Horror game fans have been enjoying a lot of great new releases recently. We’re seeing a return to classic, truly frightening survival horror, with big-name games leading the way. And it’s not just the big studios – many creative indie developers are also making a lasting impact on the horror genre.
2025 was a fantastic year for horror games, even though they didn’t get much recognition at The Game Awards. And 2026 is shaping up to be just as good! There are a lot of new horror titles coming out next year, and fans – including me – are really excited about it.
With the new year here, it’s a great time to check out the upcoming games and start making a list of the ones you want. There’s a fantastic variety of both big-budget and independent titles, each offering something special and exciting.
Either way, I’m very excited to see how we’ll continue to be well-fed with each new release.
This list only includes games with a specific release date or month confirmed for 2026. Games without a clear date – like those simply listed as “2026” or “TBD 2026” – aren’t included because their release could change, be delayed, or even get cancelled.
17. Pathologic 3
Already Released: January 9th
As a big fan, I’m so excited that the first of these horror games is finally here! It’s called Pathologic 3, and it came out on January 9th. I’ve been waiting for this for ages!
Like the earlier Pathologic games, you play as a doctor racing against the clock to find a cure for a deadly plague sweeping through a town. You’ll also need to stay alive! This time around, the game adds new features, including the ability to travel through time, to help you with the challenge.
If you enjoy solving mysteries and using your powers of deduction, this game offers a compelling detective experience. It’s also atmospheric and unsettling, creating a tense mood. Players who have tried it generally report a very satisfying experience, and consider it a strong addition to the series. I haven’t played it myself yet, but the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Alternatively, you can always enjoy watching your favorite content creator play the game and figure it out for you – it’s just as fun to watch someone else solve the puzzles, and there’s nothing wrong with that!
16. The 9th Channel
Release Date: January 29th
| Developer(s) | Saikat Deb |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | SOEDESCO |
| Platform(s) | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |
Next up is The 9th Channel, a game that feels a lot like George Orwell’s 1984. It’s set in a bleak world with corrupt leaders and self-centered people, and you play as Michael J. Jones, who’s just recovered from a car crash. Your main goal is to find your friends after the accident.
I’m really getting into this game because it’s all about being sneaky! You have to be super careful where you go if you want to survive. It’s not just about being strong, though – you really need to think things through, manage your stuff well, and use strategy to make it. It’s a real test of how smart you are, not just how powerful!
It also appears to be experimenting with first-person shooter elements, suggesting a fast-paced and fun mix of genres that will keep you engaged.
15. Fear the Timeloop
Release Date: January 30th
| Developer(s) | TacoEaters |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | TacoEaters, PlayWay |
| Platform(s) | PC |
It’s common for video games to have time limits, but they often create stress and anxiety for players. This is especially true in horror games, where the pressure is even higher.
In Fear the Timeloop, you’re a sheriff named James Cooper who’s been wounded and doesn’t have much time left. You need to solve a mystery before it’s too late. The game works like Outer Wilds: every 15 minutes, time resets, and you have to use the knowledge you gained in previous loops to make progress in the current one.
This game includes everything you’d expect from a survival horror title – challenging puzzles, terrifying enemies, and choices that affect the story – but it’s presented in a fresh way with the exploration and progression of a Metroidvania.
This game looks fantastic, and it makes me want to build a gaming PC! Since I don’t have one right now, I’m hoping it gets released on PlayStation 5 instead.
14. I Hate this Place
Release Date: January 30th
I have a soft spot for games that prioritize a unique look and feel over strict realism, and I’m already captivated by the style of the upcoming game, I Hate This Place. It’s clearly embracing an 80s-inspired, comic book aesthetic, even using comic book sound effects for simple actions like walking, and it pulls that look off wonderfully.
I Hate This Place is a survival horror game where you’ll need to find materials to build weapons and items. These are vital for surviving the creatures you’ll face, especially at night when they become more dangerous. Stealth is key, and using sound to your advantage is important—headphones are highly recommended for the best experience.
A demo of the game is now available if you’d like to try it out. But if you prefer to wait for the full release, that’s perfectly okay – and luckily, we won’t have to wait much longer!
13. Perished Truth
Release Date: January 30th
| Developer(s) | DeVoid Studio |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | DeVoid Studio |
| Platform(s) | PC |
Many survival horror games borrow elements from Resident Evil, but Perished Truth uniquely combines that inspiration with the style of the movie Saw. The game uses classic fixed camera angles while also offering modern controls for a fresh experience.
In Perished Truth, you take on the role of Shinji Ueda, a man grieving the loss of his wife. His young daughter is now battling the same deadly illness, and he’s desperate to save her. This leads him down a dangerous path on the dark web, where he encounters something completely unexpected.
The game will launch with its first part, offering roughly 6 to 8 hours of gameplay. Future parts will be added as free updates once they’re completed, and we expect those updates to arrive within the year.
12. Pinewood Valley
Release Date: February 13th
| Developer(s) | Cold Chop Studio |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Cold Chop Studio |
| Platform(s) | PC |
February starts with the release of Pinewood Valley, a story about a man who returns to his hometown and discovers it’s now plagued by a group of dangerous serial killers. You play as him, and must uncover their plot, stop them, and protect the town.
This town is a wide-open space where you’ll encounter other survivors all trying to escape a group of killers. These killers aren’t just generic enemies – each one has unique powers and ways of hunting, which keeps the game fresh and prevents it from feeling repetitive.
As a player, I found that even though the game gives you a bunch of weapons, it really wants you to be smart about when you fight. You’re often encouraged to choose your battles carefully – sometimes running or hiding is the best way to survive, rather than just jumping into a fight!
This game looks small but powerful, and I’m really interested to see how they’ll create a scary experience in an open world setting.
11. Welcome to Doll Town
Release Date: February 13th
| Developer(s) | Bad Wish Games |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Bad Wish Games |
| Platform(s) | PC |
Japanese horror games have a unique atmosphere, and Silent Hill f is the latest example. I was thrilled to hear that trend continues with Welcome to Doll Town, a game where you investigate a creepy town populated by incredibly realistic dolls.
This town holds many mysteries for players to discover, all set against the unsettling backdrop of the Japanese countryside. While not explicitly stated, the game clearly draws inspiration from the look and feel of Silent Hill.
People are calling it a deeply unsettling love story, and we’re all curious to see what that actually means.
10. Reanimal
Release Date: February 13th
The team behind the Little Nightmares games is known for a very specific, atmospheric style of horror – think dark shadows, striking visuals, and incredibly immersive sound design. So, when they announced their new project, Reanimal – showcasing a completely different, but still unsettling, world – excitement built immediately.
The game immediately feels like a natural extension of everything fans enjoyed in the developers’ past titles, but with a fresh and imaginative take on creating truly unsettling experiences. Even from the brief glimpses we’ve had, it appears to be a strangely beautiful mix of childlike wonder and genuine creepiness.
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I’m seriously hyped about the new game the developers are working on, especially after how much they’ve put into Reanimal! The first Little Nightmares just felt amazing, and everything I’ve seen so far suggests Reanimal is going to capture that same incredible atmosphere. I can’t wait to see how it plays!
Either way, I just know the quality is going to be fantastic.
9. LOVE ETERNAL
Release Date: February 19th
Platforming games are where video games got their start, so it’s natural they combine easily with other types of games, like horror. The upcoming game, LOVE ETERNAL, is a perfect example – it’s a spooky platformer where you explore a haunted castle filled with painful, yet fond, memories. The title suggests there’s a sad story behind it all.
In LOVE ETERNAL, you play as Maya, a child stolen from her family by a cruel goddess. This goddess keeps Maya as a toy, and the game follows Maya’s journey to escape and find her way back home.
As you navigate the challenging platforming levels, you’ll discover you can chat with different characters, gradually revealing a deeper story happening behind the scenes. I’m a big fan of games that tell complex stories, so this aspect immediately grabbed my attention.
Just be ready for what looks like a healthy amount of trial-and-error.
8. Resident Evil: Requiem
Release Date: February 27th
Like many gamers, I’m really looking forward to Resident Evil Requiem in 2026. I spent a lot of my childhood playing the original Resident Evil and Silent Hill titles, and with the recent games in both series being so good, I have a strong feeling Requiem will be fantastic.
Resident Evil Requiem puts you in the role of Grace Ashcroft, who is investigating what happened to her mother, Alyssa, in Raccoon City. It was recently announced that players will also be able to control Leon S. Kennedy during the game.
This game introduces zombies with surprisingly clever behavior, and you can even craft items. The main character, Grace, reacts with believable fear, which will likely make us feel just as tense and anxious as she does, heightening the suspense.
Either way, I am buzzing with anticipation for what’s in store.
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2026-01-27 01:12