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They are unforgettable experiences, and essential for anyone looking for a thrill.

Best indie horror games 2025

12.

A scientist works at a desk, strewn with biometric machinery

  • Lucy Buglass, TechRadar Gaming reviewer.

Everyone is in panic mode as an emergency is called, and very quickly, things descend into madness.

Inscryption

In terms of horror games, there’s nothing else quite like Inscryption.

A trapdoor surrounded by matchsticks

Each round, you’ll slowly battle it out against a mysterious presence that’s holding you hostage.

Addictive, complex and downright wacky at times.

Inscryptionis a personal favorite of ours at TRG, and for good reason.

Inscryption screenshot showing the playing table, with two wolf cards held in hand. A set of gold scales to the left, and a pair of white eyes in the distance, against darkness.

You see, each round ofInscryptionstarts with the player waking up opposite a shadowy figure with menacing white eyes.

Amnesia: The Bunker

Amnesia: The Bunkeris one of the scariest gaming experiences currently available.

The grit and gore is what puts it above the rest.

Enemy soldiers patrolling trenches

Its non-stop psychological torment, which is what a lot of players seek from a horror game.

In that regard - its pretty special.

5 Days a Stranger

If theres one word to describe5 Days a Stranger, it would be eerie.

5 Days a Stranger screenshot showing a man in a suit standing next to a fireplace

This game manages to present an incredibly heavy atmosphere throughout.

If you want something slightly more old-school that still holds up, its worth checking out.

Itll scare you in ways you dont expect.

A skull on a post in a dense forest

Not ideal, really, but youll have to gather your bearings fairly quickly to survive.

Dredgemay not initially look like an indie horror game with its chunky art style and simple design.

It looks like an innocent fishing simulator from the get-go, but dont let it fool you.

A ship pulling out of a harbour at sunset

What keeps you on your toes is the tension that the experience offers throughout.

The premise ofEscape the Backroomsis exactly what it says on the tin.

Suddenly even your own team becomes yet another scary encounter.

bodies mass in a corridor lit by deep red

Its enjoyable on its own or in a group setting, but its definitely more intimidating solo.

Its an essential title for any player looking for a truly terrifying and immersive experience.

The Mortuary Assistant

The Mortuary Assistantis simply terrifying.

A carnival themed room with a horror vibe

Theres nothing else to it really.

When you start, youll constantly be checking over your shoulder to check that youre not being watched.

The entire game is tense and hair-raising.

A terrifying humanoid crouches, smiling at the character

Youll have to complete your tasks while trying to keep demonic spirits at bay.

The kicker: you simply cannot leave.

Youll have to practice rituals while completing embalming tasks, but it wont be an easy journey.

Barotrauma screenshot showing a giant worm with rows of teeth

This distinctive cocktail of horror and tension landsBarotraumaa place on our best indie horror games list.

Cult of the Lamb

Cult of the Lambblends Lovecraftian horror with cutesy Animal Crossing-esque design.

You’ll slowly foster your very own cult, making sacrifices to keep the group growing in power.

Cult of the Lamb drum circle minigame

Sometimes this means a little but of animal sacrifice, other times it means eating your own.

All for the good of the cult.

Horror fans will find plenty to love in this deceptively cutesy management game.

Outside the Murkoff Facility stands cardboard cutouts of traditional American families

Signalis

Signalis is an awesome throwback to the very roots of horror in gaming.

If you’re a fan of classic survival horror,Signalisfeatures many of the hallmarks you’d expect.

A truly impressive horror showcase that makes the most of its lo-fi trappings.

Amnesia: The Bunker

However,Dredgeis also available on the platform if you want a different, more open experience to enjoy.

What is the scariest co-op horror game from the best indie horror games list?

HRKGame Int

Escape the Backrooms

Sons Of The Forest Steam…

DREDGE

Green Man Gaming

The Outlast Trials PC

CDKeys

Barotrauma