There’s something truly memorable about a solid horror game that leaves your heart pounding and your hands sweating. For those who consider themselves fans of the macabre or a game riddled with jumpscares, there are plenty of top-tier titles out there to satisfy them. But what we’re interested in today are the best indie horror games on the market right now. It isn’t always about having a big development team or a multi-million-dollar budget – sometimes an indie developer can leave you trembling in fear.
We’ve had some great titles released of late that have helped to populate this genre, and more are on the horizon. From psychological thrillers to the gorefests, there are more indie horror games out there than you can handle – and if you do try handling them all, your sanity would likely come into question.
So, here’s our list of the best indie horror games – enjoy!
If you’re looking for an all-new scare-fest developed by a small team, or even just one person – look no further than this list.
Layers of Fear is a psychological title that relies on jumpscares and disconcerting imagery to put players on edge. It’s a unique game, though – and it walks players through the terrifying experiences of a man tormented by a fragmented mind. It can be a puzzling title that puts forward a relatively simple premise, but how Layers of Fear makes you question what’s real and what’s a threat is enough to keep your heart rate high.
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Outlast is a legendary title in the indie horror space. It was released back in 2013 and helped to popularise the ‘run and hide’ sub-genre, and while doing so, it defined itself as one of the best indie horror games out there. In Outlast, players must assume the role of an investigative journalist tasked with exploring a psychiatric hospital that’s bursting at the seams with violent threats and dark mysteries.
Related: Learn About 'The Outlast Trials'
Amnesia is one of the older games to make this list and one of the best indie horror games to ever be produced. It was created by a very small team from Sweden, and it kickstarted a series that horror game fans would come to love. In this first outing, players are tasked with exploring a morbid, eerie castle, solving puzzles, and trying to stay in the light while being hunted by terrifying enemies. It was one of the first ‘run and hide’ games to hit the market, and it arguably opened the door for games like Outlast to succeed.
Limbo is a freaky platformer with plenty of scenes that can chill the player with the utmost ease. In Limbo, gamers control an unidentified child – a small boy – who is exploring a dark, shadowy world in search of his lost sister. Sadly, almost every scene opens the door to a brutal death, and with constant undertones of desperation and loneliness being woven into the very fabric of the game, Limbo certainly isn’t one for the faint of heart.
Sons of the Forest is the 2024 follow-up title to the 2014 game ‘The Forest’, and both are terrifying games in their own right. However, Sons of the Forest edges out the first title, giving players an experience that’s riddled with terror and edge-of-your-seat gameplay that never relents. From diving deep underground into pitch-black caves littered with mutants to being jumped on in the darkness of a forest by bloodthirsty cannibals, all while trying to simply survive, Sons of the Forest is a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Related: Is The Forest Cross-Platform?
Dredge is one of the best indie horror games 2025 has to offer, and if you’re afraid of deep water or what might lurk in the ocean, then we’ll warn you to approach this one with caution. In Dredge, players experience the adventures – and terror – of a simple fisherman, but as soon as they venture out onto the murky waters at night, they’ll find that it’s them that are being hunted, and not the fish. If you’ve ever wondered if things like the Megalodon are real, Dredge will help you understand the possibilities of what exists in the deep, dark ocean.
Ad Infinitum is one of the top indie horror games of 2025, and it delivers a horrifying thrill ride by targeting things that may be impacting a player in their waking lives. In Ad Infinitum, players must contend with puzzles and monsters that are created as representations of PTSD, guilt, and remorse – some serious existential threats. It’s a heart-pounding journey from start to finish and it’s recommended that only the most toughened horror game veterans take this one on.
Credit: Black Tabby Games
Slay the Princess is an interesting title, and is unique from the rest of the best indie horror games on this list. This game is a visual novel, where you play through a role-reversal of the damsel in distress trope. You’re not saving the princess – you’re killing her. Slay the Princess’ horror elements come broadly from its voice acting, which adds a ton of atmosphere to the game. Even if you don’t like visual novels, any horror fan needs to give Slay the Princess a try.
Credit: Scott Cawthon
The game that spawned a multi-media franchise, Five Nights at Freddy’s has to be on this list. While it spawned a bunch of sequels, it’s the 2014 that earns its place on our list of the best indie horror games. It’s a simple concept, executed brilliantly. You play as the overnight security guard of a pizzeria, and need to survive the animatronic monsters that inhabit the establishment during the evening. The addictive gameplay made it an instant hit, and Five Nights at Freddy’s has had a huge impact on pop culture overall. We couldn’t leave it out.
Credit: Nicalis
There will be some who don’t class The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth as a horror game. We do – its art style is absolutely haunting, and still holds up a decade after its release. On top of this, it’s the textbook definition for what a roguelike should be. Players go from one floor to the next, collecting items to make themselves more powerful to fight the monsters in each room. The game is Edmund McMillen’s baby, and it shows. Numerous expansions make The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth one of the best indie horror games ever made, and it’s not even close.
Credit: SadSquare Studio
Visage takes a ton of inspiration from P.T. in its presentation. This first-person horror game takes place in a single house, where you must discover what happened to its previous owners. Atmosphere is key here, with the game constantly keeping players on their toes with what to expect next. Of all the best indie horror games, it’s one of the lesser-known offerings, but that doesn’t detract from its quality.
Credit: Blue Isle Studios
Yes, Slender Man’s popularity probably peaked around the time of Slender: The Arrival, but that doesn’t mean that this game isn’t worth playing in 2025. The game follows similar mechanics to Slender: The Eight Pages, but bigger, more to actually do, and spookier than ever. Slender Man is a timeless character who always invites chills, and there’s a reason Slender: The Arrival remains one of the best indie horror games on the market.
Credit: Mob Entertainment
Episodic horror games are rare, and Poppy Playtime goes even further by actually being great for scares each and every time. Across four chapters, you navigate a factory in first-person, solving puzzles while avoiding the dangerous toys, that have come to life. The Five Nights at Freddy’s influence is strong with Poppy Playtime, but it does enough to differentiate itself and earns its place among the best indie horror games around.
Related: Get The Best Horror Experience in Fortnite
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