Best horror games on Steam

Horror games as a genre aren't for everyone, but there are plenty worth trying no matter how scary cat you are. There are a ton of games out there and almost all of them have amazing stories and fascinating worlds to explore. Choosing one game over another is incredibly difficult, but we've given it our best shot. Here are some of the best horror games available on Steam. For some of the games on this list, the entire series could have been added, but we chose to stick with the most popular title.

Left 4 Dead 2

Image via Valve

Left 4 Dead 2 has grown in popularity as a multiplayer survival horror game. You and up to three friends play as survivors in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. There are five campaigns for you and your team to fight to escape infected people. What made this game so unique when it was first released was its dynamically changing difficulty. The game gets easier or harder depending on your progress. This game leaves a lasting impression on almost everyone who plays it. Many enemies will haunt you and your team long after your escape.

Death by the light of day

Image via Behavior Interactive

If you like games like Murder Mystery, you will definitely enjoy Dead by Daylight. It is a multiplayer game in which one player assumes the role of a serial killer to hunt down others. Survivors must complete a series of tasks in order to escape while avoiding being captured by the killer. As a killer, the game world offers plenty of opportunities to scare other players. As a survivor, you'll spend every turn on the edge wondering if the killer is just around the corner.

Metro 2033 Redux

Image via 4A Games

This is a remake of the original cult classic Metro 2033 released in 2010. The Metro series is based on an excellent series of novels by Dmitry Glukhovsky. You play as Artyom, a survivor of a devastating apocalyptic event, living with other survivors in the old metro stations under Moscow. This game is a survival horror FPS game that will keep you updated throughout the story. Artyom must fight to survive against an onslaught of mutant horrors lurking in the subway tunnels. Players will need to fight or use stealth to protect Artyom's house from mutants and enemy soldiers.

Resident Evil 2

Image via Capcom

The entire Resident Evil series has a massive fan base, and for good reason. But Resident Evil 2 stands out among all as one of the defining games in the horror genre. It is a dark atmospheric survival horror game designed to challenge players of all skill levels. It features an immersive story that follows you long after the game ends. Players explore Raccoon City with RPD officer Leon Kennedy and student Claire Redfield. You'll have to fight, explore, and solve puzzles to survive as a pandemic turns the local population into zombies. If you missed the original 1998 release, a remake was released in 2019 which is available on Steam.

Alien isolation

Image via Creative Assembly

This is the best game for all fans of the Alien or Alien vs Predator movie franchise. The game tells a unique story set in the sci-fi world created by Ridley Scott. The game is an atmospheric and psychological horror FPS that requires a lot of stealth and improvisation to survive. You play as Amanda Ripley, the daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she travels to Sevastopol Station to find out what happened to her mother on the USCSS Nostromo. Shortly after arriving at the station, a Xenomorph breaks loose and begins to wreak havoc. Ripley must use stealth to escape the ruthless Xenomorph, haywire robots, and panicked crew members.

Doki Doki Literature Club

Image via Salvato team

At first glance, The Doki Doki Literature Club looks like another dating sim and visual novel. Although this is a visual novel, it is not at all what you would expect from the genre. You play as a high school student who joins the all-female literature club. You will interact with other club members, participate in club activities and even write poetry. As you continue to play, you will be forced to explore themes of depression, suicide, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. It is not a game for children or people who are easily triggered or disturbed.

Sum

Image via friction games

SOMA is a sci-fi psychological horror game developed by Frictional Games, the same studio that developed Amnesia and Penumbra. The game takes place in a secluded and claustrophobic underwater facility that has seen better days. Players will have to search the facility while avoiding faulty monsters and robots. You will have to find the last remaining survivors while unraveling a story that will make you question your own identity. This is not a game you should play before bed.

FEAR

Image via Monolith

The First Encounter Assault Recon or FEAR is a survival horror FPS that first hit the market in 2005. You play as a member of a special task force sent to stop a strange paramilitary group that kidnaps people. As the leader of the group, you will need to investigate a little girl named Alma and a series of paranormal activities. This series draws inspiration from films like The Ring to create a thrilling and terrifying experience.

Dead space 2

Image via Visceral Games

Dead Space 2 is a survival horror third-person shooter that takes place three years after the previous game ended. Players take on the role of former engineer Isaac Clarke as he navigates the Sprawl space station amid an infestation of necromorphs. Players will need to use unique weapons, telekinesis, and g-less combat in order to survive and get the answers Isaac is looking for. While Dead Space 3 received a lukewarm reception, every game in this series is worth checking out for its unique gameplay mechanics and gripping storyline.

Dying light

Image via Techland

Dying Light is an open world FPS survival horror game similar to the Dead Island series. The game shares some concepts with films like I Am Legend. The world is in the grip of an unknown pandemic that is turning the population into zombies. During the day it is (relatively) safe to explore the town of Harran and gather the resources