Top 10 Most Popular Horror Games of All Time

Since its debut in 2022, many folks have sung nothing but high praise for “Signalis” and for good reason. For some, it’s the way the game feels like a modern take on classic survival horror games such as the original “Resident Evil”. For others, it’s the unique atmosphere that feels very much like “Alien” or “The Thing”. But anyone who has played it will tell you how every facet of the game - audio, visuals, and narrative - will haunt you whenever you’re not playing. “Signalis” boasts an incredibly dark and dismal futuristic world, and you will want to play more to see every possible ending!

Much of the appeal of “Phasmophobia” stems from one aspect and one aspect only: it’s a ghost-hunting game you play with friends. Instant money-printer of an idea. Yes, you and your friends visit various locations and must find clues to determine what kind of spectral demon you’re up against. You’ll get points for simply going in, identifying, and leaving. However, if you want a real challenge, you can always try capturing whatever spirit haunts the grounds. It’s easier said than done, but you’ll wind up laughing as you hear your buds get their mics cut out upon death. Is it any wonder how this game sold a ton of copies between PC and console?

Whereas “Phasmophobia” has players going up against powerful ghosts, “Dead by Daylight” puts you and three other players against another player who is acting as a Killer. Repair five out of eight gens to open the gates and escape the map before the Killer can sacrifice you. With more than forty Killers with unique playstyles and a wealth of Survivors with unique cosmetics, “Dead by Daylight” has become a force to be reckoned with as it has dominated the asymmetrical multiplayer space for the past decade. Even if some of the community acts like the game is dying all the time, DBD still sees hundreds of thousands of players login everyday between console, PC, and mobile.

Sony has tried its hand at horror games before with gems like “Siren”. Although, “Until Dawn” is often the first game that comes to mind when folks think “scary PlayStation game”. This truly was one of the most imaginative games we had seen on the PS4 with its branching narrative, robust cast of characters, and unique premise. Plus, the inclusion of totems was an ingenious way to make players carefully consider their choices and try to keep everyone alive until the very end. Just one playthrough will show why folks have been clamoring for a sequel all these years later.

Though its time in the sun was short-lived, “F.E.A.R.” is often remembered as one of the most unique titles that graced the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. In addition to featuring some pretty solid gunplay, “F.E.A.R.” was almost constantly playing tricks on the player with visual and audible hallucinations. Before the game was over, we were second-guessing almost everything we were seeing. While the second game was just as good as the first, the third game is kind of the reason why we haven’t seen “F.E.A.R.” since - we came for the horror, not some “Call of Duty” clone. And that delicate balance is why so many love the original game.

If sci-fi horror is more your speed, “Dead Space” has forever been a must-play. Back when it first launched, “Dead Space” was quickly earning the reputation of the most intense and scariest horror game ever made. From the grotesque aesthetics to the brilliant UI design, everything about this game was creatively terrifying. If you feel the original hasn’t aged all that well, we highly advise you play the 2023 remake as it rebuilds the original with better visuals, performance, and new mechanics.

Despite having fewer games than most horror franchises, “Outlast” has made quite the impression on folks, and its mark still lingers today. The original game was revered for its disturbing visuals and how a night lens for a camcorder was vital to your survival. Of course, the other part that made it memorable was the handful of psychotic patients that were skulking around the abandoned insane asylum. Even if you chickened out a quarter of the way through, no one ever forgets their experience with “Outlast”.

Roll your eyes all you want, but “Five Nights at Freddy’s” has only increased in popularity over the years. The first game was such a breath of fresh air that was desperately needed in horror games. We were already subjected to seas of horror shooter games. What FNAF brought was a haunted pizzeria with creepy animatronics roaming around the place, tapping into a childhood nightmare for many players old and young. Now, we have a blockbuster franchise loaded with several sequel and spin-off games, a line of books and graphic novels, and now, a possible multi-million-dollar movie franchise.

“Silent Hill 2” isn’t just one of the most frightening games ever made. We can go on for ages about the creatively morbid environments. But that isn’t the reason why “Silent Hill 2” gets so much praise. People cherish this game because of its clever writing and mystery. For those of you still playing the remake or needing to play it, we won’t spoil anything here. However, one playthrough will show anyone why this is the one game in the franchise that “Silent Hill” fans will forever champion.

If you ask anyone what their favorite horror game is, chances are it’s “Resident Evil 4”. Whether you want to go for the original or remake is up to you, but even the original will forever go down in history as one of the greatest games ever made. No, it isn’t scary throughout, but it does jump between being terrifying and being funny in its own awkwardly corny ways. But to this day, people still relish in the combat, boss fights, set pieces, and extra game modes. There just hasn’t been another horror game to get as much love as RE4, and frankly, there may never be another game like it.

Which of these games is your favorite to play? Let us know down in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to WatchMojo!