The horror games catalogue on PC is nothing less than exceptional. From old-school classics that pioneered the genre to indie hits that redefine what it’s capable of, the best spooks are found on your desktop. Steam is regularly blessed with incredible horror games every year, and keeping up with all of them can be tricky. To help simplify your search, we’ve picked out the 15 best horror games for PC to check out right now.
List of Best Horror Games for PC
Below, you’ll find a handy table featuring all of our picks for the best PC horror games. There’s a solid mix of AAA blockbusters and AA thrillers, and we’ve also included some timeless classics that are always worth revisiting. No matter which game you decide to check out, be sure to check out the latest Steam sales for a potential discount.
| Game | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Resident Evil 4 Remake | March 23, 2023 |
| Dead Space (2023) | January 27, 2023 |
| Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II | May 21, 2024 |
| Mouthwashing | September 26, 2024 |
| Alien: Isolation | October 6, 2014 |
| Silent Hill 2 Remake | October 8, 2024 |
| Alan Wake 2 | October 27, 2023 |
| Amnesia: The Bunker | June 6, 2023 |
| Silent Hill f | September 25, 2025 |
| Outlast 2 | April 24, 2017 |
| Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake | March 12, 2026 |
| Resident Evil Requiem | February 27, 2026 |
| The Vanishing of Ethan Carter | September 25, 2014 |
| Dead by Daylight | June 14, 2016 |
| Phasmophobia | September 4, 2020 |
Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Release Date: March 23, 2023
- Developer(s): Capcom
Widely recognised as one of the best video games of all time, Resident Evil 4 Remake is an absolute no-brainer for this list. Let’s admit it, remakes are hard. There’s way too much pressure on you to make an already near-perfect game better. However, Capcom appears to have mastered that formula, with each Resident Evil reimagining being better than the one before (coughs, not you, RE3 Remake). And just when I thought that 2019’s RE2 could not be surpassed in any way, the Resident Evil 4 Remake knocked it out of the park.
This is as perfect as a survival horror game can get. It doesn’t follow the pure survival horror route like RE7 or the guns-blazing action route like Resident Evil Village; it does the best of both worlds by blending horror and action perfectly. The result is a remake that genuinely polishes the cracks in a masterpiece and earns a spot among the best horror games for PC.
Dead Space (2023)
- Release Date: January 27, 2023
- Developer(s): EA Motive
Okay, so I will say this time and again. Dead Space is the best space-based survival horror game out there. You must be wondering, what about Callisto Protocol, the game that tries to be Dead Space? Well, that’s the problem. It tries to be Dead Space, but it can’t exactly beat the original in any way. As if the original was not good enough, EA decided to revamp it with a remake. Let me tell you this: it is the best possible remake you could have gotten for Dead Space.
There are quite a few additional elements added in the remake that make it much more immersive. For starters, the Necromorphs obviously look significantly scarier. Then, there is the USG Ishimura, which comes alive in the most detailed textures. If I don’t refer to the remake as one of the best horror games, I should definitely stop playing survival horror games. It is that good.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Release Date: May 21, 2024
- Developer(s): Ninja Blade
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II isn’t your typical jump-scare horror. It excels in psychological horror, placing you in the mind of Senua, who struggles with psychosis. The game masterfully replicates her hallucinations and anxieties, blurring the lines between reality and delusion. Gruesome imagery and disturbing whispers immerse you in Senua’s terrifying world, making it a truly unsettling experience.
Expect a disturbing yet oddly beautiful atmosphere with an immersive sound design that puts you right in Senua’s tormented mind. Horror fans seeking a unique and unsettling experience won’t be disappointed. This is psychological horror at its finest.
Mouthwashing
- Release Date: September 26, 2024
- Developer(s): Wrong Organ
No compilation of the best horror games for PC is complete without Mouthwashing, and that’s not just because the game is exclusively available on Steam. Set aboard a failing spaceship with a deeply uneasy crew, Mouthwashing trades traditional scares for a slow, suffocating sense of dread that builds with every passing moment.
The visuals are deliberately abrasive, the dialogue feels off in a way that keeps you on edge, and the story unfolds in fragments that never quite let you feel grounded. It’s less about what’s happening on the surface and more about the tension simmering underneath. By the time the game reaches its jaw-dropping conclusion, Mouthwashing will have left an uncomfortable yet lasting impression on your memory that few other games can even hope to manage.
Alien: Isolation
- Release Date: October 6, 2014
- Developer(s): Creative Assembly
Ridley Scott’s Alien movies captivated millions with their mastery of sci-fi horror. Once you are done with that series, you will appreciate Alien: Isolation even more. The 2014 game absolutely nails the vibe and setting of the original movie, pairing space-y aesthetics with a constant sense of dread.
The game’s crowning achievement is, of course, the razor-sharp Xenomorph AI. If you traverse through an area too much, the hyper-intelligent alien will find you. If you use the same hiding spots too much, it will still find you. To outsmart the alien, you have to be extra cautious and extra quiet. So, stay sharp and deathly silent in an experience that still holds up as one of the best horror games on PC.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
- Release Date: October 8, 2024
- Developer(s): Bloober Team, Konami
Even if you haven’t played the game, you’ve likely come across Silent Hill 2 at some point. The game is the definition of a timeless classic that has still retained a degree of cultural relevance. In fact, SH2 is so sacred to fans that many were downright disappointed by the announcement of the 2024 remake.
Fortunately, the Silent Hill 2 Remake ended up being everything fans could’ve hoped for. The title keeps the core story intact, following James Sunderland’s descent into the fog-covered town, while updating the presentation with modern visuals and a more immersive over-the-shoulder perspective. The result is a near faultless reimagining of a masterpiece, serving as the perfect entry point for players new to the franchise. Hopefully, Bloober will lend the same degree of effort to the upcoming Silent Hill 1 Remake.
Alan Wake 2
- Release Date: October 27, 2023
- Developer(s): Remedy Entertainment
Alan Wake 2 offers a chilling blend of psychological horror and action. The small-town setting of Bright Falls transforms into a twisted nightmare filled with shadowy figures and unsettling whispers. Combat is tense, with a constant sense of paranoia as you fight off the darkness with just your flashlight and wits.
If you crave a suspenseful story that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, Alan Wake 2 will leave you on the edge of your seat. Horror fans looking for a unique narrative and a suspenseful atmosphere won’t want to miss this.
Amnesia: The Bunker
- Release Date: June 6, 2023
- Developer(s): Frictional Games
The Amnesia series doesn’t require any introduction. It is one of those games that revolutionized the survival horror genre as we know it today. It’s been over a decade since the first Amnesia game came out, and it’s good to see the series coming up with new titles now and then. Previously, we had Amnesia: Rebirth. In 2023, Amnesia: The Bunker was released, and it is genuinely one of the scariest games that I have played in recent years.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that this is probably the scariest Amnesia game that you can play right now. Now, I know that many of you probably still feel that the first OG game is the scariest. However, if you are new to the series and to the survival horror genre itself, you will feel the same way. The Bunker’s audio design and setting make it stand out from the rest, making it one of the best horror games you can play today.
Silent Hill f
- Release Date: September 25, 2025
- Developer(s): Konami
Silent Hill f marks a bold shift for the long-running series, trading its familiar American setting for a haunting vision of 1960s rural Japan. The story follows a young girl navigating a town consumed by a mysterious, creeping horror, with the narrative penned by psychological horror specialist Ryukishi07.
I’ll get right down to brass tacks. This is not a “fun” game to play. Its combat fundamentals are janky and archaic, especially when you compare them to modern-day horror games. But where Silent Hill f excels is in its portrayal of the uncomfortable and adult themes that other games would treat as taboo. The game depicts abuse, misogyny, social conformity, and so much more without ever getting preachy or forcing things on the player.
It lets you confront these social evils first-hand and makes you feel just as helpless as Hinako. And by the time the narrative wraps up, you’ll be left with the feeling that you have experienced something truly meaningful.
Outlast 2
- Release Date: April 24, 2017
- Developer(s): Red Barrels
Outlast 2 drops you into a nightmarish stretch of the Arizona desert, where journalist Blake Langermann is searching for his missing wife in a region overtaken by a fanatical cult. It wastes little time pulling you into its chaos, throwing you into a world that feels hostile from the very first moment.
The core gameplay sticks to the series’ signature formula. You can’t fight back, so survival hinges on stealth, quick thinking, and smart use of your camcorder’s night vision. Managing battery life becomes crucial, especially when navigating pitch-black areas, while enemy patrols force you to stay mobile and unpredictable. And in case they spot you? Well, there’s nothing to do except running for your dear life.
Few games are as oppressive to play as Outlast 2. I’m not kidding when I say it’ll force you to put the controller down for a bit, purely due to the stress it effortlessly builds. So, if you’re looking for the spookiest spooks, then it doesn’t get much scarier than Outlast 2
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake
- Release Date: March 12, 2026
- Developer(s): KOEI TECMO
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake revives what many consider one of the scariest games ever made. The original built its reputation on atmosphere over action, following twin sisters Mio and Mayu through a cursed village shaped by a failed ritual, and that core remains untouched.
Where the remake earns its place is in how it modernizes that foundation. The iconic Camera Obscura returns, still forcing you to confront ghosts head-on by capturing them at the last possible second. But it now feels more fluid thanks to updated controls, new combat options like dodging, and expanded mechanics that deepen both exploration and encounters. The addition of systems like physically holding your sister’s hand adds a subtle layer to navigation and reinforces the bond at the heart of the story.
If you’ve never experienced this classic, then the Crimson Butterfly Remake offers the most accessible way to do so.
Resident Evil Requiem
- Release Date: February 27, 2026
- Platform(s): Capcom
Do you really need me to sell you on Resident Evil Requiem? Have you not seen the launch-day fanfare, the record sales numbers, and the endless thirsting over Leon S. Kennedy? To keep it short and sweet, RE Requiem combines the first-person horrors of Resident Evil 7 with the third-person roundhouse kicks of Resident Evil 4. The final result is a “best-of-both-worlds” product that has already secured its spot as a GOTY frontrunner.
Whether you’re playing as the frightened yet determined Grace or the weathered yet suave Leon, Requiem is a roller-coaster from top to bottom. In fact, the main complaint levied against the game is its slightly brief runtime, which basically means that fans were left wanting more. For all these reasons and more, Resident Evil Requiem will hold a place in our best horror games for PC for years to come.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
- Release Date: September 25, 2014
- Developer(s): The Astronauts
If you’re a fan of the Telltale games, you will absolutely love the narrative-focused format of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. This is almost a decade-old game at this point, and yet, when you do play it, you will be taken aback by the gorgeousness of it all. The world is immersive immediately, thanks to the stunning graphics.
There is not much in terms of gameplay, but the eerie atmosphere and great storyline will keep you playing it. Not to mention that this one jump scare will catch you off guard. That had me flying, too, so yes, don’t tell me that you haven’t been warned. Keeping all of these things in mind, it must be one of the best PC horror games that I have ever played.
Dead by Daylight
- Release Date: June 14, 2016
- Developer(s): Behaviour Interactive
Have you always been a horror fanatic? Personally, I grew up watching Michael Myers in Friday the 13th, Freddy Krueger in Nightmare on Elm Street, Sadako Yamamura in The Ring, and so many other characters from some of the best horror movies out there. If you have successfully recognized each of the characters that I just mentioned, you will absolutely love Dead by Daylight.
Dead by Daylight allows you to play as all these characters and many more. That is where the real fun lies and why Dead by Daylight is still one of the most-played horror games out there seven years after its release. The best thing about the game is that it is purely a multiplayer game, and there are Dead by Daylight promo codes, too, that help you with resources.
Phasmophobia
- Release Date: September 4, 2020
- Developer(s): Kinetic Games
I don’t know about you, but the very concept of ghost hunting has always been very exciting to me. That is exactly why I like Phasmophobia so much. It is just good old ghost hunting, that’s it. However, it is not easy to hunt ghosts in Phasmophobia. There are a lot of gameplay elements that you need to understand to succeed. Plus, you also need the assistance of your Steam friends, which only raises the entertainment value.
Another feather in Phasmophobia’s ghostly cap is its immense replayability. Every run feels fun when friends are involved, and the game also throws plenty of curveballs in your direction. So, if you are looking for the best multiplayer horror games out there, Phasmophobia is it. Let’s hope that Blumhouse can capture the carefree yet terrifying nature of the game in the upcoming Phasmophobia movie.
And that wraps up our picks for the best horror games for PC in 2026. Have any more suggestions for us? Let us know in the comments below!
