Top Horror Games on Steam to Play with the Lights Off

10 December 2025

There’s something about playing horror games in the dark that makes your spine tingle. The eerie ambiance, creaking floorboards, demonic whispers in the background... yeah, that’s the sweet spot for thrill-seekers. If you're the type who enjoys scaring the soul out of yourself (or your friends), then you've probably asked yourself: _"What are the best horror games on Steam to play in pitch darkness?”_

Well, buckle up buttercup. We've compiled the ultimate list of spine-chilling, pulse-pounding horror games available on Steam that are practically begging you to play them with the lights off. From psychological nightmares to gory survival hellscapes, this guide has you covered.

Why Play Horror Games in the Dark?

First off, let’s be real—it’s just better. Playing horror games in a fully lit room is like eating cereal without milk. Technically, you're doing it, but why would you?

Darkness amps up the immersion. Shadows become monsters. Every creak becomes a possible death sentence. Your brain fills the gaps in the dark with pure, unfiltered terror. It’s horror gaming as it was meant to be experienced. Plus, jump scares hit ten times harder when your peripheral vision’s gone.

1. Resident Evil Village

Genre: Survival Horror / Action
Developer: Capcom
Multiplayer: No

Resident Evil Village (aka Resident Evil 8) is like if classic horror met a gothic fairy tale—and they both had a baby raised by werewolves and vampires.

Set in a shadowy European village, you play as Ethan Winters, trying to rescue your kidnapped daughter while facing every creature you’ve ever seen in a bad dream. From the haunting castle of Lady Dimitrescu to the grotesque dollhouse from hell—this game doesn’t pull its punches.

What makes it a must-play in the dark? The audio design. Creaks, whispers, footsteps... they seem to come from everywhere. Trust me, your imagination will start running wild.

2. Phasmophobia

Genre: Co-op Psychological Horror
Developer: Kinetic Games
Multiplayer: Yes

Want to scare yourself and your friends? Phasmophobia is your golden ticket. You and your ghost-hunting crew explore haunted locations, trying to figure out what kind of evil entity is lurking in the shadows.

You’re armed with ghost-detecting tools, but don’t let the gadgetry fool you—you’re still very, very human. And ghosts? They don’t play fair.

Here’s the kicker: The game listens to your voice. If you scream, the ghost hears you. If you talk smack to the ghost, it might just come for you. And in the dark? With only the flicker of a flashlight to keep you sane? Yeah, good luck with that.

3. Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Genre: First-Person Psychological Horror
Developer: Frictional Games
Multiplayer: No

If you're into terrifying games that mess with your head, Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a crown jewel. You wake up in a castle with no memory, and things go downhill from there.

There are no weapons, no real way to fight back. Your only options? Run or hide.

Add in the sanity mechanic (yep, going too long in the dark or seeing scary stuff will literally drive your character insane), and you’ve got a panic smoothie ready to be blended at max speed.

Play it in the dark. If your brain doesn’t turn into pudding by the end, you’ve got nerves of steel.

4. Outlast Series

Genre: First-Person Survival Horror
Developer: Red Barrels
Multiplayer: No

Want to feel truly powerless? Welcome to Outlast and its sequel, Outlast 2.

Armed with nothing but a camcorder (with night vision that eats batteries like candy), you’ll explore twisted places filled with things that want you dead.

The original Outlast throws you into a psychiatric asylum that’s gone absolutely bonkers. Think blood on the walls, insane patients, and chilling audio that’ll make you jump. The second one ups the ante with disturbing cults deep in rural America.

Night vision in a pitch-black room, with only heavy breathing and distant screams to accompany you? This is horror intensity maxed out.

5. Alien: Isolation

Genre: Sci-Fi Survival Horror
Developer: Creative Assembly
Multiplayer: No

This one’s for the fans of Ridley Scott’s iconic _Alien_ films. Alien: Isolation perfectly captures the slow-burn dread of being hunted by a seemingly unstoppable predator: the xenomorph.

You’ll play as Amanda Ripley (yep, daughter of Ellen Ripley) navigating a space station where something unthinkable is stalking the crew.

Unlike other horror games, the alien in this game learns. It adapts. It listens. Hiding in lockers or under desks doesn't guarantee safety. And if you're playing in the dark? Every bleep of the motion tracker will send your heart into overdrive.

6. Dead By Daylight

Genre: Asymmetrical Multiplayer Horror
Developer: Behaviour Interactive
Multiplayer: Yes

Here’s a twist: Play as the killer or the survivor.

Dead by Daylight is 4v1 multiplayer chaos where four survivors try to escape a map while being hunted by a relentless killer. The twist? The killers are often based on iconic horror villains—think Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and more.

It’s endlessly replayable, especially with friends. Playing as a survivor in the dark? Every rustle, glitch, and heartbeat cue becomes a full-blown panic attack.

And let’s be honest—if you’re the killer in a dark room, you’re going to feel like a movie villain. Not a bad gig.

7. The Mortuary Assistant

Genre: First-Person Psychological Horror
Developer: DarkStone Digital
Multiplayer: No

This indie gem is one of the most genuinely unnerving horror games to drop in recent years.

You play as a mortuary assistant, doing your usual dead-body duties when, oops—demonic possession. The game messes with your head constantly, using jumpscares, time loops, and subtle environmental changes to keep you second-guessing everything.

It doesn’t rely on cheap horror either. The pacing is superb, and subtle story elements reveal themselves over multiple playthroughs.

Play this alone, in the dark, with headphones—if you dare.

8. The Forest

Genre: Survival Horror
Developer: Endnight Games
Multiplayer: Yes

The Forest is what you’d get if _Lost_ and _The Descent_ had a brutal lovechild.

You survive a plane crash on a remote island and must gather resources, build shelter, and oh yeah—fight off a tribe of horrifying, mutated cannibals who get bolder as the nights go on.

It starts slow, almost deceptively peaceful. But when night falls, the enemies get aggressive—staring at you from the woods, crawling on all fours, and coordinating attacks. It's intense and terrifying, especially when your only light source is a flickering lighter.

Play it with friends if you're too scared. But even they won't help you sleep easy.

9. Visage

Genre: Psychological Horror
Developer: SadSquare Studio
Multiplayer: No

Inspired heavily by the canceled PT (Silent Hills) demo, Visage is a slow-burn psychological horror that specializes in messing with your mind.

You explore a haunted house filled with trauma, death, and entities that don’t appreciate your visit. Its pacing is slower but deeply unsettling. Instead of jump scares every five minutes, Visage boils fear slowly—like a pot of cursed soup.

It’s best played in the dark, alone, and with good headphones. Just... maybe clear your schedule afterward. You’re gonna need time to emotionally recover.

10. Layers of Fear (Series)

Genre: Psychological Horror
Developer: Bloober Team
Multiplayer: No

Layers of Fear is basically a haunted house simulator on steroids. You play as a painter (or in the sequel’s case, an actor) who’s slowly losing his grip on reality.

The environment itself becomes your enemy. Hallways twist, doors disappear, paintings morph when you’re not looking. It's less about monsters and more about psychological torment.

The visuals are gorgeous, the sound design chef’s kiss, and there's a surreal, dream-like quality to the horror that hits different.

Turn the lights off, put on some headphones, and prepare to question your sanity.

Pro Tips for Playing Horror Games in the Dark

Alright, you're set with games—but before you dive headfirst into terror town, here are a few pro tips:

- Use headphones: The creep factor doubles. Plus, directional audio is key.
- Shut the curtains: Block out all ambient light for max immersion.
- Set the mood: Dim lights (or none at all), maybe a candle if you’re feeling brave.
- Don’t play alone—unless you want to: Playing with friends diffuses the tension a bit. But if you want the full horror stew, solo is the way.
- Take breaks: It’s okay to pause when your heart’s about to explode.

Final Thoughts

Horror games aren't just about getting scared—they're about experiencing fear. It's interactive terror, and no other genre immerses you quite the same way. Whether it's the lurking presence in _Amnesia_, the unstoppable threat in _Alien: Isolation_, or the chaotic multiplayer madness of _Phasmophobia_, there’s something for every flavor of fear.

So go ahead. Turn off the lights. Put on your headphones. And boot up one of these horror masterpieces on Steam.

Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.