People love a good scare. Some read Stephen King novels, others love slasher films, and many enjoy a nice spooky horror PC game. Horror games are some of the most popular titles every year, but it can be hard to figure out where to begin your scary video game journey. We’re here to help. 

We’ve put together a list of the creepiest PC games, highlighting some of the best horror PC games across a number of different subgenres. Get ready to have your blood curdled. 
 

What makes a game scary?

So many different elements can give scary video game players the chills. They’re varied, and over time these mechanical differences have coalesced into many styles and subgenres. Often, though, you'll find a dark and foreboding environment and the tense feeling that doom is lurking around every corner. Some of the best horror games rely on psychologically disturbing narratives to strike fear into their players. It’s really up to you to decide what’s fun and what's terrifying, and our list below has something for everyone. 
 

11 Scariest PC Games

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Surviving in a zombie wasteland is difficult, and developer Techland’s Dying Light 2 proves that axiom. In this first-person open-world adventure, players must use their parkour skills, combined with a slew of traps and improvised weapons, to help humanity survive. As day turns to night, the zombie hordes become larger and more aggressive, making for some of the scariest zombie apocalypse gaming moments available.

Call of Cthulhu

Based on the H. P. Lovecraft-inspired tabletop role-playing game of the same name, developer Cyanide's Call of Cthulhu takes players on a narrative-driven journey through a world of dark horrors and Eldritch gods. As Private Investigator Pierce, you explore the enigmatic Darkwater Island and investigate the murder of the Hawkins family. As you delve further into your cryptic surroundings, you’ll slowly lose your grip on reality. Can you solve the mystery before madness takes hold? Call of Cthulhu is an excellent blend of psychological horror and tormented visuals.

Outlast

Developer Red Barrels’ Outlast is among the scariest PC survival horror games. Taking on the role of journalist Miles Upshur, you investigate the abandoned Mount Massive Asylum. You must avoid ghosts and monsters as you attempt to survive and escape, armed with little more than your wits and a video camera. Outlast is a game of running and hiding from the hellish creatures hunting you while uncovering the unfolding mystery. It’s an intensely creepy experience.

Dead Space

This 2023 remake of a sci-fi horror classic puts players in the spacesuit of Isaac Clarke, an engineer trapped on a spaceship that’s overrun by deadly zombie-like monstrosities called Necromorphs. Developer Motive Studio’s Dead Space arms you with power-tools-turned-weapons to dismember and defeat the Necromorphs, as you explore the station and try to find your lost love—and escape. Dead Space takes the cold isolation of space-faring science fiction and adds a body horror twist to it that makes it a truly scary video game.

Until Dawn

Developer Ballistic Moon’s remake of Supermassive's acclaimed Until Dawn plays like an interactive horror movie. While you interact with the game by exploring and attempting to save the cast of characters from turning into slasher victims, many of the game's most intense and scariest moments come from the narrative choices you make. Its branching paths and multiple endings mean that you can experience the narrative over and over from different angles. Do you have what it takes to survive Until Dawn?

Dead Island 2

If you’re looking for a solid co-op horror game, look no further than developer Deep Silver Dambuster Studios’ Dead Island 2. Three players can team up to shoot and bash through hordes of the undead, trying to survive in (and escape from) a zombified Los Angeles. Players can freely roam the city as they hack, slash, and shoot their way through all sorts of horrendous creatures. Part of what makes Dead Island 2 a truly gruesome and gory experience is its FLESH system, which makes the zombie’s bodies react realistically to having their limbs hacked through or heads blown off. If you want something scary for you and friends to play together, Dead Island 2 is a good and gruesome time.

Poppy Playtime

Blending cute and creepy, developer Mob Entertainment’s Poppy Playtime pits you against a factory full of demonic toys. Players must solve environmental puzzles to get from area to area, all while being chased by Poppy. It makes for an intense blend of logic and survival horror. Do you have what it takes to survive one of the creepiest PC games out there?

Alan Wake 2

Developer Remedy Entertainment’s long-awaited sequel did not disappoint. Alan Wake 2 blends a fantastic horror story with some truly memorable set pieces. Playing as dual protagonists Alan Wake (a writer) and Saga Anderson (an FBI agent), you’ll uncover a dark tale of intrigue while fighting off creatures of darkness. It really is a must-play if you’re looking for scary PC games with deep stories.

Returnal

Developer Housemarque’s Returnal is a roguelike shooter that blends science fiction and horror at a frenetic pace, featuring some truly creepy environments and creatures. Players take on the role of Selene, a space explorer trapped on a planet. Every time you die, you find yourself back at your crash site. As you progress, you’ll unlock new skills, unravel the planet’s mysteries, break the cycle, and escape. Returnal is an enthralling and often horrifying experience—a great option for players who enjoy fast-paced action in their scary games. 

Inscryption

Horror deck-building roguelikes might not be a huge genre, but developer Daniel Mullins Games’ Inscryption shows even a card game can be creepy and enthralling if done right. Players take on a cursed digital card game on a dark trip through a changing world that slowly reveals its true nature. Inscryption is scary, deliberately disturbing, and a lot of spooky fun. 

Dead by Daylight

One of the most interesting multiplayer horror games is also one of the scariest. Dead by Daylight pits four survivors against a killer ready to hack, slash, and put them on a meat hook. Survivors must sneak, run, and use the environment to escape the killing grounds. You can choose to work together or attempt to escape on your own, leaving everyone else to their doom. Dead by Daylight features procedurally generated levels, so no two playthroughs are the same. It also regularly adds licensed characters from some of the most iconic and beloved horror franchises of all time. 
 

Explore the Epic Games Store’s horror game offerings

This is just the tip of the knife for scary PC games available on the Epic Games Store. There are more and more horror video games being added all the time, so be sure to explore and discover more. And make sure you check out the Epic Games Store's news page to catch up on the latest from all of your favorite developers about all of your favorite games.