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
Amnesia: Rebirth
A first-person horror adventure. Uncover your past and survive the Algerian desert. Fear is your enemy; stay calm to not succumb to an illness threatening you and your loved one. Avoid darkness, hide from monsters and solve puzzles. Adventure Mode available for a less scary experience.
The Horror Of Salazar House
Will you solve the mystery of the Salazar manor or will you become another permanent inhabitant? An Italian horror inspired adventure game!
Lucifer Within Us
Solve 3 increasingly intricate murders by examining the evidence -- find the motive, the means, and the opportunity. Use testimonies of the suspects as evidence by examining every detail for contradictions... and signs of sin. Purify the possessed. Purge the daemons.
Kingdom Rush Vengeance - Tower Defense
It's payback time! Lead your mighty dark army and make the Kingdom tremble with every step. Build powerful towers, choose your arsenal for destruction, and find the deadliest combination - train legendary heroes and lead them to victory!
Ring of Pain
Enter the Ring of Pain, a roguelike card crawler where encounters come to you. Each step around the ring a dire decision. Go for the loot or backstab a creeping horror? Meet strange friends bearing gifts and treasure. Choose your gear wisely to survive and discover the secrets of the Ring of Pain.
Cube Escape Collection
In this classic point-and-click adventure anthology you follow the path of Dale and Laura and other famous Rusty lake characters such as Mr. Crow and Mr. Owl. The series will be updated, preserved and bundled to survive the end of the Flash Games era.
Space Travel Idle
If you ever dreamed of exploring space at a relaxed pace, here's a journey designed for you.
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.
Metel - Horror Escape
Metel - Horror Escape is a first-person 3D game in the quest, horror genre. Welcome to the home of an insane maniac hungry for new blood and suffering! You are a victim in his hands. Be careful trying to find a way out. The maniac should not notice your escape attempt.
Sense - 不祥的预感: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story
A 2.5D horror game inspired by Clock Tower and Fatal Frame, mixing cyberpunk with traditional Cantonese folklore. With careful attention to pacing, atmosphere and storytelling, Sense hopes to return the horror genre to its roots by celebrating visceral horror and the slow, fearful creep of dread.
Metamorphosis
Play as Gregor, turned into a tiny bug, and set out on an extraordinary journey to unravel the mystery of your transformation. Metamorphosis is a first person adventure set in a surrealist world where your newfound abilities are your last and only hope for redemption.
A Night In Berlin
A Night in Berlin is a narrative-driven third-person shooter featuring brutal fast-paced gameplay in a dark and atmospheric world.
Scrutinized
Work to expose the numerous criminal degenerates that plague your quiet town. Use citizen-issued reports, police records, social media accounts, text conversations, and more to determine who’s an actual threat and who’s harmless, all while avoiding the killers trying to infiltrate your home.
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.
Handy Harry's Haunted House Services
Team up with up to 8 friends online to explore the haunted, randomly generated depths of these dusty attics. Find and repair the objectives, flip the master switch and escape before the ghastly ghoul that lurks in the darkness catches up to you. Play through the career mode or explore free play!
Hellpoint
Hellpoint is an intense action RPG taking place on Irid Novo, a derelict space station soaked in an intoxicating dark sci fi atmosphere. Fight dreadful creatures, face the Cosmic Gods and unravel their twisted story. Should the challenge be too great, play with a friend in local or online coop.
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 19th 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 91,862 reviews of which 88,270 were positive and 3,592 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 1,174 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.5
88,270
3,592
1,174
players
2. 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 27,684 reviews of which 26,737 were positive and 947 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 1,061 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among dark games based on player count.
9.4
26,737
947
1,061
players
3. 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 12,737 reviews of which 10,065 were positive and 2,672 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. While seeing 258 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among dark games based on player count.
7.7
10,065
2,672
258
players
4. 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 22,117 reviews of which 21,498 were positive and 619 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 170 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played dark games.
9.5
21,498
619
170
players
5. 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 42,257 reviews of which 39,762 were positive and 2,495 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 151 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played dark games.
9.2
39,762
2,495
151
players
6. INSIDE
Hunted and alone, a boy finds himself drawn into the center of a dark project. INSIDE is a dark, narrative-driven platformer combining intense action with challenging puzzles. It has been critically acclaimed for its moody art style, ambient soundtrack and unsettling atmosphere. INSIDE is a 2.5d, puzzle-platformer and atmospheric game developed and published by Playdead. Released on July 07th 2016 has received 67,087 reviews of which 65,025 were positive and 2,062 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 141 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played dark games.
9.5
65,025
2,062
141
players
7. 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 723 reviews of which 622 were positive and 101 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 121 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played dark games.
8.1
622
101
121
players
8. 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 56,694 reviews of which 52,521 were positive and 4,173 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 103 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played dark games.
9.1
52,521
4,173
103
players
9. SUNLESS SEA
LOSE YOUR MIND. EAT YOUR CREW. DIE. Take the helm of your steamship and set sail for the unknown! Sunless Sea is a game of discovery, loneliness and frequent death, set in the award-winning Victorian Gothic universe of Fallen London. SUNLESS SEA is a exploration, lovecraftian and survival game developed and published by Failbetter Games. Released on February 06th 2015 has received 9,259 reviews of which 7,688 were positive and 1,571 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
7,688
1,571
91
players
10. 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 44,759 reviews of which 42,944 were positive and 1,815 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played dark games.
9.4
42,944
1,815
85
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 19th 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 465 reviews of which 371 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
371
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 3,981 reviews of which 3,742 were positive and 239 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
3,742
239
-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 26,749 reviews of which 24,513 were positive and 2,236 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in dark games.
9.0
24,513
2,236
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
4. Pinstripe
An ex-minister ventures through the frozen depths of Hell in search of his kidnapped daughter. Pinstripe is a indie, adventure and casual game developed by Atmos Games and LLC and published by Armor Games Studios. Released on April 24th 2017 has received 2,514 reviews of which 2,243 were positive and 271 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for dark games.
8.6
2,243
271
-90%
14.79€
1.47€
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 12,737 reviews of which 10,065 were positive and 2,672 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 87% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for dark games.
7.7
10,065
2,672
-87%
20.31€
2.64€
6. Yesterday
Yesterday is a thrilling and dark mystery from the masters of adventure, Pendulo Studios. Yesterday is a adventure, point & click and mystery game developed by Pendulo Studios and published by Focus Entertainment. Released on March 22nd 2012 has received 969 reviews of which 808 were positive and 161 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for dark games.
7.9
808
161
-85%
4.99€
0.74€
7. SONG OF HORROR COMPLETE EDITION
A 3rd person, fixed-camera survival horror adventure. Fear the Presence, a mysterious entity you cannot fight: stay alert, hide, breathe slowly... Explore cursed places where unseen spirits and lost souls linger in a true horror story for the ages. SONG OF HORROR COMPLETE EDITION is a survival horror, dark and horror game developed by Protocol Games and published by 🚀 Raiser Games. Released on October 31st 2019 has received 1,207 reviews of which 992 were positive and 215 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 84% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for dark games.
7.8
992
215
-84%
30.50€
4.88€
8. Seen
A lonely kid desperately tries to escape his dark world. Seen is a early access, indie and dark game developed and published by Seen Games. Released on June 20th 2019 has received 9,676 reviews of which 8,846 were positive and 830 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 83% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for dark games.
8.9
8,846
830
-83%
2.89€
0.49€
9. 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 56,694 reviews of which 52,521 were positive and 4,173 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 78% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for dark games.
9.1
52,521
4,173
-78%
10.14€
2.23€
10. 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 640 reviews of which 491 were positive and 149 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 78% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for dark games.
7.3
491
149
-78%
15.27€
3.36€
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 19th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play dark games.
1. 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 858 reviews of which 628 were positive and 230 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
7.0
628
230
2
players
2. 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 2,327 reviews of which 2,238 were positive and 89 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.2
2,238
89
1
players
3. 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 1,251 reviews of which 1,189 were positive and 62 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.0
1,189
62
1
players
4. 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 934 reviews of which 873 were positive and 61 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.8
873
61
1
players
5. LISA: The First
A memory of madness. LISA: The First is a rpg, exploration and action rpg game developed by Dingaling Productions and published by Serenity Forge. Released on March 20th 2024 has received 301 reviews of which 250 were positive and 51 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
7.7
250
51
1
players
6. 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 809 reviews of which 788 were positive and 21 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.1
788
21
7. 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 731 reviews of which 711 were positive and 20 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
711
20
8. 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 475 reviews of which 446 were positive and 29 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.7
446
29
9. 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 932 reviews of which 831 were positive and 101 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.4
831
101
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