Top 20 scary video games that aren't horrors

About this gallery:

For this list, we decided to take a look at all possible video game genres and find the best horror version of each. After all, horror has expanded beyond just running from monsters like in Amnesia.

If you think we missed a genre with a great horror game, why not mention it in the comments? | © Tarsier Studios

Card Battler: Inscryption (2021)

Inscryption is the card battler you didn’t know could scare the living daylights out of you. It starts off as an eerie card game but quickly spirals into a dark, twisted experience where you’re up against more than just bad draws. The creepy cabin setting and unsettling opponent will keep you on edge, making you question every card you play. You’ve never been so terrified of a deck of cards. | © Daniel Mullins Games

Management: Lobotomy Corporation (2018)

If managing an office of anomalies sounds like a good time, Lobotomy Corporation is here to prove you very, very wrong. In this game, you’re tasked with containing nightmarish creatures, and let’s just say things tend to go south… fast. Every decision could lead to chaos, and the tension builds as you try to keep the madness in check. Who knew paperwork could be this horrifying? | © Project Moon

Life Simulator: Little Goody Two Shoes (2023)

Ever wanted to live a charming life in a quaint village, while also battling dark, sinister forces? That’s Little Goody Two Shoes for you. It’s a life simulator that lures you in with cute graphics and light-hearted gameplay, only to smack you with some unexpected supernatural horror. Balancing your life while avoiding otherworldly threats has never been so… wholesome yet terrifying. | © AstralShift

RPG: Fear & Hunger 2: Termina (2022)

Fear & Hunger 2 is an RPG that’s less about heroic quests and more about desperately trying to stay alive in a world filled with eldritch horrors. The game is brutal, unforgiving, and drenched in a dark atmosphere that makes every decision a gamble for survival. It’s the kind of RPG that makes you second-guess exploring dungeons—because in this game, dungeons might eat you alive. | © Miro Haver

Stealth: Little Nightmares (2017)

Little Nightmares turns the art of sneaking into a masterclass of fear. As you tiptoe through a disturbing, oversized world filled with grotesque creatures, your only option is to stay out of sight. The tension builds with every quiet footstep, as you realize one wrong move could lead to a terrifying chase. It’s like playing hide-and-seek… but the stakes are much higher. | © Tarsier Studios

Sandbox: The Forest (2018)

The Forest is a sandbox survival game where building treehouses and gathering resources quickly turns into a nightmare once the sun sets. The game’s open world is beautiful by day and horrifying by night as cannibalistic mutants stalk your every move. Building your dream survival base is fun, but surviving the horrors that lurk around you? Not so much. | © Endnight Games

Top-Down Survival: Darkwood (2017)

Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game that proves you don’t need flashy graphics to scare the pants off players. With its eerie atmosphere, oppressive sound design, and terrifying enemies, this game delivers psychological horror that creeps under your skin. The real horror comes from the unknown, as every inch of this twisted forest feels dangerous and mysterious. | © Acid Wizard Studio

First-Person Shooter: F.E.A.R. (2005)

What happens when you combine bullet-time action with supernatural horror? You get F.E.A.R., the FPS that’ll have you blasting enemies while also fearing for your life. The creepy little girl, Alma, shows up when you least expect it, making this more than just a shooter—it’s a nerve-wracking ride through paranormal chaos. Just when you think you’re safe, Alma's got other plans. | © Monolith Productions

Third-Person Shooter: Resident Evil Remake (2002)

The Resident Evil remake is a masterclass in third-person survival horror. Navigating the iconic mansion’s eerie hallways, with limited ammo and even fewer safe spaces, keeps your heart racing. The game balances combat and terror perfectly, as every encounter with zombies feels like a life-or-death struggle. Those crimson heads will haunt your dreams. | © Capcom

Platformer: Catherine (2011)

Who knew climbing blocks could be this stressful? Catherine mixes platforming with psychological horror as you navigate Vincent’s bizarre nightmares. Each level is a race against time to escape nightmarish creatures, and the game’s blend of surreal visuals and dark themes will leave you questioning what’s real and what’s just in your head. Puzzle platformers have never been this existential—or terrifying. | © Atlus

Metroidvania: Carrion (2020)

In Carrion, you’re not running from the monster—you are the monster. This reverse-horror Metroidvania has you slithering through an underground lab, devouring anything in your path. As the amorphous creature, the sense of power feels oddly satisfying… until you realize how grotesque it is. It’s a weird, wonderful twist on the genre that leaves you feeling a little monstrous yourself. | © Phobia Game Studio

Survival: Silent Hill 2 (2001)

Survival horror doesn’t get much better than Silent Hill 2. The game’s fog-drenched town and disturbing creatures create an atmosphere of dread that’s impossible to shake. It’s not just about staying alive—it’s about unraveling a deeply unsettling story while trying not to lose your mind. It’s a classic that proves psychological horror hits harder than any jump scare. | © Konami

Cooking: Cooking Companions (2021)

Cooking Companions takes the wholesome world of cooking games and throws in a healthy dose of psychological horror. As you cook meals with your “companions,” things quickly take a dark turn. The unsettling atmosphere and creepy dialogue make you wonder what’s really cooking in that kitchen. Spoiler: it’s probably not just stew. | © Deer Dream Studios

Rhythm: Thumper (2016)

Thumper is a rhythm game that feels like a descent into madness. With its relentless beats, nightmarish visuals, and intense gameplay, it’s more of an “industrial rhythm horror” experience. Every level feels like a relentless pursuit through a psychedelic nightmare, and missing a beat is enough to make your pulse race. This is rhythm gaming, but not as you know it. | © Drool

Visual Novel: Slay the Princess (2023)

Slay the Princess is a visual novel that’s equal parts fairy tale and horror story. As you navigate through this dark, twisted narrative, the choices you make will lead to multiple endings—some of them downright terrifying. With beautifully eerie artwork and unsettling dialogue, this is a visual novel that leaves you feeling haunted long after you’ve closed the book. | © Black Tabby Games

Co-op: Lethal Company (2023)

If you thought working in a horror game wasn’t stressful enough, Lethal Company adds co-op chaos into the mix. You and your friends are thrust into a terrifying environment, trying to survive while managing tasks and avoiding horrifying creatures. The scares hit harder when you know your survival also depends on your buddy not messing up. Let’s just say teamwork doesn’t make the dream work here. | © Melon Soda Studios

Multiplayer: Dead by Daylight (2016)

In Dead by Daylight, you and your friends are either hunting or being hunted, and neither side feels safe. The tension ramps up as survivors try to escape while a ruthless killer stalks them. The asymmetrical multiplayer adds layers of strategy and fear, as you never know when that heartbeat will signal your doom. It’s hide-and-seek, but with way more screaming. | © Behaviour Interactive

Fishing: Dredge (2023)

Fishing in Dredge is anything but peaceful. As you cast your line, you’ll quickly realize there’s something far more sinister lurking beneath the waters. The game mixes peaceful fishing mechanics with unsettling Lovecraftian horror, and every strange catch you reel in pulls you deeper into the creepy mystery. Who knew fishing could be this… unsettling? | © Black Salt Games

Roguelike: World of Horror (2023)

World of Horror is a roguelike that draws heavily from Junji Ito’s disturbing art style, and it’s every bit as unsettling as it sounds. Each playthrough is a journey through cosmic horror, with randomized events that keep you on edge. The game’s retro graphics and eerie atmosphere make it a slow-burn descent into madness. Prepare for permadeath and permanent nightmares. | © Panstasz

Point-and-Click Adventure: Harvester (1996)

Harvester is a point-and-click adventure game that’s as bizarre as it is disturbing. Set in the creepy town of Harvest, the game’s twisted humor and graphic violence make for a truly unsettling experience. You’ll be solving puzzles, but the real mystery is trying to figure out what the heck is going on in this freakish town. It’s like Twin Peaks met a horror B-movie. | © DigiFX Interactive