Explore the best horror survival games for PC in 2025, from psychological terror to atmospheric horror, featuring top picks.
Let’s find scariest PC survival games with immersive mechanics, puzzles, and limited resources featuring games like Resident Evil 4, Silent Hill 2 Remake, and Alan Wake 2.
Why Horror Survival Games Are Still Thriving in 2025
Horror survival games have experienced a resurgence over the past few years, proving that the genre isn’t just alive but thriving. Once thought to be a genre in decline, many have now come to appreciate the way horror survival games uniquely blend tension, fear, and a sense of survival. Whether it’s psychological terror, resource management, or confronting nightmarish monsters, these games create experiences that linger long after the credits roll.
In 2025, we’re seeing a new wave of games that masterfully combine classic survival mechanics with modern storytelling, atmospheric settings, and cutting-edge technology. From AAA games like Resident Evil to indie hits like Faith: The Unholy Trinity, players now have more options than ever to face their deepest fears. This revival of horror survival is not just about scares; it’s about creating worlds that feel alive—or dead, depending on the perspective.
Whether you’re a fan of old-school survival horror or you’re looking for the latest indie gem, the horror survival genre has something for everyone. In this post, we’ll guide you through the best horror survival games for PC you can play in 2025, highlighting everything from gory survival elements to psychological dread.
Best Horror Survival Games for PC: A Complete List
1. Silent Hill 2 Remake (2024)
Platform: Steam
Why it’s a must-play: One of the most anticipated horror game remakes of all time, the Silent Hill 2 Remake by Bloober Team reintroduces the hauntingly tragic tale of James Sunderland and his search for his deceased wife. The game retains the psychological horror that made the original a masterpiece while taking full advantage of modern graphics to enhance the eerie, fog-filled town of Silent Hill.
In addition to the immersive environments, the puzzle-solving mechanics and resource management make this a truly engaging survival horror experience. For fans of the original, this remake is both a nostalgic return and a fresh take on an iconic game.
Gameplay: Expect a blend of inventory management, solving cryptic puzzles, and carefully managing limited resources, all while evading grotesque monsters. The game maintains the disturbing atmosphere of the original, making it one of the most atmospheric horror experiences you can have in 2025.
2. Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023)
Platform: Steam
Why it’s a must-play: Even though Resident Evil 4 is often hailed for being more action-oriented than straight-up horror, its tense moments, survival mechanics, and resource management still make it one of the best survival horror games ever made. The remake, powered by the RE Engine, takes the original’s memorable gameplay and refines it for modern audiences with better graphics, more detailed environments, and reworked combat systems.
The castle section remains one of the most atmospheric locations in survival horror games, thanks to its decaying beauty and sinister enemies.
Gameplay: Combat remains a core element, but inventory management plays a huge role in making sure you’re always prepared for the next terrifying encounter. Limited ammo, creepy enemies, and a creeping sense of dread are what make Resident Evil 4 a must-have in your horror survival game collection.
3. Alan Wake 2 (2023)
Platform: Epic Games Store
Why it’s a must-play: Alan Wake 2 is not just another entry in the psychological horror genre—it’s a bold experiment in storytelling. This game weaves together the narrative of a writer trapped in an ever-looping nightmare dimension with an FBI agent investigating strange murders in the real world. The game’s split perspective offers an engaging way to experience its creepy, unsettling atmosphere.
With thrilling battles against the shadow-possessed Taken and its surreal story, this title offers more than just traditional survival mechanics; it also invites players to experience a mind-bending narrative that blurs the line between fiction and reality.
Gameplay: Part survival horror, part narrative-driven mystery, Alan Wake 2 features intense moments of combat, exploration, and resource management. Its dreamlike settings and eerie atmosphere will keep you on edge, questioning what’s real and what’s part of the twisted fiction.
4. Scorn (2022)
Platform: Steam
Why it’s a must-play: If you’re looking for a game that blends body horror, puzzle-solving, and atmospheric terror, look no further than Scorn. In this first-person adventure, you explore the decaying remnants of an alien world where human-like beings are not just deformed—they’re bio-mechanical horrors.
The game’s visual design is unsettling, with grotesque monsters and an environment that is as much an enemy as the creatures lurking within it. The combat mechanics are challenging, with limited resources and a slow, deliberate pace that heightens the tension as you progress.
Gameplay: Scorn requires you to solve puzzles and fight off horrific monsters while managing resources in an environment that is both alien and viscerally unsettling. The tank-controlled movement gives it that old-school survival horror feel, while modern design makes it a highly immersive experience.
Top Horror Survival Games with Unique Gameplay Mechanics
5. Alien: Isolation (2014)
Platform: Steam, GOG, Epic
Why it’s a must-play: Alien: Isolation is one of the scariest survival horror games ever made, thanks to its brilliant AI system that drives the xenomorph to learn from your movements. This relentless alien creature stalks you throughout the game, making every sound, every movement, a calculated risk. The claustrophobic environments, paired with the sheer power of the xenomorph’s intelligence, create an atmosphere that feels like it’s constantly closing in on you.
The game is often described as the ultimate survival horror experience because it demands that you rely on stealth and careful resource management. You’re constantly running out of supplies, making each decision on whether to hide or fight incredibly difficult. The motion tracker, a key tool in the game, creates tension every time you peek around a corner, knowing the alien might be right there waiting.
Gameplay: This game is about survival through stealth, using the environment to your advantage. The fear of the unknown is a core component, with limited supplies and an unpredictable enemy making each encounter uniquely terrifying.
6. SOMA (2015)
Platform: Steam, GOG
Why it’s a must-play: Developed by the creators of Amnesia, SOMA takes psychological horror to the next level with its deep sci-fi narrative. Set in an underwater research facility, the game challenges players not only to survive against terrifying enemies but also to grapple with questions about consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human.
The game’s low-tech setting enhances its psychological depth, where even basic puzzles become deeply immersive, forcing you to consider the ethics of your actions. The creature encounters in SOMA are tense, not because of the typical jump-scare, but because of the existential questions it raises. You’re not just running from monsters—you’re running from yourself.
Gameplay: While much of the gameplay involves exploration and problem-solving, SOMA also utilizes stealth-based survival mechanics where you must avoid or outsmart the horrific enemies stalking you. The audio design and atmosphere are unmatched, contributing to the game’s uneasy tension.
7. Amnesia: The Bunker (2023)
Platform: Steam, GOG, Epic
Why it’s a must-play: Part of the Amnesia series known for its atmospheric horror, The Bunker places you in a WWI French bunker where the last soldier alive must fight against strange forces. The game intensifies the survival mechanics with a generator that powers the lights—and if the power goes out, you’re plunged into complete darkness. With the fear of monsters lurking and the limited resources, the game creates a tense, high-stakes environment.
Unlike previous Amnesia titles, this installment allows you to defend yourself with limited weapons, adding a new layer of strategy to the classic run, hide, or outsmart gameplay.
Gameplay: You must balance managing inventory for essentials like flares and ammo, while also maintaining the generator that powers the lights. This constant juggling of resources makes every decision crucial, heightening the stressful atmosphere and tension throughout the game.
8. The Outlast Trials (2023)
Platform: Steam
Why it’s a must-play: If you’re looking for co-op horror, The Outlast Trials brings the terrifying elements of its predecessors to a multiplayer setting. Set in a sinister 1950s-style institution, players work together to survive experiments that test both their resolve and sanity. The addition of co-op brings a new dynamic to the series, allowing you and your friends to face off against the twisted minds of the scientists who run these horrific trials.
The game emphasizes stealth over combat, just like the first two entries, but adds new layers of horror with increasingly brutal environments, psychological manipulation, and the need to collaborate with others to survive.
Gameplay: It’s all about teamwork and strategy as you work together to avoid detection and complete objectives in the terrifying experimentation scenarios. The tension rises as one wrong move could mean the end for everyone, making this a truly nerve-wracking experience for friends who dare to play together.
9. Signalis (2022)
Platform: Steam
Why it’s a must-play: In Signalis, the focus is on classic survival horror, with fixed camera angles and limited resources akin to Resident Evil’s early days. However, the game sets itself apart with its sci-fi setting and the layered psychological horror that plagues its protagonist, Elster, as she searches for her lost commanding officer. Signalis blends nostalgic gameplay with a mysterious narrative, leaving players to decipher an intricately woven plot involving AI, identity, and alien threats.
Its pixel art design evokes a retro vibe, but its creepy atmosphere and emotional depth are anything but dated.
Gameplay: Expect inventory management challenges, where you must decide what to carry and what to leave behind. Combat is difficult, and the survival elements are amplified by the need to solve intricate puzzles while avoiding or fighting off terrifying enemies.
Horror Survival Games with Crafting & Open-World Exploration
10. Sons of the Forest (2023)
Platform: Steam
Why it’s a must-play: The sequel to The Forest, Sons of the Forest expands the open-world survival horror experience with advanced crafting and an even more terrifying atmosphere. Set in a mysterious forest, players must survive a hostile environment filled with mutated creatures, cannibalistic tribes, and mysterious forces. The crafting system allows players to build shelters, craft weapons, and create tools to protect themselves from the increasingly dangerous threats lurking in the wilderness.
With its focus on survival through resource management and exploration, Sons of the Forest offers a rich experience where you not only fight for survival but also unravel the terrifying mystery of the forest.
Gameplay: The game challenges players to build, craft, and survive in an expansive, dynamic world. You will need to scavenge for supplies, gather resources, and create makeshift weapons while constantly being stalked by horrific creatures. The open-world aspect makes exploration crucial, and crafting plays a significant role in keeping you alive.
11. The Forest (2018)
Platform: Steam, GOG
Why it’s a must-play:
The Forest is a classic in the crafting survival horror genre. Stranded on a remote island after a plane crash, you must gather resources to build shelters, weapons, and tools, all while fending off terrifying, cannibalistic tribes. The game offers a mix of resource management, combat, and horror exploration, making it one of the most immersive survival horror experiences.
One of the game’s most impressive features is its dynamic day-night cycle, which adds an intense layer of suspense. As night falls, the forest becomes a very different, much more dangerous place, where the monsters are far more active.
Gameplay: The crafting system is rich and offers extensive customization of your weapons and shelters. You can build bases, set traps, and create defensive structures, all while gathering food and resources. But be prepared, because the longer you survive, the more terrifying the creatures in the forest become.
12. Dead Space Remake (2023)
Platform: Steam, Epic
Why it’s a must-play: The Dead Space remake reinvents the terrifying survival horror classic with stunning graphics, a haunting atmosphere, and intense resource management. Players control Isaac Clarke, an engineer tasked with surviving a space station overrun by terrifying necromorphs. The game retains the core survival elements, including crafting weapons and managing limited resources, while adding a fresh layer of modern visuals and immersive audio.
The open environment of zero gravity and detailed spaceship interiors adds a new dimension to exploration, making every encounter with enemies both claustrophobic and terrifying.
Gameplay: The game’s crafting system allows you to create weapons and tools to fight back against the horrific necromorphs, but ammo and supplies are extremely limited. The intense resource management system keeps you on edge, as you must decide how to use your limited supplies and navigate the terrifying environments.
13. Resident Evil Village (2021)
Platform: Steam, GOG, Epic
Why it’s a must-play: The eighth entry in the Resident Evil series, Resident Evil Village blends classic survival horror with action and crafting elements. Set in a remote village, the game introduces a variety of terrifying creatures, including werewolves and vampires, all while keeping the survival aspect at its core. The game features a comprehensive crafting system where you can combine items to make useful tools, weapons, and healing items.
In addition to the crafting system, the game features open-world exploration in certain areas, allowing you to roam and uncover secrets. This added freedom enhances the horror experience by letting you explore at your own pace while still being pursued by terrifying enemies.
Gameplay: Resident Evil Village allows you to gather resources to craft a variety of useful items, including explosive rounds and health potions. The balance of open-world exploration and linear survival horror keeps the game fresh and engaging, while its resource scarcity keeps the tension high.
14. The Evil Within 2 (2017)
Platform: Steam, GOG
Why it’s a must-play: The Evil Within 2 offers open-world exploration and a mix of horror survival gameplay with intense combat and crafting. In this installment, you play as Sebastian Castellanos, searching for your daughter in a twisted, nightmarish world. The game features a sandbox-style environment, where you can explore different areas, solve puzzles, and craft weapons or tools to help you survive.
The horror in The Evil Within 2 isn’t just about jumpscares; it’s the psychological tension that builds as you uncover the twisted secrets of the world you’re in.
Gameplay: You will be crafting ammunition, upgrading weapons, and scavenging for resources throughout the game. The open-world environment gives you the option to tackle objectives in different orders, allowing for a more personalized horror experience while still maintaining the survival aspect.
15. Dying Light 2 (2022)
Platform: Epic
Why it’s a must-play: Dying Light 2 brings an open-world zombie survival experience where parkour and crafting go hand in hand. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the game features a rich crafting system where you can combine items to create unique weapons, tools, and traps to defend yourself against zombies and hostile human enemies. The open-world exploration allows you to traverse a vast cityscape and scavenge for materials, all while dealing with daily and night cycles that change the difficulty of surviving.
The game’s most unique feature is the ability to use parkour to escape dangerous situations, adding an exhilarating dynamic to the typical survival horror formula.
Gameplay: Crafting plays a significant role as you create custom weapons and health items. The day-night cycle introduces a huge challenge—at night, zombies grow stronger and more aggressive, making survival a constant struggle for resources and safety.
16. Phasmophobia (2020)
Platform: Steam
Why it’s a must-play: Phasmophobia is a co-op psychological horror game where players assume the role of ghost hunters investigating haunted locations. The game takes a fresh approach by emphasizing cooperative gameplay with friends to identify different types of ghosts using a variety of tools like EMF readers, cameras, and spirit boxes. Unlike traditional horror games, the threat in Phasmophobia comes from the paranoia and fear that build up as you work together to uncover the ghost’s identity, all while avoiding becoming its next victim.
The game’s use of voice recognition technology allows players to speak directly to the ghost, increasing the immersion and realism.
Gameplay: With a primary focus on exploration and teamwork, you’ll need to use your equipment to gather evidence and survive the ghost’s attacks. The game allows for multiple tactics, as you can approach each haunting with different strategies, making each session unique.
Crafting Your Ultimate Horror Survival Experience
In this section, we’ve covered a range of survival horror games that incorporate crafting, open-world exploration, and unique gameplay mechanics to elevate the genre to new heights. Whether you prefer classic survival horror with limited resources or a more dynamic and creative gameplay experience, these games offer a terrifying mix of fear, strategy, and survival.
If you’re still unsure where to start or need tips for playing these games, remember that managing your resources and exploring every corner of the world are key to your survival. Each game offers a unique challenge, and with so many horror survival titles to choose from, you’re guaranteed a spine-chilling, immersive experience.
The Best Multiplayer Horror Games for Co-Op Scares
Multiplayer horror survival games are a blast, especially when you’re working together with friends to survive the nightmarish situations these games throw at you. Whether it’s facing off against terrifying monsters, solving eerie mysteries, or escaping from haunted locations, multiplayer horror games bring a whole new level of tension and fun. Let’s take a look at some of the top co-op survival horror games available for PC.
17. Left 4 Dead 2 (2009)
Platform: Steam
Why it’s a must-play: Left 4 Dead 2 is a legendary co-op survival horror game that remains one of the best multiplayer horror experiences even years after its release. Players team up as survivors in a zombie apocalypse, and your goal is to reach a safe house while fighting off hordes of zombies and terrifying special infected creatures. The game’s dynamic AI ensures that each playthrough is unpredictable, with different challenges arising each time.
The co-op gameplay is key to the experience, as communication and teamwork are essential for survival. You’ll need to manage limited resources, including ammo and medkits, while working together to fend off the undead.
Gameplay: Survival in Left 4 Dead 2 requires quick thinking, strategic combat, and excellent teamwork. Special infected enemies like Boomers, Smokers, and Hunters will challenge your group’s coordination, and there’s nothing quite like the thrill of barely surviving a swarm of zombies.
18. The Outlast Trials (2023)
Platform: Steam
Why it’s a must-play: In The Outlast Trials, you and your friends are part of medical experiments carried out by a corrupt organization, where you must survive the horrors inflicted on you. Unlike previous Outlast games, this entry introduces co-op gameplay, turning the solo horror experience into a shared nightmare.
The game is filled with disturbing imagery, gruesome monsters, and puzzles that must be solved to escape. The cooperative element makes the horror even more intense as you attempt to work together to avoid terrifying enemies and solve complex puzzles.
Gameplay: The game is all about stealth, cooperative tactics, and managing your resources while avoiding terrifying threats. Players must avoid being captured by horrific trials and creatures, making it a heart-pounding experience.
19. Dead by Daylight (2016)
Platform: Steam, Epic
Why it’s a must-play: Dead by Daylight is a multiplayer horror game where one player takes on the role of a killer, and the others play as survivors trying to escape the killer’s grasp. The survivors must repair generators to open an escape door while avoiding the killer’s traps and attacks.
With a variety of killers from famous horror franchises (such as Friday the 13th and Stranger Things), the game offers endless opportunities for terrifying fun.
Gameplay:The asymmetric multiplayer gameplay makes for an intense experience. Survivors must cooperate to repair generators, while the killer can use special powers to hunt them down. The fear of being hunted by a killer adds an extra layer of tension, making every moment a heart-pounding chase.
20. Killing Floor 2 (2016)
Platform: Steam, Epic
Why it’s a must-play: Killing Floor 2 is a fast-paced, co-op survival horror game where players face off against waves of mutated creatures known as Zeds. The game’s emphasis is on teamwork, fast reflexes, and strategic use of weapons to survive the onslaught of enemies.
The game offers a wide array of weapons and perks to customize your playstyle, as well as a variety of co-op objectives to tackle together with your team.
Gameplay: The game’s intense horde-based survival mechanics require you to work together with your team to eliminate the Zeds and protect each other from getting overwhelmed. As the game progresses, the difficulty escalates, making teamwork crucial to survival.
Where to Buy the Best Horror Survival Games for PC & Find Deals
Steam
Why it’s the best: Steam is the most popular digital distribution platform for PC games, and it offers a vast library of horror survival games at various price points. With frequent sales events like the Summer Sale, Autumn Sale, and Halloween Sale, you can snag deep discounts on top horror survival titles.
Tip: Keep an eye on Steam’s wishlist feature to get notified when your favorite horror games go on sale, and look for bundle deals that include multiple horror games for a reduced price.
GOG (Good Old Games)
Why it’s a must-visit: GOG offers a DRM-free option for purchasing games, meaning once you buy a game, you own it outright. The platform has a strong selection of classic horror survival games and often includes them in bundles or discounted during sales events.
Tip: GOG often has Flash Sales where you can grab great deals on games like Silent Hill 2, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, or Dead Space.
Humble Bundle
Why it’s the best: Humble Bundle offers pay-what-you-want bundles that often include great deals on horror survival games. The Humble Store also features big sales, and you can purchase games at a discount while supporting charities with a portion of the proceeds.
Tip: Check out the Humble Monthly Subscription for exclusive access to bundles and the ability to pick up new horror games at a fraction of the price.
Fanatical
Why it’s a great option: Fanatical regularly offers game bundles where you can grab horror survival games for significantly reduced prices. These bundles often include multiple games, making it easy to expand your horror collection on a budget.
Tip: Look out for Seasonal Bundles and Flash Deals, where you can buy upcoming horror games and classic survival titles at deep discounts.
Epic Games Store
Why it’s worth it: Epic Games Store provides regular free games, and during special events, you can grab free horror survival games like Amnesia: The Dark Descent or Outlast. They also offer exclusive titles and regularly hold sales events.
Tip: Be sure to check Epic’s weekly free games promotion for free horror survival titles, and keep an eye out for their holiday and seasonal sales.
Green Man Gaming
Why it’s a top pick: Green Man Gaming offers authorized game keys at discounted prices. They frequently offer sales on horror survival games, allowing you to pick up titles like Resident Evil, Dead Space, and Silent Hill for much less than retail price.
Tip: Look for Green Man Gaming coupon codes or Seasonal discounts to grab your next horror survival game at an even better price.
Conclusion: Scary Good Deals and Multiplayer Thrills
From terrifying solo journeys to co-op survival horror experiences, there’s no shortage of spine-chilling horror survival games for PC. Whether you’re facing the zombies of Resident Evil, exploring haunted locations in Phasmophobia, or building your own survival tools in The Forest, these games offer endless opportunities for thrills, fear, and excitement.
For the best deals on horror survival games, make sure to keep an eye on major platforms like Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and Fanatical. And if you’re looking for multiplayer mayhem, don’t miss classics like Left 4 Dead 2 and the heart-pounding co-op missions of The Outlast Trials.
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