Summary
The 2010s had its fair share of bangers when it came to video games. Most of them were iconic enough to stand the test of time and are still fondly remembered even today. Some of thehorror gameslaunched at the time went on to define gaming tropes for future titles and even garnered a substantial following.
A good horror game doesn’t merely rely on gimmicks, instead focusing on delivering an experience that encompasses solid visuals, sound design, story, and characters. It’s a fine line to tread, and finding that balance determined these games’ long-term success.
Updated on June 03, 2025, by PJ Molloy:Spooky season is here, so what better time to revisit one of the best decades for horror games? We’ve added some new recommendations from the 2010s that’ll give you goosebumps.
Doki Doki Literature Club is abone-chilling visual novelthat starts off cutesy before taking a nightmarish turn. The story begins when your best friend Sayori invites you to her after-school poetry club. Things get creepy when club members go missing, and your classmates' poetry grows increasingly disturbing.
This seemingly innocent group is hiding a dark secret, and it’s up to you to get to the bottom of it. The combination of psychological frights and flesh-crawling meta-horror creates a truly spooky experience that’s sure to stick with you long after the credits roll.
Arguably the scariest horror platformer ever, Little Nightmares is a surreal journey through childhood fears. Take control of a young girl named Six, who’s trapped in an other-worldly realm called the Maw. You must use a mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and stealth to escape the grotesque, bloodthirsty monsters lurking in the darkness.
Little Nightmares pits you against everything that terrified you as a kid, including a spider-like kidnapper and child-eating adults. The eerie atmosphere, unsettling bosses, and head-scratching puzzles are just a few elements that make this title worth revisiting time and time again.
Developed in RPG Maker, Mad Father is a top-down survival horror game with clever puzzles and a horrifying story. Aya’s father made it clear that she’s never allowed in the basement. But when blood-curdling monsters sneak into her bedroom, Aya must venture into the forbidden cellar to discover the truth behind the terrors that haunt her house.
Not only does Mad Father deliver well-designed puzzles and a chilling environment, but it also features a haunting story about loss and family betrayal. With multiple endings to find, Mad Father will keep you immersed for hours.
Resident Evil 2 is a masterful remake of an iconic PS1 survival horror game. You control Leon Kennedy and Clarie Redfield, survivors of the zombie apocalypse barricaded in the Raccoon City Police Department. Trapped with limited ammunition and first-aid kits, Leon and Claire must find a way to escape while avoiding the pursuit of the terrifying seven-foot-tall zombie Mr. X.
The gameplay seamlessly combines resource management, puzzle-solving, and third-person shooting. Plus, the camera, controls, graphics, and story are vastly improved from the original. There’s no better choice for somehorrifying zombie actionthan this one.
As one of themost iconic horror titles of all time, Outlast inspired countless scary games that came after it and is still just as chilling as when it launched. Sure, the graphics may be dated, but the spooks and crafty game mechanics are surprisingly solid, considering its age.
The plot follows journalist Miles Upshur, who investigates a seemingly desolate hospital called Mount Massive Asylum. Upon entry, he encounters a slew of nightmarish creatures and must find a way to survive. With no means of defending yourself, you must rely solely on your wits and stealth to escape the many dangers that await.
Based on the novel of the same name, Metro 2033 kick-started one of the beststealth-based horror series. This game managed to set the tone for future entries while remaining surprisingly faithful to its source material.
The post-apocalyptic atmosphere of the map, the horrifically deformed beings that ravage that landscape, and the solid sound design make it stand out when compared to other titles that attempted to replicate its fame. It’s a nuanced game with horror elements that make survival fairly challenging.
Based on the movie series Alien, this game is a faithful adaptation of the universe, featuring an air of dread that perfectly replicates the vibes of the films. The cinematography and sound design are excellent, and the atmosphere and tone of the game align perfectly with the themes of the original movies.
From solid visuals to the sound level design, including enclosed spaces you’d find within an actual spaceship, Alien: Isolation picks away at your sense of security and throws you into the unknown face first in spectacular fashion.
Long celebrated as one of thebest indie horror games, Amnesia: The Dark Descent was an absolute game-changer when it came out and functioned as an RPG-maker for horror games of sorts, with custom stories that fans used while utilizing its solid game engine.
The game features jump scares and puzzles galore that were fresh for the time and still manage to pull out a shriek even today. The graphics are decent, and the game mechanics hold up surprisingly well despite how old the game is.
Despite the simple premise and execution, Devotion is a very interesting horror game that revolves around a bunch of creepy dolls reliving a rather sad story. Although the game’s rather short compared to other conventional titles, it still knows how to subtly creep you out, even though it has a limited amount of time to do it.
It plays off of the tone P.T. has to offer but in a way that feels fresh and unique. The story is well-written and easy to get emotionally invested in despite a scarce amount of spoken dialogue. The graphics still hold up, and the sound design is excellent.
Bloodborne is an unforgiving dive into a fairly simple story that barely takes anything away from the fast-paced action. It’s a brutal game with enough heart and polish to come off as charming and unforgettable. Plus, it comes with some truly memorable moments and a horrific world to explore.
There are all kinds of enemies to face off against and secrets to uncover as you travel across an ancient Gothic city infested with disease-carrying beasts who were once the local inhabitants. The game boasts impressive combat mechanics and stunning landscapes. Despite the graphical limitations, the atmosphere still holds up when coupled with the solid sound design.
