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Top 20 scariest horror games of all time

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - November 2nd 2024, 15:15 GMT+1

About this gallery:

For this list, we decided to take a look at the games that truly terrified us, whether it was with perfectly timed jumpscares or a creeping terror that would only become apparent hours later, at 3 a.m., while staring at the ceiling. As usual, we chose to include only one game per franchise.

Remember, this is a subjective list! If you think we missed an essential game, why not mention it in the comments? | © Creative Assembly

20. Little Nightmares (2017)

Step into the surreal nightmare of *Little Nightmares*, where everything is larger than life, and you’re a tiny, raincoat-wearing figure just trying not to get eaten. It’s a beautifully twisted game that blends puzzles with horror, making you feel helpless in a world that’s both darkly whimsical and terrifying. Every corner holds a grotesque surprise, and you’ll never trust a kitchen the same way again. Tiny nightmares, massive scares. | © Tarsier Studios

19. The Forest (2018)

*The Forest* is the game that’ll make you think twice about ever going camping again. After surviving a plane crash, you’re thrust into a terrifying wilderness filled with cannibals, mysterious caves, and eerie forests. The real horror comes from managing survival and exploring the increasingly sinister landscape while trying to rescue your kidnapped son. Good luck building that shelter before nightfall—trust us, you don’t want to be caught outside. | © Endnight Games

Cropped Five Nights at Freddys — 18. Five Nights At Freddy's (2014)

Who knew a pizza joint filled with animatronic mascots could be this horrifying? *Five Nights at Freddy’s* is the definition of low-budget, high-scare horror. Monitoring security cameras has never been more nerve-wracking as these creepy robots slowly close in on you with each passing night. One jump scare from Freddy and his friends, and you'll be reconsidering your career choices. | © Scott Cawthon

17. Resident Evil 1 Remake (2002)

The *Resident Evil* remake takes everything that was already terrifying about the original and cranks it up to eleven. The mansion’s claustrophobic halls, the iconic "zombie turn," and the constant resource management create an experience that’s as stressful as it is scary. You’ll never forget the first time a crimson head zombie sprinted at you. Classic horror, remastered terror. | © Capcom

16. Darkwood (2017)

If you're into top-down horror with a side of psychological dread, *Darkwood* is your game. This survival horror masterpiece drops you into a nightmarish forest filled with unsettling creatures and eerie soundscapes. The tension of every nightfall, when you're barricaded inside your home, just waiting for something to break in, is pure, heart-pounding terror. And no, there’s no hand-holding here—figure it out or die trying. | © Acid Wizard Studio

SOMA — 15. Soma (2015)

*Amnesia* was scary, but *Soma*? *Soma* is existentially terrifying. Set in an underwater research facility, this game messes with your mind more than it does with your pulse. You’ll question what it means to be human as you navigate through its unsettling, robot-infested corridors. It’s a slow burn, but the philosophical horror is just as bone-chilling as any monster chasing you. | © Frictional Games

Cropped The Suffering — 14. The Suffering (2004)

*The Suffering* combines psychological horror with gruesome, gory action. You play as a death row inmate battling not only monsters but also your own personal demons. The game keeps you on edge by blending supernatural scares with the grim reality of a prison gone horribly wrong. Plus, those monster designs? Straight out of your worst nightmare. | © Surreal Software

Condemned Criminal Origins MSN — 13. Condemned: Criminal Origins (2005)

*Condemned* is gritty, grimy, and absolutely terrifying. This first-person horror game has you solving crimes while fending off deranged hobos in decaying buildings. The melee combat feels disturbingly raw, and the sound design will have you jumping at every creak and whisper. It’s like a CSI episode gone horribly, horribly wrong—just with more pipe-wielding psychos. | © Monolith Productions

12. Dead Space Remake (2023)

Space may be the final frontier, but it’s also the scariest one in *Dead Space Remake*. Isaac Clarke’s journey through the blood-soaked halls of the USG Ishimura is a masterclass in sci-fi horror. With its revamped visuals and sound design, every Necromorph encounter feels more terrifying than ever. If zero-gravity horrors weren’t enough, that eerie silence will haunt you long after you put down the controller. | © Motive Studio

MA Di SON — 11. MADiSON (2022)

*MADiSON* takes psychological horror to another level with its first-person, found-footage style. Armed with nothing but a polaroid camera, you’ll piece together a terrifying mystery while being relentlessly hunted by a demonic entity. The eerie atmosphere and intense jumpscares make this one of those games that’ll have you checking over your shoulder, even after you’re done playing. | © BLOODIOUS GAMES

10. Parasocial (2023)

*Parasocial* taps into modern fears by blending the world of online influencers with terrifying supernatural occurrences. As you explore a YouTuber’s creepy apartment, you'll unravel a disturbing mystery involving digital obsessions. Chilla’s Art is known for its unique horror experiences, and this one will have you rethinking your relationship with social media. Influencer life isn’t all glamour—sometimes it’s pure nightmare fuel. | © Chilla's Art

9. Detention (2017)

In *Detention*, the real horror lies not just in the supernatural, but in its chilling portrayal of life under martial law. Set in 1960s Taiwan, this side-scrolling psychological horror game mixes eerie school settings with a deep, emotionally gripping story. The game’s oppressive atmosphere and unsettling hand-drawn art style make every encounter with the supernatural truly haunting. History class was never this terrifying. | © Red Candle Games

Cropped Fatal Frame 2 — 8. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly (2003)

Nothing says terror like a camera that can capture ghosts, right? *Fatal Frame II* puts you in the shoes of twin sisters lost in a haunted village, armed with only a camera obscura to defend yourself. The ghost encounters are genuinely spine-tingling, and the narrative pulls you deeper into a tragic mystery. Just don’t play with the lights off—you’ll regret it. | © Tecmo

7. Silent Hill 2 Remake (2024)

If *Silent Hill 2* didn’t already mess with your head, the remake surely will. The haunting fog, the eerie town, and the ever-present dread make this psychological horror masterpiece unforgettable. Pyramid Head and the game’s twisted symbolism remain just as terrifying as ever. It's not just a scarefest; it’s an emotional rollercoaster. Prepare to lose sleep—again. | © Bloober Team

Cropped Alien isolation — 6. Alien Isolation (2014)

*Alien Isolation* proves that space is not a place you want to be trapped in. Stalking you through every air vent is a Xenomorph that’s smarter than most horror game enemies, and it will not rest until you’re a goner. Every footstep, every breath feels like a mistake. It’s survival horror at its finest—just make sure you know where that next save point is. | © Creative Assembly

5. Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010)

Few games can claim to have kick-started a new era of horror gaming like *Amnesia: The Dark Descent*. This first-person, psychological horror game locks you in a dark, gothic castle with no memory and no weapons. All you can do is run, hide, and try not to lose your mind as the terrifying creatures close in. Pure, distilled horror. | © Frictional Games

4. P.T. (2014)

*P.T.* may be just a demo, but it’s arguably one of the scariest experiences ever created. Wandering through that never-ending hallway, solving cryptic puzzles while being haunted by ghostly apparitions, is enough to make even the most hardened horror fans panic. It’s a shame the full game never came to life, but this small taste of terror lives rent-free in our minds forever. | © Kojima Productions

3. Murder House (2020)

*Murder House* is a love letter to 80s slasher films, with low-poly graphics that somehow make it even more terrifying. You’re being hunted by a creepy guy in a rabbit costume, and the game doesn’t pull any punches with its jump scares and gore. The grainy VHS style only adds to the retro horror vibes. It’s a wild, bloody ride from start to finish. | © Puppet Combo

Cropped Outlast — 2. Outlast (2013)

*Outlast* throws you into an abandoned asylum armed with nothing but a night vision camera—and trust us, you'll use it. A lot. The game’s terrifying atmosphere and relentless enemies make it one of the most intense horror experiences out there. Every hallway feels like a death trap, and running for your life becomes second nature. If heart-pounding horror is your thing, you’ll love this. | © Red Barrels

Fear Hunger 2 Termina — 1. Fear & Hunger 2: Termina (2022)

*Fear & Hunger 2* takes survival horror and cranks the difficulty up to brutal levels. This game is unforgiving, with random events, horrifying monsters, and a dark, disturbing atmosphere that keeps you on edge from start to finish. The game’s mixture of RPG mechanics and psychological horror creates an experience that’s as punishing as it is rewarding. If you’re up for the challenge, prepare to suffer—literally. | © Miro Haverinen

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Prepare to sleep with the lights on because we're about to dive into the spine-chilling world of the top 20 scariest horror games of all time. These are the games that make you question your life choices, jump at every shadow, and seriously reconsider playing after dark.

From heart-pounding jump scares to psychological terror that lingers long after the credits roll, this list covers the absolute worst (or best?) nightmares the gaming world has to offer. Ready to face your fears? Let’s go! But don’t say we didn’t warn you.

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Prepare to sleep with the lights on because we're about to dive into the spine-chilling world of the top 20 scariest horror games of all time. These are the games that make you question your life choices, jump at every shadow, and seriously reconsider playing after dark.

From heart-pounding jump scares to psychological terror that lingers long after the credits roll, this list covers the absolute worst (or best?) nightmares the gaming world has to offer. Ready to face your fears? Let’s go! But don’t say we didn’t warn you.