15 Best Psychological Horror Games, Ranked

Horror games have been popular for decades, but it is the psychological horror subgenre that takes terror to another level. It can leave a lasting impression on you, as it does not focus on simple jump-scares, but instead, it creates an atmosphere of dread and unease.

Psychological horror games play with the fragility of the human mind and are known to exploit the common human fears of helplessness and loss of control. If you do not want to experience dreadful emotions that stay with you long after finishing playing, stay away from these games.

Updated by Stefania Ikeda-Stavridi on October 24, 2023: Psychological horror games are immensely popular as they tap into our deepest fears and anxieties, creating an immersive and emotionally intense gaming experience. We have updated our list to include five more haunting titles, that are definitely worth checking out.

15 Slay The Princess

Slay the Princess was just released in 2023, and has made a significant impact on the psychological horror and visual novel gaming genres with its captivating narrative and immersive storytelling. The combination of remarkable artwork, haunting voice acting, and intricate choices provides players with a gripping and emotionally charged experience.

The game’s ability to offer multiple engaging routes and its skillful execution of atmosphere contribute to its allure, making it an unforgettable and, at times, disturbing journey.

14 Siren

Siren is a highly distinctive and acclaimed entry in the psychological horror genre. This PS2 horror title is renowned for its uniquely disorienting gameplay and deeply atmospheric, terror-inducing narrative.

In Siren, players find themselves in the remote Japanese village of Hanuda, where they must navigate a nonlinear storyline and a cursed, time-altering power known as “sightjacking.” This supernatural ability allows players to see through the eyes of the game’s many inhabitants, providing a novel twist on traditional survival horror gameplay.

13 The Evil Within

The Evil Within is a franchise celebrated for its intense, mind-bending narrative and its ability to plunge players into a world of nightmarish, psychological horror. You assume the role of a detective, who becomes trapped in a gruesome and distorted alternate reality filled with grotesque creatures and horrifying landscapes.

The Evil Within expertly combines psychological torment with visceral, intense survival horror gameplay, keeping players on the edge of their seats throughout. As if the game wasn’t hard enough, it also holds one of the hardest video game achievements to achieve.

12 Fatal Frame

Fatal Frame is a revered franchise in the world of survival horror, renowned for its distinctive take on psychological horror. The series centers around protagonists armed with a unique camera that can capture and repel evil spirits. What makes the game stand out is its focus on immersion and tension.

Players must confront their fears head-on as they explore eerie, haunted locales while trying to capture spectral entities. The reliance on the camera as the primary means of defense adds an innovative twist to the survival horror formula, providing a fresh and chilling experience for fans of the genre.

11 Haunting Ground

Haunting Ground is a brilliant addition to the psychological horror genre, captivating players with its unique and deeply unsettling narrative. In this game, players assume the role of Fiona Belli, who finds herself trapped in a mysterious and foreboding castle, pursued by relentless enemies. However, she has one trusty companion by her side, a white shepherd named Hewie.

What sets Haunting Ground apart is its emphasis on psychological torment and the constant feeling of vulnerability, as players must rely on their wits and resourcefulness to survive, making it a standout title in the realm of psychological horror gaming.

10 Doki Doki Literature Club

Doki Doki Literature Club is one of the most popular psychological horror visual novels out there. It tricks you into thinking it is yet another cute dating simulator, due to the gentle upbeat music, pink undertones, and captivating club members.

It will take you on an unforgettable journey, thanks to its horrifying twists and clever use of fourth wall breaking. The original version of this horror game is available to play for free, but there is a newer version that lets you delve into the story even further.

9 Rule Of Rose

Rule of Rose is a great survival horror game, which sadly never left the PlayStation 2. You play as a young girl named Jennifer, and in the beginning, you have no idea what is happening. The creepy atmosphere and soundtrack make you feel like you are inside a nightmare.

Slowly the story starts unfolding, revealing some horrifying truths, that will hit you right in the feels. The game takes on different styles of abuse and portrays their effects on the human mind. There are also different endings you can get, depending on your choices.

8 Omori

Omori is a great indie game, that was influenced by the classic games Earthbound and Yume Nikki. The story focuses on the life of a mute high school student called Sunny, and most of the game takes place in the boy’s dreams.

Omori may trick you into believing it’s yet another happy adventure RPG, but it soon becomes clear that everything is a facade. The hidden traumas are slowly revealed, and the story does a great job of portraying common phobias. There are also great boss fights, with immersive and manic themes playing, that keep you on the edge of your seat.

7 Fran Bow

Fran Bow is a horrifying 2D adventure game, with a unique art style reminiscing that of a storybook. The story is full of symbolism and macabre imagery and has you following the life of a young girl, named Fran. She is taken to a mental institution, from where she tries to escape, if not physically, at least mentally.

Fran Bow is highly reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, but also Pan’s Labyrinth. It is a story of a girl using her fantasy world to escape harsh reality, proving that enough traumatic experiences can loosen anyone’s grip on reality.

6 I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream

For a game that is almost three decades old, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream is a great psychological horror adventure. In this game, your choices greatly affect the storyline, and it has you exploring deep themes of psychology and philosophy, as well as solving intriguing puzzles.

You control five different characters, each with their own disturbing pasts and stories. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream is a great example of how to successfully adapt a book into a game.

5 Outlast

The Outlast series has some of the scariest games in the gaming industry and levels that will make your blood run cold. What makes them horrifying is that you have to take on the role of a helpless newspaper journalist, and not one of a superhuman soldier. You are immediately reminded of the fragility of the human body and mind.

You are completely reliant on the night mode of your video camera, as it is the only tool that will help you advance in the game. It has though, a limited battery life, having you running around trying to find more batteries. The camera is also completely useless if you get caught.

4 Detention

Detention makes for the perfect combination of an adventure and psychological horror game. The story will let you explore many important themes from domestic violence to political oppression during the martial law period.

Detention focuses on creating a beautiful yet creepy atmosphere and lets the narrative slowly reveal itself. The sinister vibe, immersive soundtrack, and unique Taiwanese references, all make for a memorable experience.

3 Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has you take on the role of a young Celtic warrior named Senua. She is on a quest to save her lover’s soul from Viking Hell. This game does a perfect job portraying the mental health issues the protagonist is facing, by keeping you on the edge of your seat.

There is a constant feeling of dread mixed with anxiety and fear, as you do not know when Senua is hallucinating or not. Every battle you fight or puzzle you solve brings you closer to the truth of a terrifyingly inescapable reality.

2 Amnesia

The Amnesia games saved the dying genre of psychological horror when action and adventure games were becoming more domineering. They manage to keep you on your toes, having you fear the unknown. The monsters are mysterious, and sounds can be heard all around you from dark corners, making your imagination run wild.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a game like no other. It has you navigating in horrifying environments while having to solve various puzzles. You take on the role of a man dealing with amnesia and his own descent into madness, making you feel powerless and weak in everything around you.

1 Silent Hill

The Silent Hill series is undoubtedly the high point of psychological horror games. It plays creatively with the fear of the unknown, as well as with your emotions, using atmosphere, lighting, and sound to create tension. You even play a helpless character with close to zero means to defend himself.

It was no surprise when these old horror classics started getting remakes, as they should be enjoyed by everyone. The continuation of the franchise with the demo P.T. is the scariest game that never was.