The Best Indie Horror Games Out Now

Key Takeaways

• Indie developers excel in the horror game genre, producing innovative and engaging titles.
• A lot of great horror games fly under the radar, most offering unique experiences for players.
• Recent indie horror games like Pilgrim, Tormented Souls, and Detention have earned high Metacritic scores.

When it comes to constant excitement and engrossing mystery in games, there’s nothing better than horror. While horror games used to be mostly produced by companies like Capcom and Konami, the past decades showed us that indie developers are a force to be reckoned with in the genre.

Whether it be the relatively small budgeted turned triple-A giant Outlast or the Taiwanese hidden gem Detention. There are so many to choose from, but today we’re going to rank some of the best, based on their Metacritic scores. In the interest of allowing these games to put their best foot forward, we’ll be using their highest Metacritic scores, as most of the titles listed herein received separate scores for each of their platform iterations.

Updated December 2, 2024 By Matthew Mckeown: One of the biggest downsides of Metacritic is that it’s a bit slow at catching up to the latest indie games. Because some can be pretty obscure before blowing up in popularity, there’s a lot of great horror games that get missed out.

From weird things like Ratshaker, Dollmare, Nuclear Nightmare and Shotgun Roulette, to the unsettling atmosphere of Voices Of The Void, Security: The Horrible Nights, and the chaotic frights of Boo Men. There’s a lot that gets missed out. But, when they inevitably do catch up we’ll be right here with the scores. With that in mind, here’s an updated look at the latest Metacritic scores for the best indie horror games.

Mouthwashing (85)

Dealing With Darker Things Than Dentistry

A dark, bizarre and twisted story-led game from Wrong Organ, Mouthwashing is a claustrophobic horror experience that will stay with you long after those credits roll. You find yourself as part of a five man crew of the spaceship Tulpar. After an accident strands the ship, the crew starts to fall apart and it’s a grim descent the whole way down.

What follows is a journey of guilt, isolation and terror as the once relatively friendly crew slip into vices and other escapes to pass the time and deal with their situation. It’s heavily recommended to go into this game with as little spoilers as possible as the story is one you really need to experience for yourself first-hand. Mouthwashing is an indie gem that landed itself an 85 on Metacritic and it’s well earned.

Home Safety Hotline (76)

Taking The Calls Of Those In Need

An analog horror game that puts you in the hot seat of horror, Home Safety Hotline from Night Signal Entertainment has you manning the phones in a call centre to save lives. Things are going bump in the night and only your advice through the hotline can help.

There’s a large catalog of spooky monsters and events to scroll through and you’ll have to listen to all the little details of each caller in order to find the right solution. It’s a unique spin on the Helpline Horror style of games and its retro visuals provide a lot of charm and really help add to the unsettling vibe Home Safety Hotline is going for. It’s an indie gem that slipped under the radar somewhat, but it still got a pretty hearty 76 from critics.

Rise of Insanity (62)

A Story Soaking In Symbolism

A mind bending journey into the subconscious, Rise Of Insanity from Red Limb Studio is the stuff of nightmares in all the right ways. You play as a psychiatrist exploring the darkest recesses of their patient’s mind and what waits within will need more than a PHD to deal with.

With signs that this particular patient may have had something to do with horrible events surrounding the good doctors wife and child, getting to the bottom of this mystery is imperative. With a plethora of puzzles, a hauntingly good soundtrack drifting along in the background, and a story that dives into the dark recesses of human nature, Rise of Insanity is a game to put on your list. Despite a slightly low 62 on Metacritic, it’s a solid experience that will keep you up at night.

The Void (77)

High Art Concept Horror

If you like your horror to be a tad on the conceptual side then The Void from Ice-Pick Lodge might be one worth picking up. It follows life in a strange place where colour is absent and the world is portrayed in sepia tones, and it’s up to you to try and survive whilst returning a little brightness to this strange Limbo.

It’s a very artistic and odd game at times, with some very strange and lasting visuals that remind heavily of the CGI heavy point-and-click adventure games of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Dark vistas pinwheel away in front of you, bizarre creatures scamper and scurry everywhere, and overall it all works together to create a very alien and ethereal landscape. Landing a solid 77 on Metacritic, if you want some artsy spooks then check out The Void.

Pilgrim (78)

Multiplayer Medieval Road Trip

An Early Access horror game from Desperate Measure that sells itself as a medieval co-op adventure, Pilgrim is an unhinged walk in the woods that you definitely want to go on. The premise is simple, you’re a Pilgrim with a wagon and there’s a very long road ahead of you.

The trail is long, very dangerous and there’s plenty of dungeons, roaming monsters, and other otherworldly threats waiting for you out in the dark. There’s little supplies to go around and whilst your wagon does run on fuel, sometimes it’s safer to get out and push. Pilgrim earned itself a 78 on Metacritic and with it still being early days for the game, it’s already taking all the right steps.

Don’t get caught out of the wagon after dark.

Tormented Souls (72)

90’s Nostalgic Horror

Inspired by the original Resident Evil games with a sprinkling of Alone In The Dark, Tormented Souls from Duel Effect and Abstract Digital is a nostalgic love letter to the golden era of fixed-camera horror games.

The story follows Caroline Walker as she tries to get to the bottom of a mystery surrounding the disappearance of two twin girls on a strange Resident Evil Spencer Mansion-esque Estate. What follows is an unhinged descent into body horror, psychological torment, and some very solid and tight gameplay. Highly recommended for horror fans, Tormented Souls landed itself a 72 on Metacritic and it definitely earned it.

Detention (83)

Tormening Thai Horror

An enjoyable and highly rated Thai horror game that more people need to be talking about, Detention from Red Candle Games is a 60’s style atmospheric horror that will chill you to your core. Brimming with Thai and Chinese culture, it’s a tour de force of great concepts and unique Asian art.

After finding yourself stuck in Greenwood High School, a remote school set in a fictitious 60’s version of Taiwan under Martial Law, it’s up to you and your friend to escape. What follows is a point-and-click adventure to stop an ancient evil, unveil the dark past of the school, and get home alive. Detention landed itself an 83 on Metacritic and if you try it, you’ll see why.

If you enjoy puzzles, there are plenty of them in Detention.

Nightmare Of Decay (74)

Old School Zombie Blaster

With a name like a Nurgle-themed Warhammer 40K Black Library book, Nightmare Of Decay from Checkmaty grabs your attention right out of the gate. This first-person shooter is oozing in classic Boomershooter energy, but at a slightly slower pace and all of it is incredibly enjoyable.

The premise is also lovably simple. You go to bed one night and wake up in a Manor filled with Zombies, Cultists, and a legion of other otherworldly beasts and decide that they all need to die. Along your way are a host of expected and odd weaponry across the massive mansion and unless you watch your ammo count, it’s curtains for you. With a Metacritic score of 74, Nightmare Of Decay is simple, soaked in gore, and great for a spooky evening at home.

Darkwood (80)

Petrifying Polish Folklore

The product of a three-man studio in Poland called Acid Wizard Studio, Darkwood is one of those rare must-plays that pops up from time to time over the years. It sinks deep into its Polish roots to pull the scariest imagery, concepts, monsters, and other unnerving fiends from the dev team’s culture and it all works incredibly well.

It’s a top-down survival horror game set in a seemingly unending forest that’s filled with hideous creatures and other strange yet at times helpful denizens. Explore the randomly generated zones during the day, scavenge supplies, and then fortify your home at night from the rampaging monsters. All whilst trying to find you how and why you’re in the forest. Darkwood earned an 80 on Metacritic, and it comes extremely highly recommended for indie horror fans.

There is no tutorial for Darkwood, they throw you right in the deep end. So read a guide or two to prep if you want an easier time getting started.

Crow Country (83)

Classic Retro Horror, With A Twist

Channeling mid-90s horror game energy, Crow Country from SFB Games is a very enjoyable slow-burning indie game that captures all that classic spooky nostalgia. It’s 1990, and it’s been two years since Edward Crow, the eccentric owner of a theme park, went missing.

You play as Mara Frost, a young girl who’s arrived at the now-closed and ramshackle park in search of answers. Venture deep into Crow Country and learn the true nightmare at the bottom of this broken-down park. Absolutely worth sticking to the very end, Crow Country earned a score of 83 on Metacritic for a good reason.

Still Wakes The Deep (73)

The Most Accurate Scottish Voice Acting So Far

It’s not often that you find a Scottish horror game, but they’re always pretty good when you do. Still Wakes The Deep from The Chinese Room portrays the horror of the unknown ocean depths absolutely perfectly. Though relatively short in length and simple in story-telling, there are a lot of bold adaptations of body horror that are worth seeing.

You’re stuck on an isolated oil rig that’s disturbed something far below. The crew has begun to mutate and as everything starts to burn and fall apart, it’s up to you to try and survive as best you can. The rig itself is absolutely huge and there are a lot of tense yet not too obtuse stealth sections to encounter as you crawl around the mechanical monstrosity. Received well by all and landing a respectable 73 on Metacritic, Still Wakes The Deep comes highly recommended.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game (66)

Surprisingly Solid Classic Horror Turned Co-Op Game

A cult classic comedy horror turned asymmetric horror game, Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game from IllFonic and Teravision Games is ideal for fans of the bizarre b-movie from 1988. The Klowns are back and harvesting another town and it’s up to you to stop them or join in.

Play as either the Klowns or Survivors as you wage war on each other in the remains of the town. Harvest people as the Klowns or bonk those otherworldly invaders back where they came from. Plus if you die, it’s not the end. Survivors can play odd little minigames to help their friends and slow down the Klowns before they get everyone in Crescent Cove with their comically colored ray guns. It’s a unique blend of PvPvE that’s enjoyable on your own and even better as a group. Despite a slightly shaky score of 66, Killer Klowns is an enjoyable Indie Horror alternate for those burned out on Dead By Daylight.

Fun Fact: The fear of Clowns is known as Coulrophobia.

No One Lives Under The Lighthouse (70)

Abstract, Artistic, And Absolutely Unnerving

An Indie Horror game that needs to be on more people’s playlists, No One Lives Under The Lighthouse from the Marevo Collective is the prime example of being able to do a lot with very little. Dripping with atmosphere and legitimately mind-bending up until the end credits, this game is highly recommended.

The last Lighthouse Keeper has disappeared and its up to you to keep the signal light going in your small isolated island off the coast of the US. However, you’re not alone out there and there is definitely something underneath the Lighthouse and they’re not happy about the new tenant. No One Lives Under The Lighthouse got 70 on Metacritic and it’s honestly a fair take on an enjoyable indie horror experience.

Spirit Hunter: Death Mark 2 (83)

Superbly Scripted Survival Horror

A suspenseful story-driven Japanese horror game, Spirit Hunter: Death Mark 2 from Ghostlight is a surprisingly solid sequel to a very niche game. Set at a prestigious academy in Tokyo that’s crawling with ghosts and ghouls at night. After a student mysteriously dies, it’s up to the Kujo Family head to take on the case and find out what’s been happening in the shadows of the school.

There’s a cast of characters to get to know, a huge building to explore and some genuinely tricky investigation tasks and observation skill checks that will test your detective abilities to the limit. The spirits are restless, the students aren’t who they seem to be and there’s a spirit called The Departed that seems to be behind it all, so be brave detective. With a satisfying score of 83 on Metacritic, Spirit Hunter: Death Mark 2 is a very enjoyable evening in solving spooky crimes.

Pacific Drive (79)

Interdimensional Station Wagon Adventures

An Indie horror game that’s definitely worth a spot on your Wishlist, Pacific Drive from Ironwood Studios blends survival and car repair in otherworldly dimensions. Your beat-up family Station Wagon is your transport, only companion and home away from home as you cross the Olympic Exclusion Zone.

Reality is constantly crumbling and the world shifts differently with each new trip across the zone, your car can be modded with all sorts of equipment and upgrades, plus it develops all sorts of odd quirks. Such as opening doors or the trunk on its own. It’s just you and your car against the supernatural horrors lurking out there in the wilds, so roll up those windows, lock your doors, and try to keep on the road. Plus, for all its great efforts Pacific Drive was rewarded with a 79 on Metacritic.

Whilst going off-road can help you navigate some treacherous spots, you run a higher risk of your tires deflating or worse, bursting when you have no spare. Your car is your only lifeline, so keep it safe.

The Thaumaturge (74)

Wandering Around A Haunted Warsaw

A story-driven RPG from Fool’s Theory, the team behind the isometric stealth game Seven. The Thaumaturge is an exploration into the dark horrors lurking within Warsaw during the 20th century.

Creepy cryptids from traditional Polish folklore, and whilst not all of them are hostile, your choices can still lead you down a dark path. Survive the purges of the Russian Tsar and use your gift to see between the veil of life and death to your advantage as you solve various mysteries. But don’t take our word for it, it got 74 on Metacritic for a reason.

Just like their last game Seven, gameplay in the Thaumaturge is turn-based. So combat isn’t too overwhelming.

Forgive Me Father (71)

Loosing Some Rounds At Lovecraftian Nightmares

A super stylish Eldritch ‘Boomer-Shooter’, Forgive Me Father from Byte Barrel comes highly recommended for those that enjoy anything Lovecraftian. You play as one of two characters that sets off on a journey to recover their memories in a town that’s crawling with the otherworldly.

The art style is superb and each abomination you run into has their own unique mechanics and look so good that you’ll be distracted trying to look at their character model as they try to murder you. The weapons feel good and chunky to use and there are some unique powers and skills that can give you an edge against the hordes of nightmare creatures you’ll encounter. It’s so good that it got itself a 71 on Metacritic.

Whilst you’ll want to sprint through this game like Doom, it’s worth taking a slightly slower pace as some of those monsters hit very hard.

Boltgun (75)

The Best 40K FPS Around

Emperor be praised, we finally have a great Warhammer FPS to recommend and Boltgun is a must-play for any fan of 40K. A spin-off to Space Marine, Boltgun from Auroch Digital has you playing as Malum Caedo, a member of the illustrious Ultramarine Chapter of the Space Marines.

Sent to recover a Chaotic Artifact, Caedo has the hordes of Darkness in front of him and only the finest weapons of the Imperium at his disposal. From the classic Bolter to Plasma Pistol and more as well as a big meaty Chainsword to swing as you sprint around like an aggressive two-legged tank. It’s super satisfying to play, went down well with everyone, and easily scored a well-earned 75 on Metacritic.

Having a familiarity with Warhammer can help with this game, but it’s not mandatory as you can go in blind and still enjoy the delightfully vicious and violent gameplay.

Darkest Dungeon 2 (81)

Bringing The Mentally Broken Band Back Together

A roguelike road trip that took what made its predecessor successful and put that show on the road, Darkest Dungeon 2 from Red Hook Studios is a brilliant return to form for a classic Indie horror game. The familiar classes are back, as well as a few new ones, and this time your journey into the darkness is up to you as you pick the routes your wagon takes.

The monsters are bigger and more varied, and there’s some really nasty attacks waiting for the unprepared. The familiar turn-based combat also makes a return and it’s sleeker than before. If you wanted a Darkest Dungeon game with a whole lot more then the sequel is a great option. So much so it earned itself a respectable 81 on Metacritic.

It helps to familiarize yourself with the attack order of your party as it can work against you at the worst moments.

Blasphemous 2 (84)

Satisfyingly Sinful

Awaken oh Penitent One, there is much work still to do. A terrifying blend of Dark Souls and Metroid, Blasphemous 2 is the sequel to the incredibly successful and gorgeous art-filled original. This time around the story is following up after the events of the Wounds of Eventide DLC from the first game.

The land is once again crawling with monsters, deadly traps, and brutal boss fights that will take every ounce of your skill to defeat. The world and its foes can be tackled in any order you like, and there’s plenty of horrific and holy weaponry to tear them apart. Although it didn’t quite hit the same nerve as the original, Blasphemous 2 went down incredibly well with critics, scoring an average of 84 and whilst not quite becoming a cult-classic like its predecessor, it still managed to fill those shoes pretty well.