The best horror games might not be the coziest way to unwind, but they will certainly get your heart pounding. In the past year, we’ve seen some incredible additions to the genre. Games like Alan Wake 2, the Resident Evil 4 remake, and Amnesia: The Bunker stood out for their ability to deliver spine-chilling moments, eerie atmospheres, and pulse-quickening chase sequences. Whether you love psychological thrills or terrifying action, these games have set a new standard for horror fans.

As 2024 unfolds, there’s even more to look forward to. Anticipated titles like the Silent Hill 2 remake and the next Resident Evil installment are expected to push the boundaries of fear further. But if you’re eager to dive into horror right now, this list of the latest must-play horror games will satisfy your craving for fear-induced adrenaline.

 

Best Horror Games 2024

1. Alien: Isolation

Alien: Isolation is an excellent example of survival horror, and it captures the spirit of Ridley Scott’s famous 1979 movie. Players take on the part of Amanda Ripley, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, traveling a huge, strangely silent space station 15 years after the first Alien movie. The first-person view in the game and the constant presence of a single xenomorph stalking you through the dark hallways create the same tension and fear that made the movie famous.

Alien: Isolation is one of the best horror games ever made because Creative Assembly paid close attention to the mood and pace of the game. The xenomorph’s AI is cleverly built; it changes based on what you do and elevates the tension at every turn. Every time you meet an alien, the VR mode makes it even scarier because you’re really in the game. Anyone who likes horror movies should play Alien: Isolation. It has thrilling gameplay and accurate recreations of the movie’s fear.

 

2. Visage

Visage is one of the best horror games because it does a great job of combining scary psychological elements with disturbingly natural settings. This first-person survival horror game takes place in a huge, scary house full of twisted memories from the families who used to live there. As you go deeper into the area, the atmosphere gets tighter, and the excitement keeps building, making each step feel like a leap into the unknown.

Visage is excellent at making you feel uneasy and scared. You don’t know what will happen next but know it won’t be good. The graphics in the game look eerily accurate, which adds to the scary feeling as you move through dark hallways and creepy rooms. The slow-burning plot will keep you on edge for hours, but be careful—the bright lighting effects could make people with photosensitive epilepsy have seizures.

If you’re looking to be terrified this Halloween, Visage delivers an unforgettable, heart-pounding experience. Just a word of advice—keep the lights on.

 

3. Amnesia: The Bunker

Amnesia: The Bunker is an excellent example of atmospheric horror. The gameplay is intense and nerve-wracking, keeping you on edge the whole time. Keeping with the series’ roots, this game throws players into a scary world of claustrophobia, stress, and puzzles that will make you think outside the box. The dark, narrow hallways of the bunker make you feel even more scared, and you must rely on weak lights and few supplies to stay alive.

The main threat, The Beast, comes and goes without warning. There is something more scary about it than in Amnesia: The Dark Descent because you never know when or where it will strike. The game combines puzzles and survival horror, making every second in the bunker feel like a battle for your life.

The limited inventory system and dynamic enemy AI keep the stakes high, while the bunker’s oppressive atmosphere ensures that fear is constant. If you’re looking for a horror game that will make your pulse race, Amnesia: The Bunker is a must-play.

 

4. The Outlast Trials

When you play with other people, The Outlast Trials adds a new twist to the survival horror genre by combining scary moments with dark humor. This latest entry successfully keeps the intense atmosphere of its predecessors while adding a new shared experience. The series is known for its scary single-player roots. When you switch to online, the horror doesn’t get less intense; instead, it gets stronger as you and your friends go through scary trials with jump scares, creepy surroundings, and nerve-wracking sneaking scenes.

Every trial is different, with different amounts of fear making you think quickly. The stress that makes your heart race stays the same whether you play alone or with a team. The horrifying graphics and sounds make you feel even more scared, and the game’s joint features make you and your friends laugh out loud as you try to stay alive.

Overall, The Outlast Trials delivers a compelling blend of fear and fun, making it one of the standout horror titles for those seeking a multiplayer fright fest.

 

5. Until Dawn

Until Dawn changed the horror genre by using an original, participatory storyline instead of the usual survival horror video games. The game takes place on a snowy mountain and puts you in charge of a group of people trapped and chased by a killer who won’t stop. Making choices and quick-time events in the game make it so fun. You can decide what happens to each character. There are many different ends because every choice you make has long-lasting effects.

The setting is very solitary and wintery, which adds to the tension. The horror story does a great job of balancing magical elements with psychological fear. Even though some characters are overused, they are well-acted and realistic, making it feel like their life (or death) is personal.

The game shines in its replayability, as different decisions lead to different outcomes, ensuring a fresh experience with each playthrough. Until Dawn is a must-play for horror enthusiasts, especially if you enjoy a mix of mystery, suspense, and heart-racing quick-time events.

 

6. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard brought new life to the popular horror series, which had started to feel like it was going in the same old direction. By switching to a first-person view, the game created an intense and suffocating atmosphere that brought fear to your face and made every interaction feel personal and intense. Adding support for VR only made things scarier, making it one of the most realistically frightening games ever.

The story is very well put together, with a strong plot focus that keeps players on the edge of their seats the whole time. With limited resources and a scary discovery that takes you back to the series’ basics, the gameplay is the perfect mix of action and survival.

By combining a modern approach to horror with familiar Resident Evil elements, Resident Evil 7 successfully redefined the series. Its success not only appeased long-time fans but also introduced a new generation to the franchise, proving that classic horror can still evolve while staying true to its origins.

 

7. Dead By Daylight

Dead By Daylight is one of the best horror games ever. It brings the fear and stress of old-school killer movies to the online field. Many popular horror games depend on being alone to scare you, but this changes things with an exciting 4v1 setting. One player becomes an unstoppable serial killer, while the other four players try to stay alive by fixing generators and escaping traps that could kill them. Because the game isn’t equal, every match is a fast-paced race against time.

Different skills for each character, both killers and survivors, make the game more complex. This range makes the game interesting because players have to change how they play based on their part. Besides that, Dead By Daylight is a love letter to horror fans because it features characters from well-known movies like Saw, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

With its deep gameplay, frequent updates, and crossplay capabilities, Dead By Daylight remains one of the best multiplayer horror experiences available.

 

8. The Evil Within 2

The Evil Within 2 is a great survival horror because it combines standard scares with mental torture. The game, which Tango Gameworks made with Shinji Mikami’s help, is better than the last one because it has better gameplay and a better story. Once more, players take on the role of Sebastian Castellanos, who has to find his way through a twisted, nightmare-like world full of creepy creatures and unsettling surroundings.

The game’s creation and improvement tools make it feel like you’re making progress, and the semi-open world layout lets you explore. Even though the fighting is hard, it’s easier to get stuck in than in the first game, which makes the whole experience better. What makes The Evil Within 2 stand out is how it builds tension in the air, combining jump scares with psychological horror. It skillfully questions reality, making the player and the main character feel lost.

While some pacing issues exist, the gripping narrative and immersive visuals make it one of the best modern horror titles. It successfully modernizes Japanese horror, balancing fear and engagement perfectly.

 

9. Little Nightmares

Little Nightmares is a fantastically well-made horror puzzle platformer that pulls players into a world full of disturbing tension. You are in charge of Six, a weak young girl who has to find her way through a vast, horrifying world full of weird animals. Six is too tiny and weak to fight back, so the game’s strength lies in its ability to make you feel useless. You have to use stealth and smarts to get away from scary enemies.

The art direction in this game stands out. It turns ordinary places into scary, nightmare-like ones. Each level is spooky, and the monsters’ hideous designs make the whole game feel even more terrifying. The gameplay is well thought out, with a good mix of tricky tasks and tense platforming.

What makes Little Nightmares truly shine is its ability to build tension without relying on jump scares. Instead, it uses atmospheric horror, creating an eerie experience that sticks with you long after playing. The sequel, while good, doesn’t quite capture the unique sense of dread that made the original so impactful.

 

10. Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 is a must-play for horror fans because it combines psychological and survival horror to make the experience very scary. The game has beautiful graphics and well-designed settings to add to the creepy feeling. Players will follow the linked stories of two main characters, Alan Wake and Saga Anderson, in a bizarre tale that crosses the line between fact and fiction. The beautifully made cutscenes make the story more interesting and pull you deeper into the dark riddle.

The gameplay is based on life, and managing resources and fighting strategically are very important. Even for experienced players, the first few hours can be terrifying. But as you learn to spot enemy patterns and gather resources, you’ll feel more in control, which is satisfying.

The soundtrack, featuring a Scandinavian rock band, adds an immersive layer to the gameplay, perfectly complementing the suspense. Though the initial horror may feel overwhelming, perseverance will reveal an unforgettable, atmospheric adventure that any horror fan shouldn’t miss.

 

11. Still Wakes the Deep

Still Wakes the Deep is a scary, atmospheric horror game made by The Chinese Room that was released in June 2024. Players take on the part of Caz, an electrician on a North Sea oil rig who has to find his way around a deserted and haunted environment after a terrible accident. The game strongly feels like one is alone, with dark, tight hallways, creaky machinery, and eerie shadows adding to the stress at every turn.

The story is told through a strong voice, and the acting is by a British group that captures the sadness and routine of life on an oil rig. Exploration and problem-solving are significant parts of the game as players try to recover power while avoiding a mysterious being that is always there. Fans of horror games like Outlast and Amnesia will enjoy the slow-building tension and lack of direct fighting, which adds to the disturbing mood of the game.pense and lack of overt combat, which adds to the game’s unsettling atmosphere.

However, some might find the pacing slow, and the rig’s labyrinthine layout can occasionally feel repetitive. Still, Still Wakes the Deep succeeds as a haunting, atmospheric horror experience.

 

12. Dead Space (2023)

The Dead Space 2023 remake is an excellent update on the survival horror classic from 2008, bringing back the things that made the original so famous. The game takes place on the creepy USG Ishimura and does a great job of combining psychological horror with intense action. The cramped, abandoned passageways become a part of the player’s experience. Beautiful lighting and sound design add to the stress in the air, and they are vital parts of making a disturbing atmosphere that keeps you interested from beginning to end.

Combat is still one of the best parts. The remake keeps the strategic limb-targeting system, which makes cutting up Necromorphs a crucial part of fighting them off. The new control method is easier to use but doesn’t change the game’s measured pace. The game keeps you on edge whether you’re in areas with no gravity or trying to make the most of limited supplies.

Visually, the remake excels with modern graphics that amplify the horror, making the USG Ishimura feel more oppressive than ever. For both newcomers and fans of the original, Dead Space (2023) is a must-play, redefining sci-fi horror for a new generation.

 

13. The Last of Us Part 2

“The Last of Us Part 2” is an excellent example of how to tell a story by combining intense fighting in a world after the end of the world with emotional depth. Ellie’s story of love, anger, and loss is told hauntingly as she tries to figure out what it means to be human in a world torn apart by violence. Naughty Dog has pushed the limits of sound and graphics design, making the atmosphere tense, especially when you’re up against new types of infected that test your nerves and your strategy.

There is more variety in combat than ever, with stealth, survival, and intense firefights keeping players on edge. The remake for PS5 improves this experience by adding better features, faster load times, and more explicit graphics, making Ellie’s scary story come to life even more.

While the game’s narrative risks dividing players with its bold choices, its emotional weight and technical brilliance make it a standout title. It’s a must-play for fans of immersive, story-driven games.