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Horror hidden gems on Steam
Every game here is tagged Horror on Steam, sits between 1,000 and 5,000 reviews, is rated at least 80% positive, and carries a catch drawn from its own negative reviews. Showing the 60 most reviewed of 171. How these pages are made.
Tattletail95% positive from 4,985 reviews201637% finish itDeck Playable
A first-person horror game where you manage a demanding virtual pet while avoiding its dangerous mother. The core loop involves caring for the pet and stealthily navigating its environment.
What players likedPlayers praise this mascot horror game for its simple, tension-building resource management, comparing it to a "Furby game."
The catchConstantly grooming, feeding and charging the toy turns the horror into tedious chores.
Games like Tattletail →
This is a short, psychological simulation horror game where players answer questions to uncover hidden truths about themselves. It features player-developer interaction and a focus on atmospheric introspection.
What players likedPlayers praise "The Test: Final Revelation" as a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience that's incredibly worthwhile, especially given its low cost.
The catchThe final result is vague horoscope style advice that could apply to anyone.
Games like The Test: Final Revelation →
Summer of '5889% positive from 4,899 reviews20217% finish itDeck Playable
This is a first-person psychological thriller walking simulator. Explore an abandoned Soviet camp to uncover a 1958 tragedy through environmental observation.
What players likedPlayers praise its engaging story and solid jumpscares, offering a short but detailed horror experience.
The catchCheap jumpscares fire so often they kill any tension long before the game ends.
Games like Summer of '58 →
This is a short, narrative-driven visual novel with multiple endings. The core loop involves exploring a classroom and making dialogue choices to uncover secrets and achieve different outcomes.
What players likedPlayers praise its engaging narrative and memorable story, reminiscent of a charming romance visual novel.
The catchMost endings just require sitting and waiting in real time for the clock to tick.
Games like Confess My Love →
Survival horror game where you explore a mansion, solve puzzles, and evade paper doll enemies. It features realistic graphics and an Eastern vibe with a unique soundtrack.
What players likedPlayers praise this horror game as a great, worthwhile experience, often recommending it for its engaging scares.
The catchSeveral puzzles rely on untranslated Chinese clues, forcing walkthroughs to progress.
Games like Paper Dolls: Original / 纸人 →
This is a first-person survival horror game focused on exploration and puzzle-solving to escape a dangerous environment. It offers a terrifying, immersive experience with photorealistic graphics.
What players likedPlayers praise its extreme horror and stunning graphics, comparing it to great VR horror experiences despite being flatscreen.
The catchThe true ending hinges on obscure unhinted steps that basically require a walkthrough.
Games like Resident Evil 7 Teaser: Beginning Hour →
We Went Back86% positive from 4,773 reviews202026% finish itDeck Unsupported
This is a short, retro-futuristic first-person puzzle game where players explore a dynamically changing abandoned space station to escape. The core loop involves finding clues and solving environmental puzzles with a tense, solitary feel.
What players likedPlayers praise its astounding quality, mysterious story, and helpful puzzle hints, making it a short, free experience worth a small price.
The catchIt is a short walking sim with a single puzzle and cheap repeated jumpscares.
Games like We Went Back →
This is a stealth horror game where you sneak into a neighbor's house. Its core loop involves outsmarting an AI that learns your tactics.
What players likedPlayers praise its nostalgic Alpha style and peak gameplay, reminiscent of earlier versions, with multiple ways to reach the basement.
The catchIt is buggy, with objects falling through the map and scripted events repeating.
Games like Hello Neighbor Alpha 2 →
SIMULACRA90% positive from 4,653 reviews201711% finish itDeck Verified
This is a mobile phone horror thriller where players piece together a missing person's story by exploring their phone. It features live-action footage and decryption puzzles for an immersive, realistic feel.
What players likedPlayers praise its interesting lore, memorable characters, and replayability through multiple endings and easter eggs, similar to horror mystery games with jumpscares.
The catchPuzzles feel unfulfilling and grow repetitive quickly
Games like SIMULACRA →
Ghost Exile88% positive from 4,586 reviews20221% finish itDeck Playable
Co-op horror investigation game where players identify and banish ghosts using equipment and voice commands. It's a tense, team-based supernatural hunt.
What players likedPlayers praise Ghost Exile as a deeper, more content-rich, and scarier alternative to Phasmophobia, with unique ghost personalities and exorcism rituals.
The catchVoice chat and speech recognition break constantly, which wrecks the co-op sessions.
Games like Ghost Exile →
A 3D horror exploration game using a LIDAR scanner to reveal a dark, mysterious cave. It features psychological horror and environmental storytelling with a unique point cloud visual style.
What players likedPlayers praise this unique "walking simulator" for its beautiful, atmospheric exploration and innovative visuals, despite its short length.
The catchThe lidar gimmick is the whole game, a short tech demo with little else to do.
Games like Scanner Sombre →
A short free visual novel about a new teacher working in an empty school over the holidays who meets an unsettling girl in a classroom, with two endings and long buried regrets.
What players likedPlayers praise its surprisingly well-written story, despite a confusing English translation.
The catchThe plot centres on an adult's attraction to a 10 year old and treats it casually.
Games like Kid,napper: Gosh, I'm Kidnapped by a Pupil →
SCP: Labrat81% positive from 4,449 reviews20223% finish itDeck Playable
This is a singleplayer/multiplayer horror survival game where players escape SCPs, find items, and manage resources. It features VR support and improved assets over the original SCP - Containment Breach.
What players likedPlayers praise the fun and engaging horror experience, reminiscent of other SCP games.
The catchItems vanish from inventory, saves break, and softlocks force runs to restart.
Games like SCP: Labrat →
This is a first-person psychological thriller where players investigate memories using advanced tech. It features a dystopian 1984 East Germany setting with a focus on espionage and betrayal.
What players likedPlayers praise its deep, emotional, and thought-provoking psychological horror story, often compared to "1984," "Still Wakes The Deep," and "Observer: System Redux."
The catchThe story starts strong then collapses into a confusing ending that explains nothing.
Games like KARMA: The Dark World →
First-person horror action game. Investigate crime scenes and engage in brutal melee combat with found objects.
What players likedPlayers praise its Silent Hill and Seven-like atmosphere, tension, and unique first-person melee combat against disturbing enemies.
The catchThe PC port often drops to a slideshow after ten minutes, and the usual fixes fail.
Games like Condemned: Criminal Origins →
This is an AI companion simulation game where your virtual friend learns and adapts to you. The core loop involves interacting with your buddy, playing games, and experiencing its evolving personality.
What players likedPlayers compare it to Undertale and KinitoPet, praising its well-written, emotional story and unique concept.
The catchThe novelty fades into a slow, repetitive RPG whose combat drags the whole thing down.
Games like Buddy Simulator 1984 →
This is a stealth horror game where you sneak into a neighbor's house. Its core loop involves an AI learning your tactics to counter your exploration.
What players likedPlayers praise Alpha 1 as the peak of Hello Neighbor, offering improved puzzles, a scary neighbor, and a unique art style.
The catchThe build is buggy and glitchy, so hours of play can end with little progress.
Games like Hello Neighbor Alpha 1 →
This is a survival horror game where you use a tablet to monitor security cameras and hide from animatronics. The core loop involves stealthily navigating a dark police station to survive the night.
What players likedNo recurring points about comparisons or praise can be extracted from the provided text.
The catchBugs disrupt play constantly, with animatronics stuck in doorways and dead flashlights.
Games like CASE: Animatronics →
Psychological horror puzzle game where you manipulate physics to navigate a lucid dream. Stealth and environmental puzzles are key to survival.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique horror atmosphere and interesting puzzle design, reminiscent of a puzzle game with horror elements.
The catchThe whole game plus both DLCs is over in about two hours.
Games like DARQ: Complete Edition →
This is a first-person survival horror game focused on physics-based environmental interaction and puzzle-solving. It offers an immersive, atmospheric experience with a focus on exploration and discovery.
What players likedPlayers praise its masterful tension, atmosphere, and sound design, comparing it to other gripping survival horror games.
The catchClunky melee combat against repeated dog enemies wears down the horror fast.
Games like Penumbra Overture →
Mystery adventure visual novel. Explore an island, solve murders, and uncover secrets with a detective and psychic assistant.
What players likedPlayers praise its high production value and creepy monster design, comparing it to a classic Sherlock Holmes novel.
The catchThe adult male lead repeatedly ogles underage girls, souring the mystery.
Games like Return to Shironagasu Island →
Scarlet Hollow98% positive from 4,080 reviews202512% finish itDeck Verified
This is a branching narrative horror-mystery game with trait-based dialogue. Players investigate paranormal events and make impactful choices that shape the story and relationships.
What players likedPlayers praise "Scarlet Hollow" as a deeply replayable visual novel with impactful choices, compelling characters, and stunning art, often compared to "Slay the Princess" for its narrative depth.
The catchStill unfinished after years, with episodes arriving rarely and running very short.
Games like Scarlet Hollow →
This is a single-player horror game featuring animated VHS tapes. Players solve escape room puzzles by interacting with characters who communicate directly through the screen.
What players likedPlayers praise its fun puzzles and analog horror style, comparing it to a playable horror series.
The catchPuzzle solutions are barely hinted, so progress usually means looking up a guide.
Games like Amanda the Adventurer →
This is a pixel-art Japanese horror RPG focused on puzzle-solving and unpredictable sudden deaths. It offers a terrifying atmosphere with remastered visuals and a new difficulty mode.
What players likedPlayers say it's like "Ib" and "medieval fairy tales," praising its story, puzzles, and atmospheric horror.
The catchBarely two hours of content for a full price tag, with the original available free.
Games like The Witch's House MV →
Dark Hours82% positive from 3,995 reviews20259% finish itDeck Playable
Co-op survival horror game for up to 4 players. Players plan heists, steal loot, and survive monsters using unique items and stealth.
What players likedPlayers describe "Dark Hours" as a unique horror-heist game, praised for its fun co-op, creative monsters, and engaging puzzles.
The catchBugged or missing objective items regularly make missions impossible to finish.
Games like Dark Hours →
Lost in Vivo91% positive from 3,936 reviews201829% finish itDeck Playable
Claustrophobic horror set in the sewers. A storm washes your service dog down a broken drain, and chasing it underground leads you past others crippled by fears of their own.
What players likedPlayers praise its psychological horror, oppressive atmosphere, and striking PS1-style visuals, often comparing it to Silent Hill.
The catchThe story lurches into unrelated territory halfway through and never resolves anything.
Games like Lost in Vivo →
IMSCARED95% positive from 3,864 reviews201670% finish itDeck Playable
This is a surreal first-person horror game where players find keys and solve puzzles to escape a nightmare that actively tries to deceive them. It features heavy themes of suicide and loneliness.
What players likedPlayers praise IMSCARED as a unique, masterclass meta-horror game that genuinely scares them with clever mechanics and fourth-wall breaks.
The catchThe game closes itself and plants files on your desktop, which turns tedious fast.
Games like IMSCARED →
This is a point-and-click adventure game where players explore character backstories and solve puzzles to outwit an insane AI. It features adult themes and a dark, psychological feel.
What players likedPlayers praise its immersive storytelling and clever puzzles, reminiscent of classic cryptic point-and-click adventure games.
The catchObtuse puzzles and easy softlocks make a walkthrough close to mandatory.
Games like I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream →
Quake 488% positive from 3,852 reviews2011Deck Playable
Sci-fi military FPS with a narrative campaign and arena multiplayer. Players fight aliens and can become them, using advanced weapons and vehicles.
What players likedPlayers praise Quake 4 as a fun, classic sci-fi FPS with a Doom 3-like atmosphere and cool militarism.
The catchRuns poorly on modern PCs, often locked at 720p until you edit config files.
Games like Quake 4 →
Perfect Vermin93% positive from 3,842 reviews202055% finish itDeck Playable
This is a short, first-person narrative exploration game with timed puzzles. Players use a sledgehammer to destroy office items and exterminate vermin under pressure.
What players likedPlayers praise its short, gruesome horror and intriguing story that tackles real-world struggles like illness and addiction.
The catchCrashes roughly every minute for many players, often before a level is finished.
Games like Perfect Vermin →
Saiko no sutoka92% positive from 3,804 reviews202126% finish itDeck Playable
A survival horror game where you escape a yandere stalker. Her AI shifts between playful obstruction and deadly pursuit.
What players likedPlayers praise its scares and varied game modes, hoping for a future "nightmare mode."
The catchStill an unfinished alpha, abandoned by the developer with no updates for years.
Games like Saiko no sutoka →
This is a Thai horror stealth game where players solve puzzles and investigate to survive a vengeful spirit. The core loop involves evading a female spirit in a mysterious, unsettling house.
What players likedPlayers praise the game's overall quality and experience, finding it a worthwhile and enjoyable horror title.
The catchThe same schoolgirl ghost stalks nearly every chapter, making it repetitive stealth.
Games like Home Sweet Home →
Betrayer81% positive from 3,745 reviews201412% finish itDeck Verified
First-person action-adventure game with a dual-world mechanic. Explore, fight, and uncover a mystery in a desolate 17th-century New World.
What players likedPlayers praise Betrayer's evolving noir aesthetic, comparing its colorization to a "taco style" game, alongside its creepy atmosphere and monsters.
The catchThe world is empty and directionless, so exploring it turns boring very quickly.
Games like Betrayer →
Survival horror game where you play as Boris the Wolf, scavenging for supplies while evading the Ink Demon. It features exploration, resource management, and stealth.
What players likedPlayers praise its engaging randomness, making it a beloved game even after completion.
The catchEvery run is the same collect and hide loop, so it turns repetitive very fast.
Games like Boris and the Dark Survival →
Monstrum91% positive from 3,719 reviews201512% finish itDeck Verified
Procedural survival horror with permadeath and AI predators. Players must outwit or outrun a unique monster on a shifting ship.
What players likedPlayers praise Monstrum as a classic, replayable horror game where escaping terrifying monsters on a ship remains thrilling.
The catchHunting randomly placed items in a huge ship of identical corridors gets stale fast.
Games like Monstrum →
RATSHAKER™93% positive from 3,710 reviews202486% finish itDeck Verified
RATSHAKER™ is a simulation game where players shake virtual rats to reduce a meter. It offers a satisfying, albeit unusual, core loop of pest removal.
What players likedPlayers compare it to GMOD/Amnesia fan maps and praise its unique, unsettling atmosphere and blend of humor and psychological horror.
The catchShaking the rat is the entire, shallow gameplay
Games like RATSHAKER™ →
HOLE94% positive from 3,695 reviews2024Deck Unsupported
A low-resolution, single-player FPS with gun jamming and infinite enemies. Players survive short, challenging stages by clearing jams and returning through microwaves.
What players likedPlayers praise "HOLE" as a tense, high-risk, high-reward extraction shooter with satisfying gunplay, often compared to Tarkov or The Backrooms.
The catchBadly optimised for such a tiny game, with stutter and heavy frame drops for many.
Games like HOLE →
This is a first-person stealth horror game where players explore a haunted university campus, evading a ghost. The core loop involves stealth, puzzle-solving, and uncovering a mystery to break a curse.
What players likedPlayers praise its engaging story and atmosphere, reminiscent of classic Asian horror games.
The catchGhost chases are slow trial and error, with instant deaths forcing constant retries.
Games like The Bridge Curse Road to Salvation →
A short horror anomaly-hunting game where players inspect cabins for hauntings. The core loop involves deciding to "danger" or "clear" based on observations.
What players likedPlayers praise this anomaly-finder horror game for its creative, unsettling atmosphere and well-executed creep factor without relying on traditional jumpscares.
The catchThe rules for what counts as an anomaly are inconsistent, so wrong calls feel unfair.
Games like The Cabin Factory →
A first-person stealth puzzle game where you sneak out of your house. Avoid parents by hiding and solving riddles to escape.
What players likedPlayers praise this complex, addictive, and funny escape/puzzle game for its "Granny vibes" and frantic urgency.
The catchEven on easy mode the difficulty is punishing and progress can stall for hours.
Games like SchoolBoy Runaway →
This is a free, first-person survival horror game with infinite random levels. Players must manage sanity and avoid a roaming entity in a cosmic horror setting.
What players likedIt's a solid, early Backrooms game, refreshing compared to newer "slop" titles.
The catchThere is nothing to do but walk identical hallways and check a watch.
Games like The Backrooms Game FREE Edition →
This is a survival horror game where players use a tablet to monitor animatronics and solve puzzles while hiding. It features online co-op for three survivors facing unique animatronic threats.
The catchEnemies spot you through walls and across the map, so hiding rarely works.
Games like CASE 2: Animatronics Survival →
Retro-style tactical RPG with turn-based combat and party building. Features dark fantasy, Lovecraftian horror, and exploration.
What players likedPlayers praise SKALD as an old-school CRPG like Ultima, with great writing, atmospheric dread, and satisfying tactical combat.
The catchThe strong opening chapters give way to a rushed, empty second half and flat ending.
Games like SKALD: Against the Black Priory →
Happy Game90% positive from 3,538 reviews202156% finish itDeck Verified
Psychedelic horror adventure game. Solve disturbing puzzles in nightmares to make a boy happy.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique surreal horror, art style, and intuitive, varied puzzles, akin to "Amanita after dark."
The catchBeautiful art wraps puzzles that are mind-numbingly easy or just aimless clicking.
Games like Happy Game →
First-person horror exploration game. Survive by confronting a dark entity in an abandoned apartment.
What players likedPlayers praise its short, intense horror with subtle scares and claustrophobic environments, delivering genuine frights.
The catchNothing can actually kill you, so the scares stop landing once that becomes obvious.
Games like From The Darkness →
Survival horror game with stealth and crafting. Explore a twisted school and district, evading a relentless pursuer.
What players likedPlayers praise this 2D survival horror game, comparing it to Clock Tower, for its awesome art, worldbuilding, and Korean folklore.
The catchOne long fetch quest with heavy backtracking that turns repetitive within a few hours.
Games like The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters →
This is a live-action horror game where you play as Maya, using a ghost receiver to uncover a psychopath's secret and save her friends. It blends film and gameplay for an immersive, spooky experience.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique live-action, point-and-click horror, comparing it to classic adventure and horror games.
The catchHiding from the same stalker in samey corridors gets repetitive within a few hours.
Games like At Dead Of Night →
This is a deep web exploration horror game. Players use a simulated computer to find hidden hashes and decrypt the shadow web.
What players likedPlayers find it a unique, acquired taste that's more enjoyable to watch than play, offering a fair yet challenging experience.
The catchNothing is explained and unfair RNG can end a long run, so a guide is near essential.
Games like Welcome to the Game II →
Psychological horror walking simulator with VHS aesthetic. Explore, drive, fish, and make choices to survive a weekend getaway.
What players likedPlayers praise its immersive, cozy, and realistic horror, feeling like a vivid dream or a quality step above similar short horrors.
The catchWeak suspense and scares compared to earlier episodes
Games like Fears to Fathom - Woodbury Getaway →
MADiSON87% positive from 3,354 reviews20225% finish itDeck Verified
MADiSON is a first-person psychological horror game where players use an instant camera to solve puzzles and survive. It features a dark narrative and unsettling atmosphere with randomly generated events.
What players likedPlayers praise MADiSON as a terrifying horror game with smooth controls and puzzles, comparable to Visage, Silent Hill, and Hereditary.
The catchObscure puzzles and no direction mean constant backtracking and looking up guides.
Games like MADiSON →
A short, atmospheric walking simulator with psychological horror and puzzle elements, featuring a VHS aesthetic. The core loop involves surviving a night shift in a Japanese convenience store.
What players likedPlayers praise its eerie J-horror vibe, comparing it to Roblox night shift games, offering cheap, quick scares.
The catchSlow movement and constant fade transitions turn a one hour game into a slog.
Games like [Chilla's Art] The Convenience Store | 夜勤事件 →
This is an episodic psychological horror game with a VHS aesthetic. Players make choices via text messages and voice input to survive unsettling events.
What players likedPlayers praise its immersive, realistic, low-poly PS1-era horror vibe, feeling like a "one quality level above" short horror.
The catchBugs and crashes are common, and sparse autosaves force long replays each time.
Games like Fears to Fathom - Norwood Hitchhike →
Obscure96% positive from 3,183 reviews201424% finish itDeck Unsupported
Survival horror game where players control a group of students solving puzzles and fighting monsters in a locked-down high school. Features co-op gameplay and unique student abilities.
What players likedPlayers praise Obscure as a fun, co-op survival horror game with a teen horror movie tone, reminiscent of classic PS2 titles.
The catchFixed camera angles hide enemies while clumsy aiming makes fights frustrating.
Games like Obscure →
This is a first-person survival horror shooter with a randomly generated gothic castle layout. Players use classic vampire-slaying items to fight enemies in a non-linear exploration experience.
What players likedPlayers praise its well-paced, modern gunplay and atmospheric dungeon crawling, comparing it to Bram Stoker's Dracula and Nosferatu.
The catchThe randomised castle is a maze of identical rooms with no map, so you get lost.
Games like Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi →
This is a visual novel with branching narratives and multiple endings, featuring a dark, psychological mystery feel. The core loop involves player choices impacting the story and its outcomes.
What players likedPlayers praise its intriguing story, great art, and music, often comparing it to Higurashi When They Cry for its psychological horror and mystery.
The catchThe English translation is stilted and redundant, making the writing a slog to read.
Games like Notch - The Innocent LunA: Eclipsed SinnerS →
A folk horror point-and-click adventure game where players solve puzzles and interact with characters to uncover a dark mystery. It features evocative pixel art and an atmospheric soundtrack.
What players likedPlayers praise its excellent voice acting, folk horror atmosphere, and intriguing Lovecraftian story, reminiscent of classic LucasArts point-and-click adventures.
The catchIt starts strong then railroads you into a forced, unsatisfying ending you cannot change.
Games like The Excavation of Hob's Barrow →
A surreal, non-linear puzzle mystery game. Solve handcrafted riddles in an old hotel to uncover an enigma.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique, stylish puzzles and deep, mysterious story, often comparing it to escape rooms, Twin Peaks, and Silent Hill.
The catchThe one button interface has no back option, so exiting menus and puzzles is tedious.
Games like Lorelei and the Laser Eyes →
First-person psychological horror game with puzzle-solving and boss fights. Explore unsettling memories with a cat companion.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique psychological horror, engaging story, atmospheric world-building, and clever environmental storytelling, often comparing it favorably to other survival horror games.
The catchThe strong opening gives way to repetitive levels and unsatisfying gunplay.
Games like In Sound Mind →
Emissary Zero84% positive from 3,036 reviews202536% finish itDeck Playable
Co-op survival horror exploration game with resource management and voice chat. Players explore a changing building at night, completing tasks and avoiding monsters.
What players likedPlayers say Emissary Zero is like Among Us on drugs, praised for its unique co-op horror, fun puzzles, and creepy monsters.
The catchGame breaking bugs lose quest items and softlock progress, forcing full restarts.
Games like Emissary Zero →
This is a 2D survival-adventure horror game where players must run, hide, and explore to escape a relentless killer. It features hand-drawn visuals and a focus on stealth and environmental puzzles.
What players likedPlayers praise its Clock Tower-like survival horror gameplay, hand-drawn art, and evolving stalker monster.
The catchThe stalker spawns on top of you and camps hiding spots, so exploring stalls.
Games like The Coma: Recut →
![[Chilla's Art] The Convenience Store | 夜勤事件](https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/1228520/header.jpg)
