The Greatest Horror Games Of The Last 10 Years,

From 2016 to 2025, gamers have enjoyed an explosion of new ways to play. Consoles like the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S, along with devices like the Steam Deck and virtual reality headsets, have created entirely new gaming experiences. This wider range of options is especially exciting for horror fans, as it gives them more opportunities than ever to discover and enjoy horror games.

If you haven’t been following horror games for the last decade, here are some of the most important original titles you should play. We’ve focused solely on new games, leaving out any ports, remakes, or remasters. While recent remakes like Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill 2 are fantastic, we wanted to showcase the truly original horror experiences developers have created in recent years.

10. Lethal Company

It’s A Living

Lethal Company is a cooperative game where you and your team play as workers sent to explore dangerous, randomly generated locations to collect scrap. These areas are full of scary monsters! Although the game is still in development on Steam and looks a little rough around the edges, don’t let that stop you from playing.

Okay, so being chased by those monsters in Lethal Company is still genuinely scary, especially when you’re trying to haul a ton of valuable scrap back to the ship! It takes a lot of work to get all the good equipment, but honestly, playing with my friends makes even the stressful or frustrating parts hilarious and brings us closer together. It’s a weirdly fun experience!

9. Phasmophobia

Ghostly Adventures

Phasmophobia is the most realistic ghost hunting experience available, much like the TV show Ghost Adventures. Players begin with basic equipment like EVP meters and flashlights to investigate haunted locations. As they complete more investigations, they earn money to buy better, more advanced ghost-hunting tools.

Investigating in games like this can often be slow and uneventful, even with friends. But when something does happen, it can be incredibly intense! While we won’t give away any details, Phasmophobia can really get you on edge and ready for a spooky experience. It’s still being developed, just like Lethal Company, but even in its current state, it’s very captivating.

8. Cronos: The New Dawn

Such Is Our Calling

Wow, playing Cronos: The New Dawn really feels like Bloober Team took a direct cue from H.R. Giger’s work – it’s incredibly unsettling and atmospheric. You play as this mysterious character, just known as The Traveler, and everything about the world feels…off, in a really haunting way.

Like those who came before her, she’s sent into dangerous, contaminated areas to investigate and clean up after strange, unexplained events. She’s completely devoid of emotion and focused solely on completing her missions. The game’s strongest aspect is its detailed world, though it can be quite difficult for new players due to the scarcity of ammunition. While this limited ammo does create a tense atmosphere, it might be too challenging for those unfamiliar with survival horror games.

7. Little Nightmares

Don’t Become A Stew

While the later games in the Little Nightmares series made improvements, the original remains the strongest and most immersive experience. It’s rare to find horror games that blend well with puzzle-platforming, and this series really created a unique space for itself. The puzzles are accessible, and even though avoiding enemies can be tricky, that adds to the game’s appeal.

The enemies in Little Nightmares are truly disturbing, heightening the game’s overall sense of horror. With creepy, long-limbed creatures and even chefs who want to cook players, the game is designed to be genuinely unsettling and stay with you long after you stop playing. If you’re looking for a horror game that focuses on atmosphere and dread instead of just shooting, this is a great choice.

6. The Evil Within 2

The Mumtrix Reloaded

The Evil Within 2 is a significant improvement over the first game, starting with the removal of those distracting black bars on the sides of the screen. It also feels more like an open-world game, especially in the beginning, with a large area for players to freely explore. While the game becomes more focused later on, this actually works to its benefit, as the visuals and story become increasingly intense and exciting.

The story in The Evil Within 2 is easier to understand. Detective Castellanos is searching for his daughter, who his wife has taken into a strange, supernatural world. The ending is touching but sad. With its creative boss battles, memorable environments, and genuinely scary moments, it’s a beloved game for good reason.

5. Crow Country

Returning To The PS1 Era

Despite being made by a small independent team, Crow Country is truly one of the best horror games released in the last decade, and possibly even longer. It intentionally uses graphics and gameplay styles reminiscent of the original PlayStation, creating a unique and surprisingly effective experience.

A detective explores a creepy, abandoned theme park filled with scary monsters. While resources can be tight and some puzzles are tricky, the game has a delightful, old-fashioned feel. Plus, it’s a quick play – just right for a spooky weekend adventure.

4. Alan Wake 2

Writer’s Block

Man, it felt like forever waiting for Alan Wake 2, and the ending? Huge cliffhanger! But honestly, getting there was the best part – it’s a seriously messed up, unforgettable horror experience. You play as Alan Wake again, but this time you also get to play as Saga Anderson, an FBI agent. She’s sent to Bright Falls to figure out these crazy ritualistic murders and all the weird supernatural stuff happening there. It’s a really cool dynamic playing as both of them.

With its eerie setting spanning the haunted town of Bright Falls, its surrounding forests, and the bizarre Dark Place, Alan Wake 2 is a truly disturbing and visually stunning horror game. It pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming by seamlessly mixing live-action video with gameplay, blurring the line between what’s real and what’s not in a way no other game has managed before.

3. The Last of Us Part 2

A Divisive Sequel

The Last of Us Part 2 is a game that people have strong, often differing, opinions about, largely due to its story. However, if you focus on the gameplay itself, it’s excellent. Players experience a full year, with each season presenting unique challenges – like the harsh snow at the beginning. As the game progresses into spring, it opens up considerably, offering a larger and more expansive experience similar to The Evil Within 2.

The game then settles into a straightforward but engaging pattern of play, where all the elements work seamlessly together, keeping you fully immersed. Whether you’re quietly avoiding enemies, engaging in intense firefights, or scavenging for resources, The Last of Us Part 2 is a relentlessly captivating experience right up to the very end.

2. Silent Hill f

Don’t Take The Red Pill

Silent Hill f marks a new direction for the series, being the first game entirely set in Japan – specifically, in the 1960s. The story unfolds in the small town of Ebisugaoka, where a mysterious problem arises. As a strange, spreading flower and suffocating fog begin to isolate her, the main character, Hinako, attempts to reunite with her friends.

Hinako is on a desperate search for the truth, and she’s not afraid to fight her way through enemies using whatever she can find – pipes, crowbars, or bats. The game starts out mysterious, with the story unfolding gradually. While it can be confusing on your first try, replaying it reveals a surprisingly rewarding and consistently creepy experience, no matter how many times you play.

1. Resident Evil Village

Werewolves Of The Unknown

Resident Evil Village is the eighth major installment in the Resident Evil series and picks up right after the events of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Players once again control Ethan Winters, who this time is on a desperate search to find his daughter after she’s unexpectedly taken by Chris Redfield. His search leads him to a strange village filled with terrifying creatures – werewolves, puppets, vampires, and other mutated beings – and a host of dangers.

Resident Evil Village expertly blends familiar characters and settings from the entire Resident Evil series, making it a truly memorable horror game. With its fantastic combat, compelling story, and uniquely designed characters, it’s a standout title in modern horror gaming.

2025-11-29 01:10