10 Best Horror Games on Steam (February 2026)

Looking for the best Steam horror games in 2026? Steam has become a go-to place for horror fans, packed with thrilling experiences that range from eerie and slow-burning to fast-paced and action-packed. Some titles are made to play solo with headphones on, while others are perfect for teaming up with friends for a scary co-op night. No matter what kind of horror you enjoy, there’s something that delivers the exact kind of fear you’re after.

We’ve explored many titles to bring you a list of the most talked-about and unforgettable horror games available right now. So whether you’re looking for a psychological scare or a survival horror game to enjoy with friends, this updated list of Steam games has you covered.

What Defines the Best Horror Games?

A great horror game doesn’t just scare you; it traps you in its world. The best ones build tension slowly, make every sound feel dangerous, and never let you feel safe. It’s not only about jump scares but how deeply the fear stays with you after playing. What really defines a horror game is how well it mixes story, atmosphere, and gameplay to keep you hooked throughout the game.

List of 10 Best Steam Horror Games in 2026

Each game here brings something fresh to the table. Some push survival to the edge, some create pure atmosphere, and some turn multiplayer into a true test of nerves.

10. Phasmophobia

Investigate supernatural cases with a team of ghost hunters

Starting off, we have Phasmophobia, a co-op horror that sends a team of ghost hunters into mysterious houses. Players act as investigators trying to find proof of paranormal activity using special tools. You walk through rooms, scan for energy, and note strange reactions from your devices. The mission is simple: discover what kind of ghost is inside and collect enough signs to confirm it. Moreover, teamwork helps when reading clues and linking them to specific ghost types.

You start by checking for evidence like fingerprints, temperature changes, or ghost responses through devices. After gathering data, you compare it with possible ghost profiles in the journal. Then, once the type matches, you can finish the case safely. Furthermore, planning routes, using equipment wisely, and observing patterns becomes key. Finally, escaping alive with proof means the job is done. So it remains one of the best co-op horror games on Steam because it offers that slow and investigative experience no other game delivers.

9. Outlast 2

One of the best indie horror games of all time

Outlast 2 begins with an investigative journalist and his partner on a mission to uncover a strange disappearance. Their helicopter crashes, and soon the reporter finds himself stranded near a remote settlement hidden from the world. Strange sights surround him as he searches for his partner. Soon, he learns that something sinister controls the area. The camera he carries becomes the only way to see through the darkness. Footage helps him piece together what happened, though danger waits behind every wall.

The experience moves quickly and never lets the player relax. He must explore buildings, fields, and underground paths while avoiding capture. Doors, crawl spaces, and hiding spots serve as tools for survival. The player needs to watch for signs of movement and use light carefully. Batteries power the camera, so finding them becomes essential for navigating the darkness. The balance between exploration and escape makes each sequence tense and memorable without disrupting the pace.

8. Dead by Daylight

A multiplayer horror survival game of hunters and survivors

Dead by Daylight delivers an asymmetric horror experience where four survivors try to escape a deadly arena controlled by one player acting as the killer. The match begins with survivors spread across the map, while the killer starts hunting. Survivors must repair several generators to unlock the exit gates. They can also rescue teammates trapped on hooks before time runs out. Once the gates open, escaping becomes the only path to survival. Moreover, the killer moves through the area, seeking targets to stop their progress.

Here, survivors must stay alert, use objects wisely, and plan escape routes together. The killer must rely on awareness and skill to find, capture, and eliminate survivors before they escape. Furthermore, survivors can use items like flashlights or toolboxes for temporary advantages. Once enough generators are repaired, the final sprint toward the exit begins. Many matches end in narrow escapes or total eliminations.

7. The Outlast Trials

Survive brutal human experiments inside a secret facility

If you are here to find the best co-op horror Steam game to play with friends, The Outlast Trials is the perfect pick. It takes the terrifying world of the Outlast series and turns it into a shared nightmare for a group. Players are trapped inside a secret facility and used as human subjects in cruel experiments. The tasks involve scavenging for items, disabling traps, and figuring out how to stay unnoticed. This whole experience feels like a survival test that pushes people to rely on teamwork. Overall, it’s a disturbing ride that never loses intensity.

Then comes the part where everything becomes more frantic. Players explore sections of the facility while managing scarce resources and unlocking paths that lead deeper inside. Tools help with defense and distraction, giving teams more ways to handle threats. When separated, communication becomes the key to reuniting safely. In short, it’s a brutal and rewarding survival loop that pushes cooperation to its limit without losing the raw horror essence the series is known for.

6. No, I’m Not a Human

A night of suspicion where humans might not be human

Among recent releases, No, I’m Not a Human is one of my personal favorite indie horror titles on Steam. The concept is strikingly simple yet filled with unease. You stay inside a small home while the world outside changes forever after a solar flare wipes away daylight safety. When darkness falls, humans and strange beings called “visitors” begin arriving, pretending to be human. Some speak normally, others repeat phrases too perfectly, and spotting the odd details becomes a matter of survival. The player’s task is to decide who can be trusted and who hides behind a false face.

During the day, information trickles through broadcasts and phone lines. Then the night cycle begins, and sudden knocks on the door decide who enters the shelter. Interaction unfolds through direct dialogue at the door. A stranger arrives, and you talk, searching for signs that reveal who they are. Sometimes, the details don’t match. Maybe they repeat the same sentence or get their own story wrong. In addition, energy serves as the lifeline, used to perform checks on visitors. Once it runs out, decisions grow risky and mistakes become costly.

5. Dead Space

Fight alien horrors with engineering tools as weapons

Dead Space is among the greatest horror game remakes of all time, a science fiction nightmare set inside a massive spacecraft where something terrible has gone wrong. The player steps into the suit of an engineer sent to fix the ship, only to face creatures called Necromorphs. The player moves through narrow hallways while scanning for supplies and clues. Tools meant for repairs become weapons in desperate combat against mutated creatures. Instead of traditional weapons, the player uses industrial cutters to disable enemies in specific ways.

Combat depends on precision and resource awareness. Ammunition is limited, so the player must plan every action carefully. Doors and lockers hold limited supplies, so searching thoroughly pays off. In this game, enemies react differently depending on which limbs are targeted, so strategy matters more than speed. They crawl from vents or crash through doors without warning, so being careless will cost valuable resources.

4. Still Wakes the Deep

A desperate struggle through a collapsing oil rig in the North Sea

For those who were waiting for a pure psychological horror title on this list, this one hits straight at human survival in isolation. It takes players onto an oil rig cut off from the world, where danger grows from both natural and unknown sources. The visuals show steel corridors, trembling platforms, and flickering lights that create a raw sense of urgency. Every scene pushes forward with mounting pressure as the environment starts to fall apart. There is a sense of helplessness in the air, and the weight of isolation never fades.

Players explore the structure step by step, searching for a way through collapsing metal and narrow paths. Obstacles appear suddenly, so planning ahead becomes vital. Sometimes fire blocks the way, and sometimes flooding changes the route. The focus rests on survival, not combat. It calls for observation and patience as the rig crumbles piece by piece. Overall, it delivers gripping intensity through realism, suspense, and a perfectly paced flow of events.

3. Silent Hill f

Young student faces horrors in a fog-covered Japanese town

Continuing on our best horror Steam games 2026 list, we have Silent Hill f. Set in the quiet mountain town of Ebisugaoka, the story centers on Shimizu Hinako, a young student dealing with family conflict. Soon, her once-ordinary hometown transforms into something far darker. The mist spreads through the streets, and creatures with unsettling shapes begin to appear. Here, the story explores Hinako’s emotions and relationships through haunting sequences and cryptic encounters.

Moreover, the plot’s focus on her emotional journey gives it a deeper layer than most horror tales. Multiple outcomes unfold based on how the player interacts with key events. Combat plays a major role throughout. Hinako defends herself with simple tools such as a bat, axe, or crowbar. Furthermore, hidden clues and locked puzzles encourage players to think and explore before advancing. Overall, Silent Hill f blends fear, mystery, and psychological conflict into one unforgettable experience.

2. Resident Evil 4

High-intensity survival horror with cinematic action elements

How can we not mention at least one Resident Evil title when talking about the top horror games? The series has a long history of terrifying players and shaping survival horror into what it is today. Fans love it for its mix of intense action and resource management that keeps the heart racing. From the earlier fixed-camera classics to more modern entries, it always delivers unforgettable encounters. The fourth entry takes everything people already enjoy and expands it with a faster pace, cinematic moments, and stronger characters.

Set in a remote European village, it follows a government agent on a mission to rescue the president’s daughter. Combat relies on aiming at weak points to stop enemies before they get too close. Instead of rushing forward, players must choose their moments carefully, sometimes using the environment to gain an edge. They need to stay alert, explore thoroughly, and decide when to fight or step back.

1. Silent Hill 2

A mind-bending trip through guilt, grief, and dread

The final spot on our best Steam horror games 2026 list goes to Silent Hill 2. The original version released in 2001 and changed how players looked at psychological horror. It didn’t rely on loud moments or fast action. Instead, it drew players in through mystery and unease. The story of James Sunderland became famous for its emotional weight and disturbing encounters. This remake brings that same intensity into a modern frame. Visuals are sharper, the lighting is dynamic, and the animations are far more lifelike.

The remake uses an over-the-shoulder view that changes how players explore Silent Hill. Exploration has grown larger, too, with more paths and rooms to discover. There are puzzles to solve, doors to unlock, and strange clues to connect. Then, there are monsters that must be confronted using familiar weapons such as a steel pipe or handgun. Dodging attacks at the right moment helps conserve health and ammo. In short, the remake honors the legacy of Silent Hill 2 while shaping it for a new generation.