The Best Indie Horror Games Out Now

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.

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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 April 26, 2025 By Matthew Mckeown: The Indie horror game scene is always abuzz with something new. From small teams cranking out a sleeper hit that spreads to every big name streamer, or large studios blowing their budget on a surprisingly solid scare-fest.

The point is the indie scene is where the fun stuff is. The most creative and downright odd games always float out from those murky depths of Early Access, and it’s always worth wading into it to see what you can fish up. To help you in your hunt, here’s an updated look at the best indie horror games out now according to Metacritic.

Finding Frankie (63)

Parkour Peril

Finding Frankie

Released

October 25, 2024

ESRB

Rating Pending

Developer(s)

SUPERLOU

Publisher(s)

SUPERLOU, Perpetual Europe

Engine

Unreal

Cross Save

No

A high-speed horror game that’s been taking the streaming scene by storm, Finding Frankie from Superlou is worth checking out. The premise is simple, you’re stuck in funpark from hell and there’s a mutated mascot on your tail. To survive you’ll need to duck, dip, dive, dodge and swing your way to success.

It’s a chaotic platformer that takes its own spin on the idea of being hunted by a murderous mascot, and it’s really nailing its particular niche. There’s some background lore to pick up as your parkour way through, and overall it’s an exciting and enjoyable experience. Especially when the platforming starts to add more layers later on. It landed 63 on Metacritic, and it’s a game worth adding to your wishlist.

Cultic (79)

New Game In A Classic Skin

Cultic

Systems

Released

October 13, 2022

ESRB

nr

Engine

Unity

Don’t let the retro aesthetic fool you, Cultic is very much a modern game. This enjoyable ‘boomer shooter’ inspired horror game comes from Jasozz Games, and it’s an overwhelmingly positive pick for any fan of frantic first-person shooters.

After crawling from your grave your goal is for only one thing, vengeance. Blast your way through an army of cultists as you seek to sink your axe into the heads of those that wronged you. A challenging callback to the classics, Cultic sits on 79 on Metacritic and it’s honestly a game that you’ve got to pick up.

Look Outside (83)

The Worlds Worst Apartment Complex

A simple styled survival horror RPG from Francis Coulombe, Look Outside locks you down inside a building from hell. The halls are filled with all sorts of retro looking horror, and you’ll have to scavenge supplies in order to survive.

Combat is turn-based, and it works in its favor as some of the creatures you’ll encounter are something you wouldn’t want to deal with any other way. The world is a chaotic place to crawl through, but you’ll need to get out there in order to make it through another day. Look Outside landed itself an 83, and it’s deserved as it’s put together extremely well. Definitely give this one a go.

Stygian: Outer Gods (81)

Visiting An Eldritch Village

An Eldritch themed Early Access game, Stygian: Outer Gods from Misterial Games is a reality altering adventure into the unknown. A surprisingly solid survival horror RPG, Stygian: Outer Gods throws everything it can at you that it dredges up from the Lovecraftian lexicon.

There’s some unique encounters, and a lot of unsettling characters and creatures to deal with as you witness the events surrounding Black Day in the foggy settlement of Kingsport. Reunite with your missing father, uncover the town’s dark secret, and survive an encounter with the occult. It landed an 81 on Metacritic, so Stygian: Outer Gods is certainly swinging some good gameplay.

Withering Rooms (76)

Procedurally Generated Peril

Withering Rooms

Released

April 5, 2024

Developer(s)

Moonless Formless

Publisher(s)

Perp Games

Engine

Unity Engine

Number of Players

1

Steam Deck Compatibility

Playable

A terrifying tale with an odd perspective, Withering Rooms from Moonless Formless is an interesting Dickensian detour into horror that more people need to be aware of. It’s a side-scrolling affair through a procedurally generated Victorian manor that’s seen better days.

But these forlorn halls are far from empty as strange creatures and nightmarish monstrosities prowl the forgotten stairwells and lobbies. There’s RPG mechanics to build up your character for each run through the house, bosses to beat, secret passages to find, and a magic system that rewards you for thinking creatively. Withering Rooms is sitting on a satisfying 76 on Metacritic, so its solid score is a good selling point.

The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication (72)

Terrific Taiwanese Terror

The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication

ESRB

Mature 17+ For Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language

Developer(s)

SOFTSTAR ENTERTAINMENT

Publisher(s)

PQube

Engine

Unreal Engine

Number of Players

1

Steam Deck Compatibility

Verified

Found footage horror fans will feel right at home in this horror game. The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication from Softstar Entertainment may sound like a mouthful, but don’t let that fool you. This is a surprisingly solid horror game that hits those horror tropes very well.

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The story’s perspective bounces between four separate film club students from Wen Hua University in Taiwan. After making a viral video one night to attract more members, the line between fiction and reality starts to blur. Keep the camera rolling and try to make it out alive as a decades old mystery starts to surface in the middle of the night. Landing a 72 on Metacritic, The Bridge Curse 2 is worth checking out.

Sorry We’re Closed (88)

Avant Garde Adventures

Sorry We’re Closed

Released

November 14, 2024

Publisher(s)

Akupara Games

Steam Deck Compatibility

Unknown

If you love horror games that are just bizarre from top to bottom, then add Sorry We’re Closed from à la mode games. This single-player survival horror throws you into the deep end with an unsettling story, top-down mixed with first-person combat gameplay and art choice that is stylish yet captivating.

In a world of Angels and Demons that look right out of a Suda51 game, you follow Michelle in her final days as she fights to shatter a curse placed on her by an amorous demon. With multiple endings, an engaging combat system, and an aesthetic that leaves you wanting more, Sorry We’re Closed landed 88 on Metacritic for all the right reasons.

Indika (80)

Learning Life Lessons With Lucifer

Indika

Released

May 8, 2024

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

Developer(s)

Odd Meter

Publisher(s)

11 Bit Studios

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

A mind-bending journey into the psyche of a very isolated woman, Indika from Odd Meter is a mix of videogame and arthouse experience in an alternate Russia in the olden days. Set within a nunnery, Indika follows one woman’s chaotic journey from the convent out into the bitter cold beyond.

With only the Devil himself keeping her company at times, Indika’s tale of self-discovery, betrayal and finger-puppets is a rollercoaster of emotions and terror you’ll not want to get off from. You’re never quite sure what sad step the story will take next, but considering it landed an 80 on Metacritic, Indika’s certainly doing something right.

Mouthwashing (85)

Dealing With Darker Things Than Dentistry

Mouthwashing

Released

September 26, 2024

Developer(s)

Wrong Organ

Publisher(s)

Critical Reflex

Engine

Unity

Number of Players

1

Steam Deck Compatibility

Verified

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

Home Safety Hotline

Systems

Released

January 16, 2024

ESRB

nr

Engine

Unity

Steam Deck Compatibility

Playable

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.

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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.

Tormented Souls (72)

90’s Nostalgic Horror

Tormented Souls

Released

August 27, 2021

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mild Language, Partial Nudity

Developer(s)

Dual Effect Games

Publisher(s)

PQube

Engine

Unity

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 Taiwanese Horror

Detention

Released

January 12, 2017

ESRB

m

Developer(s)

RedCandleGames

Publisher(s)

RedCandleGames, AGM PLAYISM

Engine

Unity

An enjoyable and highly rated Taiwanese 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 Taiwanese 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 the island 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.

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

Darkwood

Released

August 18, 2017

ESRB

m

Developer(s)

Acid Wizard Studio

Publisher(s)

Crunching Koalas

Engine

Unity

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.

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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.

Crow Country (83)

Classic Retro Horror, With A Twist

Crow Country

Systems

Released

May 9, 2024

ESRB

m

Developer(s)

SFB Games

Publisher(s)

SFB Games

Engine

Unity

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

Still Wakes the Deep

Released

June 18, 2024

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Use of Tobacco, Strong Language

Developer(s)

The Chinese Room

Publisher(s)

Secret Mode

Engine

Unreal Engine 5

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

Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game

Released

June 4, 2024

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes

Developer(s)

Illfonic, Teravision Games

Publisher(s)

IllFonic Publishing

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

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.

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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.