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
JUMP KING QUEST
The most BRUTAL Platforming-Action-Multiplayer-RPG in THE WORLD with NO Game-Over, only falling down… Defy the fiends of The Heights TOGETHER or alone to rise as KING on your Quest to The Smoking Hot Babe at the Top!
Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Join forces with the psychic Director of the Urban Myth Dissolution Center and solve a variety of cases involving cursed relics, rental properties with shady histories, and dimensional anomalies. Monstrous oddities and otherworldly planes abound in this occult mystery adventure game!
Beat Around The Bush
Beat Around the Bush is a series done over YouTube shorts where the top comment got the next addition to the game. Beat Around the Bush is a game where your primary goal is to Beat around the Bush. Once you do, you did it. You won. Therefore, there's no more reason to keep playing this game.
Slender Threads
In this paranormal point-and-click adventure, a traveling salesman races to stop a string of horrific deaths in a quiet seaside town—before he’s next.
Dodgy Deliveries
Co-op "Horror" game about running a delivery service with your friends! B̵̨̦͓͖̹̪̥̮͛̀̏̈́̐̔̉Ę̴̤̦̤͓̰̤́͗̚ ̵̨̺͓̱̞͔͉͙̀̂͂͋͠͠Ç̸̫͈̋͋͆̋̾̑̕͜Ä̴̛̟͑͛͋͂̌̕͜͝R̵̛͎̮̜̒̽̈́͂̓̒͘Ę̸͉̙̎̀͐͆Ḟ̶̼͖̭͇̗U̸̡̫͇̤̭̪̦̣̔Ḷ̶̛͖̙͗̋̈̇̕ ̷̡̢͕̦̜͚̌̎̃̔Ā̷̧͇͎̳͔̩̜̤̗͊̋Ţ̸̭̩͚̮͖͇̹̬̾ ̷͍̞̰͈̻̣͚̂̾ͅN̵̛̤͒̏̒͝Ḯ̵̡̘͇̖̏͘Ģ̸̛͙̥̞̽̀͒͜H̶̲̜̺̐̄͋͊̍̈́͘͜T̴̯̲̳̪͚̜̼̈͠
The Headliners
Co-op horror game where you play in teams of 1 to 8 reckless journalists, ready to explore a city overrun by deadly creatures to snap spectacular footage. Your only goal: make the headlines without becoming one.
DEAD LETTER DEPT.
Working at a data entry job in the big city, you type up and transcribe the lost mail and letters that have nowhere else to go. But as the days carry on oddities in the mail start to emerge, and cracks begin to appear.
SCP: Fragmented Minds
You arrive at Mars Site-113, a decaying monument to the SCP Foundation's ambition—and its failures. Once the most secure facility, now a cradle of horrors calling you to uncover its secrets. Face relentless anomalies, humanity's darkest truths, and a mission that demands survival above all else.
Butcher's Creek
A first person melee horror game where you use rusty tools to brutalize a gang of serial torturers in the remote Appalachian Forest.
AI2U: With You 'Til The End
You wake up in a cute girl's home who's eager to keep you by her side! Engage with thematic stories, puzzles, and unique AI NPCs who'll go to any lengths to protect you—even when it means contradicting themselves. Bask in meet-cutes or brace for chaos if you try to escape.
Dreamcore
Step into the surreal with Dreamcore, a body-cam styled psychological horror game that plunges you into the eerie beauty of "liminal spaces." Unravel the mysteries of Dreamcore’s non-linear worlds and uncover its hidden secrets. Can you discover what lies beyond the edge of reality?
Matchmaking Inc.
A young single man returns to his hometown and takes over the family's matchmaking business. Matchmaking Inc. is a modern-themed RPG designed for men that combines gameplay elements of simulation management and text adventure.
Chicken Hill
Find 250 Genjouin of various species and hundreds of items for brother KUN. Rescue your frustrated and devastated brother KUN in the KUN space. We are the most devout believers.
Cursed Digicam | 呪われたデジカメ
You receive a cursed digital camera that captures ghosts from a strange website. The website allows you to liberate your loved ones by uploading images of their spirits using the camera. You decide to go to the nearest park where your girl was last seen.
The Inn-Sanity
Early 90s. You stayed in a quiet hotel for just one night and the next morning you’ve found out that the old world was destroyed. Alien dreams, secrets of your past and other guests that are turning into monsters. This hotel will not let you to check out.
My Summer Car
My Summer Car is the ultimate car owning, building, fixing, tuning, maintenance AND permadeath life survival simulator. You start the game with hundreds of loose parts and assemble both car and engine.
Desktop Mate
Customize your PC with officially licensed, super-cute characters using the next-generation desktop mascot platform, Desktop Mate. Characters roam freely on your desktop, sitting on windows and playfully interacting with your mouse. Liven up your desktop with some new friends!
Make Good Choices
You’re just trying to get home. It’s only a quarter mile. One street. What could go wrong.
Winion Virus
Winion Virus is a pixel-art visual novel horror game. It features adorable and charming graphics paired with a dark fairy-tale story full of unexpected twists. As a point-and-click adventure, your task is to fix the errors occurring within the computer.
Office Life
It’s a story about after graduation life of college student. We guess it is a simulation game, besides which type of game it could be? We just want to provide a true real life with you in this way.
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 April 15th 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 152,541 reviews of which 139,683 were positive and 12,858 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 39,746 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.0
139,683
12,858
39,746
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 762,073 reviews of which 730,347 were positive and 31,726 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 13,530 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
730,347
31,726
13,530
players
3. 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 99,802 reviews of which 90,851 were positive and 8,951 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. While seeing 6,926 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among psychological horror games based on player count.
9.0
90,851
8,951
6,926
players
4. 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 64,587 reviews of which 60,364 were positive and 4,223 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 3,591 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.2
60,364
4,223
3,591
players
5. 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 42,827 reviews of which 40,141 were positive and 2,686 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 2,179 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.2
40,141
2,686
2,179
players
6. 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 20,075 reviews of which 17,486 were positive and 2,589 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 1,697 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
8.5
17,486
2,589
1,697
players
7. PICO PARK 2
PICO PARK is back with all new levels! Play with 2-8 players locally or online in this co-op action-puzzle game! PICO PARK 2 is a casual, multiplayer and action game developed by TECOPARK, Gemdrops and Inc. and published by TECOPARK. Released on September 12th 2024 has received 3,206 reviews of which 2,876 were positive and 330 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 1,549 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
8.6
2,876
330
1,549
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 107,104 reviews of which 105,086 were positive and 2,018 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 1,376 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.7
105,086
2,018
1,376
players
9. 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 69,154 reviews of which 63,118 were positive and 6,036 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 1,157 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.0
63,118
6,036
1,157
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 41,296 reviews of which 39,355 were positive and 1,941 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 912 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played psychological horror games.
9.4
39,355
1,941
912
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 April 15th 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 5,658 reviews of which 5,389 were positive and 269 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
5,389
269
-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 54,959 reviews of which 50,192 were positive and 4,767 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 96% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in psychological horror games.
9.0
50,192
4,767
-96%
32.50€
1.30€
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 854 reviews of which 688 were positive and 166 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in psychological horror games.
7.7
688
166
-94%
35.50€
2.13€
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 1,310 were positive and 421 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
1,310
421
-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 4,763 reviews of which 4,219 were positive and 544 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
4,219
544
-92%
12.50€
1.00€
6. Infliction
Wander through an interactive nightmare set within the confines of a once-happy household. Piece together the mystery behind a harrowing series of events while struggling to survive encounters with an entity that relentlessly stands in the way of finding absolution. Infliction is a horror, psychological horror and gore game developed and published by Caustic Reality. Released on October 17th 2018 has received 858 reviews of which 701 were positive and 157 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
7.8
701
157
-92%
19.00€
1.52€
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 671 reviews of which 583 were positive and 88 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
583
88
-91%
12.44€
1.12€
8. DISTRAINT 2
You are Price, a man who sold his humanity to get a partnership from a leading company: McDade, Bruton & Moore. DISTRAINT 2 follows on from the events of the first game. It's a sinister tale about restoring hope and finding your purpose. DISTRAINT 2 is a psychological horror, horror and story rich game developed and published by Jesse Makkonen. Released on November 13th 2018 has received 4,283 reviews of which 4,099 were positive and 184 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
9.2
4,099
184
-90%
8.79€
0.87€
9. Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition
Surrounded by enemies and assaulted by terror from all sides, Philip must collect clues and solve vexing puzzles while combating the gnawing psychological terrors that assail his mind and threaten to strip him of his sanity. Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition is a horror, adventure and first-person game developed and published by Frictional Games. Released on January 23rd 2009 has received 2,725 reviews of which 2,564 were positive and 161 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
9
2,564
161
-90%
9.75€
0.97€
10. Pathologic Classic HD
Pathologic Classic HD is the Definitive Edition of the original Cult Classic Psychological First-Person Survival game. In this unforgettable experience, players control one of three unique characters as they try to save a mysterious town from a deadly plague that cannot be stopped. Pathologic Classic HD is a atmospheric, story rich and survival game developed by Ice-Pick Lodge and General Arcade and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on October 29th 2015 has received 4,005 reviews of which 3,513 were positive and 492 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for psychological horror games.
8.5
3,513
492
-90%
12.99€
1.29€
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 April 15th 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 152,541 reviews of which 139,683 were positive and 12,858 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 39,746 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
139,683
12,858
39,746
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 209,377 reviews of which 201,969 were positive and 7,408 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 589, this psychological horror game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free psychological horror games on Steam.
9.5
201,969
7,408
589
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 73,111 reviews of which 64,708 were positive and 8,403 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 519, this psychological horror game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free psychological horror games on Steam.
8.7
64,708
8,403
519
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 10,266 reviews of which 9,984 were positive and 282 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 167 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
9,984
282
167
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 16,315 reviews of which 14,569 were positive and 1,746 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
14,569
1,746
92
players
6. 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 8,437 reviews of which 7,589 were positive and 848 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
8.7
7,589
848
61
players
7. Saihate Station
An exploration/horror/adventure game about the codependent, love-hate relationship between two men. Saihate Station is a psychological horror, lgbtq+ and horror game developed and published by びぶ/viv. Released on March 07th 2025 has received 1,352 reviews of which 1,305 were positive and 47 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 psychological horror games on Steam.
9.1
1,305
47
58
players
8. 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 10,684 reviews of which 9,713 were positive and 971 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
8.8
9,713
971
52
players
9. Outcore: Desktop Adventure
All you wanted was a nice game. But now you find yourself opening Windows apps like Paint & Notepad to solve puzzles, and searching for files on your computers that you didn't put there... Who is she? Why did she appear on your desktop? Let's dive into her memories and find out. Outcore: Desktop Adventure is a adventure, free to play and psychological horror game developed and published by Doctor Shinobi. Released on September 26th 2022 has received 14,818 reviews of which 14,422 were positive and 396 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
9.5
14,422
396
51
players
10. 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 psychological horror game developed by kikiyama and published by PLAYISM. Released on January 09th 2018 has received 8,414 reviews of which 7,910 were positive and 504 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free psychological horror games on Steam.
9.1
7,910
504
41
players