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
Mass Exodus Redux
Whether you’re playing the seeker (VR) or rogue android (PC), Mass Exodus is a tense and absorbing local multiplayer game. With 4 extensive maps each with unique kill methods and some creative power-ups, you need to try outsmart your friends anyway you can. Oculus Touch and HTC Vive compatible.
Just Ignore Them
One night can feel like a lifetime of pain, suffering and horror to a child...do you have what it takes to survive the night? Play as an 8 year old child who is tormented by monsters in his house. Your choices make his future which lives can be saved or ended.
Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch. 5 Meakashi
Higurashi When They Cry is a sound novel. The music, backgrounds and characters work together to create a world that is the stage of a novel for the user to read. They laugh and cry and get angry. The user takes the point of view of the protagonist to experience the story.
Little Nightmares
Take on the role of Six, a lone child lost in a massive metal vessel known as the Maw, surrounded by dangerous, distorted versions of adults. You’ll need to do your best to escape in one piece or your fate will be worse than you ever dared dream.
Grisaia Phantom Trigger Vol.1
"Grisaia: Phantom Trigger" is a visual novel, specifically a kinetic novel (without branching routes). Returning character artist Akio Watanabe and writer Ryuta Fujisaki bring you the latest installment in the acclaimed Grisaia series.
Bendy and the Ink Machine
Bendy and the Ink Machine® is the first person puzzle action horror game that will forever ruin your childhood love of cartoons.
Under Leaves
Journey into the forest, the jungle or the depths of the deep blue sea. Find chestnuts for the pigs, a caterpillar for the crocodile or a starfish one, two three. A color-filled hidden object game from the world of animals.
What Remains of Edith Finch
What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of strange tales about a family in Washington state. As Edith, you’ll explore the colossal Finch house, searching for stories as she explores her family history and tries to figure out why she's the last one in her family left alive.
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.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption
Inhabiting the World of Darkness, you must face a series of brutal confrontations with your nemesis Vukodlak, a powerful vampire lord.
Gloom
Afflicted by severe amnesia, you drift deep into the Common Dream. You scour for the lost pages of the Necronomicon, while clinging on to any little purpose you have left. Faced with mad dreamers, horrible abominations and eldritch deities, you feel drawn to the dark Abyss deep within.
The Sexy Brutale
The Sexy Brutale — a never-ending masked ball featuring intrigue, murder and the (quite possibly) occult! Relive the same mysterious day where the guests at the casino mansion are being murdered by the staff over and over again.
Fibrillation HD
Immerse yourself in an adaptation of an old story about Ewan Berrington.
Fausts Alptraum
Fausts Alptraum is an single player, puzzle game created by LabORat Studio, an indie game team from Taiwan. The story based on Goethe's Faust. Players will play as a troubled girl wandering around in a crayon-drawn world. Players will have to find the relevance between dreams and reality by collecting clues.
Demonheart
Discover the secrets of the witches and demons in this dark fantasy romance game, featuring a female protagonist whose personality is completely up to the player thanks to extensive dialog choices.
Shadows Peak
Shadows Peak is an atmospheric, open-world horror game focused on exploration that doesn't hold your hand. You play as a writer who has decided to visit a mysterious place called Shadows Peak to gather materials for a new book about legends.
2Dark
2Dark is a stealth adventure game developed by Frédérick Raynal, the pioneer of survival horror games and creator of Alone in the Dark®. Make your way through the lairs of psychopaths, unravel intrigue where madness mingles with horror, and, above all, save the kids!
Bad Dream: Coma
Welcome in Bad Dream: Coma. A point & click game where unique minimalistic art style creates an unforgettable and atmospheric experience. Travel through the surreal and disturbing dreamland where everything depends on your actions. You can't die but you can suffer greatly...
Sweetest Monster
A middle-aged man has an encounter with a cute catgirl in the dead of night - but all is not as it seems.
A House of Many Doors
Explore the House, a parasite dimension that steals from other worlds, in a train that scuttles on mechanical legs.
We Were Here
Lost in a frozen wasteland and split up from your partner inside an abandoned castle, the only possession you have left is a walkie-talkie with a familiar voice on the other end. Can the two of you find your way out in time?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 20th 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 1,158 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.5
88,270
3,592
1,158
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 987 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
987
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 297 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
297
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 42,257 reviews of which 39,762 were positive and 2,495 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 171 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played dark games.
9.2
39,762
2,495
171
players
5. 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 155 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played dark games.
9.5
65,025
2,062
155
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 22,117 reviews of which 21,498 were positive and 619 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 143 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played dark games.
9.5
21,498
619
143
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 115 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played dark games.
8.1
622
101
115
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. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played dark games.
9.1
52,521
4,173
98
players
9. 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 #9 spot among the most played dark games.
9.4
42,944
1,815
89
players
10. 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 #10 spot among the most played dark games.
8.1
7,688
1,571
86
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 20th 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 3,989 reviews of which 3,750 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
3,750
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 20th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play dark games.
1. 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 #1 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.4
831
101
5
players
2. 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 #2 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
7.0
628
230
3
players
3. 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 #3 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.7
446
29
2
players
4. 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 #4 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
7.7
250
51
2
players
5. 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 #5 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.2
2,238
89
1
players
6. 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 #6 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.0
1,189
62
1
players
7. 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 #7 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
8.8
873
61
1
players
8. 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 #8 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.1
788
21
9. 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 #9 spot among the most played free dark games on Steam.
9.1
711
20
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