In space nobody can hear you scream. However because you’re not in space (most likely), put together to shake and squirm in your seat with the spookiest and finest space horror video games obtainable proper now. Our goal with this checklist is to showcase our picks for the largest and finest space-set horror video games – as of late 2022 – in ranked order.
We consider all the video video games talked about listed here are nicely value trying out and canopy a variety of scary tales and unsettling atmospheres which are excellent for this Halloween season. The principle rule is easy: they have to be set in space… though there’s one notable exception.
Nice space horror video games aren’t obligated to toy with monsters nor supernatural phenomena as scares are available in many types – perhaps it’s only a creepy ambiance that’s doing all of the work. As acknowledged above, outer space is lots scary with out added stress and freaky threats, however these are undoubtedly welcome.
In the event you’re additionally on the lookout for calmer space video video games that look to the celebs, you may need to try our checklist of the best space exploration games, or perhaps the best Star Wars games for followers of every kind. Trying on the future, we’ve additionally ready a listing with upcoming space games it’s best to regulate, together with the long-anticipated Dead Space remake (opens in new tab) and that very same sequence’ religious successor, The Callisto Protocol (opens in new tab).
10. We Went Again
- Launch date: April 3, 2020
- Platform: PC
The primary title in our checklist is an ignored, free-to-play (and preserve) indie recreation by Lifeless Thread Video games. The premise is kind of easy, and the sport will be crushed in lower than 50 minutes: you’re on their lonesome in an deserted space station, the exit is locked, and one thing is lurking within the shadows – it’ll make you are feeling such as you’re in one of many Alien movies (opens in new tab).
We now have a delicate spot for “condensed” horror tales, and We Went Again is sort of a nice quick story about worry of the unknown. It’s actually good on the lookout for such a small dev staff, too. With its Steam critiques sitting at a wholesome “very optimistic” score, perhaps a much bigger challenge based mostly on this little deal with will comply with someday sooner or later.
9. Moons of Insanity
- Launch date: October 22, 2019
- Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
Moons of Insanity is one other first-person horror recreation. This one is greater and shakier although. It comes from Rock Pocket Video games, a Norwegian studio that started off creating cellular video games after which made the leap to full-blown horror for PC and consoles.
In the event you’re a fan of cosmic horror with Lovecraftian DNA, this one’s for you. Furthermore, Moons of Insanity has loads of arduous sci-fi parts as nicely. Whereas the preliminary setbacks in your mission are considerably regular, issues shortly take a wierd flip. What’s actual and what isn’t? issues are going to get darkish quickly, but you may’t wait to uncover Mars’ largest secret.
8. SOMA
- Launch date: September 22, 2015
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS, Xbox One, PS4
This one’s a little bit of a wildcard. For starters, it’s not set in outer space, however underwater right here on planet Earth as a substitute. So, why is it a part of this checklist? Effectively, its influences come from space-set video games and sci-fi movies with sturdy A.I. and physique horror parts. In some ways, it appears like a religious successor to the basic System Shock video games.
SOMA is Frictional Video games’ 2015 follow-up to Amnesia: The Darkish Descent (2010), probably the most influential horror video games of the previous twenty years. On this event, the Frictional of us went all in on the wild narrative and gorgeous twists. The stealth sections have been nonetheless a bit undercooked, however the remainder of the sport is totally prime tier.
7. Hellpoint
- Launch date: July 30, 2020
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS, Xbox One and Sequence X/S, PS4/5, Nintendo Change, Google Stadia
Darkish Souls… in space! That’s a pitch that may robotically make tons of players click on the closest “purchase” button. Cradle Video games’ Hellpoint might lack the finesse and polish of larger Soulslike titles, however its darkish coronary heart is in the precise place. Derelict space colony? Examine. Huge “we shouldn’t have tampered with this” cataclysm? Examine. What’s to not like?
The participant controls a anonymous humanoid stranded on the Irid Novo space station, which orbits a large black hole. Vicious creatures and entities should be banished, and an enormous thriller have to be cracked. After all, like most Souls-influenced video games, this one’s robust and never for everybody. You’ve been warned.
6. Remark
- Launch date: Might 21, 2019
- Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
Certainly one of our private favorites, because it’s such a drastically completely different method to telling a spooky story set in outer space. No Code’s recreation is extra of a thriller by which the reality a few mission gone awry have to be uncovered by way of the lens of the station’s pc (S.A.M.), whose point-of-view is proscribed and modifications as the sport progresses.
Remark is extra of a puzzle recreation which tells an unsettling story, and a a lot welcome change of tempo for veteran players who’ve fought and hidden from unspeakable horrors for years. Although that doesn’t imply Remark cannot be aggravating when issues get furry – it’s undoubtedly earned its spot on this checklist of one of the best space horror video games.
5. DOOM 3: BFG Version
- Launch date: October 16, 2012
- Platform: PC, Android, Xbox 360/One, PS3/4, Nintendo Change
DOOM 3 has at all times been thought to be an incredible first-person shooter and horror recreation, however a not-so-good DOOM entry. The newest iterations of the franchise have amplified its “energy fantasy” philosophy as much as eleven, however the basic instalments additionally had that type of power. DOOM 3 was a reboot of kinds that took benefit of the tech leap by id Software program within the early 2000s to toy with the saga’s foundations.
It’s arduous to argue towards DOOM 3 being a bland illustration of the remainder of the franchise, however that doesn’t make it a nasty recreation. The taking pictures holds up, the ambiance continues to be suffocatingly darkish, and the general expertise makes for an fascinating detour from punching demons within the face. By the best way, be sure you seize the “BFG Version” to get all the most recent bells and whistles.
4. Prey
- Launch date: Might 5, 2017
- Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
Prey’s historical past is a doozy: the (unbelievable) authentic recreation flew beneath the radar for years earlier than making a cult following, then an bold sequel that promised bounty-hunting in a Star Wars-like setting was canned by Bethesda resulting from ongoing improvement points. The IP was later rebooted with Prey (2017), an Arkane Studios-developed first-person shooter and immersive sim which took fairly a bit from BioShock and different classics corresponding to Deus Ex.
Very like the unique title, Prey 2017 stays an beautiful but underrated recreation. It by no means grew to become as well-known because the studio’s Dishonored video games, however it shares many strengths with these versatile first-person, immersive romps. The story takes place in an alternate timeline by which humankind took to the celebs far earlier and encountered a hostile alien race with unusual bodily and psychic powers.
Ever been attacked by a cup? No? Effectively then it’s essential play Prey.
3. System Shock 2
- Launch date: August 11, 1999
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS
Lots of the finest space horror video games on this checklist wouldn’t have occurred if System Shock 1 and a pair of hadn’t paved the best way. Each video games stay immersive sims value exploring, however the second gained a bigger following due to its refined mechanics and programs.
System Shock 2 was initially supposed to be a standalone recreation, however plans modified in the course of manufacturing, after Digital Arts signed on as writer. The story takes place in 2114, on the starship Von Braun, the place a genetic an infection has taken over. There’s loads of motion and thrills on this one, however what makes every part click on collectively are the plot and SHODAN, among the finest online game villains ever. Belief us, issues get actually loopy.
Growth on System Shock 3 and a remaster/reboot of the primary instalment are occurring as we communicate, so it is a saga that might be reactivated within the mainstream quickly.
2. Alien: Isolation
- Launch date: October 6, 2014
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, Xbox 360/One, PS3/4, Nintendo Change
We couldn’t shut out this checklist with out Alien: Isolation, Artistic Meeting’s first foray into first-person horror. There have been loads of Alien video games that recreated the second movie’s thrills and motion, however this one took a web page out of Amnesia’s guide and as a substitute centered on delivering the right sequel to Ridley Scott’s authentic 1979 horror basic.
The story follows Amanda Ripley, Ellen’s daughter, 15 years after the occasions that ended with the destruction of the ship Nostromo. Its flight recorder is recovered, and Amanda joins a retrieval mission so she will have closure. As an alternative, she’s fated to face the horror her mom tried to destroy. This one’s a nerve-wracking expertise and a must-play for anybody into the sturdy sci-fi franchise.
1. Lifeless House
- Launch date: October 14, 2008
- Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Usually described as “The Factor in space,” Lifeless House shortly grew to become a sleeper hit when it was launched again in 2008. Sure, it’s set in one more deserted ship that found one thing nobody ought to have touched, however its deep worldbuilding and beautiful enemy and stage design made it one for the ages.
A full-blown Dead Space remake, dealt with by EA’s Motive Studios, is approaching January 27, 2023, however the authentic recreation holds up and continues to be value taking part in by way of. Lifeless House 2 is a worthy follow-up which doubles down on the motion, too. It was Lifeless House 3 that perhaps strayed too removed from the saga’s roots and have become a horror-themed third-person shooter, however some followers defend it to this day.
