Survival horror is one of gaming’s most nebulous genres. Traditionally defined by limited resources, oppressive tension, and a fight for survival against terrifying odds, the genre has evolved far beyond its roots. Modern survival horror often bleeds into psychological thrillers, sci-fi adventures, and even open-world exploration. What ties it all together is a constant sense of dread and vulnerability, where victory feels hard-earned and fleeting. From cinematic blockbusters to minimalist indies, survival horror has proven to be one of the most fascinating corners of gaming.

Some of the best survival horror games today–Alan Wake 2, Resident Evil 4, and Alien: Isolation, among others–show how much depth there is to the genre. Each one offers an incredible experience, from the psychological descent of their characters, to creature-driven chaos. Whether you prefer story-heavy experiences or raw tension in the dark, there’s something here to haunt everyone’s dreams.

We’ve broken down some of the most engaging and heart-pounding survival horror games that you can play this Halloween season. If you’re more interested in only certain elements of these games, be sure to check out our picks for the best horror games and best survival games.

Alan Wake 2

• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5

Developed by Remedy Entertainment and released in 2023, Alan Wake 2 builds on the 2010 cult classic’s eerie narrative roots with a more deliberate embrace of survival horror. Players alternate between controlling troubled writer Alan Wake and FBI agent Saga Anderson as they unravel a supernatural mystery that blurs fiction and reality. The game’s haunting visuals, psychological storytelling, and limited resources amplify the tension, placing players in a constant state of unease.

Alan Wake 2 has a stunning presentation and daring narrative design. Its surreal storytelling and oppressive atmosphere earned widespread acclaim, solidifying it as a modern horror masterpiece and a definitive example of how survival horror can evolve without losing its soul.

Check out our Alan Wake 2 review.

Resident Evil 2

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

Capcom’s 2019 return to Resident Evil 2 redefined what a modern survival horror remake could be. Set in the zombie-infested Raccoon City, players step into the shoes of rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield as they fight to survive an outbreak inside a decaying police station. Its over-the-shoulder camera, detailed environments, and meticulously balanced resource management evoke a classic tension unlike any other survival-horror game out there.

While the original game was special, this retelling of a Raccoon City in disarray effortlessly combines design innovation and nostalgia. It’s one of the best survival-horror games available to play right now. Either way, the game tops our list of the best Resident Evil games.

Check out our Resident Evil 2 review.

Resident Evil 4

• Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

Originally released in 2005 and fully remade in 2023 by Capcom, Resident Evil 4 reinvented the series and the genre itself. It’s been released on nearly as many platforms as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and its cultural impact is just as significant.

RE4 catches back up with Leon S. Kennedy, now a federal agent, as he infiltrates a remote European village to rescue the president’s daughter from a cult infected with a mind-controlling parasite. Sounds like the plot of an action thriller, right? Wrong. While it puts a higher premium on action than past games in the series, the game blends gunplay and roundhouse kicks with terrifying encounters. Resident Evil 4 masterfully balances intensity and horror–it has given thousands of players nightmares over the last 20 years.

Check out our Resident Evil 4 review.

Resident Evil Village

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

Released in 2021, Resident Evil Village from Capcom continues the harrowing journey of Ethan Winters, the protagonist introduced in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. This time, Ethan finds himself trekking through a mysterious European village teeming with supernatural horrors. Mixing gothic architecture, psychological tension, and grotesque monsters, the game embraces both action and horror in equal measure.

While nearly the entire collection of Resident Evil games is worth exploring, we wanted to highlight one of the few games in the series with first-person exploration and combat. It sometimes feels more intense to have no idea what’s behind you, especially in a game that showcases a variety of classic monsters.

The Resident Evil franchise is filled with quality horror, and Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 7 offer something unusual with their first-person focus. Resident Evil 7 also offers a purer horror experience, rather than an action-heavy one.

Dead Space

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

The original Dead Space, developed by EA Redwood Shores (later Visceral Games) and released in 2008, remains a gold standard for sci-fi horror. Players control Isaac Clarke, an engineer stranded aboard a derelict mining ship overrun by monstrous Necromorphs.

Every corner drips with fear as players manage scarce ammunition and navigate suffocating corridors. Combat can get especially gruesome, as dismembering enemies’ legs, arms, and other appendages with well-placed shots is a key strategy, rather than the usual approach of aiming for the head. It’s as disgusting as it is gripping.

The 2023 remake by Motive Studio recaptured that terror with modern visuals and refined gameplay. Dead Space continues to be one of the most terrifying–and best-designed–survival horror games ever made.

Alien: Isolation

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

Developed by Creative Assembly and released in 2014, Alien: Isolation places players in the tight confines of a space station hunted by a single, unstoppable Xenomorph. As Amanda Ripley, daughter of Sigourney Weaver’s heroine from the Alien films, you can fight back against the creature, but you can’t kill it–players must rely on stealth, limited tools, and sheer nerve to survive.

The game’s devotion to Ridley Scott’s original Alien aesthetic and its unpredictable AI-driven creature have created unparalleled tension. Critics praised its atmosphere and authenticity, and over time, Alien: Isolation has become a modern classic in the survival horror canon.

Check out our Alien: Isolation review.

Subnautica

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment and released in 2018, Subnautica might look peaceful at first glance–a colorful underwater exploration and survival game set on an alien planet. But beneath its shimmering surface lies constant danger, from oxygen starvation to monstrous sea creatures lurking in the depths.

Balancing survival mechanics, crafting, and environmental storytelling, Subnautica redefined what survival horror could look like in an open-world setting. Critics celebrated its immersive setting and haunting tone, proving that terror doesn’t need darkness to thrive.

Signalis

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch

Signalis, developed by Rose-Engine and released in 2022, is a retro-inspired sci-fi horror game that blends pixel art with psychological storytelling. Players control Elster, an android technician searching for her lost partner on a desolate planet filled with mechanical horrors and cryptic messages.

Its deliberate pacing, puzzle design, and emotional storytelling make Signalis a horrific joy to play, especially for fans of PlayStation-era fare like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Its atmosphere and minimalist style is an ode to classic survival horror with a cerebral twist.

Phasmophobia

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

Developed by Kinetic Games and released in early access in 2020, Phasmophobia brings multiplayer ghost hunting to life. Up to four players investigate haunted locations, using tools like EMF readers and spirit boxes to identify spirits–all while risking possession or death.

It’s currently the only multiplayer horror game on this list because it’s that gripping. Fun pre-game conversations quickly turn to screams–of both fear and laughter–as soon as the first haunting event kicks off. You’ll never forget the sound of the ghost slowly choking the life out of each of your friends.

Alisa

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

Developed by Casper Croes and released in 2021, Alisa is a modern horror release with 1990s horror aesthetics. Set in a bizarre dollhouse filled with mechanical enemies, it features tank controls, pre-rendered backgrounds, and an eerie art style that recalls early Resident Evil and Silent Hill.

Unlike those ’90s classics, Alisa features a surprisingly deep combat system with a variety of weapons and moves to choose from. While you can avoid fighting altogether if that’s your preferred way to experience horror, you can also rely solely on your fists by mastering the parry and riposte mechanics. The setting–which evokes Alice in Wonderland vibes–also stands out from most other horror games.

Silent Hill 2

• Platforms: PC, PS5

All Silent Hill games deliver unforgettable moments of dread and psychological tension, from the eerie fog of the first game to the twisted storytelling of later entries. But Silent Hill 2 stands above the rest for how deeply it explores its protagonist’s guilt and despair, turning personal trauma into literal monsters.

Originally released in 2001 by Team Silent, Silent Hill 2 remains one of the most haunting and emotionally complex survival horror games ever made. The 2024 remake from Bloober Team brings that same disturbing atmosphere to a new generation with modern visuals and reimagined gameplay. Two decades later, Silent Hill 2’s story of loss and punishment still hits hard–a reminder that true horror isn’t about monsters in the dark, but the secrets we try to bury.