21 Horror Games That Will Keep You Up at Night
Nothing says “a sleepless night” quite like a game that hits every horror note perfectly — bone-chilling atmosphere, terrifying sound effects, and eerie storylines that burrow deep into your psyche. Whether you’re a fan of jump scares, psychological horror, or just downright creepy vibes, these games deliver on the nightmares. Here are 21 horror games so terrifying, you might just want to keep the lights on.
1. Resident Evil Village — Gothic Horrors in High Definition
Capcom’s Resident Evil Village doesn’t just bring horror; it creates an experience that feels like you’ve entered a nightmare. With haunting visuals, an unforgettable vampire countess, and terrifying creatures lurking around every corner, it’ll keep you on edge. Every village corner hides a new horror, and the unsettling atmosphere will have you dreading each new hallway. It’s equal parts horror and high-stakes survival, blending perfectly for a sleepless night.
2. Silent Hill 2 — The Gold Standard of Psychological Horror
Considered a classic, Silent Hill 2 dives deep into psychological horror and messes with your head from start to finish. The fog-covered town, eerie ambiance, and creepy inhabitants make for an experience that’s as hauntingly introspective as it is scary. The game explores themes of guilt, grief, and fear, pulling you into a story that won’t let go. And with Pyramid Head around, you’ll probably want to keep the lights on.
3. Outlast — The Scariest Night Vision You’ll Ever Use
In Outlast, you’re an investigative journalist trapped in an asylum full of deranged and hostile patients. Your only tool? A night-vision camera that runs on limited batteries, upping the ante as you skulk around in total darkness. With every heart-pounding moment, you’re forced to choose between preserving battery life or facing total darkness, each option more terrifying than the last. Just one playthrough is enough to make you a believer in horror.
4. Alien: Isolation — Cat and Mouse in Space
In Alien: Isolation, you’re trapped on a space station with a Xenomorph that learns and adapts as it hunts you. The Alien is relentless, and with limited weapons, survival feels nearly impossible. The atmospheric sound design, combined with the creature’s unpredictable stalking patterns, makes every step feel like it could be your last. This game is proof that in space, no one can hear you scream…except yourself.
Follow us for more of these articles.
5. P.T. — The Horror Teaser That Became Legendary
Even though it’s technically just a demo, P.T. (short for “Playable Teaser”) has haunted players since its release. Set in a seemingly endless loop in a haunted hallway, P.T. is filled with cryptic clues, disturbing visuals, and eerie sounds. Each loop becomes more terrifying than the last, leading up to one of the most infamous jump scares in horror gaming. It’s short, but P.T. will live in your mind rent-free for a long time.
6. Amnesia: The Dark Descent — Fear of the Unknown
This game turns you into a helpless protagonist trapped in a dark castle with no memory of how you got there. Amnesia: The Dark Descent relies on psychological horror, darkness, and dread, rather than jump scares. The creatures lurking in the shadows and the game’s disturbing atmosphere make every room feel like a potential nightmare. It’s the fear of what you can’t see that will keep you awake.
Follow us for more of these articles.
7. Dead Space — Terror in Deep Space
Imagine being trapped on a space mining ship, and every corpse you stumble across could potentially reanimate as a monstrous Necromorph. Dead Space is packed with terrifying enemies, unsettling silence, and the horrifying reality that your character is alone in deep space. The game’s atmosphere, combined with the grotesque creatures, makes for a frighteningly good experience. Space has never felt so claustrophobic or terrifying.
8. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly — Ghost Hunting with a Camera
In Fatal Frame II, you’re equipped with only a camera to capture spirits haunting a cursed village. The act of facing spectral entities head-on to take their photo is chilling, especially when they get a little too close for comfort. The game’s eerie story and Japanese horror atmosphere combine to create a supernatural thriller that’s as beautiful as it is terrifying.
Follow us for more of these articles.
9. The Evil Within — A Journey Through Madness
In The Evil Within, detective Sebastian Castellanos navigates a nightmarish landscape filled with horrifying monsters. It’s survival horror at its finest, blending gore, psychological scares, and a twisted storyline. The game’s distorted reality constantly shifts, keeping you guessing and increasing the fear factor. If you like your horror with a side of utter insanity, this one’s for you.
10. Until Dawn — Your Choices, Your Horror
Until Dawn lets you play through a horror story where your choices decide who lives and who dies. Set in an isolated mountain cabin, you’ll face jump scares, creepy mysteries, and some seriously disturbing moments. The branching narrative means each decision matters, creating a level of tension that makes every second suspenseful. With every playthrough, you’ll be haunted by what might have happened if you chose differently.
Follow us for more of these articles.
11. Bloodborne — Gothic Horror Meets Action RPG
Bloodborne might be an action RPG, but its dark Victorian setting and grotesque creatures make it terrifying. From twisted monsters to creepy alleyways, every part of the game oozes dread. The relentless difficulty and nightmarish visuals keep the tension high, giving you that pit-of-your-stomach fear. Exploring Yharnam feels like venturing into a world designed to torment your every step.
12. Little Nightmares — Big Fears in a Small World
Little Nightmares brings horror to an unusual scale, with players controlling a tiny character in a dark, twisted world of oversized horrors. The disturbing creatures, shadowy visuals, and unsettling atmosphere create a sense of dread as you escape monstrous figures. The creepy environments alone will keep you up at night, questioning what might be hiding in the dark.
Follow us for more of these articles.
13. Layers of Fear — Art as Horror
Playing as a painter descending into madness, Layers of Fear blends psychological horror with surreal visuals. The game warps and shifts around you, creating the feeling of being trapped in a nightmare. The haunting artwork and constant changes in reality make for a uniquely terrifying experience. It’s a psychological rollercoaster that will keep you guessing.
14. Visage — A Slow-Burn of Terror
Visage is a psychological horror game that takes place inside a house that seems straight out of a nightmare. The game’s slow-burn style means you’ll be constantly on edge, with creepy noises, disturbing visuals, and an ever-present feeling of dread. Every room in the house tells a different horror story, making each new area a fresh nightmare to unravel.
Follow us for more of these articles.
15. Doki Doki Literature Club! — Horror Hidden in Plain Sight
At first glance, this game looks like a typical visual novel, but Doki Doki Literature Club! takes a dark twist, turning into psychological horror that breaks the fourth wall. As the story progresses, things get creepier, with glitchy visuals and disturbing content that shatters the game’s cutesy exterior. It’s a truly unique horror experience that’ll stick with you.
16. Phasmophobia — Multiplayer Ghost-Hunting Terror
Phasmophobia is a multiplayer horror experience where you and your friends investigate haunted locations and encounter ghosts. Each investigation is unpredictable, and the realistic ghost encounters add layers of suspense and dread. With limited equipment and no real weapons, teamwork is essential to survival — even though it feels like your friends won’t be enough to protect you from the next scare.
Follow us for more of these articles.
17. SOMA — Existential Terror Underwater
SOMA combines sci-fi horror with deep philosophical questions, creating an experience that is both terrifying and thought-provoking. Set in an underwater facility, you’ll encounter unsettling creatures and face existential fears about what it means to be human. The psychological horror of SOMA makes it an unforgettable experience that might leave you pondering reality.
18. Martha Is Dead — Haunting Atmosphere and Disturbing Mystery
Set in 1944 Italy, Martha Is Dead is a psychological horror game that mixes history, folklore, and disturbing visuals. The storyline is dark and twisted, dealing with trauma and grief, and the visuals are hauntingly beautiful. It’s a slow-burning horror that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished playing.
Follow us for more of these articles.
19. F.E.A.R. — Shooter with a Side of Supernatural
F.E.A.R. combines first-person shooting with intense supernatural horror, featuring a little girl named Alma who haunts your every move. The jump scares and eerie moments make it feel like a horror game within a shooter. If you love horror and action, this classic mix of the two will make your spine tingle.
20. Darkwood — A Twisted Survival Horror
In Darkwood, you’re plunged into a creepy forest where you have to survive against supernatural forces. The game’s top-down perspective makes for a unique horror experience, with a focus on atmosphere and psychological horror rather than jump scares. Each night feels like a struggle for survival, leaving you hoping the sun will come up soon.
Follow us for more of these articles.
21. Until Dawn: Rush of Blood — VR Roller Coaster of Terror
For those brave enough to try VR horror, Until Dawn: Rush of Blood takes players on a terrifying roller-coaster ride. With jump scares at every turn and monsters popping up from every angle, it’s an experience that’s as intense as it is horrifying. It’s horror on a new level, and if you can handle it, it’s sure to keep you wide awake.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us!
