Over the decades, developers have crafted some of the best horror horror games of all time that made players scream, laugh nervously, and sleep with the lights on.

In this list, we’re counting down the 20 best horror video games, the titles that defined the genre, terrified millions, and stood the test of time. Whether you’re looking for the top scariest games to play with friends or single-player nightmares, these classics have earned their place in horror history.

Resident Evil 2 (Remake)

When Capcom rebuilt Resident Evil 2 from the ground up in 2019, it wasn’t just nostalgia—it was perfection. The Raccoon City Police Department became a claustrophobic labyrinth filled with zombies, Lickers, and the unrelenting Mr. X.

With modern visuals, overhauled controls, and terrifying sound design, this remake turned one of the best horror games of all time into a modern masterpiece. If you want a blend of survival tension and cinematic horror, this is it.

Silent Hill 2

Often called the scariest game ever made, Silent Hill 2 isn’t just about monsters—it’s about psychological terror. You play James Sunderland, who arrives in Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his dead wife.

The foggy streets, disturbing enemy designs, and unforgettable Pyramid Head created one of the top scariest games in history. Silent Hill 2 proved that horror can be emotional as well as terrifying.

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Dead Space (2008 & 2023 Remake)

Isaac Clarke’s nightmare aboard the USG Ishimura is legendary. Dead Space combined survival horror with sci-fi terror, introducing grotesque Necromorphs that could only be killed by strategic dismemberment.

The claustrophobic spaceship, eerie sound design, and shocking scares made it one of the best horror video games ever created. The 2023 remake polished it further, making it scarier than ever.

Outlast

If you like horror games that make you feel powerless, Outlast is your worst dream come true. Armed with only a camcorder, you sneak through Mount Massive Asylum, avoiding psychotic inmates and supernatural forces.

The night vision mechanic creates heart-stopping tension. Running, hiding, and praying are your only tools. Outlast is a modern classic among the best horror games of all time.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Released in 2010, Amnesia revived the horror genre. With no weapons and sanity mechanics that make the screen blur and distort, the game forces you to survive through sheer panic.

Its atmospheric storytelling, terrifying monsters, and immersive design cemented it as one of the top scariest games ever made.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Capcom brought Resident Evil back to pure horror with this first-person nightmare. Playing as Ethan Winters, you explore the Baker family estate—home to deranged cannibals and unspeakable horrors.

The switch to first-person perspective amplified fear, making Resident Evil 7 one of the best horror video games in recent years. It’s disgusting, unsettling, and unforgettable.

Alien: Isolation

Finally, a game that made the Xenomorph terrifying again. In Alien: Isolation, you play Amanda Ripley, trapped on a space station with a single Alien that hunts you relentlessly.

The AI-driven Alien adapts to your tactics, making every encounter unpredictable. It’s a slow-burn survival horror masterpiece, easily ranking among the best horror games of all time.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly

Armed only with a mystical camera, you and your twin sister explore a haunted village filled with vengeful spirits. Taking photos is the only way to banish them—but also the most terrifying way to confront ghosts.

Its Japanese folklore roots and chilling atmosphere earned it cult status as one of the top scariest games ever made.

Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem

This GameCube gem wasn’t just scary—it was mind-bending. The sanity meter toyed with players by breaking the fourth wall: fake controller disconnections, corrupted save files, and screen glitches that made you doubt reality.

It’s one of the most innovative and unsettling horror experiences in gaming history.

Until Dawn

A cinematic slasher story where your decisions determine who lives and who dies. Until Dawn blends horror tropes with branching narratives, creating replayability and terrifying tension.

From Wendigos to classic cabin-in-the-woods scares, it’s one of the best horror video games to play with friends.

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Silent Hill 4: The Room

While not as iconic as SH2, this game’s concept of being trapped in a haunted apartment—with portals leading to otherworldly horrors—still chills players. Its oppressive atmosphere and disturbing imagery place it among the top scariest games ever released.

The Evil Within

Directed by Shinji Mikami (the creator of Resident Evil), The Evil Within delivers twisted monsters, grotesque environments, and survival horror gameplay that pushes you to the edge.

It’s brutal, relentless, and a spiritual successor to classic Resident Evil titles.

P.T. (Silent Hills Teaser)

Though never released as a full game, P.T. remains one of the scariest horror experiences of all time. This “playable teaser” had players walking endlessly through a haunted hallway that changed in terrifying ways.

Its cancellation still hurts, but its legacy cemented it as a legend in horror gaming.

Resident Evil 4

An action-heavy horror experience that changed gaming forever. Leon Kennedy’s fight through infected villagers and monstrous bosses in Spain is equal parts terrifying and thrilling.

It’s not only one of the best horror games of all time, but also one of the most influential.

SOMA

From the creators of Amnesia, SOMA delivers existential dread rather than jump scares. Set in an underwater facility, the game explores identity, consciousness, and humanity while terrifying you with monsters.

It’s a thinking person’s horror game—and one of the best horror video games ever made.

Darkwood

This indie gem uses a top-down perspective but still manages to terrify. Its unsettling world, night survival mechanics, and eerie atmosphere make it one of the most unique horror experiences.

Proof that you don’t need fancy graphics to create one of the top scariest games ever.

Resident Evil (1996 / Remake)

The original Resident Evil is where survival horror truly began. Creepy mansions, limited ammo, and unforgettable jump scares (looking at you, zombie dogs).

The 2002 remake enhanced everything, turning it into a timeless classic among the best horror video games.

Manhunt

Rockstar’s most controversial game, Manhunt puts you in the shoes of a death row inmate forced to commit brutal killings for a snuff film. Its violence shocked players, but its atmosphere of dread was undeniable.

It remains one of the most disturbing top scariest games ever released.

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Layers of Fear

A psychological horror about a painter slowly descending into madness. The game constantly shifts environments, disorienting the player and creating a sense of paranoia.

It’s less about combat and more about storytelling, making it a modern classic.

Five Nights at Freddy’s

Simple yet terrifying, FNaF made animatronics scarier than clowns. Monitoring cameras, conserving power, and surviving the night became a cultural phenomenon.

It may not be the deepest horror game, but it’s one of the most influential of all time.

Why These Games Define Horror

These titles aren’t just scary—they’re cultural milestones. From the best horror video games that pioneered survival horror (Resident Evil) to the top scariest games that redefined terror (Silent Hill 2, Outlast), this list shows how fear in gaming has evolved.

Horror thrives because it pushes boundaries—and these 20 games prove that sometimes, fear is fun.

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