9 Cosmic Horror Games That Will Haunt Your Dreams

Cosmic horror taps into the fear of the unknown, where the universe itself feels vast, uncaring, and filled with entities beyond human understanding. It’s a genre that thrives on dread, mystery, and the unsettling realization that we’re small in the grand scheme of things. 

Video games bring this eerie vibe to life, blending chilling atmospheres with stories that make you question reality. From indie gems to big-budget titles, these nine games capture the essence of cosmic horror, pulling you into worlds where the unknown is both terrifying and mesmerizing.

Dredge

‘Dredge’ is a fishing adventure with a dark twist, set in a mysterious archipelago. You play as a fisherman uncovering strange secrets while sailing through foggy waters, catching bizarre creatures that hint at something sinister beneath the surface.

The game’s quiet, eerie atmosphere builds dread as you explore at night, with your boat’s light barely cutting through the gloom. Upgrading your vessel and managing resources add depth, but the real pull is the creeping sense that the ocean hides truths you’re not ready to face.

Alone in the Dark (1992)

‘Alone in the Dark’ is a survival horror classic set in 1920s Louisiana. You control Edward Carnby, a private investigator exploring a haunted mansion after an artist’s suspicious death, encountering ghosts and otherworldly creatures.

Puzzles and limited combat keep you on edge, as enemies don’t always stay down. The game’s clunky controls add to the tension, making every step feel precarious, while forbidden books in the mansion’s library can drive your character mad, perfectly capturing cosmic horror’s theme of dangerous knowledge.

Conarium

‘Conarium’ places you in the shoes of Frank Gilman, a scientist waking up in an Antarctic base with no memory of recent events. Strange devices and eerie visions push you to uncover what happened to your team.

The game’s frozen setting and slow-burn narrative create a suffocating sense of isolation. As you piece together clues, the line between reality and nightmare blurs, with eldritch forces lurking just out of sight, making it a chilling dive into Lovecraftian dread.

Darkwood

‘Darkwood’ drops you into a twisted forest in a Soviet-era setting, where a mysterious plague turns people into monstrous beings. Survival means scavenging by day and barricading yourself at night against horrors that emerge in the dark.

Its top-down view and oppressive sound design amplify the feeling of being trapped in an uncaring world. The game’s cosmic horror shines through in its surreal creatures and the sense that the forest itself is alive, watching your every move.

Dreams in the Witch House

‘Dreams in the Witch House’ is a point-and-click adventure with RPG elements, inspired by Lovecraft’s story of the same name. You play as Walter Gilman, a student facing supernatural forces in a cursed boarding house, managing sanity and resources.

The game’s pixel art and eerie soundtrack set a haunting tone. Choices matter, as you balance studying, exploring, and surviving encounters with otherworldly entities, making every decision feel like a step closer to madness or salvation.

The Sinking City

‘The Sinking City’ casts you as a private detective in the flooded town of Oakmont, investigating a madness plaguing its residents. The open-world setting lets you explore decaying streets and uncover Lovecraftian conspiracies tied to the Cthulhu mythos.

Its detective mechanics, like piecing together clues and interrogating locals, blend with a heavy atmosphere of despair. The game’s strength lies in its story, where every case pulls you deeper into a world where sanity is a fragile thing.

Call of Cthulhu (2018)

‘Call of Cthulhu’ follows private detective Edward Pierce as he investigates a family’s mysterious death on a remote island. The game leans heavily on narrative, with puzzles and dialogue shaping your journey through a Lovecraft-inspired nightmare.

Its atmosphere is thick with tension, as locals hide secrets and strange visions haunt your every step. The sanity mechanic, where choices impact your mental state, makes you feel the weight of confronting truths too vast for the human mind.

Darkest Dungeon

‘Darkest Dungeon’ is a turn-based RPG where you lead a team of adventurers into a cursed estate filled with cosmic horrors. The game’s gothic art and punishing difficulty emphasize the fragility of the human psyche against incomprehensible evils.

Managing stress and sanity is as crucial as combat, with characters breaking under the strain of eldritch encounters. The game’s narrator adds a grim tone, reminding you that no one escapes the darkness unscathed, making every victory bittersweet.

Bloodborne

‘Bloodborne’ is an action RPG set in the gothic city of Yharnam, where a bloodborne plague unleashes cosmic horrors. As a hunter, you battle grotesque creatures while unraveling a story steeped in Lovecraftian themes of forbidden knowledge and ancient gods.

Its fast-paced combat and haunting world design create a relentless sense of dread. The deeper you go, the more the game reveals its otherworldly scope, with moments like encountering the Amygdala leaving you awestruck and terrified.

Which cosmic horror game sends chills down your spine, or did I miss a hidden gem? Drop your thoughts in the comments!