There have been plenty of great horror games over the years, some of which have gone on to spawn multi-million dollar franchises with movies, television shows, and comic book releases. More than most though, the horror genre is one that has benefited greatly from the rise of more powerful home consoles, which has in turn provided developers with new ways to interact with and terrify their audiences.
10 Games That Defined The Survival Horror Genre & Where You Can Play Them
Despite decades of innovation, the influence of Resident Evil and other titles like it remains clearly evident in most modern survival horror games.
With its impressive processing power and state-of-the-art controller, the PS5 is a great example of this, allowing developers to create stunning environments and hit players with a heavy dose of haptic feedback whenever they see fit. The best horror games on the PlayStation 5 don't just rely on the power of the console though, instead drawing players in with their engrossing narratives, compelling characters, and unique gameplay mechanics.
20 Martha is Dead
OpenCritic Rating: 69
There have been some truly exceptional indie horror games over the past decade or so, from Five Nights at Freddy's to Yumme Nikki. A more recent example of this is the award-winning Martha is Dead, a psychological survival horror game from Italian studio LKA. The game boasts an excellent story, fantastic writing, and surprisingly detailed visuals given its limited budget.
Martha is Dead takes place in the fictional town of Romalia during the Second World War and sees players controlling Giulia, the twin sister of the titular character, Martha. There are no enemies for players to overcome, but they will be faced with plenty of jump scares and a healthy spattering of gore. All in all, it's a solid supernatural adventure that's well worth a look.
Martha Is Dead
- Released
- February 24, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
19 Until Dawn
OpenCritic Rating: 69
The original release of Until Dawn was hugely influential, inspiring countless other video games and laying the foundations for a brand-new sub-genre of gaming with its heavy focus on interactive story-telling and choice-based consequences. It's a must-play game for any true horror game aficionado, but whether the same can truly be said of its 2024 remake is a matter for debate.
Sure, the remake looks better and introduces new scenes and endings, but it's hardly the huge leap forward that some might have hoped for given the decade or so since the original's release. Interactive storytelling has come a long way since 2015, yet the Until Dawn remake feels more like an unfinished blueprint than a reimagined classic. For first-time players, this might not be a problem, but those who've already experienced the original may well come to regret their purchase.
Until Dawn
- Released
- October 4, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ballistic Moon
- Publisher(s)
- PlayStation PC LLC
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Genre(s)
- Horror
18 Resident Evil 3
OpenCritic Rating: 79
Although it may not stack up to the same lofty standards set by the remakes of the series' second and fourth installments, Resident Evil 3 is still a fantastic horror game. The ever-present set of Nemesis helps to keep players on their toes at all times, while the improved visuals and tighter controls make for a much more accessible experience than the one provided by the original game.
Some will perhaps argue that more could have been done to improve the user experience, with aiming and inventory management being two of the main complaints that a lot of people have. Not all of the changes to the narrative are for the better either, although most franchise fans would probably agree that Resident Evil 3 remains faithful to the original where it matters most.
Resident Evil 3
- Released
- April 3, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Genre(s)
- Horror
17 The Outlast Trials
OpenCritic Rating: 72
Initially released for PC via Steam's Early Access program in May of 2023, The Outlast Trials got off to a bit of a rocky start. By the time its full release rolled around in March of the following year though, most of the wrinkles had been ironed out, leaving behind a silky smooth survival horror game that once again places a heavy emphasis on stealth.
The introduction of co-operative multiplayer to the franchise further adds to the overall experience, forcing players to work in harmony if they're to have any hopes of surviving. Although jumpscares still do a lot of the heavy lifting, the sound design and environments are among the genre's finest, making this a must-play for any true horror game fan.
The Outlast Trials
- Released
- May 18, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Red Barrels
- Publisher(s)
- Red Barrels
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
16 Alan Wake Remastered
OpenCritic Rating: 80
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Given that Alan Wake was one of the best psychological horror games of the seventh console generation, the decision to greenlight a sequel was likely a fairly easy one, as too was remastering the original title for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Unfortunately, the 2021 release is nowhere near as groundbreaking as its 2010 predecessor was, but it's able to offer up a solid enough experience nonetheless.
Though the developers made a big deal about the game's cinematic qualities, it's the storytelling that really makes it stand out. Of course, taking down Taken can still be pretty enjoyable, but it serves more as the appetizer than it does the entree. In addition to its excellent narrative, the game's use of light is particularly notable and serves as a nice contrast to some of the darker themes that are explored.
Alan Wake Remastered
- Released
- October 5, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
15 The Quarry
OpenCritic Rating: 79
Supermassive Games is a studio that has fully mastered the art of interactive storytelling and thus has carved out a special place for itself in the modern gaming landscape. Its games are about as close as one could ever get to playing a horror movie, with The Quarry arguably being the best example of what exactly the British developer is truly capable of.
Some may not appreciate the game's hands-off approach to action, but fans of branching narratives and player agency should love what's on offer here. The game can at times be genuinely scary too, with its summer camp setting being eerily reminiscent of the one found in Friday The 13th. With almost 200 different endings, the game is infinitely replayable too, and also boasts support for up to eight players.
The Quarry
- Released
- June 10, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Supermassive Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
14 Dead Island 2
OpenCritic Rating: 75
After many years trapped in development hell, Dead Island 2 was finally released in April of 2023. Much like its predecessor, the game focuses more on providing its players with a fun experience rather than trying to spook them, but this arguably works in its favor and helps to set it apart from other open-world Zombie games like Dying Light 2 and Days Gone.
The story is pretty basic and certain mechanics can start to get a little repetitive after a while, but other than that, it's difficult to find too many faults with what's on offer here. The game runs well, it looks great, and, perhaps most importantly, messing up zombies feels highly enjoyable, particularly as players start to expand their arsenal of weapons a little.
Dead Island 2
- Released
- April 21, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Dambuster Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Deep Silver
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
13 The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Tourist Edition
OpenCritic Rating: 83
Immersion plays an important role in most of the best PS5 horror games, and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is no exception in this regard. In fact, the Tourist Edition is one of the most immersive games on the console thanks both to its PSVR 2 support and the noticeably improved visuals that it brings with it.
Fighting off a horde of zombies in virtual reality can be absolutely terrifying, particularly once it starts to get dark outside. It's quite an exhilarating experience too though, with players needing to use a combination of melee weapons and firearms to keep themselves alive. For those who just can't get enough, the game's 2022 sequel provides more of the same, while also continuing the Tourist's story.
The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners
- Released
- January 23, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Skydance Interactive, Skybound Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Skydance Interactive
- Platform(s)
- Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, PC, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Survival Horror
12 Lies of P
OpenCritic Rating: 82
Strictly speaking, Lies of P is more of a grimdark story, but the horror themes that it incorporates should be more than enough to satiate the desires of most horror game fans. It's also one of the hardest horror games on the PlayStation 5, making it the perfect title for both masochists and thrill-seekers alike.
The game provides players with a unique take on the classic tale of Pinocchio, throwing them head-first into the dystopian city of Krat. The Soulslike mechanics should feel familiar to fans of games like Bloodborne and Steelrising, but that's not to say that the 2023 title doesn't still bring plenty of new ideas to the table as well.
Lies of P
- Released
- September 19, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Round8 Studio, Neowiz
- Publisher(s)
- Neowiz
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike
11 Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
OpenCritic Rating: 87
At a glance, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! May seem like little more than your average visual novel. As is so often the case, though, you should never judge a book by its cover. This is a game that takes just about every opportunity available to subvert the player's expectations; ultimately providing them with one of the best psychological horror experiences in recent memory.
The plus version of the game introduces additional side stories and a bunch of unlockable concept art, providing plenty of reasons for those who have already played the original to check it out. In fact, some would perhaps argue that it's better to have played the original first, as although the story remains largely unchanged, there are a few subtle differences that may not be to everybody's taste.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
- Released
- June 30, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Salvato
- Publisher(s)
- Team Salvato
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel