Highlights

• The Outlast Trials offers a heart-wrenching experience in a Cold War-era setting with fear-inducing moments.
• Amnesia: The Bunker takes players back to World War I and forces them to engage in strategic resource management in claustrophobic nightmares.
• Dredge offers a unique twist with a fishing theme full of sea monsters that requires resource management to survive.

Horror games have been around as long as gaming consoles, so it’s fair to say that the genre is not only popular, but also well researched and developed. As technology has advanced, horror games have gotten better and better by introducing new gameplay mechanics, better graphics, and overall improved storylines.

There are many subgenres of horror, so players looking for an adrenaline rush and nightmarish experience have a wide range of options to choose from. Still, many players would agree that exploration horror games are some of the best of their kind, as they are not only designed to keep players in constant alertness, but also have them searching through Lovecraftian worlds for clues and pieces of a larger puzzle. Here are the best discovery horror games to date.

6 The Outlast Trials

A horror story from the Cold War era

• The Cold War setting complements the horror theme
• Several heart-racing moments of fear

The Outlast Trials is not the first exploration and survival horror game from Red Barrels Studio, as several other games in the Survive Several titles in the franchise have been released over the years, and while the essence of the franchise is still felt in The Outlast Trials, there have also been some changes that make it feel new and refreshing.

First of all, The Outlast Trials is set during the Cold War era, when Russia and the US were secretly trying to overwhelm each other with arsenals of weapons and advances in nuclear warfare. Players take on the body and mind of one of the unfortunate test subjects, also known as human guinea pigs, trapped in one of the many testing facilities of the evil Murkoff Corporation. Those brave enough to play this game must navigate claustrophobic corridors, dark rooms, and other eerie locations – all while being pursued by endless horrors.

5 Amnesia: The Bunker

A claustrophobic nightmare from the First World War

• The bunker setting of the First World War reinforces the horror
• Limited resources force players to act strategically

Another great game set in one of humanity’s darkest moments is Amnesia: The Bunkerthat takes players back to World War I. During the events of this armed conflict, players control a soldier trapped in an underground bunker. As the game progresses, players must explore dark, cold areas and tight spaces while being pursued by an unknown entity.

This story-based exploration horror game forces players to use their resources carefully, as they are very limited and necessary to survive as long as possible without encountering additional difficulties.

4 System shock

A sci-fi horror game with decent boss fights

• Funny boss fights
• Futuristic horror setting

Experienced players in their late 20s and early 30s may have played the original System shock game in 1994 – and if so, they’ll be pleasantly surprised by the 2023 remake. System Shock tells the story of a hacker trapped on Citadel Station, which has been overrun by SHODAN, an evil AI.

Like any other exploration and survival horror game, System Shock requires players to fight crazed cyborgs, mutated creatures, and many other evils in order to escape Citadel Station alive. Additionally, players must decipher SHODAN’s evil plan to destroy Earth and take over the remaining rubble. It should be noted that System Shock has a fair number of bosses, so players looking for an exploration horror game where there are none may want to skip this title altogether.

3 Dredge

Fishing is scary now

• Interesting fishing theme that breaks the usual structure of horror games
• Resource management is the key to survival.

Of all the games on this list Dredge could be considered the least scary based on its art style alone, as it deviates significantly from the classic 3D camera angles and designs that most gamers are used to from other titles. However, this game should not be underestimated, as it still offers an entertaining experience full of twists, scary sea monsters, and dark environments.

Dredge tells the story of a fisherman exploring a unique archipelago. As he delves deeper into the seabed, he discovers dark secrets and mysteries that lie beneath the surface. Players must strategically manage their resources to survive and upgrade their ship to withstand the endless dangers that await.

2 Sons of the Forest

A terrifying search for a lost billionaire

• Survival against cannibalistic mutants
• Strong dependence on resource management and component manufacturing

Sons of the Forest is the sequel to The foresta 2014 survival game that terrified many players around the world. Much like its sequel, Sons of the Forest is set in a large, open rural area where various dangers lurk in the shadows.

One of the things that makes this game so terrifying is the realism of the scenario it takes place in. Players take on the body of a savior sent to a remote island to find a lost billionaire who, like other islanders, has lost contact and suddenly disappeared. As the game progresses, players discover that the island is inhabited by cannibalistic mutants and they must rely heavily on their crafting, resource management, and combat skills to survive and uncover the island’s dark secrets.

1 Alan Wake – The Wonderful World of Madness

A surreal detective story with dark undertones

• Complex puzzle solving
• Exciting plot with many twists

The original Alan-Wake Released in 2010, the game captivated players from day one and helped Remedy Entertainment grow and build its reputation. Although it took over a decade for the sequel to the series to come out, Alan-Wake 2 meets and exceeds the 13-year expectations of gamers worldwide.

The plot revolves around FBI agent Saga Anderson and author Alan Wake. Players explore a dark world full of dangers, murderous enemies, paranormal aspects, and a series of bizarre murders that seem to be connected to a satanic cult that will stop at nothing to achieve its goal. All in all, Alan Wake 2 wonderfully fulfills its promise of being one of the best horror games of the decade.