Best Psychological Horror 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 psychological horror games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free psychological horror games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Doki Doki Literature Club!
The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.
SORE
Mystical puzzle quest game in a gloomy minimalism style will tell you a story of a person who's got himself into a camera, and from which there is no way out it seems. Experimental gameplay diluted with a pinch of a philosophy, that's what SORE is.
The Norwood Suite
Explore the mysterious Hotel Norwood in this surreal first-person adventure. Curious characters, forgotten secrets, and head-nodding music await your arrival.
Home Sweet Home
Home Sweet Home is a first-person horror adventure game based on Thai myths and beliefs. The core gameplay focuses on storytelling and stealth to avoid perilous spirits hunting you. Moreover, few puzzles are added into the game, making gameplay more various.
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
A new cast of 16 characters find themselves kidnapped and imprisoned in a school. Inside, some will kill, some will die, and some will be punished. Reimagine what you thought high-stakes, fast-paced investigation was as you investigate twisted murder cases and condemn your new friends to death.
Caligo
Caligo is the darkness everyone descends into one way or another, and to each of us it's something different. For some it's a short but exciting adventure, some will see it as a place to relax. Yet others will be reminded of their worst nightmare, while for a few, it might come as a revelation.
The Coma: Recut
You are Youngho, a Korean high school student trapped and relentlessly pursued by a psychotic killer in the hellish corridors of Sehwa High. Run, hide, explore, and survive while piecing together the mystery The Coma in this remastered version of the Korean cult classic.
ECHO
After a century in stasis the girl En arrives at her destination: A Palace out of legend. Out here, using forgotten technologies, she hopes to bring back a life that shouldn’t have been lost. But nothing could prepare her for what she’ll face in the ancient halls below.
Duck Season
The game of your dreams just dropped, DUCK SEASON, a hunter with ridiculous graphics. Luckily, it's summer vacation and Mom just surprised you with a one day rental of it! Unfortunately, as you binge play it becomes apparent that all is not right with Duck Season...
HIVESWAP: ACT 1
A hand-drawn tribute to hilarious '90s adventure games (with none of the accompanying frustration). Play as Joey Claire, a puzzle-solving teen snatched out of her time (1994) and place (Earth) and stranded on a hostile alien planet on the brink of rebellion.
The Land of Pain
The Land of Pain is a Lovecraftian horror adventure. After something strange appears in the woods, you'll have to learn how to survive as you fend off a dark and disturbing evil. Flee from an unrelenting enemy, solve puzzles, and unravel the ancient mystery that's befallen this land.
Tokyo Dark
Legend tells of a door deep below Tokyo's sewers. All who enter are lost forever. Detective Ito's partner is missing. Explore Tokyo & uncover the darkness that lays beneath the streets in this Point & Click - meets Visual Novel - narrative adventure that questions the very core of Ito's sanity.
Don't Knock Twice
Don't Knock Twice is a first-person horror game based on a psychologically terrifying urban legend. One knock to wake her from her bed, twice to raise her from the dead. Supports VR on HTC Vive and Oculus Rift for the ultimate horror experience!
Life is Strange: Before the Storm
Life is Strange: Before the Storm is a new three part standalone story adventure set three years before the events of the first game. This time play as Chloe Price, a rebel who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber in a dramatic new story in the BAFTA award winning franchise.
Wonderful Everyday Down the Rabbit-Hole
Wonderful Everyday is a visual novel with multiple routes which develops a story based on a few concepts: "the sky and the world", "the beginning and the end", "literature and science", "savior and hero", "brother and sister".
Distrust: Polar Survival
DISTRUST is an isometric survival adventure with procedural generation on an Arctic research station lost in the endless dark of a polar night. A story-rich fiction with multiple endings that suits both singleplayer fans and co-op enthusiasts.
Raging Loop
The feast has begun, can you escape the village alive?
White Day: A Labyrinth Named School
Notorious cult-classic Korean horror. Sneak into school at midnight to return your sweetheart's diary and get caught in a terrifying game of cat and mouse. Explore haunted hallways, solve classic survival horror puzzles and escape the clutches of a killer Janitor who is out for your blood.
Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul
AVAILABLE TO PLAY IN NON-VR (KEYBOARD/MOUSE AND CONTROLLER) VR HEADSET NO LONGER REQUIRED.“PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE LOST SOUL” immerses you in a terrifying realistic environment with haunting atmosphere, and the need to survive.
Shark Dating Simulator XL+
Shark Dating Simulator XL+ is a quick-to-play comedy visual novel with colorful cartoon characters and a multiple choice storyline with consequences for your actions. The only thing for sure is that at some point you'll make it with a shark girl. Go you!
Connected Hearts - Visual novel
Gary is caught in a strange dream and now he must overcome the adversities on his path or perish in the attempt. In this adventure you will meet 3 children in dream-like scenarios, next to a mysterious girl who talks about a promise.
Business Tour - Board Game with Online Multiplayer
"Business Tour" is a free to play multiplayer tabletop game. Build your monopoly with friends. Complete daily tasks, compete against the other players and receive trade items rewards!Most played psychological horror games on Steam
Take a look at the top psychological horror games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of May 02nd 2025.
1. Crab Game
Crab Game is a First-Person Multiplayer game where you play through several different minigames based on children's games, until only one player stands victorious. Crab Game is a psychological horror, multiplayer and free to play game developed and published by Dani. Released on October 29th 2021 has received 152,507 reviews of which 139,646 were positive and 12,861 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played psychological horror game, thanks to its 22,947 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.0
139,646
12,861
22,947
players
2. Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is a 4 player online co-op psychological horror. Paranormal activity is on the rise and it’s up to you and your team to use all the ghost-hunting equipment at your disposal in order to gather as much evidence as you can. Phasmophobia is a horror, online co-op and multiplayer game developed and published by Kinetic Games. Released on September 18th 2020 has received 764,580 reviews of which 732,704 were positive and 31,876 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 12,170 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among psychological horror games based on player count.
9.5
732,704
31,876
12,170
players
3. The Outlast Trials
Red Barrels invites you to experience mind-numbing terror, this time with friends. Whether you go through the trials alone or in teams, if you survive long enough and complete the therapy, Murkoff will happily let you leave… but will you be the same? The Outlast Trials is a horror, multiplayer and co-op game developed and published by Red Barrels. Released on March 05th 2024 has received 65,567 reviews of which 61,275 were positive and 4,292 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. While seeing 4,050 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among psychological horror games based on player count.
9.2
61,275
4,292
4,050
players
4. Escape the Backrooms
Escape the Backrooms is a 1-4 player co-op horror exploration game. Traverse through eerie backrooms levels while avoiding entities and other danger to try and escape. Free content updates with new levels and game modes keep the community rewarded. Escape the Backrooms is a horror, multiplayer and online co-op game developed and published by Fancy Games. Released on August 11th 2022 has received 100,691 reviews of which 91,674 were positive and 9,017 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 923 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.0
91,674
9,017
923
players
5. Backrooms: Escape Together
A visually lifelike co-op horror for 1-6 people. Journey through 9 procedurally generated levels, using what's available to survive and progress deeper into the Backrooms. Backrooms: Escape Together is a multiplayer, horror and psychological horror game developed and published by Triiodide Studios. Released on October 18th 2022 has received 20,869 reviews of which 18,193 were positive and 2,676 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 734 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
8.5
18,193
2,676
734
players
6. Lobotomy Corporation | Monster Management Simulation
A roguelite monster-management simulation inspired by the likes of the SCP Foundation, Cabin in the Woods, and Warehouse 13. Order your employees to perform work with the creatures and watch as it unfolds; harness greater energy, and expand the facility Lobotomy Corporation | Monster Management Simulation is a management, difficult and story rich game developed and published by ProjectMoon. Released on April 09th 2018 has received 43,130 reviews of which 40,435 were positive and 2,695 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 652 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.2
40,435
2,695
652
players
7. Gorilla Tag
Run, jump, and climb using only your hands. Play tag or infection with people online. Run away from the infected players, or outmaneuver the survivors to catch them. Embrace your inner ape. Gorilla Tag is a vr, psychological horror and multiplayer game developed and published by Another Axiom Inc.. Released on January 01st 2023 has received 69,840 reviews of which 63,763 were positive and 6,077 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 646 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.0
63,763
6,077
646
players
8. MiSide
Let's imagine that you have a game in which you care for a character. But could you imagine one day getting into that game yourself? MiSide is a psychological horror, cute and story rich game developed by AIHASTO and published by IndieArk and Shochiku (Japan). Released on December 10th 2024 has received 108,297 reviews of which 106,230 were positive and 2,067 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 596 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.7
106,230
2,067
596
players
9. Borderless Gaming
Borderless Gaming: Seamlessly play games in borderless-fullscreen mode for uninterrupted gaming and effortless multitasking. Borderless Gaming is a utilities, software and 2d game developed by AndrewMD5 and published by Codeusa and viorae. Released on July 23rd 2015 has received 3,894 reviews of which 3,268 were positive and 626 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 579 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
8.1
3,268
626
579
players
10. SILENT HILL 2
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2. SILENT HILL 2 is a psychological horror, horror and survival horror game developed by Bloober Team SA and published by KONAMI. Released on October 07th 2024 has received 41,911 reviews of which 39,933 were positive and 1,978 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 575 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.3
39,933
1,978
575
players
Best deals on psychological horror games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of psychological horror games available on Steam right now, updated on May 02nd 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted psychological horror games.
1. In Sound Mind
In Sound Mind is an imaginative first-person psychological horror with frenetic puzzles, unique boss fights, and original music by The Living Tombstone. Journey within the inner workings of the one place you can’t seem to escape—your own mind. In Sound Mind is a horror, psychological horror and story rich game developed by We Create Stuff and published by Maximum Entertainment. Released on September 28th 2021 has received 5,708 reviews of which 5,436 were positive and 272 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Featuring a massive 96% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for psychological horror category.
9.2
5,436
272
-96%
32.25€
1.29€
2. Outlast 2
Outlast 2 introduces you to Sullivan Knoth and his followers, who left our wicked world behind to give birth to Temple Gate, a town, deep in the wilderness and hidden from civilization. Knoth and his flock are preparing for the tribulations of the end of times and you’re right in the thick of it. Outlast 2 is a horror, psychological horror and survival horror game developed and published by Red Barrels. Released on April 24th 2017 has received 55,116 reviews of which 50,337 were positive and 4,779 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in psychological horror games.
9.0
50,337
4,779
-94%
30.67€
1.84€
3. Ad Infinitum
When reality is a nightmare, nightmares become real. In this psychological horror game, you fight the terrifying creatures invading your mind. Can you save your sanity? Ad Infinitum is a horror, action and psychological horror game developed by Hekate and published by Nacon. Released on September 14th 2023 has received 870 reviews of which 702 were positive and 168 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in psychological horror games.
7.7
702
168
-93%
32.71€
2.29€
4. GET EVEN
Take a deep breath... Try to remember: a girl, a chair, a bomb. Just keep... calm. Follow the voice into the depths of you memory. Relax... and search for the darkest memories in the deepest recesses of your mind. Can you find her? The clock is ticking... And this is just a part of the treatment. GET EVEN is a action, psychological horror and mystery game developed by The Farm 51 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released on June 20th 2017 has received 1,731 reviews of which 1,311 were positive and 420 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
7.3
1,311
420
-93%
29.57€
2.07€
5. SCP: Secret Files
SCP: Secret Files is a collection of paranormal cases from the SCP Foundation, an organization tasked with containing dangerous anomalies. You join as an assistant researcher for Dr. Raymond Hamm and complete a strenuous induction program that will make you question everything you know. SCP: Secret Files is a adventure, story rich and psychological horror game developed by GameZoo Studio and published by Pixmain. Released on September 13th 2022 has received 4,778 reviews of which 4,233 were positive and 545 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
8.6
4,233
545
-92%
12.50€
1.00€
6. Tormented Souls
Classic survival horror is back! Inspired by the original Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark series, Tormented Souls modernises with a fresh twist on the fixed perspective adventure - as Caroline Walker investigates the mysterious disappearance of twin girls in a terrifying mansion-turned-hospital. Tormented Souls is a survival horror, horror and puzzle game developed by Dual Effect and Abstract Digital and published by PQube. Released on August 26th 2021 has received 5,972 reviews of which 5,446 were positive and 526 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
8.8
5,446
526
-91%
19.56€
1.76€
7. Struggling
Struggling is a physics-based co-op platformer with a twisted spin on teamwork. Control the arms of a squishy abomination and lead it through a deranged world. Struggling is a indie, funny and co-op game developed by Chasing Rats Games and published by Frontier Foundry. Released on August 27th 2020 has received 678 reviews of which 588 were positive and 90 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
8.2
588
90
-91%
12.44€
1.12€
8. Horror Story: Hallowseed
Horror Story: Hallowseed is a story-driven psychological horror game. An obscure event causes two of your friends to disappear while you were camping in the woods. Left alone and stranded in an unknown place, you need to seek the answers about what happened, face the horror and find your friends. Horror Story: Hallowseed is a horror, psychological horror and atmospheric game developed by Jeff Winner and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on October 28th 2021 has received 325 reviews of which 219 were positive and 106 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
6.4
219
106
-89%
19.73€
2.17€
9. Kholat
The most terrifying journey of your life set in the beautiful winter scenery of the Ural Mountains. Uncover the horrific mystery behind the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Narrated by the famous Sean Bean. Kholat is a horror, atmospheric and walking simulator game developed and published by IMGN.PRO. Released on June 09th 2015 has received 6,705 reviews of which 4,475 were positive and 2,230 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 83% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
6.6
4,475
2,230
-83%
17.99€
3.05€
10. Blair Witch
Inspired by the cinematic lore of Blair Witch, experience a new story-driven psychological horror game that studies your reactions to fear and stress. Blair Witch is a adventure, horror and psychological horror game developed by Bloober Team SA and published by Bloober Team NA. Released on August 30th 2019 has received 7,161 reviews of which 5,641 were positive and 1,520 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
7.7
5,641
1,520
-80%
29.99€
5.99€
Free psychological horror games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play psychological horror games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on May 02nd 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play psychological horror games.
1. Crab Game
Crab Game is a First-Person Multiplayer game where you play through several different minigames based on children's games, until only one player stands victorious. Crab Game is a psychological horror, multiplayer and free to play game developed and published by Dani. Released on October 29th 2021 has received 152,507 reviews of which 139,646 were positive and 12,861 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 22,947 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free psychological horror games on Steam.
9.0
139,646
12,861
22,947
players
2. Doki Doki Literature Club!
The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed. Doki Doki Literature Club! is a psychological horror, visual novel and anime game developed and published by Team Salvato. Released on October 06th 2017 has received 209,772 reviews of which 202,345 were positive and 7,427 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 390, this psychological horror game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free psychological horror games on Steam.
9.5
202,345
7,427
390
players
3. Cry of Fear
Cry of Fear is a psychological single-player and co-op horror game set in a deserted town filled with horrific creatures and nightmarish delusions. You play as a young man desperately searching for answers in the cold Scandinavian night, finding his way through the city as he slowly descends into madness. Cry of Fear is a horror, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by Team Psykskallar. Released on April 25th 2013 has received 73,466 reviews of which 65,020 were positive and 8,446 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 364, this psychological horror game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free psychological horror games on Steam.
8.7
65,020
8,446
364
players
4. Cube Escape: Paradox
The tenth Cube Escape follows the story of detective Dale Vandermeer who finds himself trapped in two different universes and needs to escape. Cube Escape: Paradox will be released together with the accompanying Paradox: A Rusty Lake Film. Cube Escape: Paradox is a puzzle, free to play and psychological horror game developed and published by Rusty Lake. Released on September 20th 2018 has received 10,317 reviews of which 10,035 were positive and 282 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 138 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free psychological horror games on Steam.
9.4
10,035
282
138
players
5. Banana Shooter
Dave is the banana man who is keep shooting enemies and get their banana,and use some cool mechanic such as dash,double jump,grapple hook and rocket jump.If you are finding fast paced shooter game,this is what you need Banana Shooter is a free to play, multiplayer and psychological horror game developed and published by CodingDaniel. Released on May 01st 2022 has received 16,394 reviews of which 14,637 were positive and 1,757 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
8.7
14,637
1,757
90
players
6. Saihate Station
An exploration/horror/adventure game about the codependent, love-hate relationship between two men. Saihate Station is a psychological horror, visual novel and lgbtq+ game developed and published by びぶ/viv. Released on March 07th 2025 has received 1,733 reviews of which 1,671 were positive and 62 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
9.2
1,671
62
85
players
7. Fears to Fathom - Home Alone
Fears to Fathom is an episodic psychological horror game where each episode unveils a short story narrated by the ones who survived. Fears to Fathom - Home Alone is a horror, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by Rayll. Released on July 02nd 2021 has received 8,538 reviews of which 7,681 were positive and 857 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
8.7
7,681
857
46
players
8. Egg
egg Egg is a psychological horror game developed and published by KolbasinoGames. Released on February 03rd 2024 has received 12,134 reviews of which 10,467 were positive and 1,667 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
8.4
10,467
1,667
41
players
9. Yume Nikki
This is a game in which you traverse the extremely dark world inside a dream. Yume Nikki is a indie, free to play and rpgmaker game developed by kikiyama and published by PLAYISM. Released on January 09th 2018 has received 8,475 reviews of which 7,968 were positive and 507 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
9.1
7,968
507
36
players
10. POSTAL
Take control of The POSTAL Dude in his infamous first outing as he battles to survive in a world gone mad! POSTAL is a classic isometric shooter filled to the brim with fast-paced explosive action. POSTAL is a horror, villain protagonist and psychological horror game developed and published by Running With Scissors. Released on November 14th 1997 has received 10,794 reviews of which 9,817 were positive and 977 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
8.8
9,817
977
33
players