The Best Horror Games to Play in 2023

Horror games are an excellent way to experience fear and excitement in a fun and interactive way.

Marius
9 min readApr 14, 2023

If you’re a horror fan, then you’re in the right place. It’s never too late to play some of the best horror games of all time. You can get cozy and have some spine-tingling fun at any time. There are plenty of horror games out there to try, whether you want to be terrified or just have some fear-fuelled laughs.

  1. Resident Evil 4 remake
  2. Resident Evil 2 remake
  3. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
  4. Resident Evil: Village
  5. The Dark Pictures Anthology: House Of Ashes
  6. The Quarry
  7. Signalis

The list was last updated: on April 14, 2023.

Resident Evil 4 remake

  • Released: 2023
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
  • Developer: Capcom

Resident Evil 4 Remake is a fun game that turns up the action of the Resident Evil 2 remake and has a similar inventory to Resident Evil Village, making it a good choice for newcomers.

Screenshot of Resident Evil 4 remake: a combat scene.

The new version of Resident Evil 4 includes in-game cutscenes and documents that offer more information about the story. The additional detail enhances the gaming experience and gives players a more comprehensive understanding of the game’s events. The beginning of the game provides a glimpse of the danger ahead, and exploring the village and finding documents and photos adds to the player’s emotional investment in the story.

One boss was removed, and one character’s performance was only okay, which were notable missteps for a remake. However, the game is otherwise a solid iteration of the original. For those who played the original in 2005, Resident Evil 4 Remake is a nostalgic love letter that was made with care and respect to the original game.

  • Resident Evil 4 Remake is a solid and fun game with replayability and a New Game Plus option.
  • The combat in the game has been significantly improved.
  • Resident Evil 4 Remake is a good choice for newcomers and a nostalgic love letter to those who played the original in 2005.
  • In-game cutscenes and documents provide more detail, enhancing the gaming experience.
  • The additional detail in the remake enhances the emotional connection players feel to the story.

Resident Evil 2 remake

  • Released: 2022
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Luna
  • Developer: Capcom

The RE Engine used in Resident Evil 7 has been taken to new heights in Resident Evil 2 Remake, resulting in stunningly realistic graphics and environments. The police station is recreated from scratch and is incredibly expansive, while familiar areas have been updated to look more modern and gruesome. The lighting and character models are also top-notch, making the terrifying monsters even more terrifying.

Screenshot of Resident Evil 2: a tense scene on a dark street.

Resident Evil 2 Remake doesn’t use a fixed camera like previous games nor does it use the first-person perspective of Resident Evil 7. Instead, it uses the over-the-shoulder angle from Resident Evil 4, which allows you to see everything that is happening in front of you.

Resident Evil 2 Remake is a scary game, and it is designed to spook you multiple times throughout the game. Capcom has done a great job of keeping the game fresh, even for those who are familiar with the franchise.

Resident Evil 2 Remake plays with your expectations. Certain events play out differently than you remember. For example, encounters with the Licker and the giant alligator have been altered to surprise and scare players.

  • Resident Evil 2 Remake is a highly successful reimagining of the 1998 original game.
  • The game stays true to the original while introducing new elements and improvements.
  • Resident Evil 2 Remake uses an over-the-shoulder angle, allowing players to see everything in front of them.
  • The game is designed to be scary and will spook players multiple times.
  • The graphics and environments are incredible, with realistic visuals and terrifying monsters.
  • The game plays with players’ expectations, altering certain events from the original game to surprise and scare players.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a game that successfully pivots from the franchise’s previous formula. It also serves as an excellent re-imagining of the original game, making it a perfect starting point for newcomers. Despite its familiarity, it never feels gratuitous or like Capcom has run out of ideas.

Screenshot of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard — a close up of an undead enemy.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a great starting point for newcomers to the franchise. It has a warm feeling of familiarity, but it’s not necessary to have played previous games in the series to enjoy it. The game’s mechanics and storyline stand on their own, making it a fantastic jumping-in point.

  • Resident Evil 7: Biohazard successfully pivots from the franchise’s previous formula.
  • It’s an excellent re-imagining of the original game and a perfect starting point for newcomers.
  • The game has a warm feeling of familiarity, making it a fantastic jumping-in point for new players.

Resident Evil: Village

  • Released: 2021
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, macOS, Nintendo Switch
  • Developer: Capcom

Resident Evil: Village is a captivating game that blends the elements of its previous titles. It takes inspiration from the seventh part and combines it with the best features of its predecessors. The game’s intense gameplay and shocking moments will keep you hooked and eager to keep playing. It’s a modern classic that has set a new benchmark, just like Resident Evil 4 did.

Screenshot of Resident Evil: Village — exploring the outer Village.

The graphics in the game are phenomenal and the open, beautifully designed world is awesome. The enemies are more distinctive with their own abilities and difficulties than in Resident Evil 7 or some other Resident Evil games. Exploring the village and other places is enjoyable and the unique twist of having 4 Powerful Lords, Mother Miranda as the main villain, and the Megamycete adds to the game’s intrigue. The depth and information behind all characters are well described, especially for Ethan, Lady Dimitrescu, Mother Miranda, and some others.

The first-person perspective is nice but still has some issues. Weapons, combat, and fights are well-made and worth it. The merchant or the Duke is helpful and has more options. The boss fights are amazing, but despite having more boss fights than Resident Evil 7, the game is still strangely a bit easy to beat. The Mercenaries mode and other gameplay modes are cool, and even having the models of each character, item, and enemy in the game available for purchase is a good concept.

The scares and horrors are both terrifying and awesome, with unexpected jump scares, adrenaline, and a horrific aura while exploring. The idea of making this a survival horror game is nice, yet overly focused. The songs and soundtracks used are awesome and memorable, hitting a new medley and original in their own way.

  • Resident Evil: Village is a game that combines the best elements of previous Resident Evil titles.
  • The graphics and unique enemies make exploring the world of the game enjoyable.
  • The first-person perspective, weapons, and boss fights are well-made and worth experiencing.
  • The game is terrifying and awesome, with well-described characters and memorable soundtracks.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House Of Ashes

  • Released: 2021
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • Developer: Supermassive Games

House of Ashes is a third-person perspective video game that combines interactive drama, survival horror, and science fiction. It is set during the 2003 Iraq War, where five soldiers from different countries fall into an underground temple and become trapped. In the temple, they encounter bat-like monsters that hunt them down.

Screenshot of House of Ashes — exploring a corridor.

The storyline in House of Ashes is engaging and immersive, featuring a group of soldiers who stumble upon an ancient temple while on a mission. As they explore the temple, they awaken an ancient evil that threatens their survival. The game’s well-written plot keeps the player engaged and invested in the characters’ survival.

The gameplay involves managing relationships between the characters, allies, and enemies. Players can choose to be brave and protect everyone or act selfishly and prioritize their own safety. As they face a common enemy, the Iraqi and American soldiers must decide whether to unite and work together to survive the attacks.

Throughout the game, characters frequently reference the proverb “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” to highlight the recurring theme of alliances in the face of shared danger.

  • House of Ashes is a brilliantly acted and put-together horror game with an engaging storyline and exceptional production quality.
  • The attention to detail in audio-visual work makes the game’s world feel real and immersive.
  • Combines interactive drama, survival horror, and science fiction

The Quarry

  • Released: 2022
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • Developer: Supermassive Games

“The Quarry” is a video game released in 2022, which is not a part of the Dark Pictures Anthology. It is a standalone game that gained a lot of attention from fans. The game’s story is similar to “Until Dawn” but with a modern twist. It features a group of teenagers preparing for their summer camp in the woods, but things take a dark turn when they encounter a dangerous threat hiding in the shadows of the forest.

A screenshot of The Quarry — a teenage exploring the woods.

The Quarry is an exciting game with teenagers that involves a lot of action and suspense. The game features strong characterization which makes it easy for players to identify with the characters. It also has an amazing atmosphere that adds to the excitement. The title features a remarkable cast of voice actors, including well-known celebrities such as Ariel Winter and Justice Smith. The use of digitally-rendered actors adds to the cinematic experience and makes the game more enjoyable.

Despite the excitement, the game is not very challenging due to the use of dumbed-down QTE events and interactions. However, the game has a great story and heaps of replay value which more than makes up for the lack of difficulty. If you enjoyed playing Until Dawn, then The Quarry is a must-have game for you. It offers the same level of excitement and suspense, with strong characterization and an amazing atmosphere.

  • The Quarry is an exciting game with strong characterization and an amazing atmosphere.
  • The game is not very challenging but has a great story and heaps of replay value.
  • If you enjoyed playing Until Dawn, then “The Quarry” is a must-have game for you.

Signalis

  • Released: 2022
  • Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
  • Developer: Rose-Engine

Signalis is a horror game inspired by classic games like Silent Hill and Resident Evil. It may look different, but it gives the same creepy vibe that these games once did. If you love Silent Hill, you’ll love Signalis. This game has puzzles and secrets waiting for you to discover. Rose-engine has been working on Signalis for years, creating a unique blend of Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The game is strange, deliberately uneven, beautiful, and ambiguous. It has everything you could hope for from a horror game.

Screenshot of Signalis — ready to shot an enemy.

In Signalis, you play as Elster, whose shuttle has crashed on a remote planet. Your goals are to find your partner and figure out what’s happening. You’ll be exploring narrow corridors, fighting enemy units that resemble sci-fi Silent Hill nurses, and hearing industrial sounds similar to those in the classic series.

Signalis is a must-try for fans of classic survival horror games. It pushes the genre forward and has an incredible story with a dystopian sci-fi aesthetic that will stay with you.

  • Signalis is a horror game inspired by Silent Hill and Resident Evil.
  • The game follows Elster’s mission to find her partner and figure out what’s happening on a remote planet.
  • Signalis is a must-try for fans of classic survival horror games, with an incredible story and a dystopian sci-fi aesthetic.

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