Who doesn’t love a good horror game? There’s nothing like a jumpscare to get the heart pumping. If you’re a fan of the horror genre, you’re in for a treat. There are so many great upcoming horror games on the way this year, including remakes that will take on a trip down memory lane.
We’ve rounded up 13 upcoming horror games to be on the lookout for. But before you dive in and start playing, be sure to grab some Xbox Live Gift Cards from OffGamers for your purchase (Buy Xbox Live US Online | Cheap, Fast & Safe, Mar. 2023).
1. Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse isn’t exactly a new game. It was first released in 2008 in Japan as the fourth game in the Fatal Frame series. After the successful remastering of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, Mask of the Lunar Eclipse was next on the list to be remastered with new graphics.
Mask of the Lunar Eclipse takes an old-school approach to horror games. It’s a blend of nostalgia and freshness despite its predictable premise.
In Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, a group of children mysteriously disappear during a festival on Rogetsu Isle. They return to the island as teenagers – but without their memories. You’ll venture through the world looking for clues and using your handy but frightening tool – Camera Obscura, which is a camera that has a chilling ability to capture and seal away horrors.
If you’re a fan of old-school horror games, be sure to put Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse on your list of must-play games.
2. Resident Evil 4 Remake
The long-awaited remake of Resident Evil 4 is just a few weeks away, and fans of the beloved horror franchise can hardly wait for its release.
Along with updated graphics and visuals, the game is rumoured to have new gameplay to push the franchise into the next-gen world.
The game is set six years after Raccoon City’s biological disaster. Leon Kennedy is one of the survivors, and he’s on a mission to find the president’s kidnapped daughter. He tracks her down in a remote European village. The only problem is that something is quite wrong with the locals.
Resident Evil 4 promises a reimagined storyline and updated graphics. In addition, you can check out the game’s official Chainsaw Demo until this game’s release at the end of March.
3. Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 is one of the most anticipated sequels in the horror genre. The 2010 original Alan Wake was an award-winning survival horror game with a fascinating psychological story and intense environment.
The trailer looks extremely promising, and we can’t wait to see what the gameplay is like. Rumour has it, the game’s story will focus on the more nightmarish aspects of the world and on the survival horror experience. In fact, the developers said Alan Wake 2 is their first horror survival game.
We still don’t have a definite date for the release of this game, but we do know that it will be available on:
- PC
- PS5
- Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S
4. Silent Hill: Ascension
Silent Hill: Ascension is the latest instalment in the Silent Hill series, and this one takes a very unique approach to gameplay.
The game is a blend of a streaming show and a video game. You, the player, have the opportunity to influence the outcome of the characters, the stories and the world.
Ascension is technically a MILE or massively interactive event. What this means is that the game series unfolds in real time and with the help of the audience.
We don’t know much about how the event will unfold or its interactive elements, but we’re curious about what the gameplay will be like.
Past MILEs have been completely free, but there’s still no word on whether Ascension will be free or sold in stores. There may be a subscription, or there may be an app – we’re not sure yet.
We do know that the “show” will be broadcast 24/7.
5. Greyhill Incident
The Greyhill Incident promises to be a plot-driven game, so we’re expecting it to have a really well-written story. Sure, it’s a bit cliché with its 90s vibe and alien theme. But we’re hopeful that the gameplay will make up for it.
It’s a survival-horror game, so there should be some interesting twists and turns. You’ll play Ryan Baker, and you’ll need to rely on your wit, your baseball bat and your revolver to stay alive. The story takes place in the neighbourhood of Greyhill, which has been invaded by UFOS and aliens. Your goal is to get across the neighbourhood to help a neighbour in need.
Greyhill Incident is slated for a June release, so the wait won’t be long!
6. Post Trauma
Post Trauma gives us another original and interesting take on the horror genre. It promises to offer a modern take on classic horror games. Fixed camera angles, advanced graphics and immersive environments bring you right into the centre of this terrifying world.
They say that true horror lives in the mind, and Post Trauma forces us to look at the horrors hidden within our own psyches.
You’ll play Roman, a train conductor who is trying to escape from and understand this new surreal world he’s found himself trapped in.
Post Trauma is one of those indie horror games that we are really excited about, but we still don’t have a release date for this one. All we know is that it’s slated for a 2023 release.
7. Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game
Who says horror games can’t be fun or goofy? Killer Klowns from Outer Space is the kind of game you play with friends and family for a good laugh.
The game is inspired by the 80s movie, and while it may not be the scariest game, it’s definitely one of the most fun.
You’ll be stuck in the battle between the residents of Crescent Cove and Killer Klowns. Make your choice to harvest humans as a Killer Klown, or save them from the alien invasion while playing as a citizen of the town.
The multiplayer aspect makes this a game that everyone can join in on and experience together. You’ll fight in an arena in 3 (Killer Klowns) vs 7 (citizens) fights.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is expected to be released in 2023.
8. Fort Solis
Fort Solis is a single-player, third-person game set on Mars. You play Engineer Jack Leary, who has been sent to respond to a routine alarm. You find yourself alone on this planet – very far from home.
Soon after arriving, all sorts of events start unravelling that are more terrifying than you could have ever imagined. It doesn’t help that you’re completely alone on this planet – or so you think.
Fort Solis looks like a calmingly horrifying game with plenty of chilling elements to keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s complete horror immersion, and we’re here for it.
Fort Solis is expected to be released in Q3 2023, so look for this one in late summer.
9. Negative Atmosphere
Negative Atmosphere is a survival horror game, where you find yourself trapped aboard the void ship TRH Rusanov. You’ll play Samuel Edwards and be pitted against your former crew-mates who have been transformed into monsters.
There’s only one way out, and you’ll have to cross the ship to get there. You’ll face dangers around every corner, and you’ll need to pull as many resources as you can to get out in time.
Edwards has a deep knowledge of medicinal drugs, and he can use them in creative ways to heal the injured, alter himself or influence enemies. This knowledge will be the key to your survival.
There’s a morality aspect to this game. Your choices will influence not only the outcome of the story but the main character himself. Every decision you make will affect the way you experience the game.
There’s no release date yet for this game, but it looks promising.
10. HumanitZ
HumanitZ may not be the scariest game, but the gameplay looks really promising – almost like an indie version of the Last of Us. It has multiple elements to make gameplay more interesting, although the zombie premise isn’t exactly a new one.
This is a co-op, open-world survival game in a world that’s been invaded by zombies. Because this game also blends strategy elements into the mix, the gameplay is going to be multi-dimensional. And being able to play with friends will make this game even more fun.
In HumanitZ, humans have become an endangered species, struggling to survive in small groups. Try your hand at surviving in the big city, where zeeks (zombies) could be around any corner. Or you could try surviving out in the country and living off the land by fishing, hunting and farming.
While no solid release date has been set, HumanitZ is expected to be released in 2023.
11. Sons of the Forest
Sons of the Forest is the sequel to the 2018 game The Forest, and everyone is expecting it to be one of the best open-world survival games to be released in recent years. You’ll find yourself facing groups of cannibal mutants and trying to survive the elements. To stay alive, you’ll have to make use of scavenged items out in the harsh wilderness.
Sons of the Forest is a survival horror simulator. Building and crafting are a big part of the gameplay but don’t worry, there are plenty of demons to fight, too. You’ll fight against the changing seasons and do whatever it takes to stay alive. Co-op gameplay makes this game even more fun to play.
12. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 takes you to the heart of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, where violent mutants and monsters lurk. Warring factions have made this zone a tough place to survive.
But there’s something here that’s attracting people called S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s. These are people who are on the hunt for artifacts, looking to make a fortune and risking their lives to do so.
The game features a post-apocalyptic open world, which you’ll make your way through as you choose your path and explore the game’s epic story.
In S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, you’ll have 30+ different types of weapons to choose from and modifications to create lethal combinations. You’ll face mutated creatures with different behaviour models, so you never know what you’ll be up against.
On your hunt for artifacts, you’ll find that the best and most valuable ones are hidden in the most dangerous of places.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has a non-linear story, so you can take a variety of paths to achieve different endings. It also has a life-simulating system with really immersive survival mechanics, including sleeping, hunger, radiation, bleeding and more. It makes the gameplay more enriching and challenging. You’ll also be up against the changing seasons and day-night cycles.
13. Amnesia: The Bunker
Amnesia: The Bunker is a first-person horror game set in a deserted WWI bunker. Search for tools and weapons while you fight to keep the lights on at all costs. You’ll have to fight tooth and nail to make it out alive.
The semi-open world gives you lots of opportunities to get creative with puzzle-solving and exploring. Find out what happened to the soldiers and officers.
Monsters lurk around every corner, and they react to the player’s actions.
The Bunker promises to be an intense horror experience, and we hope it lives up to these expectations. Amnesia: The Bunker is set for a May 2023 release, so be on the lookout for this title soon.
These scary games are helping transform the horror industry. Whether you’re into games that look at the horrors of the mind or having to survive the elements, you’ll find a title you love on our list.
Don’t forget to watch gameplays and streamers on YouTube and Twitch for more playthroughs and updates.
