Best Dark games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated dark games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free dark games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Hamilton's Great Adventure
All new DLC, Retro Fever, Now Available!
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: The Dark Descent, a first person survival horror. A game about immersion, discovery and living through a nightmare. An experience that will chill you to the core.
eversion
The Princess of the Flower Kingdom has vanished! She was taken by the Ghulibas of the north, and it is up to brave Zee Tee to rescue her. On his quest, he - and you - will discover the hidden lands behind the peaceful kingdom, and come face to face with secrets that will set you on edge!
Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition
Experience what it’s like to be Batman and face off against Gotham's greatest villians. Explore every inch of Arkham Asylum and roam freely on the infamous island.
BioShock® 2
Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the halls of Rapture once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city of Rapture.
The Void
Only brought to life by scarce sparks of Color, the bleak, grey Void is a peculiar place. The player gets to explore it, get to know the Sisters, Brothers, and other weird creatures inhabiting it, and learn the ways of Color, harvesting it and drawing sigils that change the world around them.
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within™
Enter the dark underworld of Prince of Persia Warrior Within, the sword-slashing sequel to the critically acclaimed Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time™. Hunted by Dahaka, an immortal incarnation of Fate seeking divine retribution, the Prince embarks upon a path of both carnage and mystery to defy his preordained death.
Bad Rats: the Rats' Revenge
Bad Rats is a physics puzzle game where rats finally get their bloody revenge on their new prisoners: The cats. Come up with creative solutions for each puzzle using physics, functional objects, and your specially trained Rats. Try different ways of solving each puzzle to finish faster or earn higher scores.
STAR WARS™ Republic Commando™
You are the leader of an elite squad of Republic Commandos, your mission is to infiltrate, dominate, and ultimately, annihilate the enemy. Your squad will follow your orders and your lead, working together as a team - instinctively, intelligently, instantly. You are their leader. They are your weapon.
Call of Cthulhu®: Dark Corners of the Earth
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is a first-person horror game that combines intense action and adventure elements.
Penumbra Overture
Penumbra: Overture is a first person survival horror game, emphasizing on survival and problem solving instead of mindless violence and gore.
Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition
Surrounded by enemies and assaulted by terror from all sides, Philip must collect clues and solve vexing puzzles while combating the gnawing psychological terrors that assail his mind and threaten to strip him of his sanity.
Dead Space (2008)
You are Isaac Clarke, an engineer on the spacecraft USG Ishimura. You're not a warrior. You're not a soldier. You are, however, the last line of defense for the remaining living crew.
Zombie Panic! Source
Dive into the zombie apocalypse with Zombie Panic! Source: a cooperative, survival-horror first-person-shooter. A fast-paced standalone modification.
Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus®
Abe's peaceful retirement was shattered when visited by a vision from the Mudokon Spirit Guides. Abe™ learned the Magog Cartel was mining Necrum, the sacred Mudokon city of the dead, to collect bones to make super-addictive SoulStorm Brew.
Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee®
Selected by the fickle finger of fate, Abe™, floor-waxer first class for RuptureFarms, was catapulted into a life of adventure when he overheard plans by his boss, Molluck the Glukkon™, to turn Abe and his fellow Mudokons into Tasty Treats as part of a last-ditch effort to rescue Molluck's failing meat-packing empire.
BioShock™
BioShock is a shooter unlike any you've ever played, loaded with weapons and tactics never seen. You'll have a complete arsenal at your disposal from simple revolvers to grenade launchers and chemical throwers, but you'll also be forced to genetically modify your DNA to create an even more deadly weapon: you.
Hexen: Beyond Heretic
While the Sidhe elf Corvus battled the evil forces of D'Sparil, the remaining Serpent Riders were busy corrupting other dimensions. As a Warrior, Mage, or Cleric, you must defend your realm of Cronos from the second Serpent Rider known as Korax.
Thief: Deadly Shadows
You are Garrett, the master thief. Rarely seen and never caught, Garrett is the best that ever was. Able to sneak past any guard, pick any lock, and break into the most ingeniously secured residences. Garrett steals from the wealthy and gives to himself, making his living in the dark and foreboding City.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Vampire®: The Masquerade-Bloodlines™ delivers a new type of RPG experience-one that blends all the core elements of a traditional RPG with the graphical richness, immediacy and brutal combat of a first-person action game. The game plunges players into the dark and gritty vampire underworld of modern-day L.A. as a creature of the night.Most played dark games on Steam
Take a look at the top dark games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. Buckshot Roulette
Play Russian roulette with a 12-gauge shotgun. Four enter. One leaves. Roll the dice with your life. Good luck! Buckshot Roulette is a multiplayer, dark and gambling game developed by Mike Klubnika and published by CRITICAL REFLEX. Released on April 04th 2024 has received 92,496 reviews of which 88,870 were positive and 3,626 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played dark game, thanks to its 780 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.5
88,870
3,626
780
players
2. Beholder
You’re a state-installed landlord in a totalitarian country. Place listening devices, steal and sneak into your tenants’ apartments. Use what you uncovered to report anyone capable of plotting against the state. You MUST! But WILL you? Beholder is a dystopian , choices matter and political sim game developed by Alawar Stargaze (Warm Lamp Games) and published by Alawar. Released on November 09th 2016 has received 26,777 reviews of which 24,534 were positive and 2,243 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. While seeing 655 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among dark games based on player count.
9.0
24,534
2,243
655
players
3. The Coffin of Andy and Leyley
Walk-n-talk adventure with light puzzling. Brother and sister practice cannibalism after witnessing a botched satanic ritual. The Coffin of Andy and Leyley is a psychological, dark comedy and story rich game developed and published by Kit9 Studio. Released on October 13th 2023 has received 28,927 reviews of which 27,927 were positive and 1,000 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 476 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among dark games based on player count.
9.4
27,927
1,000
476
players
4. Little Nightmares II
Little Nightmares II is the second game in a series that has thrilled and captivated millions of players worldwide since 2017. Now it’s your turn to try to survive this critically acclaimed entry in the most charming horror series ever made. Little Nightmares II is a horror, adventure and singleplayer game developed by Tarsier Studios and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released on February 10th 2021 has received 42,341 reviews of which 39,842 were positive and 2,499 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 181 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played dark games.
9.2
39,842
2,499
181
players
5. Cultist Simulator
Seize forbidden treasures. Summon alien gods. Feed on your disciples. Cultist Simulator is a game of apocalypse and yearning. Play as a seeker after unholy mysteries, in a 1920s-themed setting of hidden gods and secret histories. Cultist Simulator is a simulation, choices matter and strategy game developed and published by Weather Factory. Released on May 31st 2018 has received 12,804 reviews of which 10,114 were positive and 2,690 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 142 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played dark games.
7.7
10,114
2,690
142
players
6. Sally Face - Episode One
Delve into a dark adventure following the boy with a prosthetic face and a tragic past. Unravel the sinister mysteries of Sally's world to find the truth that lies hidden beneath the shadows. Sally Face - Episode One is a story rich, psychological horror and indie game developed and published by Portable Moose. Released on December 14th 2016 has received 22,251 reviews of which 21,630 were positive and 621 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 110 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played dark games.
9.5
21,630
621
110
players
7. SOMA
From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent comes SOMA, a sci-fi horror game set below the waves of the Atlantic ocean. Struggle to survive a hostile world that will make you question your very existence. SOMA is a horror, psychological horror and atmospheric game developed and published by Frictional Games. Released on September 21st 2015 has received 44,854 reviews of which 43,034 were positive and 1,820 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 106 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played dark games.
9.4
43,034
1,820
106
players
8. Hatred
Hatred is a violent twin-stick shooter, in which you take the role of The Antagonist fighting against all of humanity. Hatred is a gore, violent and action game developed and published by Destructive Creations. Released on June 01st 2015 has received 21,583 reviews of which 17,935 were positive and 3,648 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played dark games.
8.2
17,935
3,648
92
players
9. Nine-Ball Roulette
This will be the most thrilling pool game you have ever played. Join up to 3 of your friends in this exciting pool roulette game! Eliminate each other with pool until only one person is left. Nine-Ball Roulette is a multiplayer, pool and dark game developed and published by WaveBox Labs. Released on January 13th 2025 has received 742 reviews of which 637 were positive and 105 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played dark games.
8.1
637
105
78
players
10. LIMBO
Uncertain of his sister's fate, a boy enters LIMBO LIMBO is a puzzle-platformer, indie and puzzle game developed and published by Playdead. Released on August 02nd 2011 has received 56,798 reviews of which 52,609 were positive and 4,189 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played dark games.
9.1
52,609
4,189
68
players
Best deals on dark games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of dark games available on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted dark games.
1. Morkredd
Morkredd is a tense, physics-based co-op puzzle game for one to two players combining skill-based puzzle-solving, a challenging balance of light and shadow, and a dark world full of secrets to unlock. Morkredd is a physics, puzzle and local co-op game developed and published by Hyper Games. Released on December 10th 2020 has received 466 reviews of which 372 were positive and 94 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for dark category.
7.5
372
94
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. DARQ: Complete Edition
DARQ tells the story of Lloyd, a boy who finds himself in the middle of a lucid nightmare. Unable to wake up, Lloyd has to face his fears and decipher the meaning of the dream. DARQ: Complete Edition is a horror, dark and adventure game developed and published by Unfold Games. Released on August 15th 2019 has received 3,994 reviews of which 3,753 were positive and 241 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in dark games.
9.0
3,753
241
-94%
16.67€
1.00€
3. Beholder
You’re a state-installed landlord in a totalitarian country. Place listening devices, steal and sneak into your tenants’ apartments. Use what you uncovered to report anyone capable of plotting against the state. You MUST! But WILL you? Beholder is a dystopian , choices matter and political sim game developed by Alawar Stargaze (Warm Lamp Games) and published by Alawar. Released on November 09th 2016 has received 26,777 reviews of which 24,534 were positive and 2,243 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in dark games.
9.0
24,534
2,243
-94%
13.79€
0.82€
4. Cultist Simulator
Seize forbidden treasures. Summon alien gods. Feed on your disciples. Cultist Simulator is a game of apocalypse and yearning. Play as a seeker after unholy mysteries, in a 1920s-themed setting of hidden gods and secret histories. Cultist Simulator is a simulation, choices matter and strategy game developed and published by Weather Factory. Released on May 31st 2018 has received 12,804 reviews of which 10,114 were positive and 2,690 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 87% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for dark games.
7.7
10,114
2,690
-87%
20.31€
2.64€
5. SILT
Dive into a surreal ocean abyss in an atmospheric puzzle-adventure. Explore dangerous waters, possess sea creatures and solve environmental puzzles to discover what lies deep below the surface… SILT is a puzzle, atmospheric and adventure game developed by Spiral Circus Games and published by Fireshine Games. Released on June 01st 2022 has received 652 reviews of which 501 were positive and 151 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 78% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for dark games.
7.3
501
151
-78%
14.77€
3.25€
6. Hatred
Hatred is a violent twin-stick shooter, in which you take the role of The Antagonist fighting against all of humanity. Hatred is a gore, violent and action game developed and published by Destructive Creations. Released on June 01st 2015 has received 21,583 reviews of which 17,935 were positive and 3,648 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 76% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for dark games.
8.2
17,935
3,648
-76%
5.04€
1.21€
7. Eyes: The Horror Game
You break into the mansion at night. It’s huge and built like a maze. You're trying to escape, but the monster is after you! The chase begins. RUN!! Eyes: The Horror Game is a adventure, horror and survival horror game developed by Fearless Games and published by QubicGames and Gamersky Games. Released on May 20th 2024 has received 468 reviews of which 434 were positive and 34 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 75% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for dark games.
8.6
434
34
-75%
4.99€
1.24€
8. Corpse Keeper
Corpse Keeper is a very challenging action-strategy roguelite. You'll need to lead a squad of three corpses to explore the grim and dark medieval world within limited time, build a powerful army of the living dead, and finally kill the demon lurking in the deep end of the cathedral. Corpse Keeper is a action rpg, dark and fantasy game developed by Melancholia Studio and published by Thermite Games. Released on May 28th 2024 has received 1,177 reviews of which 903 were positive and 274 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 74% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for dark games.
7.4
903
274
-74%
19.19€
4.99€
9. Source of Madness
Source of Madness is a side-scrolling dark action roguelite set in a twisted Lovecraftian inspired world powered by procedural generation and AI machine learning. Take on the role of a new Acolyte as they embark on a nightmarish odyssey. Source of Madness is a rogue-lite, lovecraftian and action game developed by Carry Castle and published by Thunderful Publishing. Released on May 11th 2022 has received 1,024 reviews of which 745 were positive and 279 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 72% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for dark games.
7.0
745
279
-72%
19.93€
5.58€
10. The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker
YOU are a psychiatrist, trying to solve a murder whilst treating the unusual patients of the recently deceased Doctor Dekker. Type a question - patients reply in full screen video and have questions for you too but be careful what you say. Your words determine their eventual fates, and your own! The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker is a fmv, lovecraftian and atmospheric game developed and published by D'Avekki Studios Ltd. Released on May 19th 2017 has received 559 reviews of which 461 were positive and 98 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 70% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for dark games.
7.8
461
98
-70%
8.99€
2.69€
Free dark games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play dark games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play dark games.
1. the static speaks my name
A dark/sad/weird/funny first person exploration game. You play a man on his last night alive as he obsesses over a mysterious painting. More of a story game in that it emphasizes mood and character over gameplay. Takes ten minutes to play and has "next-gen" features like a shrimp tank. the static speaks my name is a free to play, psychological horror and indie game developed and published by the whale husband. Released on August 10th 2015 has received 5,618 reviews of which 4,584 were positive and 1,034 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
7.9
4,584
1,034
7
players
2. Psycholonials
While in communication with supernatural forces, two influencers launch a daring new social media brand. Psycholonials is a visual novel, dark and dark humor game developed by Andrew Hussie and published by None. Released on February 03rd 2021 has received 936 reviews of which 836 were positive and 100 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.4
836
100
3
players
3. If On A Winter's Night, Four Travelers
If On A Winter's Night, Four Travelers is a narrative-driven point-and-click adventure with horror elements that explores the stories of four characters in a masked ball taking place aboard a train in the late 1920s. If On A Winter's Night, Four Travelers is a point & click, story rich and pixel graphics game developed and published by Dead Idle Games. Released on September 21st 2021 has received 2,340 reviews of which 2,251 were positive and 89 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.2
2,251
89
2
players
4. Momotype
An experimental, horror visual novel about raising a virtual pet. Help a tamagotchi-like creature navigate his angst. We love Momo! Momotype is a visual novel, cute and dark game developed by and published by Rimatoad. Released on December 03rd 2021 has received 730 reviews of which 710 were positive and 20 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.1
710
20
1
players
5. Pleh!
Pleh! is a short psychological horror walking simulator that tells the story of a depressed game developer, his intrusive thoughts and his dark mysterious secrets. Pleh! is a psychological horror, walking simulator and narration game developed and published by Jester Games. Released on March 17th 2023 has received 1,254 reviews of which 1,192 were positive and 62 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.0
1,192
62
1
players
6. Siren Head: Awakening
Siren Head: Awakening is a first-person horror game based on Trevor Henderson's artwork. You're stuck with your car in the middle of a dark forest with nothing but your flashlight. Seek escape by finding items necessary to survive while a terrifying monster lurks the shadows. Siren Head: Awakening is a horror, dark and exploration game developed and published by Prisma Games L.L.C.. Released on October 30th 2020 has received 860 reviews of which 628 were positive and 232 were negative resulting in a rating of 7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
7
628
232
1
players
7. Shadow Burglar
Play as Jean, a thief with the mystical power of morphing with the shadows. Creating yourself an improbable path in the dark and carefully dealing with guards in the light, you will try to steal back your deceased brother’s paintings. Do you have what it takes to avenge his legacy? Shadow Burglar is a action, stealth and free to play game developed by Ghostly Productions and published by UQAT - Création et nouveaux médias. Released on March 01st 2022 has received 810 reviews of which 789 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.1
789
21
8. Flicker of Hope
Flicker of Hope is a suspense thriller where you play as a small candle in the ruins of a dark cathedral. Though the halls are littered with victims of a mysterious plague, you are not the only soul left. Use the properties of a candle, and a trusty douter to prevent yourself from being discovered. Flicker of Hope is a horror, stealth and indie game developed and published by Studio Whip. Released on August 02nd 2020 has received 937 reviews of which 876 were positive and 61 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.8
876
61
9. The Windows Are Gone
Haunted by grief and guilt after a tragic accident, you start seeing a house in your dreams. No matter what you do, you can't get its image out of your mind. You feel it calling for you, so you answer it. The Windows Are Gone is a psychological horror, atmospheric and immersive sim game developed and published by Scary Cube. Released on October 02nd 2023 has received 480 reviews of which 451 were positive and 29 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.7
451
29
10. Bear With Me - Episode One
Bear With Me is an episodic noir adventure game. Amber is trying to find her missing brother while being aided by her trusty teddy, Ted E. Bear. Bear With Me - Episode One is a noir, dark and atmospheric game developed by Exordium Games and published by Miyagi Games. Released on August 08th 2016 has received 979 reviews of which 857 were positive and 122 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.3
857
122