Best Horror Games Releasing in 2024
Last year was a great time to be a horror gaming fan, with many spine-tingling titles being released like Lethal Company, Dead Space and Alan Wake 2. Whether you enjoy deep psychological horrors or more cartoonish spooky fun, there’s something for everyone to play right now.
Drawing upon the successes of these titles, let's explore the dark corners of gaming's nightmares, and dig through the shadows to unveil some of the most exciting upcoming horror games of 2024.
Upcoming Games
Pacific Drive
Releasing on February 22nd, Pacific Drive sees players embark on a driving survival adventure. Developers Ironwood Studios says players will “face the supernatural dangers of the Olympic Exclusion Zone with a car as your only lifeline.” You will have to “scavenge resources, load up your trusty station wagon, and drive like hell to make it through alive.”
From the description and gameplay snippets alone, it seems like Ironwood Studios has a very intriguing debut title on its hands that could be a firm favourite for those who enjoy a chilling first-person experience.
Sons of the Forest
Also releasing on February 22nd is the sequel to the hugely popular title The Forest that debuted from developers Endnight Games back in 2018. Sons of the Forest has technically been available to play in early access for a while now, but it’s set for a full release on the 22nd.
In Sons of the Forest, “find yourself in a cannibal-infested hellscape. Craft, build, and struggle to survive, alone or with friends, in this terrifying new open-world survival horror simulator.”
Alone in the Dark
With David Harbour and Jodie Comer as the stars, you’d be right to think this is a new Netflix special. But it’s actually a reimagining of the 90’s cult classic horror game of the same name from developers Pieces Interactive.
In Alone in the Dark, players immerse themselves in a deep psychological story where they experience the nightmares of Derceto Manor as either Emily Hartwood or Edward Carnby. You’ll have to “explore your environments, fight monsters and solve puzzles to uncover the uneasy truth.”
Alone in the Dark releases on March 20th 2024.
Little Nightmares 3
Supermassive Games is bringing us a third instalment in this eerie game series that is full of equal parts charm and spooks, with no confirmed release date but should be sometime in 2024.
Little Nightmares 3 sees players embarking on a new adventure “following the journey of protagonists Low & Alone, as they search for a path that could lead them out of the Nowhere.” Also for the first time in the franchise, players can “face [their] childhood fears together with a friend in online co-op, or solo with an AI companion.”
With their extensive catalogue of successful horror titles behind them, we’re excited to see what Supermassive Games can yet again bring to the table.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, the sequel to the award-winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice by Ninja Theory is set to release on May 21st of this year. Although not technically classed as a horror game, its dark themes and desolate environments make for an eerie play experience, where Senua’s own mental battles make it hard to distinguish reality from fantasy.
In its description, Ninja Theory says: “In a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland, players follow Senua through her struggles. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.”
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Another highly anticipated upcoming title is the Silent Hill 2 remake from Bloober Team which is apparently coming out sometime this year.
With massively upgraded visuals, this remake lets players “experience a master-class in psychological survival horror?lauded as the best in the series?on the latest hardware with chilling visuals and visceral sounds.” What better way to experience a horrifying tale than with an even clearer picture to see the horrors with… Can’t wait!
Popular Horror Games You Can Play Now
If you can’t wait for one of the upcoming games to quench your thirst for scares, then why not check out some of the most popular horror games of the moment.
Lethal Company
As one of the top sellers and highest-rated games of last year, Lethal Company came out swinging. It’s a co-op horror in which players are employees of the Company and it is their job to scavenge abandoned moons to sell scrap. Although the moons aren’t completely abandoned… there are a variety of dangerous creatures lurking in the dark.
Part of the fun of Lethal Company is deciding whether or not to venture out together as a full crew, or to have some crewmates stay behind to help guide the party from the safety of the ship. Working together, players can use walkie-talkies to communicate to attempt to survive the night and come back safely with their scrap in tow.
Dead By Daylight
Set in a spine-chilling universe, this asymmetrical multiplayer title pits a team of survivors against a relentless killer, each with unique abilities and strategies. With heart-pounding gameplay and an ever-evolving roster of iconic horror characters, including Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and Leatherface, Dead By Daylight delivers intense, adrenaline-fueled matches that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.
Whether you're evading the killer's grasp or stalking your prey, the game offers endless thrills and screams around every corner, making it a must-play for horror enthusiasts.
Poppy Playtime (Multi-Chapter)
Poppy Playtime (Chapter 1) was an instant hit when it came out back in 2021, with content creators on every platform trying it for themselves to see if they could survive the experience. Now with 2 additional chapters to play, the scares just keep coming.
In its description on Steam, developers Mob Entertainment says “Playtime Co. was once the king of the toy manufacturing industry... until everybody inside of the factory one day disappeared into thin air. Now, years later, you must explore the abandoned factory and uncover the truth.”
Staying alive in this horror/puzzle adventure is the aim of the game as you make your way through a seemingly abandoned toy factory. But as always, you aren’t alone. Vengeful toys lay waiting for you within the halls of the factory so use your wits and your handy GrabPack to hack electrical circuits or nab anything from afar. Explore the mysterious facility... and don't get caught.
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4, one of the most beloved entries in the iconic survival horror franchise, got a much-anticipated remake back in 2023, with Capcom at the helm. The game boasts a stunning overhaul with upgraded visuals and modernized gameplay mechanics, bringing Leon S. Kennedy's harrowing journey to rescue the President's daughter into the next generation.
In it, players delve once again into the eerie atmosphere of rural Europe, facing off against hordes of infected villagers and terrifying monstrosities. With enhanced graphics and revamped gameplay, Resident Evil 4's remake delivers an unforgettable experience, blending intense action with spine-chilling horror, and is sure to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 marked the long-awaited return to the unsettling world of the titular character. Developed by Remedy Entertainment, this sequel takes players on a thrilling journey through the eerie Pacific Northwest once again, where darkness reigns supreme and mysterious forces lurk in the shadows.
Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, Alan Wake 2 offers an immersive narrative experience, seamlessly blending gripping storytelling with intense action-packed gameplay. As you trudge through the darkness, you’ll experience both Alan Wake’s and FBI Agent Saga Anderson’s stories and see events unfold from different perspectives.
With Remedy's trademark attention to detail and atmospheric world-building, Alan Wake 2 delivers a gripping adventure that is sure to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike, solidifying its place as a worthy successor to the original classic.
Best PCs to Play These Games
Whether you're braving the eerie depths of abandoned buildings or navigating the chilling corridors of haunted mansions, having the right hardware can intensify the thrills and scares.
So, to help you ensure that your horror gaming experience is at its best, these are the PCs we recommend across a range of budgets.
Lower Budget
If you don’t have the biggest budget, we’d recommend the Horizon Intel Core i3 RTX 3050 Gaming PC.
