20 Must-Play Free Horror Games on Steam

About this gallery:

For this list, we focused on the crème de la crème of horror games on Steam – where you don’t have to spend a single penny to enjoy the chills (although a few do have “free” versions alongside paid upgrades). To keep things spicy, we decided to organize them chronologically.

Think we missed an essential free-to-play horror game on Steam? Don’t keep it to yourself – drop it in the comments and let us know!

20. Yume Nikki (2004)

A cult classic of the indie horror genre, Yume Nikki is less of a game and more of a surreal dream simulator. You play as Madotsuki, a reclusive girl who explores her bizarre, dream-like world, uncovering strange and often unsettling visuals. Don’t expect jump scares here – Yume Nikki relies on atmosphere and existential dread to get under your skin. It’s one of those games that makes you question what you just experienced, and yet, you can’t stop thinking about it. A pioneer for experimental horror games, it remains an enduring inspiration for countless titles that came after. | © Kikiyama

19. Cry of Fear (2012)

You’d think a mod for Half-Life couldn’t possibly be this terrifying, but Cry of Fear will prove you wrong and then some. This first-person survival horror game places you in the shoes of Simon, a young man struggling to survive a nightmarish, monster-infested version of Stockholm. The game combines old-school mechanics with nerve-wracking tension, creating an experience that’s as thrilling as it is utterly horrifying. Oh, and good luck keeping your sanity intact when playing solo in the dark – because this one doesn’t hold back. And the fact that it’s free? Absolute madness! | © Team Psykskallar

18. SCP: Containment Breach (2012)

Enter the world of SCP: Containment Breach, where you’re trapped in a facility crawling with mysterious, deadly anomalies. Based on the internet-famous SCP Foundation, this game pits you against unpredictable creatures, including the infamous SCP-173, a statue-like menace that moves when you blink. The tension is relentless, and the randomly generated levels ensure you never know what horrors await. It’s a game for those who enjoy screaming into the void and hoping something, anything, will come save them (spoiler: nothing will). SCP: Containment Breach delivers chaos, terror, and more paranoia than you signed up for. | © Regalis

17. the static speaks my name (2015)

A short but deeply unsettling experience, the static speaks my name takes you into the fractured mind of a man spiraling into darkness. Equal parts psychological horror and social commentary, this game explores themes of isolation, mental health, and obsession, with just enough dark humor to make you uncomfortable. It’s less about traditional scares and more about making you question your own humanity. If you’re in the mood for something hauntingly unique and thought-provoking, this one’s a must-play. But be warned – it’s not for the faint of heart. | © Jesse Barksdale

16. Spooky's Jump Scare Mansion (2015)

Don’t let the cutesy name fool you – Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion starts off sweet but quickly morphs into a nightmare. The game lures you in with adorable cardboard ghosts and innocent vibes, only to pull the rug out from under you when you least expect it. With 1,000 procedurally generated rooms to explore, each more sinister than the last, this game tests your endurance and nerves. The gradual shift from “aww” to “AHHH!” is what makes it so fun – and free, no less! If you’re a fan of playful horror with a bite, this is your jam. | © Lag Studios

15. Doki Doki Literature Club! (2017)

Ah, Doki Doki Literature Club! – the game that tricks you into thinking it’s just a cute dating sim before it absolutely obliterates your soul. What starts as an innocent story about joining a poetry club quickly spirals into psychological horror, complete with fourth-wall-breaking madness. This is a game that doesn’t just want to scare you; it wants to mess with you. Its clever writing and terrifying twists make it one of the most memorable horror games you’ll ever play. And the best part? It’s free… though your therapy bill might not be. | © Team Salvato

14. SEPTEMBER 1999 (2018)

Blink, and you might miss this one – SEPTEMBER 1999 is a five-minute horror experience that plays out in real-time. That might sound short, but trust me, it’s five minutes of pure dread. With its VHS-style visuals and minimal storytelling, the game immerses you in an eerie, claustrophobic setting where something terrible is clearly about to happen. It’s proof that horror doesn’t need a long runtime to leave a lasting impression. A must-play for fans of atmospheric terror and for anyone who likes their nightmares bite-sized. | © 98DEMAKE

13. Fears to Fathom: Home Alone (2021)

What’s scarier than being home alone as a kid? Apparently, everything in Fears to Fathom: Home Alone. This episodic psychological horror game places you in the role of a teenager left to fend for yourself when things take a turn for the worse. Think ominous noises, mysterious strangers, and a creeping sense that something is very, very wrong. The game’s episodic nature, combined with its grounded realism, makes it terrifyingly relatable. If you’ve ever been afraid of the dark – or what’s hiding in it – this game will hit you where it hurts. | © Rayll

12. Dagon (2021)

Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dagon is an interactive adaptation of one of H.P. Lovecraft’s classic short stories, and it nails the cosmic horror vibe. You play as a morphine-addicted sailor recounting his brush with the unknown, and the narration alone is enough to send shivers down your spine. With its unsettling visuals and atmospheric storytelling, this game feels less like playing and more like plunging into a nightmare. And since it’s free, there’s no excuse not to take the plunge – unless you’re afraid of what lurks beneath the waves. | © Bit Golem

11. A Place, Forbidden (2021)

Welcome to the Library of Ouroboros, where every book holds secrets you were probably better off not knowing. A Place, Forbidden takes you on a journey through a mysterious library that warps and twists the deeper you go. This first-person horror adventure is packed with eerie puzzles, existential dread, and enough cryptic lore to keep you guessing. It’s unsettling in all the right ways, and its stunning visuals make the horror hit that much harder. Don’t forget to return your books on time… or else. | © Pixelated Nightmares

10. At Home Alone Final (2021)

At Home Alone Final is one of those deceptively charming games that turns the horror genre on its head. You play as a sweet little girl seemingly left home alone, but the game wastes no time unraveling into a disturbing and deeply mysterious experience. The innocent visuals contrast sharply with the darker themes lurking beneath, leaving you both intrigued and unsettled. It’s quirky, unnerving, and full of surprises that will keep you guessing until the very end. Oh, and don’t let the cute graphics fool you – this game pulls no punches. | © Schnauzer Studio

9. The Supper (2021)

What’s on the menu tonight? Oh, just a deliciously dark tale of revenge and moral ambiguity in The Supper. You play as Ms. Appleton, a kind-hearted innkeeper turned reluctant poisoner, tasked with serving “special” meals to her customers. The game’s hand-drawn art and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack set the perfect stage for its macabre story. At just 20 minutes long, it’s a short but impactful experience that proves you don’t need a full-course meal to savor the horrors of guilt and justice. Bon appétit! | © Octavi Navarro

8. Swallow the Sea (2021)

A grotesque yet oddly beautiful underwater journey, Swallow the Sea is an allegory wrapped in body horror. You play as an embryonic creature navigating a surreal ocean full of predators, grotesque lifeforms, and dangers lurking at every turn. The game’s unsettling art style and fast-paced gameplay make it both mesmerizing and nerve-wracking. It’s short but packs a powerful punch, especially when you uncover the strange, thought-provoking layers beneath its bizarre surface. Who knew being eaten – or doing the eating – could be so captivating? | © Maceo Bob Mair

7. Last Seen Online (2021)

What if a simple group chat could unravel into your worst nightmare? Last Seen Online tells its chilling story entirely through text messages, and somehow, it’s more terrifying than a jump scare-packed game. Following the disappearance of a friend, you piece together the mystery through eerie clues, unsettling conversations, and a creeping sense of dread. The minimalist approach makes it feel disturbingly real – like you’re snooping through someone’s private chats, uncovering secrets you were never meant to know. It’s an unsettling reminder that horror doesn’t always need visuals to leave a lasting impression. | © Seen in a Dream Studio

6. Project Kat - Paper Lily Prologue (2021)

If you love narrative-driven horror with a side of puzzle-solving, Project Kat - Paper Lily Prologue is a must-play. This RPG-style game follows Kat, a mischievous high schooler dabbling in a mysterious ritual that quickly spirals out of control. Its mix of charming pixel art and spine-chilling atmosphere creates an experience that’s equal parts adorable and unnerving. With plenty of secrets and multiple endings to discover, this prologue serves as the perfect appetizer for the full story to come. Fair warning: once you step into Kat’s world, you won’t want to leave – though you might wish you could. | © Leef 6010

5. Lily's Well (2022)

Lily's Well is a pixelated horror gem that takes a deceptively simple premise – help a young girl retrieve water from a well – and turns it into a deeply unsettling journey. As you venture deeper, uncovering items and clues, the game’s charming visuals give way to dark and disturbing surprises. Its multiple endings encourage exploration, but be warned: the choices you make can lead to horrifying consequences. Part creepy bedtime story, part nightmare fuel, this game will have you side-eyeing every old well you see from now on. | © Pure Ice Blue

4. My Sticker Book (2022)

Don’t let the title fool you – My Sticker Book may sound wholesome, but it’s packed with eerie vibes and sinister undertones. What begins as an innocent task of filling up a sticker book soon spirals into a psychological horror tale full of mystery and dread. The game cleverly weaves nostalgia and childhood innocence into a narrative that’s anything but safe. It’s short, sweet, and sinister – perfect for anyone looking to peel back the layers of a haunting story disguised as something charming. | © Klace

3. Psychopomp (2022)

If you’re into the kind of horror that’s equal parts creepy and meaningful, Psychopomp is right up your alley. This short but impactful game explores themes of life, death, and morality as you guide souls to their final resting place. Its beautiful, otherworldly art style lures you in, while its haunting atmosphere keeps you hooked. The blend of eerie visuals and emotional storytelling creates an experience that’s as thought-provoking as it is unsettling. Who knew being a psychopomp – a guide for the dead – could be so unnervingly beautiful? | © Alan Ghost

2. The Backrooms Game FREE Edition (2022)

Based on the internet-famous creepypasta, The Backrooms Game FREE Edition throws you into an endless maze of yellow-tinted, fluorescent-lit liminal spaces. The eerie silence is broken only by the hum of the lights and the occasional… something lurking just out of sight. With randomly generated layouts and no clear way out, the game captures the existential dread of being trapped in a place that feels almost familiar but deeply wrong. Good luck escaping, because you’ll need more than a map – you’ll need nerves of steel. | © Pie on a Plate Productions

1. BABBDI (2022)

BABBDI is an exploration-based horror game that feels like stepping into a surreal, dystopian dream. Set in a strange, crumbling city, the game tasks you with uncovering its secrets while grappling with its eerie, melancholic atmosphere. What makes BABBDI stand out is its unique art style and the way it blends quiet moments of beauty with unsettling tension. It’s a slow-burn experience, perfect for those who enjoy unraveling mysteries at their own pace. And let’s be honest – few things are more terrifying than a world that feels both alien and too close to home. | © Lemaitre Bros.