What horror game is everyone playing?

Horror game fans have greatly benefited from the rise of online gaming, with many popular titles and franchises starting as free-to-play indie games. Steam has become a prime platform for indie game developers to showcase their work, offering a large audience. For players, this means a constant influx of new free-to-play games to discover. In the horror genre specifically, there is a growing number of fantastic free-to-play horror games available on Steam. Here are some of the best ones.

After Hours

Steam Rating: Mostly Positive (All Reviews)

After Hours may not be perfect, but its atmospheric excellence more than compensates for any rough edges. The game's setting and sound design create an unnervingly spooky experience. Set in an abandoned hospital, players must explore and escape while being stalked by a mysterious creature. Stealth and silence are crucial for survival, but there are no guarantees.

Alien Swarm

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

Valve's top-down shooter Alien Swarm, despite being over a decade old, remains enjoyable to this day. The game offers cooperative multiplayer, a rarity in the free-to-play market. While it may not rely on jump scares or shocking imagery, the tension builds when players are surrounded by swarms of aliens. The game rewards players with satisfying power-ups and weapon drops.

Alpha Polaris: A Horror Adventure Game

Steam Rating: Mostly Positive (All Reviews)

Alpha Polaris: A Horror Adventure Game is a solid example of a post-2000 point-and-click adventure. Released in time for Halloween 2015, it boasts an excellent story, thought-provoking puzzles, and a suitable art style. It aims to shock players through immersion, atmosphere, and suspense rather than cheap thrills or jump scares. Fans of Lovecraftian horror will appreciate this game.

Ann

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

Ann draws inspiration from RPG Maker horror games and presents a well-presented free-to-play passion project. It features high-quality animation and traditional 2D sprite-based gameplay. Although the storyline may not be exceptional, the puzzles and chase scenes are enjoyable, despite some issues with controls.

At Home Alone Final

Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (All Reviews)

At Home Alone Final, as the title suggests, had a long development process before its release in 2022. While it may be more spooky than terrifying, the game's cutesy and colorful art style combined with dark themes and imagery creates a creepy atmosphere. Although it starts slowly and has some translation issues, it is an excellent free-to-play horror game overall.

BABBDI

Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (All Reviews)

Set in a forsaken district on the outskirts of a sprawling megalopolis, BABBDI is wonderfully unsettling. The desolate streets and humanoid creatures create a sense of strangeness. Players must find a way to escape while exploring the town's many hidden secrets. The game offers no combat but provides ample exploration opportunities. It is one of the best free horror games on Steam.

Cry of Fear

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

Cry of Fear, a unique combination of Silent Hill and Half-Life, is one of the most popular horror games of all time. It offers an 8-hour campaign, multiple ending scenarios, a co-op mode, and a diverse modding community. Despite the heavy weaponry, the game effectively creates a feeling of helplessness, with limited resources and unexpected scares.

Cursed

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

The Cursed trilogy by Disaster Squad Productions may not be well-known, but it is full of passion. While it may not be particularly scary, the games are enjoyable for players. Each installment improves visually and gameplay-wise, showcasing the developer's growth. It will be interesting to see what they create next now that the trilogy is complete.

Dagon: by H.P. Lovecraft

Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (All Reviews)

Dagon: by H.P. Lovecraft is an immersive free-to-play horror game inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. It can be played in VR mode or without a headset. The game can be completed in under half an hour, but its atmosphere and visual novel style make it worth revisiting for another spooky experience.

Dark Deception

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

Dark Deception is reminiscent of Pac-Man, but with a dark twist. Players navigate a giant maze with terrifying monkey bellhops instead of ghosts. The rundown hotel provides no safe havens, keeping players on edge throughout the game. The fear of encountering one of the evil monkeys or being chased increases the tension.

Dark Fracture: Prologue

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

Dark Fracture: Prologue is a promising free-to-play first-person horror game. It offers a disturbing atmosphere, thought-provoking puzzles, and an introduction to the main character. As a stand-alone game, it provides a taste of what players can expect in the full release. The visuals and audio create an immersive experience, delving into the character's tortured mind.

Deathly Stillness

Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (All Reviews)

Though initially intended as a tutorial, Deathly Stillness has become one of the best free horror games on Steam. It offers a satisfying third-person shooter experience, complete with zombies and powerful weapons. The game features striking visuals and character customization mechanics that enhance the gameplay.

Deceit

Steam Rating: Mostly Positive (All Reviews)

Deceit is an asymmetrical multiplayer game that offers both infected and survivor gameplay. The mysterious setting and blackout periods create a sinister atmosphere. Players must remain on guard throughout the game, as they never know when an infected may strike. Quick thinking is necessary, especially when faced with an infected in terror form.

Dissonance

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

Dissonance is an atmospheric horror game with deliberate art style choices. The abandoned research facility and creatures create tension and perplexing puzzles. While mechanically and visually simple, the game draws players into its SCP-inspired world effectively.

Doki Doki Literature Club

Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (All Reviews)

Doki Doki Literature Club is a psychological horror visual novel that breaks down the facade of a raunchy fan-service game. It offers a refreshing take on the visual novel genre, providing a disturbing and intriguing experience. Fans of Japanese horror cinema will appreciate its supernatural elements.

Don't Be Afraid - The First Toy

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

Don't Be Afraid - The First Toy is designed to be spooky in every aspect. The game's setting and imagery create a chilling atmosphere. Players assume the role of Jamie, a young boy kidnapped by a psychopath. The game offers terrifying imagery accompanied by a simple yet effective score.

Empty Shell: Prologue

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

Empty Shell: Prologue is a highly atmospheric free-to-play horror game. Its deliberate art style adds to the tension and suspense. The game features enemies, puzzles, and a rich lore for players to immerse themselves in. The roguelike design elements provide a challenge for players who enjoy difficult games.

Entropy: Zero 2

Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (All Reviews)

Entropy: Zero 2 is a free Half-Life 2 mod that offers new enemies, weapons, and an overhauled combat system. It allows players to command squads of soldiers in exploring the Arbeit Communications facility. While not strictly a stand-alone game, it is worth mentioning due to its positive reception and the popularity of Half-Life 2.

Estigma

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

Estigma is a relatively straightforward game with a satisfying gameplay loop. It may not seem like much at first glance, but its simplicity is part of its charm. Players navigate mazes while avoiding deadly creatures. The visually striking game creates a fast-paced and exhilarating experience.

EXIT 2

Steam Rating: Very Positive (All Reviews)

EXIT 2 is a short and simple game that requires players to navigate mazes without getting caught. The game draws inspiration from early first-person shooters like Doom and Wolfenstein 3D. It offers a challenging experience, with players needing to outsmart the monsters. The developer continues to support the game with updates and even added a multiplayer mode.

These are just some of the best free-to-play horror games available on Steam. Whether players are looking for atmospheric experiences, psychological horror, or challenging gameplay, there is something for everyone. These games showcase the creativity and talent of indie game developers in the horror genre.