Survival horror games are an excellent way for horror fans to get their fear-fixes, but at the same time not feel completely helpless while being afraid.
There is a distinct difference between average horror games and survival horror games, though, and that’s important to note. Survival horror games, specifically, give you the ability to fight back, to fight off your attacker in some way, requiring an element of resource management in order to do this.
10 Scariest Japanese Horror Games
Japanese horror games are uniquely terrifying, these are the most horrifying to play.
Unlike other horror games where you’re required to simply run and hide, survival horror games give you a weapon. They give you healing supplies, tools, ammunition, and other items at your disposal so you can fight and get out alive.
However, when you enter a room filled to the brim with these supplies, accompanied by a save station, survival horror law dictates that you’re about to be in for a bad time.
For those who are starting to dip their toe into the horror gaming waters, survival horror games are a great start – and thankfully, these games are excellent for beginners to the genre.
10 SOMA
A Walkthrough of Survival Horror
SOMA
- Released
- September 15, 2015
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Frictional Games
- Publisher(s)
- Frictional Games
- Engine
- hpl engine
- Genre(s)
- Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 10 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 16 GB (November 2023)
- Metascore
- 84
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
It’s important to note that right off the bat, SOMA isn’t your typical survival horror game, even though it’s classified as one. You can’t fight back, nor is there much inventory management – however, with the inclusion of Safe Mode, players are able to experience the game’s story first and gameplay second.
SOMA is an incredibly underrated AA horror game, one that tackles existential dread in a raw, unimaginable twist on the state of humanity. The mind and consciousness aren’t as reliable as we desperately want to believe, and that’s a fear SOMA does an excellent job exploiting.
Safe Mode, specifically, makes it so the enemies don’t attack the player. They’ll still appear and give chase, but they’re easily avoidable and allow players to continue on their pathway without having to wait for the monsters to leave. It saves a lot of unnecessary frustration, while still providing the scares and tension in the best possible way.
For players that are wanting a narrative-driven survival horror game while still managing to feel the stakes and tension, SOMA is a great introduction for that. It’s a game that will linger in your mind for years after it’s over, and potentially change your outlook on humanity overall.
9 Crow Country
A Classic Love Letter with Modern Controls
Crow Country
- Released
- May 9, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- SFB Games
- Publisher(s)
- SFB Games
- Engine
- Unity
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Upon first glance at Crow Country, it’s hard to imagine that the game came out last year, especially considering the PS1-style graphics that the game emulates. In reality, it ended up being one of the best horror games of 2024, all while being a love letter to classic survival horror games.
In this game, you explore an abandoned amusement park (aptly called Crow Country) as Mara, trying to uncover the truth about Edward Crow, the park’s founder. As you make your way around, the secrets begin to surface, leading to more questions than answers and some of the most unique experiences in all of gaming.
The ammunition system in particular comes to mind, as it brings a new angle to the concept of resource management – giving the players what they need rather than what they want. As they backtrack, the trash cans that they dug through are surprisingly renewed, offering more ammo or whatever else the player may be lacking.
It’s a great way to get into the survival horror genre, admiring the classics without dealing with janky controls, and it’s something that beginner players would definitely appreciate. Plus, when the game isn’t being freaky, it lets itself be silly, which is a nice moment of relief in these kinds of games.
8 Bioshock
Not-Horror Horror to Get Started
BioShock
Before anyone starts yelling in the comments about how Bioshock isn’t horror, get in line; this has been a debate for years. I, personally, wouldn’t consider it traditional survival horror, but I think it overlaps into the genre enough to where it genuinely counts.
In the derelict underwater city of Rapture, you navigate a steampunk-esque world of tension and suspense, shooting down anything that stands in your way. The monsters and scares are mild at best, so it’s a great start for new survival horror gamers.
10 Scariest Moments in Non-Horror Games
Even though a video game's genre isn't horror, that doesn't mean it can't scare you. These are some of the scariest moments in non-horror games.
Bioshock ends up being home to several other horror staples (such as an abandoned hospital, called the Medical Pavilion), memorable atmospheres, and a gripping story, complete with a devastating plot twist at the end.
Whether or not other players believe that Bioshock is a survival horror game or not is honestly irrelevant at this point since it works so well as an introductory game.
7 Left 4 Dead 2
Best Enjoyed with Friends
Left 4 Dead 2
- Released
- November 17, 2009
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Valve
- Publisher(s)
- Valve
- Engine
- Source
- Multiplayer
- Local Co-Op, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Left 4 Dead
- Number of Players
- 2 (Local Co-Op), 4 (Online Co-Op)
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Or Horizontal
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
- Metascore
- 89
Sometimes, the best way to be introduced into a game or genre is to enjoy it with a friend, and that’s exactly what Left 4 Dead 2 allows you to do. You can play with three other friends (up to four people total) in order to survive a zombie apocalypse.
This game can be outright hilarious at times, especially if your friends tend to be lacking in self-preservation. This first-person shooter offers a wide variety of enemy types in order to keep things interesting, and resources don’t just grow on trees – meaning that players have to plan their arsenal very carefully.
Despite the hilarity, this game is still effective in handling horror, most especially with its sound design. Specifically, your hearing is used against you, indicating various enemies and creating a tension so thick that you could cut it with a butter knife.
The game is also fairly adaptable with the sheer amount of mods that are available to download, and somehow, Elmo diving at you in place of a Hunter is just as terrifying (and hysterical) as playing the game on your own.
6 The Last of Us
A Gut-Wrenching Apocalyptic Story
- Released
- June 14, 2013
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Engine
- Proprietary (overall), Havok (physics)
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- No, The Last of Us Part 1 does not have crossplay
- Cross Save
- no
- Expansions
- The Last of Us: Left Behind
- Franchise
- The Last of Us
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Yes, The Last of Us is Steam Deck compatible
- Platform(s)
- PS3, PS4
- How Long To Beat
- 15 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- n/a
- Metascore
- 95
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
By now, you’ve likely heard about The Last of Us, either as a game or through the HBO Max show – and everyone can agree on something: It’s absolutely heart-wrenching.
Playing as Joel Miller in a post-apocalyptic hellscape, a character who was quite literally doomed by the narrative and the world around him, you end up taking an immune 14-year-old girl (named Ellie) across the country to try and provide a cure.
At first, escort missions may seem like a chore, but this game actually makes it an enjoyable story, as Ellie is able to handle herself. By the end, when Joel is faced with an impossible decision to make, he doesn’t save the world – just his own.
The horror in The Last of Us is a lot more low-key, as jump scares aren’t at the forefront, but it’s definitely suspenseful, especially if you’re trying to not be caught by enemies. This makes it a great introduction for survival horror beginners, especially for those who are looking for a good story to accompany their gameplay.
5 Alan Wake
Or the Sequel, Both Work Excellently
Alan Wake
- Released
- May 18, 2010
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Microsoft
- Engine
- havok, proprietary engine
- Franchise
- Alan Wake
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Survival Horror
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
The Alan Wake games are an excellent introduction to survival horror, with players feeling like they’re playing an adaptation of a Stephen King novel. Alan Wake 2 is widely favored by fans when compared to the first game, but either entry works great for beginners.
It’s a Microsoft-exclusive horror game that does an excellent job setting a dark and eerie tone. Setting the game in the Pacific Northwest only added to this atmosphere, as this area has a distinctly woodsy, dark Americana feeling, the cherry on top for the overall tone.
10 Underrated Indie Horror Gems
As Halloween draws closer, it's a great time to explore underrated horror gems, including games. Here are some indie games that could use more love.
These games also have a new take on the survival horror genre, as you don’t just have to manage your inventory, but you can’t immediately use your weapons either. In a unique mechanic, you have to shine your flashlight on enemies to dispel the darkness that shrouds them before you’re able to fight back.
Since the entire theme of the game is Darkness Vs. Light, it’s simple and easy to understand. Just don’t try to waste your time with trying to find all the Coffee Thermoses, you’ll end up becoming more annoyed than anything else.
4 Dead Space
Nobody Can Hear You Scream
Dead Space
- Released
- January 27, 2023
- ESRB
- Rated M for Mature for Blood and Gore, Strong Language, and Intense Violence.
- Developer(s)
- EA Motive
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Franchise
- Dead Space
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 12 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 31 GB (November 2023)
- Metascore
- 89
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The great thing about Dead Space is that the original is just as accessible to play as the Dead Space Remake, so players have options for how they want to experience the iconic space horror.
Playing as Isaac Clarke aboard the doomed USG Ishimura, you have to survive a Necromorph invasion, a race of undead aliens that can actually sneak up on you. Seriously, I did not know they could move quietly, so my neighbors definitely heard me scream my head off when one crept up into frame.
If the original was far too terrifying for you, try the remake – it manages to suck players right back in, making the fear a bit more palatable to newcomers. Plus, you have such a variety of resources that you can genuinely just pick one weapon and stick with it the entire game, making replays all the more enjoyable.
Either way, you’re in for a good scare; just make sure that your room is as soundproof as the vacuum of space.
3 Resident Evil 4 Remake
The Most Iconic Game in the Genre
- Released
- March 24, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Engine
- RE Engine
- Franchise
- Resident Evil
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 16 Hours
- Metascore
- 93
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
If you were to go around and ask survival horror fans what immediately comes to mind when you bring up the genre: most likely, Resident Evil 4 is going to be a repeated answer. For many, it was their introduction to survival horror, with the Resident Evil 4 Remake going above and beyond with its adaptation.
Resident Evil 4 leans more into action than other games in the series had, but that makes it easier to digest for new horror gamers – and, with the incorporation of CQC and a satisfying parry system, the remake is an even better introduction. There’s a reason it’s past 9 million units sold and still counting.
It’s got a healthy blend of traditional horror (such as in the village, with Regenerators, etc), action, and a solid story, and players don’t need to know anything about the previous games in order to understand what’s happening here. The remake even goes into more detail, fully fleshing out the game, its characters, and everything within it.
Just keep one thing in mind if you choose to play the original rather than the remake: the Water Room will be your worst nightmare.
2 Silent Hill 2 Remake
Pure, Linear Survival Horror
Silent Hill 2
- Released
- October 8, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bloober Team
- Publisher(s)
- Konami
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Prequel(s)
- Silent Hill
- Franchise
- Silent Hill
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unsupported
- PC Release Date
- October 8, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 8, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Horror, Adventure, Action
- How Long To Beat
- 15 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)
- 26.5 hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Some survival horror games will offer a healthy dosage of psychological horror along with the in-game weapons, and that’s exactly the kind of horror that the Silent Hill series thrives on.
Many point to Silent Hill 2 as being the greatest psychological horror game of all time, but good luck getting your hands on a copy without paying an arm and a leg.
Thankfully, the Silent Hill 2 Remake is significantly better than the original (I said what I said), and available on the PlayStation 5 right now. For players who want to be genuinely terrified when starting survival horror, Silent Hill 2 Remake will more than cover it.
10 Best Games Like Silent Hill
Fans of Silent Hill tend to be hungry for more horrifying games similar in style — maybe with the fog not included.
Since the story is also stand-alone, players won’t have to know anything about the Silent Hill franchise before they play. That being said, it might be a good idea to have at least watched a summary, because the insane amount of details the games hide open up a plethora of theories in the fandom. Even for the fandom’s walking encyclopedias, a lot remains unanswered.
That said, playing the game normally/on Standard Mode is surprisingly challenging, but thankfully you can change the combat difficulty at any time. As far as the cool and complex puzzles the game offers, you can only set it once, so just keep in mind that these riddles will really make you stop and think.
1 Resident Evil: Director’s Cut
Where Survival Horror Literally Began
Resident Evil: Director's Cut
- Released
- September 25, 1997
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom, Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Franchise
- Resident Evil
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Portable, PS Vita
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 7 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- Premium
The first survival horror game I ever played was Resident Evil: Director’s Cut when I was seven years old, and honestly, it can’t get better than that. For many gamers, Resident Evil was the scary game in their catalog, until the genre began to grow in popularity and sell better than ever.
Capcom’s 1996 classic is unmatched and the best possible introduction to survival horror as a whole. It’s got the whole package: genuinely startling jump scares, an uncannily uncomfortable atmosphere, bizarre puzzles, and even fixed camera angles.
You can play as one of two characters, either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, and that also determines your difficulty level – Jill, being armed with additional inventory slots and even a lockpick, is the easier difficulty.
Being trapped in a zombie-infested mansion, your only hope for survival is to literally fight your way out, all while discovering Umbrella’s secrets along the way.
The game is campy, there’s no lie there, but that camp nature actually outweighs the fear factor, making the game the perfect starting point. Just saying that if a seven-year-old could replay this game countless times, memorising the mansion for no-save runs without flinching, a survival horror beginner will be just fine.
There is no better series to start with than the Resident Evil games, but the first entry in particular is just perfect – and a gateway to survival horror addiction.
We Need More Horror Games That Embrace The Ordinary
As we enter a horror gaming Renaissance, more developers should incorporate the mundane.