Summary
- The 2010s saw a rise in indie horror titles, showcasing creativity and sparking a revival in triple-A horror games.
- Games like Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Dead Space 2 set new standards, paving the way for psychological and survival horror.
- Resident Evil 7 and the RE2 remake marked a return to horror roots, with revamped gameplay and immersive experiences.
No doubt about it, the 2000s was the golden age of horror gaming, making the following decade hard to live up to. In truth, it didn't, but on the bright side, you did get at least one, sometimes multiple stellar horror games a year.
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PostsAs the 2010s saw the big breakout decade for indie games, several of the best horror experiences were indie titles that showed more creative spark than what you'd see in the triple-A sphere. To boot, when you get into the late 2010s, triple-A horror rapidly increased in quality, particularly with a revival of an acclaimed series.
10 2010: Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Debatably The Most Important Horror Game To Release In The 2010s
CloseAmnesia: The Dark Descent
Survival Horror Indie Games Adventure Action Puzzle 10.0/10 Released September 8, 2010 ESRB t Developer(s) Frictional Games Publisher(s) Frictional Games Franchise Amnesia Platform(s) PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Android, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS How Long To Beat 8 hours Powered by Expand CollapseSilent Hill revolutionized psychological horror games, but the Half-Life equivalent to Silent Hill's Doom is Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Make no mistake, there were earlier Lovecraftian horror games, even with sanity meters, but Amnesia: The Dark Descent pulled it off so well.
The visual effects and how they tie in with your sanity, the sound design, the spooky 1800s-style environments, and some of the game's infamous monsters all add up to an experience that was brand new in 2010. It was so scary, impressively so, considering the low budget. Amnesia birthed many indie first-person horror games to come after, including Slender, which really kicked the indie horror game revolution into full effect.
9 2011: Dead Space 2
A Phenomenal Sequel
CloseDead Space 2
Survival Horror Released January 25, 2011 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Visceral Games Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer Franchise Dead Space Platform(s) PS3, Xbox 360, PC How Long To Beat 9 Hours X|S Optimized No File Size Xbox Series 13 GB (October 2022) Powered by Expand CollapseAfter the huge success of Dead Space, Visceral lived up to the hype with Dead Space 2. While the horror and atmosphere weren't as good as the original, the gameplay stepped up big time. The weapons, enemy variety, and third-person shooting were far better and surprisingly more strategic.
The Stalkers, for example, charge right at you, making them a prime target for the Detonator's tripmines. From start to finish, the campaign has more variety and better pacing than the original, too. Multiplayer was a brand new addition as well and criminally underrated. It's too bad it's since been shut down, but the single-player alone makes this a must-play horror game.
8 2012: The Walking Dead
One Of The Best Video Game Stories Ever
CloseThe Walking Dead The Game
Adventure Horror Released April 24, 2012 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language Developer(s) Telltale Games Publisher(s) Telltale Games Franchise The Walking Dead Platform(s) Android, iOS, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox 360 How Long To Beat 15 Hours X|S Optimized No File Size Xbox Series 4 GB (December 2023) Metascore 89 Powered by Expand CollapseAfter releasing stellar episodic adventure games like Sam & Max and Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, Telltale got its first breakout smash hit with The Walking Dead. Based on the Image comic book, this game isn't an adaptation like the TV show but tells its own story within the same universe. You have a great cast of likable characters here, and the story has to be one of the most moving you'll ever experience.
With this game and The Last of Us, which would be released a year later, it was clear that video game stories and particularly their acting reached that movie-caliber level. In truth, stories were phenomenal in games for decades, but the acting held them back for the casual audience. Games like The Walking Dead fixed that.
7 2013: Outlast
Panic Horror Perfection
CloseOutlast
Survival Horror 10.0/10 Released November 4, 2013 ESRB Mature // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Nudity, Strong Language Developer(s) Red Barrels Publisher(s) Red Barrels Steam Deck Compatibility Playable Platform(s) PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Linux, macOS How Long To Beat 5 hours X|S Optimized No PS Plus Availability No How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs) 11.5 hours OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand CollapseYes, The Last of Us came out in 2013, but it doesn't feel like a horror game, and there is a worthy candidate that remains scary and fresh to this day. The original Outlast perfected panic horror. Not many horror titles have chase and stealth sequences this nerve-wracking, to the point where you're tempted to restart checkpoint the moment anything goes wrong because you can't stand the tension of playing it out.
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PostsYou have great villains, including Dr. Trager, who steals the show, and even the Whistleblower DLC is incredible. Some horror games from the early 2010s don't hold up that well, but Outlast isn't one of them, and it's a shame none of the sequels captured the magic found here.
6 2014: Alien: Isolation
The Best Alien Game
CloseAlien: Isolation
Survival Horror 9.0/10 Released October 7, 2014 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Creative Assembly Publisher(s) Sega Franchise Alien Platform(s) PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, PC, Android, iOS How Long To Beat 19 Hours Metascore 83 PS Plus Availability N/A How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs) 34 Hours OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand CollapseNot only is Alien: Isolation one of the best horror games ever made, but it's one of the best movie games. The attention to detail, replicating the environments seen in the original 1979 film, is impressive, and even aspects from the sound design to the UI feel akin to that movie. However, what makes Alien: Isolation a horror game GOAT has to be the scare factor.
The Alien here is incredibly smart, not only leading to a tense and frightful experience but pretty engaging stealth gameplay as well. The Facehuggers are even worse and can make you scared spitless. Many complain about the length, but it doesn't feel like it's dragging unless you want all the collectibles. Don't let that dissuade you from checking out this horror masterpiece.
5 2015: Bloodborne
An All-Time Great Soulslike
CloseBloodborne
Action RPG Soulslike 8.0/10 Released March 24, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Sony Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play ps4,ps5 Cross Save yes Steam Deck Compatibility no Platform(s) PlayStation 4 How Long To Beat 33 Hours X|S Optimized no PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand CollapseA top three Souls game for sure has to be Bloodborne. Even with all the titles out now, Bloodborne's art direction and gothic horror look still pop out compared to games like Elden Ring, which are more fantastical. Bloodborne's look matches the title of the game with a visual design similar to Castlevania but way more grotesque at points.
The Soulslike gameplay is what you'd expect for the most part, but there are two nice additions. One is that you can use guns, which are awesome to play with, and the Chalice Dungeons.
These optimal dungeons add even more content for those hardcore Souls players and where you can fight the cut bosses. No modding is needed; you can play cut boss fights natively in the game, which is an incredible unintended feature of Bloodborne.
4 2016: Dead By Daylight
The Best Multiplayer Horror Game Of The Decade
CloseDead by Daylight
Horror Survival 5.0/5 8.0/10 Released June 14, 2016 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Behaviour Interactive Publisher(s) Behaviour Interactive Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Cross Save yes Franchise Dead by Daylight Number of Players 5 Steam Deck Compatibility yes Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia, Switch, Mobile How Long To Beat N/A X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 51 GB (October 2022) Platforms That Support Crossplay PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Fair Powered by Expand CollapseAlong with Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Dead by Daylight has to be one of the most influential horror games of the 2010s. Sure, you had earlier multiplayer horror games like Left 4 Dead, but Dead by Daylight pioneered the killer vs. survivors gameplay that's been imitated countless times since.
Behaviour Interactive also nailed post-launch support, always giving players a reason to return to the game, whether it be new killers, survivors, or maps. The game's still going strong today, a testament to its stellar core gameplay, quality updates, and being the first to create a new niche genre within horror gaming.
3 2017: Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
A True Return To Form
CloseResident Evil 7: Biohazard
Survival Horror Released January 24, 2017 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language Developer(s) Capcom Publisher(s) Capcom Franchise Resident Evil Platform(s) PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Switch, Stadia, PC How Long To Beat 10 Hours PS Plus Availability N/A OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand CollapseThe best horror game of 2017, without a doubt, is Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. After Resident Evil 6, the biggest and most bloated RE, RE7 went back to basics. With no returning characters until the ending, you played as Ethan Winters, a normal, everyday guy who's thrust into a nightmarish scenario.
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PostsGoing back to an actual residence akin to RE1, RE7 brings back the core survival horror mechanics and game design of the old titles, but in a first-person view, making it scarier than ever. The campaign from start to finish is incredible and exactly what the series needed, but you also have a truckload of quality DLC content containing new story and bonus modes, making this the most content-rich mainline RE game to date.
2 2018: Among Us
Another Breakout Indie Game
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Party Game 4.0/5 10.0/10 Released June 5, 2018 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Mild Blood, Fantasy Violence Developer(s) InnerSloth Publisher(s) InnerSloth Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Franchise Among Us Platform(s) PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat N/A X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 1005 MB (November 2023) Metascore 85 Platforms That Support Crossplay Mobile Devices, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S PS Plus Availability N/A Steam User Rating 92% OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand CollapseIf there's any title that best showcases the struggle of indie games, it would be Among Us. By 2018, indie games were flooding Steam, and the market had become way too competitive compared to a decade prior. Among Us saw little play for two years until it got lucky via online streamers in 2020, and then people discovered its greatness.
While it isn't strictly a horror game, it's definitely horror-adjacent, with the entire gameplay dynamic being based on John Carpenter's The Thing. Who is real and who's an impostor is the name of the game in Among Us, making way for an intense and engaging social-orientated experience.
1 2019: Resident Evil 2 Remake
One Of The Greatest Video Game Remakes
CloseResident Evil 2
Horror Released January 25, 2019 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Intense Violence Developer(s) Capcom Publisher(s) Capcom Franchise Resident Evil Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 9 Hours X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 23 GB (January 2024) Metascore 91 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand CollapseIt could be argued that the Resident Evil 2 remake is the title that started the video game remake trend, but in fairness, people have wanted an RE2 remake since the GameCube days. Out of all the recent horror game remakes, Resident Evil 2 remains the best, with the only one close being Silent Hill 2.
The RE3 remake felt like a totally different game that didn't even resemble the original, and the RE4 remake was too similar and didn't improve upon the classic title in efficient ways. The RE2 remake did everything right. It's faithful for the most part, improves the story, has better puzzles and map design, and the gameplay's better, too. Nothing in the other remakes reaches the improvement level of the terrifying Mr. X here.
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