The horror video game genre has been around for years but has always delivered some of the most unique experiences you can find. Unlike multiplayer games or RPGs, horror games stand out as some of the best PS5 games for their ability to immerse you into a place and or character. They force difficult scenarios and oppressing atmospheres on us to evoke deep feelings of dread and terror. At least, that’s the goal. Many horror games miss the mark and end up feeling dull or boring. If you’re looking for the next game to make you sleep with the lights on, check out our list of the best horror games for PS5.
Horror games aren’t super common, but there are sure to be more on our list of upcoming PS5 games.
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Dead by Daylight
72%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Simulator, Strategy, Adventure
Developer
Behaviour Interactive
Publisher
Behaviour Interactive
Release
June 14, 2016
Kicking things off is Dead by Daylight, an asymmetrical multiplayer game that puts you in the shoes of the survivors or the killer. As the survivors, you and your team must escape and fight back using the environment; playing as the killer requires you to … well, take out the survivors. The survivors must work together to fend off the killer while completing objectives that lead to escape. As the killer, you have various abilities that help you stalk your prey, such as the power to turn invisible at times. The surprising thing about this game is that playing as the survivors is just as satisfying as taking on the role of the killer, proving that developer Behaviour Interactive knows how to make a balanced experience. Dead by Daylight has also featured famous licensed horror franchises such as Halloween, Saw, Evil Dead, Stranger Things, and Resident Evil, to name a few. This makes it a perfect experience for fans of horror, especially those who are into older slasher films.
Silent Hill 2
91%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Bloober Team
Publisher
Konami
Release
October 08, 2024
It was a massive risk remaking one of the most beloved horror games of all time with a new team, but the Silent Hill 2 remake blew all our expectations out of the water. We once again follow James Sunderland’s odyssey into the nightmarish town of Silent Hill looking for his wife, only this time with some of the best graphics you can get on the PS5. This remake also moves the camera to a third-person perspective, which doesn’t detract from the tension at all thanks to the choking fog and darkness. It stays true to the original in all the important aspects while modernizing and smoothing over the parts that haven’t aged as well. The end result is a game that is even more terrifying today than the original.
Crow Country
83%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
SFB Games
Publisher
SFB Games
Release
May 09, 2024
We love the new direction of the new Resident Evil games, but we have to admit that we also miss the classic gameplay of the first entries before 4. Crow Country is a clear love letter to the classic tank controlling, puzzle-based exploration horror games of the past, low-poly art style and all. Set in 1990, you are investigating a missing theme park owner by exploring the titular Crow Country, which had been shut down years ago. Things get complicated when you encounter strange monsters roaming the various areas in the park and a few other survivors there for different reasons. It is a creepy and original game that feels like it was made by and for fans of those older horror games.
Mouthwashing
85%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Adventure, Indie
Developer
Wrong Organ
Publisher
Critical Reflex, Fangamer
Release
September 26, 2024
Another game to take the PS1 aesthetic and use it to its own horrific advantage is Mouthwashing. This is easily the shortest and least interactive game on our list, but it doesn’t waste a single second of its roughly 2 hour runtime. Because it is so short, we will only give you the brief setup of you being one of five people on a stranded spaceship. The best way to experience this game is with as little information as possible, so just trust us and play the game for yourself.
Little Nightmares II
83%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Tarsier Studios
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
February 11, 2021
While many games on this list are downright creepy (as they should be), Little Nightmares II is a bit more inviting — but not by much. This sidescrolling puzzle platformer has its fair share of spooks but with gameplay that is easier to grasp. In it, you must utilize stealth, platforming, and your wits to overcome the terror of Pale City while working alongside Six from the previous installment. Its art direction is captivating, as are its environments and levels. Along with its aesthetics, Little Nightmares II has an engaging story that will likely keep you around until the end, which is a testament to the skills of developer Tarsier Studios.
Demon's Souls
87%
Platforms
PlayStation 5
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Developer
Bluepoint Games
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
November 12, 2020
Horror might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the Demon’s Souls remake on PS5, but this game is filled to the brim with scares, not just in the literal sense, but in its entire premise. Demon’s Souls is a challenging action RPG where terrifying enemies await behind nearly every corner. While some enemies might not look particularly spooky, the fact that you can die so easily is scary enough. But on top of that, Demon’s Souls is packed with horrific foes, from the unsettling rock worms of Stonefang Tunnel to the Cthulhu-inspired Mind Flayers from Tower of Latria, with a slew of others. Even if you don’t consider this a spooky experience, it’s still one of the best PS5 games out there, featuring incredible level design, a satisfying gameplay loop, and some of the most beautiful visuals the platform has ever had.
Alan Wake II
87%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Remedy Entertainment
Publisher
Epic Games Publishing
Release
October 27, 2023
It took a decade, but the wait was worth it for Alan Wake 2. This sequel is far more horror-focused than the first, and that’s not just because it looks so much better from a graphical standpoint. The world, characters, and environments are all just a little off to be unsettling without you fully knowing why. Enemies are obviously terrifying and very effective at catching you off guard. Like the first, the shock of an enemy is only half of the terror. The other half is hearing their mad ramblings and wondering if there’s any humanity left in there. The greater plot is a great little mystery that will help motivate you through the spookier sections.
Resident Evil Village
83%
3/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Capcom
Publisher
Capcom
Release
May 07, 2021
While Resident Evil Village was slightly more controversial than other entries, there’s no denying it’s one of the best horror games on PS5. It features callbacks to the series’ best installments, like Resident Evil 4, while continuing the legacy introduced with Resident Evil 7. One of the most satisfying things about this game is the way it encourages you to explore, offering currency in every nook and cranny, which can be spent at the merchant’s store. This, along with the variety in gameplay styles, makes for a diverse experience that will likely satisfy all types of Resident Evil players. Much of the game is geared toward the survival-horror genre, but other sections focus on all-out action, while some lean more into stealth. Arguably, the scariest section is the House Beneviento, which features an enemy that is so disturbing it’s still burned into our memories. Enter at your own risk.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
76%
3/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Techland Publishing, Techland
Publisher
Techland Publishing, Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Release
February 04, 2022
After a lengthy development cycle, Dying Light 2: Stay Human launched in 2022 to positive reviews, offering a massive, sprawling world, a gripping narrative, and a satisfying gameplay loop. In Dying Light 2, zombies roam the streets, and it’s your job to survive. While the zombies pose a threat during the day, they’re even deadlier at night — though, going out when the sun is down yields better rewards. One of the best things about this game is its parkour movement, which feels fluid and rewarding, especially when you chain together different movement techniques. For instance, you gain access to a grappling hook and a glider, which — when used together — allow you to get around with ease. Aside from the excellent parkour, the horror elements are fantastic as well, offering plenty of scares that will keep you on edge, even if your character is upgraded to the max.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
76%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Supermassive Games
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
October 22, 2021
House of Ashes is the third installment in The Dark Pictures Anthology series, preceded by Man of Medan and Little Hope. This horror adventure game focuses on player choice, throwing you into various situations in which you must make decisions — most of which are not easy. There are multiple playable characters in this game, but depending on the choices you make, not all of them make it out alive. Though, if you don’t like how a particular scenario unfolds, you can go back and try it again with different decisions. House of Ashes is set during the 2003 Iraq war, from the perspective of five Americans who get trapped in an Akkadian temple. The game unfolds like an interactive drama, with high-quality writing and performances from the characters, similar to what you’d find in a TV show. Since the narrative is the most important thing in House of Ashes, we won’t spoil it here, but just know it’s a wild ride.
The Last of Us Part I
100%
4.5/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Naughty Dog
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
September 01, 2022
Whether The Last of Us truly needed a remake is up for debate, but it’s tough to deny the sheer level of quality of Naughty Dog’s latest adventure. The Last of Us Part I is a remake of the original 2013 PS3 game, built from the ground up with improved visuals, better performance, and new features. This remake looks a lot closer to The Last of Us Part II, giving both games more parity. On top of the visual upgrades, The Last of Us Part I has a slew of accessibility features that make it easier for more players to enjoy. These include fully customizable controls, awareness indicators, cinematic descriptions, and so much more. This game tells a harrowing story between protagonists Joel and Ellie, and it hits just as hard as it did in 2013. While it’s never a bad time to experience this adventure, Halloween is arguably the best time for it.
The Quarry
77%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Adventure
Developer
Supermassive Games
Publisher
2K Games
Release
June 10, 2022
The Quarry is an interactive drama in the same vein as Until Dawn, featuring a diverse cast of characters and a wonderfully-written script. Inspired by campy horror films from the 70s and 80s, The Quarry is remarkable in the way it handles player choice, with dozens and dozens of branching paths. In fact, the game has 186 different endings, all dependent on the player’s choices, which adds to the game’s replayability. When you make a choice that kills off a character, they’re gone for the remainder of the playthrough, adding weight and gravity to each decision. This is a great game for players who want to enjoy a story without needing to have fast reflexes. It’s the perfect way to kick off the Halloween season.
Tormented Souls
87%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Abstract Digital works, Dual Effect
Publisher
PQube
Release
August 27, 2021
If old-school Resident Evil and Silent Hill games are your jam, then Tormented Souls is likely for you. This survival horror experience throws you into claustrophobic levels full of puzzles to solve and deadly enemies to defeat. It takes place in a mansion, and its main character, Caroline, must investigate its secrets. Although the game’s art style comes across as soft and inoffensive, the lighting and subject matter make up for it, leading to a spine-chilling experience. Much like Resident Evil, it, too, utilizes a fixed camera, but it controls much better than the games that inspired it. This third-person horror game can be completed in about four hours, but it’s well worth it.
Dead Space
83%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Motive Studios
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Release
January 27, 2023
What if Resident Evil 4 was set in outer space? That’s an easy way to describe Dead Space, but only on a surface level. This remake moves, controls, and looks up to modern standards, but the design and horror are in a league of their own. The same mechanic from the original of focusing on dismemberment rather than headshots is a genius way to create tension and panic in the player when facing any of the disturbing necromorphs. Exploring the spaceship itself through narrow corridors and various departments is always unpredictable and unfolds the story in a natural way through audio logs and transmissions. Even if you know the twist, there are enough surprises in this remake to be worth a replay.
Resident Evil 2
88%
4/5
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Capcom Development Division 1
Publisher
Capcom
Release
January 25, 2019
Capcom’s ambitious Resident Evil 2 remake is undoubtedly one of the greatest survival-horror games ever created. It somehow preserves the essence of the 1998 original while completely turning the experience on its head, thanks to the plethora of modernizations included throughout. Gone are the clunky tank controls, the fixed cameras, and the outdated visuals, in favor of something you’d expect to experience on modern hardware. The remake’s performance, art direction, and gameplay are all simply astounding, coming together to create the definitive Resident Evil game.
