With the right PC rig, players have the potential to play horror games with top tier performance and graphics. For the most immersive and suspenseful experience, you'll want a PC with the best graphics card, RAM, and processor. The difference between a decent PC and a standard video game console is a night and day difference.
These days, the horror genre is flooded with games, making it tough for one to stand out. Horror games have the power to excite, surprise, and leave you speechless. The following games might not be the most frightening but contain the best overall experience. Here are the best PC horror games of all time.
Updated by Jack Pursey, December 19th, 2020: As previously mentioned, the horror genre is continuously being flooded with excellent games, as the ever-improving capabilities of modern PCs make it easier to make unsettlingly atmospheric, and uncomfortably immersive horror games. For this reason, we have decided to expand this list by a further five entries to include more great games that shouldn't be played when the sun goes down.
16 Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Capcom stuck to their tradition of switching up the Resident Evil series' gameplay formula after three main-series entries by ditching the action-centric gameplay of the previous three titles and bringing back the horror instead.
Taking heavy inspiration from 2013's Outlast (more on that later), Resident Evil 7 gave players less weaponry, particularly in the first half of the game, and instead forced them to use survival instincts to stay alive.
15 Alien: Isolation
Released in 2014, SEGA and Creative Assembly teamed up to make an excellent, and truly unnerving video game iteration of the classic Ridley Scott film.
The game requires players to partner astute stealth with near-constant use of the game's motion tracker, to ensure that they stay away from not just human enemies encountered along the way but from the horrifying Alien.
14 Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 may not be the scariest game on this list, but that doesn't mean it won't get players' hearts pumping as they try to take down hordes of relentless and aggressive zombies.
One of many Valve series that has players begging for a third entry, Left 4 Dead 2 is still one of the most enjoyable PC games to play with friends today.
13 Metro: Exodus
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The third entry into the critically acclaimed Metro franchise, Metro: Exodus impressed fans and critics with its atmospheric setting and excellent implementation of an open-world that contributed to it being nominated for Best PC Game at the Game Critic Awards in 2018.
Along with the uncomfortably immersive open-world, Metro: Exodus hit home its survival horror themes by forcing players to scavenge materials to craft hand-made weaponry if they want to survive.
11 System Shock 2
Considered to be one of the best PC games of all time when it initially released in 1999, System Shock 2's emphasis on realism, multiple objective-based gameplay, and RPG mechanics were revolutionary for its time and earned the game a huge Metascore of 93.
Taking place in a cyberpunk 2114, System Shock 2 strands players on a ship with a plethora of infected crewmates.
10 Doki Doki Literature Club!
What starts as a cheery, lighthearted story soon escalates into something entirely different. Doki Doki Literature Club! is an intriguing visual novel from start to finish.
Although the themes of this PC horror game vary, many will appreciate what it has to offer. The ending will come as a surprise as tensions escalate within the book club. If you're looking for a PC horror game that is unlike any other, we recommend you play Doki Doki Literature Club!
9 Blair Witch
Blair Witch is a 2019 psychological survival horror video game. It is loosely based on the movie of the same name. It can be frustrating when you are struggling to find the next checkpoint, as there is often no clear path.
Despite its flaws, many will enjoy Blair Witch for the unique game that it is. It has one of the best dog companions of any video game, and there is plenty to appreciate about Blair Witch.
8 Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: The Dark Descent might be the most utterly terrifying game on this list. The ominous threat of the Gatherers who walk the corridors of Alexander of Brennenburg's castle is hair-raising.
This game might not be the best in class, but it is enjoyable in the most disturbing way possible. Amnesia: The Dark Descent is available on most major platforms such as PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
7 The Evil Within 2
The sequel to highly acclaimed The Evil Within is a horror masterpiece. Fighting off hordes of zombies in the survival-based horror game might not appeal to everyone, but the story keeps it engaging. The gameplay is enjoyable, as is the first installment. However, The Evil Within 2 adds more polish.
You'll feel the immersion as you explore its world. The crafting system adds a layer of complexity to achieving objectives. Whether you prefer the first game's story or the second's polish, there are too many reasons to play The Evil Within.
6 Outlast
A great horror video game is like a great horror flick. The story might be cheesy, but the jumpscares are startling.Outlast's story isn't god awful, but it's more the gameplay that makes you want to play further.
Outlast revolves around an investigative journalist who ventures into a remote psychiatric hospital. Managing your camera's night vision mode and the battery becomes an arduous task as you descend into this twirling nightmare.
5 F.E.A.R.
This first-person shooter game is a mix of horror and action. The overarching story of F.E.A.R. involves themes of military-based combat and supernatural entities.
The blend of the two themes is a good mix. Alma Wade is considered one of the most frightening video game villains of all time because of her sinister presence. The nature surrounding her existence is terrifying, to say the least. F.E.A.R. is one psychological horror game you can't miss!
4 Silent Hill 2
This survival horror game takes place in a fictional American town that was imagined by its developers. It's not the most demanding PC horror game given its age, but it is one that every horror enthusiast should play.
One of Silent Hill 2's most recognizable villains is Pyramid Head (above photo). This menacing figure is a pop culture icon because of his role in the game. Silent Hill 2 creates a gloomy atmosphere that is hard to replicate in video games.
3 Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 is considered the best game in the series before the Resident Evil 2 remake. The intuitive laser sight aiming was a game-changer for Resident Evil. Protagonist Leon S. Kennedy saw significant developments throughout the game.
According to reliable sources, a Resident Evil 4 remake is in the works. This isn't surprising since Capcom has spearheaded numerous Resident Evil remakes and remasters over the years. The remake is in capable hands, so we can be confident that it won't disappoint.
2 Dead Space
Dead Space is a third-person science-fiction horror game. Tension escalates at the right moments to keep players on the edge of their seats. A less cluttered HUD screen and a more intriguing narrative are why Dead Space is better than its successors.
There are parallels between Dead Space and Alien: Isolation, but we have to give Dead Space the edge. Both games leave the player stranded on a spaceship with alien creatures. However, Alien: Isolation is lacking depth in its combat system. Dead Space emphasizes confrontation, while Alien: Isolation focuses on evasion.
1 Resident Evil 2 Remake
The Resident Evil 2 remake is the best PC horror game thus far. Its blend of horror and third-person action is masterful. Resident Evil 2's gripping story involves the corrupt Umbrella Corporation and Leon S. Kennedy's struggle to survive.
Its PC requirements are above average, but if you can run this demanding game, we highly recommend it.