Horror games now come in all sorts of styles, from survival and fantasy to sci-fi and multiplayer. While many of these are excellent, cosmic horror games—those dealing with the vastness and indifference of the universe—stand out. They’re rare, but when they’re done well, they’re truly memorable.
Cosmic horror deals with concepts that are beyond what humans can truly understand. Think of the terrifying creatures and ideas in H.P. Lovecraft’s stories – they’re meant to be impossible for the human mind to grasp. Despite this, many game developers have attempted to bring these things to life, and some have done so remarkably well.
While games like Dead Space, Darkwood, and Pathologic were strong contenders, they don’t fully capture the essence of cosmic horror like the games that made the final list. However, they still borrow elements from the genre and are worth recognizing.
Look, good cosmic horror games are hard to come by, so we’re broadening our search a bit. We’re including games with a horror vibe even if they aren’t strictly terrifying – anything that captures that feeling will be considered!
These games aren’t without flaws, but they represent the best the industry has done in capturing the essence of cosmic horror.
10. The Sinking City
A Horror Game Drenched In Lovecraftian Terror
Charles Reed, a former soldier now working as a private investigator, is hired to find out what’s causing terrifying nightmares for a professor in Oakmont. The professor isn’t alone – others are experiencing the same horrifying visions, and the investigation quickly draws Reed into a disturbing place known as The Sinking City, where the real terrors begin.
Okay, so if you’re a Lovecraft fan like me, you need to check out The Sinking City. It really nails that creepy, unsettling vibe. You’re thrown into this old Victorian town that’s basically overrun with weird occult stuff and a plague that drives people crazy – which, let’s be real, is exactly what happens when you mess with things you shouldn’t! There are all sorts of bizarre monsters and you even explore Innsmouth, which is huge for any Lovecraft devotee. It’s probably the closest a game has gotten to truly capturing the feel of his stories. It’s not perfect, the game has some issues, but it’s a solid attempt, and I’m really excited to see what they do with the sequel!
9. Moons of Madness
Eldritch Horror Takes Off Into Space
Many cosmic horror games are set on Earth, featuring spooky cities, abandoned buildings, and old temples where cults summon terrifying creatures. But Moons of Madness stands out by moving the action to space, offering a unique and revitalizing take on the genre.
As a huge fan of cosmic horror, I was immediately drawn to Moons of Madness. The game really nails the unsettling feeling you get from the sheer emptiness of space. You play as someone on Mars after they pick up a strange, potentially intelligent signal, and things quickly go downhill. You’re exploring this desolate planet, totally unaware of what else might be out there… until it starts messing with your mind. Seriously, the game throws some terrifying monsters and incredibly realistic hallucinations at you, and it really pushes you to your limits. It’s a truly frightening experience!
8. Call of Cthulhu
A Horror Game Worthy Of Carrying Cthulhu’s Name
Okay, so I just started playing this new game, and it’s seriously nailing the whole Lovecraftian vibe – it’s exactly what you’d expect from a Call of Cthulhu game, being based on the tabletop RPG and all. You play as Edward Pierce, a detective who’s seen some stuff – he’s basically self-medicating with pills and booze to try and forget his nightmares. Then, out of nowhere, he gets a case – a weird death in this town called Darkwater. The only clue? A painting. It’s already getting creepy, and I’m hooked!
Darkwater takes a dark turn when a cult dedicated to the otherworldly god Cthulhu emerges. This cult aims to summon Cthulhu, and the player’s decisions will determine the game’s outcome. No matter what, Call of Cthulhu is packed with unsettling and fascinating cosmic elements at every turn.
7. Anchorhead
One Of The Best Written Cosmic Horror Games Ever
Anchorhead is a text-based adventure game with limited visuals, so it won’t appeal to all players. Even fans of comic horror should understand what to expect before trying this popular indie game.
Now that’s out of the way, Anchorhead is a truly excellent example of cosmic horror in video game form. The game tells the story of a couple who move into a mansion in the isolated town of Anchorhead, a place that feels distinctly not of this world. The player, controlling the wife, must survive for four days as her husband changes and an ancient, terrifying power emerges. The story itself is straightforward but compelling, and it’s made even better by consistently outstanding writing. I don’t want to give away too much, but it’s a fantastic experience.
Despite offering players choices, the game’s story is heavily determined by the character’s background, ancient forces, and family history. The player character feels powerless, and each new revelation only reinforces the sense of an unavoidable, tragic fate.
6. Darkest Dungeon
Psychological Deterioration When Faced With Inexplicable Forces
In terms of how it plays, Darkest Dungeon is a classic roguelike RPG that won’t cause sleepless nights. However, its atmosphere, systems, and story are deeply rooted in cosmic horror, and it’s brilliantly done. The game centers around exploring dungeons beneath a grand mansion, battling the monsters within. You do this by recruiting heroes – but remember, they’re vulnerable, easily broken, and constantly afraid. As you venture deeper, it becomes clear that something ancient and terrifying lurks below, a corrupting force beyond human comprehension.
In the game Darkest Dungeon, a key element is ‘Stress,’ which causes characters to develop fears, become paranoid, or even lose their minds from the terrifying things they experience. This isn’t a story about heroes; even when you win, the cost is often so high that it doesn’t feel like a true victory.
5. Dredge
Encounter Strange Creatures at Sea
Fishing in video games is usually a really relaxing experience. It’s a nice way to unwind at home after a busy day…but that’s not the case with the game Dredge.
This game combines the relaxing experience of fishing with the unsettling atmosphere of cosmic horror. While out on the water, players will encounter strange and frightening creatures inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft as night falls. Beyond the scares, this indie horror game also offers exploration, trading, and boat upgrades, providing a surprisingly deep gameplay experience.
4. World of Horror
Dark Rituals and Old Gods
Drawing inspiration from creators like Junji Ito and H.P. Lovecraft, World of Horror is a captivating and unusual cosmic horror game. It combines roguelike elements with a truly terrifying world, featuring puzzles, turn-based battles, and exploration, all presented in a distinctive pixelated black-and-white style.
World of Horror blends Japanese folklore, like the story of the Slit-Mouth Woman, with the chilling themes of cosmic horror – think ancient rituals, otherworldly creatures, and the potential end of humanity. This combination creates a truly memorable and Lovecraftian horror experience that will keep players coming back for more, as each playthrough offers a unique and unpredictable story.
3. Bloodborne
Eldritch Monsters Galore
In Bloodborne, players take on the role of a Hunter exploring Yharnam, a dark, Victorian city plagued by a terrible sickness. This disease transforms people into beastly creatures, but they’re just the beginning of the horrors you’ll face. The city is filled with bizarre and terrifying monsters – everything from creatures with tentacles to beings that seem to break the laws of nature. FromSoftware’s Bloodborne delivers a delightfully frightening experience with its many otherworldly and monstrous enemies.
Though it doesn’t rely on jump scares, Bloodborne perfectly captures the feeling of cosmic horror. The powerful beings known as Great Ones are bizarre and alien – straight out of a Lovecraft story – and are intentionally unknowable. The game starts with classic Gothic monsters, but gradually introduces increasingly strange, dreamlike creatures, a common trait of Lovecraftian tales. A core theme of the game is humanity’s inability to grasp the universe’s mysteries, and how trying to overcome our limitations leads to madness, a loss of self, and ultimately, a loss of control.
Bloodborne is ranked lower simply because its horror elements aren’t as prominent. If I were judging purely based on personal enjoyment, it would be my top pick – it’s my all-time favorite game.
2. Amnesia: The Dark Descent
The Shadow That Lurks
If you’re looking for a game with a more understated connection to cosmic horror, Frictional Games’ popular title, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, is a great choice. You play as Daniel, who wakes up in Castle Brennenburg with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As he explores the castle, he starts to recover his lost memories while also trying to avoid the dangerous creatures lurking within its walls.
As a huge fan, I’m totally captivated by the Shadow! It’s this incredibly creepy, red… stuff, basically a cosmic force that seems to be unraveling reality itself. Apparently, it all started when an expedition found this strange orb in the desert, and the Shadow is guarding it. We don’t know much about what it is, exactly, but it’s definitely a real, living threat, and it’s unlike anything from our world. It’s seriously unsettling!
The follow-up games are excellent too, maintaining the eerie, otherworldly atmosphere, but The Dark Descent remains the strongest entry, and is definitely the most impactful.
1. Fear & Hunger
A Cosmic Horror RPG That Is Brutal, Extreme, And Uncomfortable
Despite its simple look and RPG style, Fear & Hunger is a truly terrifying cosmic horror game, and arguably does the genre better than many others. You start by choosing a character with a troubled past, then descend into a dungeon filled with incomprehensible creatures. This world is defined by pain, weakness, and death, and a disturbing search for knowledge. While you’ll face many choices, most of them lead to suffering, and any hope you have will quickly fade away.
The word “despair” perfectly captures the experience of playing Fear & Hunger. No matter how carefully you plan or play, random events and the game’s unforgiving nature can lead to a gruesome death. The game emphasizes human frailty, unending suffering, the certainty of death, and a cold, uncaring universe.
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2026-02-22 23:10