There have been plenty of great horror games over the years, some of which have gone on to spawn multi-million dollarfranchises with movies, television shows, and comic book releases. More than most though, the horror genre is one that has benefited greatly from the rise of more powerful home consoles, which has in turn provided developers with new ways to interact with and terrify their audiences.
With its impressive processing power and state-of-the-art controller, the PS5 is a great example of this, allowing developers to create stunning environments and hit players with a heavy dose of haptic feedback whenever they see fit. The best horror games on the PlayStation 5 don’t just rely on the power of the console though, instead drawing players in with their engrossing narratives, compelling characters, andunique gameplay mechanics.
20Martha is Dead
OpenCritic Rating: 69
There have been some truly exceptional indie horror games over the past decade or so, fromFive Nights at Freddy’stoYumme Nikki. A more recent example of this isthe award-winningMartha is Dead, a psychological survival horror game from Italian studio LKA. The game boasts an excellent story, fantastic writing, and surprisingly detailed visuals given its limited budget.
Martha is Deadtakes place in the fictional town of Romaliaduring the Second World War and sees players controlling Giulia, the twin sister of the titular character, Martha. There are no enemies for players to overcome, but they will be faced with plenty of jump scares and a healthy spattering of gore. All in all, it’s a solid supernatural adventure that’s well worth a look.
19Until Dawn
The original release ofUntil Dawnwas hugely influential, inspiring countless other video games and laying the foundations for a brand-new sub-genre of gaming with its heavy focus on interactive story-telling and choice-based consequences. It’s a must-play game for any true horror game aficionado, but whether the same can truly be said of its 2024 remake is a matter for debate.
Sure, the remake looks better and introduces new scenes and endings, but it’s hardly the huge leap forward that some might have hoped for given the decade or so since the original’s release. Interactive storytelling has come a long way since 2015, yettheUntil Dawnremake feels more like an unfinished blueprint than a reimagined classic. For first-time players, this might not be a problem, but those who’ve already experienced the original may well come to regret their purchase.
18Resident Evil 3
OpenCritic Rating: 79
Although it may not stack up to the same lofty standards set by the remakes of the series' second and fourth installments,Resident Evil 3is still a fantastic horror game.The ever-present set of Nemesishelps to keep players on their toes at all times, while the improved visuals and tighter controls make for a much more accessible experience than the one provided by the original game.
Some will perhaps argue that more could have been done to improve the user experience, with aiming and inventory management being two of the main complaints that a lot of people have. Not all of the changes to the narrative are for the better either, although most franchise fans would probably agree thatResident Evil 3remains faithful to the original where it matters most.
17The Outlast Trials
OpenCritic Rating: 72
Initially released for PC via Steam’s Early Access program in May of 2023,The Outlast Trialsgot off to a bit of a rocky start. By the time its full release rolled around in March of the following year though, most of the wrinkles had been ironed out, leaving behind a silky smooth survival horror game that once again places a heavy emphasis on stealth.
The introduction of co-operative multiplayer to the franchise further adds to the overall experience, forcing players to work in harmony if they’re to have any hopes of surviving. Although jumpscares still do a lot of the heavy lifting, the sound design and environments are among the genre’s finest, making this a must-play for any true horror game fan.
16Alan Wake Remastered
OpenCritic Rating: 80
Given thatAlan Wakewas one of the best psychological horror games of the seventh console generation, the decision to greenlight a sequel was likely a fairly easy one, as too was remastering the original title for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Unfortunately, the 2021 release is nowhere near as groundbreaking as its 2010 predecessor was, but it’s able to offer up a solid enough experience nonetheless.
Though the developers made a big deal about the game’s cinematic qualities, it’s the storytelling that really makes it stand out. Of course, taking down Taken can still be pretty enjoyable, but it serves more as the appetizer than it does the entree. In addition to its excellent narrative, the game’s use of light is particularly notable and serves as a nice contrast to some ofthe darker themes that are explored.
15The Quarry
Supermassive Games is a studio that has fully mastered the art of interactive storytelling and thus has carved out a special place for itself in the modern gaming landscape. Its games are about as close as one could ever get to playing a horror movie, withThe Quarryarguably being the best example of what exactly the British developer is truly capable of.
Some may not appreciate the game’s hands-off approach to action, but fans of branching narratives and player agency should love what’s on offer here. The game can at times be genuinely scary too, with its summer camp setting being eerily reminiscent of the one found inFriday The 13th. Withalmost 200 different endings, the game is infinitely replayable too, and also boasts support for up to eight players.
OpenCritic Rating: 75
After many years trapped in development hell,Dead Island 2was finally released in April of 2023. Much like its predecessor, the game focuses more on providing its players with a fun experience rather than trying to spook them, but this arguably works in its favor and helps to set it apart from other open-world Zombie games likeDying Light 2andDays Gone.
The story is pretty basic and certain mechanics can start to get a little repetitive after a while, but other than that, it’s difficult to find too many faults with what’s on offer here. The game runs well, it looks great, and, perhaps most importantly, messing up zombies feels highly enjoyable, particularly as players start toexpand their arsenal of weaponsa little.
OpenCritic Rating: 83
Immersion plays an important role in most of the best PS5 horror games, andThe Walking Dead: Saints & Sinnersis no exception in this regard. In fact, the Tourist Edition is one of the most immersive games on the console thanks both to its PSVR 2 support and the noticeably improved visuals that it brings with it.
Fighting off a horde of zombies in virtual realitycan be absolutely terrifying, particularly once it starts to get dark outside. It’s quite an exhilarating experience too though, with players needing to use a combination of melee weapons and firearms to keep themselves alive. For those who just can’t get enough, the game’s 2022 sequel provides more of the same, while also continuing the Tourist’s story.
12Lies of P
OpenCritic Rating: 82
Strictly speaking,Lies of Pis more of a grimdark story, but the horror themes that it incorporates should be more than enough to satiate the desires of most horror game fans. It’s also one ofthe hardest horror games on the PlayStation 5, making it the perfect title for both masochists and thrill-seekers alike.
The game provides players with a unique take on the classic tale ofPinocchio, throwing them head-first into the dystopian city of Krat. The Soulslike mechanics should feel familiar to fans ofgames likeBloodborneandSteelrising, but that’s not to say that the 2023 title doesn’t still bring plenty of new ideas to the table as well.
11Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
OpenCritic Rating: 87
At a glance,Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!may seem like little more than your average visual novel. As is so often the case, though, you should never judge a book by its cover. This is a game that takes just about every opportunity available to subvert the player’s expectations; ultimately providing them with one ofthe best psychological horror experiencesin recent memory.
The plus version of the game introduces additional side stories and a bunch of unlockable concept art, providing plenty of reasons for those who have already played the original to check it out. In fact,some would perhaps argue that it’s better to have played the original first, as although the story remains largely unchanged, there are a few subtle differences that may not be to everybody’s taste.
