Top-down horror games are severely lacking in quantity, despite being an excellent merging of genres. When done effectively, top-down horror games can often be even scarier than their first- or third-person counterparts, due to a more unnerving and disorientating perspective.

Of the few titles that tackle this niche genre, there are some absolute gems and players should be sure to check out. Some of these games won't be for everyone and that's okay, but if gamers are into horror games and can appreciate a well-made, top-down horror experience, they most certainly won't be disappointed with these amazing entries.

10 Hellsign

Steam User Rating: Mixed

Hellsign is not an amazing game, but that's not exactly the developer's fault. Unfortunately, Ballistic Interactive, who served as both the developers and the publishers of this title, effectively ran out of money midway through the game's development. This is a real shame because there is clearly so much potential behind Hellsign, and it could have become a classic.

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This is a top-down, investigative horror title where players explore a small town, piece together the events that took place, and hunt down some ruthless creatures. From what content there is, Hellsign is super enjoyable and incredibly effective top-down horror. It's just a shame that there's not a real ending, and the whole game's finale is lackluster, to say the least. What could have been?

9 Motte Island

Steam User Rating: Positive

Motte Island is an island paradise getaway... or is it? Well, as it's a top-down horror game, players might have already guessed that that's not quite the case. What Motte Island is, however, is an excellent 2D top-down shooter that presents an intriguing story with a deep coating of mystery and suspense.

There are lots of puzzles to solve as well as large areas to explore. The combat sequences can become rather unsettling, and there's an overall terrifying tone to the game, which is partially what makes it such a great horror title. It's worth noting that this is quite a weird game, and although it's got some flaws (its combat system isn't great), this is an all-around solid entry in the top-down horror genre.

8 Viviette

Steam User Rating: Very Positive

Presented in a classic horror style, Viviette's real highlight is its gorgeous art style and presentation, which enhances the atmosphere brilliantly. This is an interesting top-down horror game as it emphasizes navigation, which can become extremely difficult as it's easy to get disoriented.

This is a game that has a Metroidvania approach, as the player will be constantly backtracking in order to unlock new locations. It's a fantastic puzzle experience that just so happens to be a great top-down horror title too. It also manages to maintain a JRPG aesthetic all the way through, and will actively keep players engaged as they uncover the mystery.

7 Subterrain

Metacritic Rating: 73

Subterrain is certainly more focused on action in comparison to other top-down horror titles, but it's still a great entry in the genre. This is a sci-fi survival shooter as well as a top-down horror title that takes place on Mars as players battle waves and waves of evolving mutants across procedurally generated levels.

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Subterrain throws in survival management aspects, including hunger, thirst, and exhaustion gauges, and mixes this with wave-based gameplay to create the ultimate top-down survival experience. It's easy to learn but difficult to master and will suck players into its engaging gameplay straight off the bat.

6 Corpse Party

Metacritic Rating: 73

Part visual novel, part top-down horror, Corpse Party is a unique take on Japanese-style horror and crafts a spooky yet epic story. It's a somewhat cliché premise: a group of high school students accidentally perform an occult ritual that banishes them to some other world, and they have to work together to escape.

It's refreshing to play a visual novel that mixes so well with actual gameplay elements, as the best part of Corpse Party is its 2D top-down horror gameplay. Players will solve mysteries and uncover secret clues as they attempt to escape with everyone alive. Just be warned that some classmates will definitely die.

5 Dead Nation

Metacritic Rating: 77

Again, this is a title that has a tight focus on action-driven gameplay, but Dead Nation still manages to capture top-down horror effectively here. The unrelenting waves of zombie hordes are genuinely petrifying and will have gamers on the edge of their seats as they mow zombies down one by one. Its tense gameplay is absolutely non-stop!

Dead Nation might not be the scariest game in terms of atmosphere, but it's still a terrifying experience mixed with extremely fun and satisfying gameplay. It's fun to mix the shooting with building defenses and preparing for the next inevitable horde. It's even better to see all the hard work pay off as players rip into mounds of zombies.

4 Project Zomboid

Steam User Rating: Very Positive

Project Zomboid is the ultimate top-down horror, survival experience. This is essentially DayZ but 2D - and better! Project Zomboid is incredibly detailed, and the gameplay mechanics are rich and complex. Players will have to master managing their survival with strategically planned gameplay if they want to keep their character alive.

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Seriously, this is genuinely one of the best survival games ever made and should be on the radar of anyone who enjoys a good zombie survival video game. Sure, the graphics might look kind of ugly, but that's all part of the grimy, realistic charm that Project Zomboid goes for. Don't sleep on this survival masterpiece.

3 Don't Starve

Steam User Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive

Don't Starve is an indie classic, and anyone who hasn't played this game by now needs to go out and buy it. Seriously, this game is incredible. It's got a basic presentation and looks pretty simple at first, but that shouldn't fool anyone. Don't Starve is a difficult game that places uncompromising survival above all else.

The art style is captivating yet unsettling at the same time, and the creature designs are genuinely terrifying. Players will be tasked with gathering resources to craft items and shelters and further their goal of surviving. It's worth mentioning that the excellent co-op sequel Don't Starve Together is another fantastic top-down horror title where gamers can tackle survival together.

2 The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

Metacritic Rating: 88

This is the most critically acclaimed top-down horror game ever made, and that's for a very good reason. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is an absolutely unnerving masterpiece. It looks innocent on the surface, but anyone who has ever played a Binding of Isaac title knows exactly what to expect.

This is a tragic tale of a lonely boy fighting against his harrowing mother and her relentless pursuit. The titular character, Isaac, ventures into his basement in an attempt to escape, but what follows is an endless, nightmarish pursuit against devilish creatures and some extremely tough boss battles.

1 Darkwood

Metacritic Rating: 80

Although it's got a slightly lower critical rating, Darkwood is genuinely the best top-down horror title ever made. To explain the game would be an injustice, so it's easier to say that although it looks like some generic top-down horror shooter with some cool visual elements, it is so much more than that.

This is a difficult game that is punishing in all the right ways while remaining fair and fun. If gamers enjoy being frightened, or if they are looking for some downright haunting atmosphere in their games, Darkwood is certainly the game to play. This is uncompromising horror at its finest, and its most deranged. Buckle up for a formidably spooky descent in unfathomable horror!

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