Horror games
The genre that uses tension, helplessness and unease as its core mechanic.
What is the horror genre?
A horror game aims to unsettle you before it entertains you. The usual way to do that is to leave the player weak: Ammo is scarce, running is better than fighting, darkness narrows your view and the sound design builds a constant sense of threat. Every moment you feel you are not in control is the genre doing its job.
The genre has its own branches. Survival horror is about managing scarce resources, and fighting is possible but costly. In hide-and-survive games you cannot fight at all; your only options are to run and hide. Psychological horror leans on atmosphere, narrative and uncertainty more than on monsters.
What defines it?
Limited resources and a fragile character make the threat feel real.
What you cannot see is scarier than what is shown; sound design is the genre's strongest tool.
Quiet stretches of tension and sudden attacks are arranged in a deliberate rhythm.
Level design and lighting often do more work than the enemies.
Landmark games
Well-known examples often used to explain the genre. For the list on our site, see the games section below.
At a glance
Horror games (58)
No More Room in Hell 2 TR
Made in Türkiye
Silent Frequency TR
World War Z TR
Alien: Isolation 2 TR
Shift at Midnight TR
Phasmophobia TR
The Prisoner TR
Mimesis TR
Cost of Hope TR
The Sinking City 2 TR
Rehaunted TR
Agni: Village of Calamity TR
Silent Hill: Townfall TR
Resident Evil Veronica TR
Inferius TR
Until Dawn 2 TR
Where Dolls Hang TR
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake TR
Grave Seasons TR
We Gotta Go TR
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu TR
Project Songbird TR
Directive 8020 TR
Fearwoods TR
Latest stories on horror games
Frequently asked questions
What does survival horror mean?
It is the horror subgenre where ammo, healing items and saving are deliberately limited. Every fight becomes a cost calculation, and not fighting is often the right decision.
Are there horror games without jump scares?
Yes. Games known as psychological horror build unease through atmosphere, sound and story rather than sudden shocks. They suit players who enjoy tension but dislike jump scares.
What age are horror games suitable for?
The genre usually targets an adult audience, but not every game goes equally far. Before deciding, it is best to check the age rating and content information on the game's page.