Horror in video games has so many sub-genres. From survival horror to horror first person shooters. There’s so much to love about the genre in video games and nothing better exemplifies this than horror RPGs. As a matter of fact, some of the games featured on this list have won multiple GOTY awards and have moved the gaming industry forward with their addictive gameplay loops and unforgettable storylines. Today, we’ll go through fifteen horror RPG video games that have stood the test of time.
15. Fallout 3 - 2008 (PS3/Xbox 360 and One/PC)
Let's Play Fallout 3 Part 1 - The 100% Playthrough!
Released in 2008, Fallout 3 has since become an instant classic. Many action RPGs have modeled their open-world design after Fallout 3, from its branching storylines to its in-depth skill trees that keep players returning to their game. Still, Fallout 3 is a prime example of how to do an open-world video game right. You take control of your own created character, exploring a post-apocalyptic world and its inhabitants. Your primary objective is to find your father after all these decades, uncover his whereabouts, and finish the important work he started.
Why Fallout 3 Is A Fantastic Horror RPG
Now hear me out. On the surface, Fallout 3 doesn’t look like it’d be a horror RPG, and you’d be right to make that assessment. But upon further inspection and having gone through my most recent playthrough, I can’t help but see the game as a solid horror RPG. Most enemies you fight are mutated monsters—some of which are downright terrifying—and you are having to either fight a horde of ghouls one moment or run away from some of the super mutants that will give chase if you aren’t prepared. There are even references to H.P. Lovecraft, such as the Dunwich building, which has its own disturbing backstory that I won’t spoil here. And that’s just scratching the surface.
Fun Factor:95/100
If that isn’t a frightening image, I don’t know what is.
14. Vampyr - 2018 (PS4/Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/PC)
VAMPYR FULL GAME Walkthrough NO Commentary GAMEPLAY "Vampyr Longplay Marathon Edition"
In Vampyr, you play as Johnathan Reid, a doctor turned vampire who struggles with his newfound abilities as a creature of the night and the consequences that come with upholding his oath as a healer, all set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Great War in 1918.
Why You Should Play Vampyr
Vampyr is a rather decent horror RPG that sees you play in a semi-open world through four boroughs that are interconnected with each other. Throughout the game, you must decide to either give in to your vampiristic nature and feed on innocents, which in turn allows you to level up and become a powerful vampire, making endgame encounters rather easy to go through, or you can choose to avoid most combat situations and better cover your tracks as a vampire, but as a result, you are pretty vulnerable to more powerful enemies. Dontnod has struck a sweet balance between action and dialog between the sixty NPC characters you can choose to develop relationships with.
Of course, this wouldn’t be an RPG without multiple endings, and Vampyr has four—one of which you can get by not having killed virtually anyone in the game—encouraging players to revisit its Victorian-era world with some spooky atmosphere for good measure.
Fun Factor: 75/100
Vampyr has a good blend of action, using weapons in tandem with your vampire abilities.
13. Control - 2019 (PS4 and PS5/Xbox One and Series X and S/Nintendo Switch/PC)
Control - PS5 Combat Gameplay | 4K 60FPS
When Control was released in 2019, people didn’t think much of it. It was developed by Remedy, which has a pretty good track record of releasing solid titles, but other than its mysterious plot, there wasn’t much to go off of. To try to explain the story of Control without sounding like a madman is a tough task, but here goes. You play as Jesse Faden, the Bureau’s new director, tasked with defeating the Hiss, an otherworldly entity that has corrupted the FBC’s (Federal Bureau of Control) oldest house and headquarters. Yeah, did you get all that?
Why Control Makes For A Good Horror RPG
There’s so much that makes Control an underrated classic, like its Metroidvania-style level design and its Doom-like combat of dispatching hordes of enemies with various weapons and abilities in tandem with one another, creating some pretty rad combat scenarios. Using basically the force to throw most any ordinary object at enemies, followed up by a good shotgun blast to keep them at bay. But Control has an eerie atmosphere behind it as well.
When not in combat, you’ll be exploring the labyrinth-sized headquarters, collecting notes about disturbing paranormal phenomena, and finding other members of the FBC seemingly suspended in the air until they are triggered and you are forced to fight for your life. Remedy did an excellent job at playing mind games with players, too, shifting the complex at will and disorienting you in the process. Throughout the game’s runtime, you aren’t at peace. You’ll always be ready for a mini-boss fight or fighting off hordes of enemies at once.
Fun Factor: 90/100
A common occurrence in Control. Finding eerie sights like this.
12. Dying Light - 2016 (PS4/Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/PC)
DYING LIGHT Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 FULL GAME [4K 60FPS PC ULTRA] - No Commentary
Quite possibly one of the best open-world zombie games, Dying Light is about Kyle Crane, a secret agent tasked with infiltrating a town and finding a supposed file that could contain a cure to a zombie virus that has ravaged the Middle Eastern city of Harran. Things are made worse when Kyle is infected himself, putting a time limit on his already complicated mission.
What Makes Dying Light A Terrifyingly Good Time
Developed by Techland, the same developers responsible for Dead Island, there was some hesitation surrounding Dying Light after the disappointment of both Dead Island games. To this day, Dying Light is one of the best survival horror RPGs to have come out in recent memory. With a dynamic day/night cycle, parkour combat, and weapon crafting, there’s a lot to love about Dying Light, but it isn’t just a great horror action game.
Dying Light is as harsh as the world it’s set in. Traversing Harran is a lot of fun, but be ready to have your heart rate jump when you are forced to retreat back to a safe outpost as dusk arrives, when running infected go after you relentlessly. It’s a risk/reward system made all the more addictive when you go into the world in search of the best weapons. It also has a cool John Carpenter-esque score that plays as you play.
Fun Factor: 85/100
Kyle fighting off some pretty nightmarish looking infected.
11. Castlevania: SOTN - 1997 (PS1 and PS4/Sega Saturn/PSP/Xbox 360/Android and IOS)
PSX Longplay [369] Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Ah, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. What’s there to say about this title that hasn’t already been talked about extensively? You play as Alucard, who explores Dracula’s castle, which has reappeared mysteriously after the events of the previous series’s title. This particular Castlevania game is infamous for straying away from its traditional game design and introducing a gameplay model that would become the series’s main staple for years to come.
Castlevania: SOTN Is Still Goated And You Should Be Playing It
Symphony of the Night is influential, much like Resident Evil 4 was when it launched. This title introduced a non-linear level design, allowing the player to explore much more freely than in previous titles. Though not necessarily scary, Symphony of the Night still holds up to this day and is a blast to play through. There are various weapons to use and abilities to upgrade here, which made traversing through Dracula’s castle engaging and rewarding to explore. Symphony of the Night laid the foundation for other RPG games in the future and is still highly regarded as one of the best video games of all time to this day.
Fun Factor: 95/100
Alucard in the midst of battle.
10. Blasphemous - 2019 (PS4/Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/PC)
Blasphemous - Full Game & True Ending (Longplay) (No Commentary)
Blasphemous is such a good game. Talking about games Symphony of the Night paved the way for, Blasphemous proudly and deservingly continues to carry the torch for both Soulsborne and Metroidvania-style games. You are the Penitent One, tasked with journeying through harsh lands to seek a sacred relic. Yes, you will die. A lot. Be prepared.
Why Blasphemous Is Worth Your Time
Admittedly, Blasphemous won’t be for everyone. It’s an inherently difficult game with a combat system that is easy to pick up but hard to master. If you’ve ever played a Dark Souls game, then you know the kind of experience you’re getting into. But trust me—you’re going to want to play this game. If you’re patient enough to learn its combat and adjust to its difficulty, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best horror RPGs of all time, in my opinion.
And yes, I did say horror. Blasphemous has an art style that both amazes and disturbs me. Some boss fights have stayed with me simply because of how haunting they look. Even the Penitent One looks frightening, with his barbed-wire helmet that looks like something out of a Slipknot music video. Play this game! It’s so damn good!
Fun Factor: 98/100
Blasphemous’ bosses are some of the most memorable in gaming.
9. Darkest Dungeon - 2016 (PS4 and Vita/Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/IOS/PC)
Darkest Dungeon Gameplay (PC UHD) [4K60FPS]
There’s a reason why Darkest Dungeon is on a lot of horror RPG lists. It’s unmatched. You control a team of characters as you delve deep into dungeons and fight off creatures. Its story is simple. You, as the protagonist, have inherited a manor in which powerful beings have been unleashed by its previous owner. Now it’s up to you to recruit a team of powerful characters to eradicate the enemy.
Why You Should Play Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon is one of the most stressful turn-based RPG games I’ve played. It takes patience and a lot of preparation to go through the game’s dungeons. If even one of your heroes is killed in battle, they are gone for good. And the enemies you fight range from your typical grunts to cosmic-looking beings that will surely test your mettle. Perhaps the scariest thing about Darkest Dungeon is how cruel it can be. It may leave some players hating it—and I can understand if it’s not everyone’s cup of tea—but for those who are willing to push past its initial learning curve, you’re sure to have a good time with Darkest Dungeon. You might have played games like this before. But Darkest Dungeon’s pen-and-ink art style and satisfying combat put it in a league of its own.
Fun Factor: 85/100
Darkest Dungeon oozes with style.
8. System Shock 2 - 1999 (PC)
System Shock 2 (Windows 10) - Full Game 1080p60 HD Walkthrough Part One - No Commentary
Revered as one of the best survival horror RPGs of all time, System Shock 2 sees you playing as a soldier onboard a ship where a genetic infection has occurred. Tasked with putting a stop to the outbreak, you’ll have to gather resources and obtain upgrades that will be crucial to your survival.
Why System Shock 2 Is Still An Amazing Game
System Shock 2 is responsible for another game we will cover on this list, but it is also one of the greatest first person shooters to be released. It’s also pretty terrifying to play. Sure, in comparison to outright horror games like Visage, where it’s all scares every second of the game, System Shock 2 lets you traverse the ship while enemies search for you and robotically moan for you to join them. The atmosphere created here is unparalleled. You won’t ever feel completely safe in the game, and while there is fun combat to be had, you’re still going to want to wipe your sweaty palms after every session.
Fun Factor: 100/100
Sir, can you not come towards me ominously?
7. Bioshock - 2007 (PS3 and PS4/Xbox 360 and Xbox One/Nintendo Switch/PC/IOS)
BIOSHOCK REMASTERED Full Game Walkthrough - No Commentary (#Bioshock Full Game) 2016
Set in the 1960s, you are Jack, who’s enjoying a smoke and taking it easy on a flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Things are pretty peachy. That is, until your plane crashes into the sea and you are forced to take shelter inside a lighthouse that turns out to be an entrance to the city of Rapture. An underwater dystopian city where no one man governs the rest. It’s up to you to try to escape Rapture. Preferably intact.
Welcome to Rapture…
Speaking of Irrational Games, it seemed as though nothing could outdo the success of System Shock 2, but then Bioshock was released and everything changed. Put simply, Bishock is one of the greatest video games ever made. From its engaging story and M. Night Shyamalan twist to its superb gunplay, everything here was made with painstaking detail. Not an inch of this world was wasted. The moment you step into Rapture, you are sure to be entrenched in its hauntingly beautiful ruins. Whether it’s your first playthrough or your twelfth, Bioshock is an experience that deserves your time.
The reason why a game from 2007 still holds up and plays better than most other first-person shooters these days is partly due to its development team and their understanding of what makes a survival horror RPG great, but also because of Rapture’s design. Rapture feels like an antagonist in and of itself. The crazed people who overrun it and their sole desire to see you dead, make for an uncomfortable and stressful experience. The little sisters that hum with their possessed-sounding voices, accompanied by their big daddies, while you explore for ammo or money. It’s all quite horrifying, as it is intriguing to explore.
If video games were to cease to exist and were to start from scratch, Bioshock would make an excellent blueprint to work from. It’s that good.
Fun Factor: 100/100
Sir… Would you kindly back up?
6. Evil Dead The Game - 2022 (PS5 and PS4/Xbox One and Series X and S/Nintendo Switch/PC)
Evil Dead The Game 4K/60fps Longplay Walkthrough Gameplay No Commentary
There’s something to be said about game developers attempting to make the same game with varying degrees of failure or success, depending on how you look at it. The Evil Dead is one such franchise that has seen multiple iterations of video games released to middling scores and has been forgotten largely by the gaming community. The most recent Evil Dead game released last year seems to have nailed the formula, creating a multiplayer-focused experience that will leave you impressed. The idea is simple: you and three other buddies band together as your favorite characters from the Evil Dead franchise as you attempt to banish the Necronomicon from existence.
The Evil Dead Game Is Actually Good
I’m not afraid to admit that I’ve sunk a lot of hours into this one. With a rather strong fan base still championing the game to this day, here are a few reasons why you’d want to play this horror RPG title.
For one, there are four versions of Ash Williams in this game. That means all four of your teammates, including yourself, can play the franchise’s most recognizable protagonist, each from different films and the TV show. Saber Interactive has also shown how massive fans they are of the films, having recreated the film’s cabin down to a tee, including the backwoods that serve as the backdrop of the horror movies. One moment you can be exploring for loot to defend yourself against deadites, the next you’ll be jump-scared by a possessed demon tree. And it’s not just for fun either if you’re not careful, your character can be susceptible to possession if you don’t tend to his or her fear meter.
The combat in the game consists of using everyday tools like sledgehammers, axes, nail guns, double-barreled boomsticks, and the oh-so-precious chainsaw. Each character comes with their own ability tree that you can upgrade and prioritize over others. Maybe you want to be a leader who rallies their team together or a lone wolf who can carry more health items and ammo. The choices are nearly endless. Saber Interactive has actively added more characters and maps to the game post-launch, so don’t think you’re going to be playing a game that is on its last legs.
Though the game is short on story content—if that’s what you were hoping to pick up this game for—there are some single-player missions that are worth going through to unlock certain characters. Playing through the single-player missions gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with the maps, and for hardcore fans, you can earn tapes that give you some flavor text of the world of Evil Dead.
Fun Factor: 86/100
Groovy… Well, the terrifying old ones you have to banish… not so much.
5. Metro 2033 - 2010 (PS4/Xbox 360 and One/Nintendo Switch/PC)
METRO 2033 FULL Gameplay Walkthrough (METRO 2033 REDUX Walkthrough)
The world of Metro 2033 is harsh, terrifying, and oppressive. Based on the novels of the same name, Metro 2033 sees you playing as Artyom, a survivor of a nuclear apocalypse who must venture outside the safe confines of the metro tunnels of Moscow in order to save his people. This first-person survival horror RPG might ring a few bells for those who have played S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and you wouldn’t be wrong to make that assumption as it was developed by some of the people who worked on the game.
Metro 2033 Is An Underrated Horror Gem
Metro 2033 surprised players and critics alike when it was released in 2010. With little to no publicity behind the game’s launch, Metro 2033 was a refined first person shooter with survival horror elements that fans of the genre have come to love. Resource management, from conserving ammunition to monitoring your gas mask’s air filter which is essential to exploring in irradiated areas.
4A Games truly made players feel like they are surviving in a post-apocalyptic world—probably more so than Fallout in my opinion—with a heavy emphasis on stealth in order to evade stronger enemies and making tough decisions like selling ammo (the game’s currency) or using it for yourself to create stronger bullets against the mutated creatures that are featured in the game.
Metro 2033’s success managed to spawn two sequels that expanded in scope, with nonlinear gameplay and moral choices that affect the game’s ending. Metro 2033 is where it all started and is by far my personal favorite of the series.
Fun Factor:90/100
Metro 2033 drips with atmosphere as showcased here.
4. Deadrising - 2006 (Xbox 360 and One/PS3 and PS4/PC)
Dead Rising Full Gameplay Walkthrough (All Survivors, Psychopaths, Overtime)
Frank West is a seasoned photojournalist looking for a big scoop, and he gets it when he is dropped into a zombie-infested mall in Willamette, Colorado. You, as the player, have 72 hours to find out the source of the mysterious zombie virus before your rescue chopper arrives.
Why You Should Play Deadrising
You’re given an entire mall to play in in Deadrising. You, as the player, get to decide how you want to spend your 72 hours. You can choose to play through the game’s story and be treated to plot twists and some corny B-movie dialog that can only be found in B-horror movies. Or you can say, “Screw that'', and skate around on a skateboard and chug orange juice while wearing a toddler’s outfit and dropkick zombies. Either way, you’re bound to have a fun time with this title. Nearly every action contributes to your leveling system: gaining new abilities, upgrading your health and stamina, etc.
Though the game has aged a bit, its controls feeling clunky in comparison to its sequels, and the 72-hour limit being a controversial feature that some players see more as a hindrance than a motivation, Deadrising is still a classic that deserves your time.
Fun Factor: 75/100
He’s covered wars you know.
3. Prey - 2017 (PS4/Xbox One/PC)
Prey 2017｜Full Game Playthrough｜4K HDR
Developed by Arkane Studios, the same developers responsible for the great Dishonored series, Prey sets you loose on the space station Talos I as you play as Morgan Yu, a researcher of scientific experiments revolving around an alien organism called Typhon. Now that the Typhon has been released among the station, you must find a way to destroy Talos I before things get worse. Trust me, there’s more to the plot that I can explain here, but the less I say, the better your experience will be.
What Makes Prey Such A Good Game
Though the plot may not be as interesting as other games on this list, Prey’s rather barebones plot serves merely as a reason to experience a fantastic first-person shooter. Taking inspiration from games like System Shock 2 and Bioshock, Prey carves out its own personality by letting the player decide how he or she will navigate Talos I. It’s entirely possible to avoid most enemy encounters or even use some of the less lethal weapons in the Prey to complete the game, and that’s what makes Prey such an inviting experience.
Prey may feature enemies that seem copy and paste, but the inclusion of creatures like mimics, which quite literally take the form of everyday objects, makes for some pretty memorable and terrifying moments. Oftentimes, you’ll find yourself entering a room and cautiously exploring while paranoia sets in, and then you’ll be hitting everything in the room, from chairs to cups, just in case a mimic doesn’t pop out in front of you. Talos I is also riddled with environmental storytelling, where perhaps you can piece together what went wrong in the foyer of a subsection of the space station. All of this adds to the rather eerie atmosphere of Prey.
The combat in Prey is highly replayable, too. There are a variety of weapons that you can use at your disposal, like a GLOO gun that freezes enemies, which in turn gives you an opportunity to use your handgun or wrench to neutralize them. Or use that same GLOO gun to create a pathway towards a vent that can skip the entire combat sequence all together. Regardless of how you play, Prey will reward your creativity.
Fun Factor: 95/100
This is fine. Everything’s fine.
2. Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem - 2002 (Nintendo Gamecube)
Eternal Darkness Sanity's Requiem [GameCube] 4K 60FPS Walkthrough/Longplay 2020 No Commentary
Good luck trying to find a copy of this highly sought-after and underrated survival horror RPG. You take control of various characters in wildly different time periods as you take on otherworldly—near cosmic horror—creatures.
What Makes Eternal Darkness Unique
Simply put, Eternal Darkness was popular among horror fans for being the first psychological horror game that added a sanity meter that would make for unique gameplay mechanics, like the infamous delete save moment that will terrify first-time players. Additionally, the game distinguishes itself from other horror titles by having a non-chronological story told in chapters that take place in different time periods. Beyond that, Eternal Darkness isn’t far removed from other survival horror titles like Resident Evil, especially in combat, where you must dispatch monsters to progress forward, complete puzzles by combining certain items, etc.
To this day, Eternal Darkness stands in a league of its own. Most people will not have a chance to play it due to the exclusivity on the GameCube. That, and it’s tough to track down a copy for a fair price. But if you’re willing to seek out a copy of this game, I guarantee you’ll have a fun and spooky time.
Fun Factor: 80/100
Open the book. I dare you.
1. Bloodborne - 2015 (PS4)
Bloodborne - Walkthrough Part 1: Central Yharnam
Bloodborne is quite possibly the best horror RPG there is. Developed by FromSoftware, Bloodborne is an H.P. Lovecraft fan’s wet dream. Taking place in the fictional town of Yharnam, you play as a nameless hunter tasked with the same mission as the hunters that have come before you. Hunt beasts and maybe find the source of this ancient plague.
Bloodborne Is The Best Horror RPG Of All Time
To this day, I still struggle to decide which is FromSoft’s magnum opus. Elden Ring or Bloodborne. Strong cases can be made for both. But as of late, I still say that that crown deserves to be bestowed on this colossal title. Mixing a perfect blend of horror and action, Bloodborne is the definitive horror RPG experience. Not only will you hesitate to go through those foggy boss gates, afraid of what cosmic atrocity will try to murder you, but the city of Yharnam is always trying to kill you. From rabid dogs to citizens who are deranged enough to think you are the beast, when in fact it is they who are turning into mindless creatures, every corner you turn and every gothic building you enter, you’re bound to find something that is trying to send you back into the hunter’s dream.
To counter this, you are armed with weapons purposefully designed to cut down your enemies, from a visceral hacksaw to holy blades. You, as the player, get to decide what kind of hunter you want to be. Bloodborne was also the first game to omit shields with guns in their place, adding a sense of dread as you realize you must fight and successfully parry enemies if you wish to have a chance at survival.
To further encourage an offensive playstyle, FromSoftware added a risk/reward system in which a player can regain lost health if he or she forces themselves to keep hacking away, seeing their health return to them if they are successful. And you don’t have to go at it alone. You can summon other hunters (players) to help you with boss fights and areas that are heavily congested with enemies. But beware; it’s not always a guarantee that you will succeed with co-op companions. The world of Bloodborne is cruel and unrelenting; regardless of how much you level up or summon help, it seems like you’re always fighting to stay alive rather than become a killing machine.
There’s a reason why Bloodborne is adored by fans who are clamoring for a sequel. Bloodborne is one of a kind, and it remains that way. For now.
Fun Factor:100/100
Oh yeah, you will die. A lot. Isn’t that fun?
