10 Terrifying Horror Games to Play in the Dark

Horror games hit differently when the lights are off. The shadows on your screen feel alive, and every creak in your house becomes part of the experience. These games are built to pull you into their chilling worlds, where fear lingers long after you stop playing.

I’ve picked ten horror games that shine in the dark, each offering a unique kind of scare. From psychological terrors to jump-scare nightmares, these titles will keep you on edge. Grab your headphones, dim the lights, and dive into these spooky adventures.

10. ‘Oxenfree II: Lost Signals’

This indie gem from Night School Studio mixes supernatural chills with emotional storytelling. You play as Riley Poverly, who’s setting up transmitters in the eerie coastal town of Camena when things take a dark turn.

The game’s glowing red entities and haunting audio create a tense atmosphere. Playing in the dark makes the walkie-talkie static and ghostly visuals feel all too real, pulling you deeper into its creepy narrative.

9. ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’

The first game in Scott Cawthon’s iconic series still packs a punch. You’re a night guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, watching security cameras as animatronics come to life.

In the dark, the flickering camera feeds and sudden giggles from the animatronics are pure terror. Every jump scare hits harder when you’re alone with just your screen’s glow.

8. ‘Dead Space’ (2023)

This remake of the 2008 classic follows engineer Isaac Clarke aboard the USG Ishimura, a spaceship overrun by grotesque Necromorphs. The updated visuals and sound design are horrifyingly immersive.

Playing in darkness amplifies the ship’s creaking halls and the Necromorphs’ snarls. The dim lighting of your room mirrors the game’s shadowy corridors, making every encounter feel personal.

7. ‘The Mortuary Assistant’

Developed by DarkStone Digital, this indie horror puts you in a mortuary where corpses aren’t quite dead. You’re a lone assistant facing possessed bodies and paranormal chaos.

The game’s realistic setting and eerie sound effects are amplified in the dark. Every shadow in your room feels like it could hide something, blending the game’s scares with your surroundings.

6. ‘Alan Wake II’

Remedy Entertainment’s 2023 sequel blends psychological horror with a gripping story. You switch between Alan Wake, a writer trapped in a nightmare, and FBI agent Saga Anderson, investigating eerie events.

In the dark, the game’s shadowy woods and twisted plot feel oppressive. The haunting visuals and unsettling music make you question what’s real, keeping you glued to the screen.

5. ‘Resident Evil 2’ (2019)

Capcom’s remake of the 1998 classic follows rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy through a zombie-infested police station. The towering Mr. X stalks you relentlessly, adding constant dread.

Playing in darkness makes Mr. X’s footsteps echo louder. The station’s dim halls and your room’s shadows merge, turning every corner into a heart-pounding moment.

4. ‘Signalis’

This indie survival horror from rose-engine pays homage to classics like ‘Silent Hill’. You’re a technician searching for your partner in a desolate, pixel-art facility filled with horrors.

The top-down 2D style doesn’t lessen its dread, especially in the dark. The game’s eerie audio and flickering lights make you feel trapped in its unsettling world.

3. ‘Little Nightmares’

Tarsier Studios’ 2017 platformer traps you in a grotesque world as Six, a tiny girl facing monstrous creatures. Its creepy art style brings childhood fears to life.

In the dark, the game’s distorted monsters and haunting sounds feel like a bad dream. The lack of light in your room makes Six’s tiny flashlight your only comfort.

2. ‘SOMA’

Frictional Games’ 2015 sci-fi horror explores identity and survival in an underwater facility. You’re Simon Jarrett, facing corrupted humans and rogue AI in a claustrophobic setting.

The dark enhances the game’s oppressive atmosphere. The groans of the facility and faint glow of your screen make every step feel like a descent into madness.

1. ‘Amnesia: The Dark Descent’

Frictional Games’ 2010 masterpiece defined modern horror. You play as Daniel, an archaeologist trapped in a eerie castle with no memory and shadowy creatures hunting you.

Playing in complete darkness is almost too much. The castle’s flickering candles and distant growls blend with your pitch-black room, making this the ultimate horror experience.

Which horror game scares you the most, or did I miss a creepy classic? Drop your thoughts in the comments!