It’s a classic horror trope; the deep dark forest full of strange sounds and shadows lurking between the trees. But there’s a reason that forests are such a popular setting in the genre, and that’s because it works. Films like The Blair Witch Project have a reputation for a reason, and there are plenty of horror games that take a leaf out of the screen’s book.
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There’s something inherently creepy about a small forest town, especially once night falls. These horror games play off that vibe to great effect.
Expansive open maps leave players feeling vulnerable, and the darkness can really play on fears of the unknown, leaving them feeling watched by unseen threats. When trees obscure the path, it can also feel like there’s no way out, which leads to some claustrophobic situations. These are some of the best horror games set in a forest that serve up plenty of outdoor frights.
The games on this list are those where all or the majority of gameplay takes place in a forest, not those where there are forest sections or take place in forest towns.
13
In Silence
Hunt Or Be Hunted
- Released
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October 16, 2020
- Developer(s)
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Ravenhood Games
In Silence is an asymmetrical horror game about escaping the rake. The rake is generally known as a humanoid cryptid with a penchant for human meat, although in this game appears as a much more disturbing monster; unnaturally fast and strong with a terrible set of jaws.
The survivors can decide whether to escape or fight back but must bear in mind that the rake compensates for its poor eyesight with hypersensitive hearing. The player can also play as the monster, condemning the others as its next meal.
12
Silent Breath
Don’t Make A Sound
- Platforms: Windows
- Release Date: April 5, 2024
- Developer: EXODIAC STUDIOS
Beginning at a cabin in the woods, which also happens to be a crime scene, the player in Silent Breath must find five people missing in the forest before the night is over. To make matters worse, there are grotesque humanoid monsters roaming around with them.
Silent Breath uses the player’s mic activity, restarting the game if they are too loud, which adds an extra layer of tension to the gameplay. There is also an element of mystery, with an unexpected twist that contributes to the psychological horror of the game.
11
Don’t Scream
A Long 18 Minutes
- Released
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October 28, 2024
- Developer(s)
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Digital Cybercherries
Dropped into the woods with a video camera, the player must survive for 18 minutes without – as the title Don’t Scream suggests – making a sound. Being too loud will restart the game, but staying quiet can prove a challenge when the forest is full of distressing encounters.
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Don’t Scream excels in sound design, where each twig snap and distant scream creates an incredibly tense atmosphere. With lots of creepy landmarks to discover, this game covers pretty much everything expected of a spooky horror experience.
Go Cryptid Hunting Solo Or As A Team
BIGFOOT
- Developer(s)
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CyberLight Game Studio
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
Bigfoot, or the Sasquatch, is one of the biggest American mysteries that lends its name to onslaughts of sightings and hoaxes, as well as featuring in a number of films and games. BIGFOOT is a co-op hunting game, with players attempting to obtain proof of the cryptid’s existence.
The hunters can set traps and cameras to track the beast down. Alternatively, one player can take on the role of Bigfoot, protecting their territory. The locations in BIGFOOT are modeled after real national parks using Unreal Engine, making for some immersive gameplay.
9
The Cursed Forest
Taking A Shortcut Leads To A Mystery
- Platforms: Windows
- Release Date: February 26, 2019
- Developers: KPy3O, Noostyche
The Cursed Forest follows an unnamed protagonist, who has found himself lost in a forest after taking a shortcut on the way to the hospital. The player must navigate through the woods to escape, uncovering terrible secrets along the way.
While there is an underlying mystery and objectives, The Cursed Forest is first and foremost a walking simulator. As such, the game has stunning visuals that contribute to a distinctly dark fantasy atmosphere, making it stand out from other games set in similar locations.
8
Through The Woods
A Chilling Experience Based In Norse Mythology
- Platforms: Windows
- Release Date: October 27, 2016
- Developer: Antagonist
In Through the Woods, the player controls Karen, a mother whose son, Espen, has gone missing. Braving a mysterious forested island alone, she embarks on a journey to save Espen from the clutches of his otherworldly kidnapper.
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Inspired by Norse mythology, players will encounter the likes of trolls, elemental spirits, and enchanted animals, as well as beautiful Scandinavian scenery. Through the Woods has an intense unfolding narrative that bridges the boundaries of myth to the real world while exploring other dark themes.
7
Fears To Fathom: Ironbark Lookout
A New Job Entails More Than Anticipated
- Platforms: Windows
- Release Date: October 20, 2023
- Developer: Rayll Studios
Fears to Fathom is a series of horror games, each tackling different scenarios recounted by the survivor. Ironbark Lookout is the fourth episode, told from Jack Nelson’s perspective, covering his trial by fire at his new summer job as a lookout at Ironbark State Park.
The game takes place over multiple days/nights, with increasingly sinister events occurring. The initial rumors of missing people and creatures begin to seem feasible when Jack starts to hear screams and see mysterious figures roaming the forest. Ironbark Lookout is a particularly unsettling game that plays on players’ sense of isolation and helplessness.
6
Red And The Whispering Woods
A Grisly 2D Twist On Little Red Riding Hood
- Platforms: Windows, macOS
- Release Date: N/A
- Developer: Mike Ren
Little Red Riding Hood has been subjected to numerous interpretations and reimaginings, from Hoodwinked to Once Upon a Time. With its premise, the tale has a lot of potential to be adapted into a horror – a crossover that Red and the Whispering Woods does very well.
As Red, the player must visit her sick Grandma, a simple objective that quickly takes a dangerous turn when the wolf begins to hunt her down. Using their microphones, players can control Red’s actions, ultimately determining whether she or the wolf will escape the woods alive.
5
Slender: The Arrival
Escape The Classic Creepypasta
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OpenCritic
-
Top Critic Rating:
57/100
- Released
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March 26, 2013
- Developer(s)
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Blue Isle Studios, Parsec Productions
- Publisher(s)
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Midnight City, Blue Isle Studios
Once known as the page-finding game, Slender: The Arrival was updated in 2023, massively expanding on the story and gameplay, and is now a fully-fleshed horror experience. The player initially follows Lauren who, upon finding her friend missing and her house covered in distressing drawings, embarks on a manhunt, setting into motion a sinister series of events.
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Using a combination of exploration and found footage, Slender: The Arrival weaves multiple narratives together. Alongside the new locations and characters, this makes for a gripping and unnerving experience that still maintains the familiar appeal of the original creepypasta games.
4
Blair Witch
The Deeper Players Go, The More Messed Up Things Get
-
OpenCritic
-
Top Critic Rating:
68/100
- Franchise
-
Blair Witch
- Released
-
August 30, 2019
- Publisher(s)
-
Lionsgate Games
When thinking of a horror set in the woods, The Blair Witch Project is likely one of the first titles that springs to mind. Lost in the forest and surrounded by freaky sounds and the potential presence of a witch, it is no surprise that it has been adapted into a video game: Blair Witch.
While not following the exact narrative, Blair Witch takes place in the same universe as its film counterpart. As former police officer Ellis, the player joins the effort to find a missing boy in the Black Hills forest. However, upon delving deeper, he comes face to face with a much more sinister presence that forces Ellis to confront his own life.
3
Darkwood
A Disturbing Top-Down Survival Horror
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OpenCritic
-
Top Critic Rating:
77/100
- Released
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August 18, 2017
- Developer(s)
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Acid Wizard Studio
- Publisher(s)
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Crunching Koalas
Darkwood is a survival horror, somewhat of a brutal one at that. From a top-down perspective, players must find a way to escape the ominous expanding forest while trying to survive the many horrors that abide among the trees. Along the way, players will meet odd characters, gradually revealing just what is going on.
With so many paralleling plots and different endings, and the lack of given direction, Darkwood has a lot of replay value. Beyond the standard survival mechanics – resource management, combat, stealth – one of the more compelling aspects of the game is that the forest is the real enemy, apparently with a life of its own.
2
Alan Wake Remastered
An Unorthodox Way To Overcome Writer’s Block
Alan Wake Remastered
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OpenCritic
-
Top Critic Rating:
80/100
- Franchise
-
Alan Wake
- Released
-
October 5, 2021
Alan Wake follows the titular author and sufferer of writer’s block who, along with his wife Alice, is visiting Bright Falls on vacation in the hopes of getting some inspiration. The trip quickly becomes a nightmare when Alice disappears and Alan’s own writings seem to be coming to life.
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While there are some segments that take place in the more inhabited areas of Bright Falls, the majority of the game takes place in forested areas where the player must fend off hostile shadow monsters. The game alternates between exploration during the day and combat at night, where the flashlight comes in just as handy as the gun.
Much of Alan Wake 2 also takes place in the forest but varies in location significantly more than the first game.
1
The Forest
More Than Just The Elements To Contend With
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OpenCritic
-
Top Critic Rating:
81/100
- Released
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April 30, 2018
- Developer(s)
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Endnight Games
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op
The Forest is a survival horror game that follows Eric, the lone survivor of a plane crash. Unfortunately, the plane landed in a less-than-ideal spot and the player soon finds themselves scrambling to stay alive. Not only that, there is a much larger operation going on beneath the island that players might have to investigate if they want to find Eric’s missing son.
While the forest in this horror is the player’s friend, offering the resources they will need to survive, it is also inhabited by cannibals who have definitely noticed that there’s a new meal in town. With base-building, scavenging, and stat management, the way the player approaches the game is largely up to them. Overall, The Forest is a fun survival game with story that equally offers plenty of hair-raising moments.
The Forest sequel, Sons of the Forest, has a similar setting and gameplay, but the original game is generally rated higher.
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