When it comes to constant excitement and engrossing mystery in games, there's nothing better than horror. While horror games used to be mostly produced by companies like Capcom and Konami, the past decades showed us that indie developers are a force to be reckoned with in the genre.

Whether it be the relatively small budgeted turned triple-A giant Outlast or the Taiwanese hidden gem Detention. There are so many to choose from, but today we're going to rank some of the best, based on their Metacritic scores. In the interest of allowing these games to put their best foot forward, we'll be using their highest Metacritic scores, as most of the titles listed herein received separate scores for each of their platform iterations.

Updated April 30, 2024 By Matthew Mckeown: There’s always something making the rounds in the indie scene. Whether that’s the hollering screams of Lethal Company or the do-it-yourself Found Footage filmmaker of Content Warning, there’s a lot that will get you screaming pretty quickly.

In the indie market, it can be hit-and-miss with titles unless you’ve got a finger on the pulse of the gaming community, but thankfully you can always get a good recommendation from Metacritic. Though it can be a pain to parse at times, so we’ve combed through it and came up with the latest and best indie horror video games according to Metacritic.

Pacific Drive (79)

An Indie horror game that’s definitely worth a spot on your Wishlist, Pacific Drive from Ironwood Studios blends survival and car repair in otherworldly dimensions. Your beat-up family Station Wagon is your transport, only companion and home away from home as you cross the Olympic Exclusion Zone.

Reality is constantly crumbling and the world shifts differently with each new trip across the zone, your car can be modded with all sorts of equipment and upgrades, plus it develops all sorts of odd quirks. Such as opening doors or the trunk on its own. It’s just you and your car against the supernatural horrors lurking out there in the wilds, so roll up those windows, lock your doors, and try to keep on the road. Plus, for all its great efforts Pacific Drive was rewarded with a 79 on Metacritic.

Whilst going off-road can help you navigate some treacherous spots, you run a higher risk of your tires deflating or worse, bursting when you have no spare. Your car is your only lifeline, so keep it safe.

The Thaumaturge (74)

A story-driven RPG from Fool’s Theory, the team behind the isometric stealth game Seven. The Thaumaturge is an exploration into the dark horrors lurking within Warsaw during the 20th century.

Creepy cryptids from traditional Polish folklore, and whilst not all of them are hostile, your choices can still lead you down a dark path. Survive the purges of the Russian Tsar and use your gift to see between the veil of life and death to your advantage as you solve various mysteries. But don’t take our word for it, it got 74 on Metacritic for a reason.

Just like their last game Seven, gameplay in the Thaumaturge is turn-based. So combat isn’t too overwhelming.

Forgive Me Father (71)

A super stylish Eldritch ‘Boomer-Shooter’, Forgive Me Father from Byte Barrel comes highly recommended for those that enjoy anything Lovecraftian. You play as one of two characters that sets off on a journey to recover their memories in a town that’s crawling with the otherworldly.

The art style is superb and each abomination you run into has their own unique mechanics and look so good that you’ll be distracted trying to look at their character model as they try to murder you. The weapons feel good and chunky to use and there are some unique powers and skills that can give you an edge against the hordes of nightmare creatures you’ll encounter. It’s so good that it got itself a 71 on Metacritic.

Whilst you’ll want to sprint through this game like Doom, it’s worth taking a slightly slower pace as some of those monsters hit very hard.

Boltgun (75)

Emperor be praised, we finally have a great Warhammer FPS to recommend and Boltgun is a must-play for any fan of 40K. A spin-off to Space Marine, Boltgun from Auroch Digital has you playing as Malum Caedo, a member of the illustrious Ultramarine Chapter of the Space Marines.

Sent to recover a Chaotic Artifact, Caedo has the hordes of Darkness in front of him and only the finest weapons of the Imperium at his disposal. From the classic Bolter to Plasma Pistol and more as well as a big meaty Chainsword to swing as you sprint around like an aggressive two-legged tank. It’s super satisfying to play, went down well with everyone, and easily scored a well-earned 75 on Metacritic.

Having a familiarity with Warhammer can help with this game, but it’s not mandatory as you can go in blind and still enjoy the delightfully vicious and violent gameplay.

Darkest Dungeon 2 (81)

A roguelike road trip that took what made its predecessor successful and put that show on the road, Darkest Dungeon 2 from Red Hook Studios is a brilliant return to form for a classic Indie horror game. The familiar classes are back, as well as a few new ones, and this time your journey into the darkness is up to you as you pick the routes your wagon takes.

The monsters are bigger and more varied, and there’s some really nasty attacks waiting for the unprepared. The familiar turn-based combat also makes a return and it’s sleeker than before. If you wanted a Darkest Dungeon game with a whole lot more then the sequel is a great option. So much so it earned itself a respectable 81 on Metacritic.

It helps to familiarize yourself with the attack order of your party as it can work against you at the worst moments.

Blasphemous 2 (84)

Awaken oh Penitent One, there is much work still to do. A terrifying blend of Dark Souls and Metroid, Blasphemous 2 is the sequel to the incredibly successful and gorgeous art-filled original. This time around the story is following up after the events of the Wounds of Eventide DLC from the first game.

The land is once again crawling with monsters, deadly traps, and brutal boss fights that will take every ounce of your skill to defeat. The world and its foes can be tackled in any order you like, and there’s plenty of horrific and holy weaponry to tear them apart. Although it didn’t quite hit the same nerve as the original, Blasphemous 2 went down incredibly well with critics, scoring an average of 84 and whilst not quite becoming a cult-classic like its predecessor, it still managed to fill those shoes pretty well.

System Shock 2023 (78)

A remake of the iconic original sci-fi horror game, System Shock 2023 recreated every beat that made the first game great and buffed it with a new era shine. Familiar corridors now look more forboding, the creatures more grotesque and there is of course all the original side distractions, but with a little 2023 tightening.

Once again you step into the shoes of the mysterious Hacker that’s stuck on a stricken Space Station run by a sadistic and psychotic A.I called Shodan. The crews been cannibalized into Cyborgs and it’s up to you to save the day. The remake got a fair amount of praise from critics, scoring a 78 on Metacritic and coming with a hearty recommendation for System Shock fans both old and new alike.

It’s very easy to soft-lock yourself with useless skills. So take some time and consider what kind of character you're building.

Stasis: Bone Totem - (85)

A point-and-click adventure game with plenty of cosmic dread and body horror, Stasis Bone Totem is an underwater Indie horror game from The Brotherhood that’ll leave you with nightmares. Set on an abandoned future-tech oil rig, the story follows a husband and wife duo and their cyborg bear, with gameplay bouncing between them to solve particular sections of the game.

As you try to get to the bottom of this mysterious abandoned station, you’ll encounter all sorts of twisted creatures and amalgamations of animal, man and machine that will require a strong stomach. Stasis: Bone Totem was well received on Metacritic, scoring a well-earned 85 and it comes with a recommendation for fans of slow-burn point-and-click games.

Bone Totem is a sequel, but make sure to check out the original which is set in space. The tones is slightly different but it’s more of the same far-future hellscape setting.

Slay The Princess (90)

Dark by name and even darker by nature, Slay The Princess from Black Tabby Games is a heart-wrenching Indie horror game that enjoys messing with your head. On the surface the premise of this Visual Novel style game is simple, slay the Princess. But once you start to pick apart its layers, there’s a whole other beast waiting for you beneath.

It’s an incredibly well-written and twisting tale where all sorts of endings await. Heavy on the roleplaying, your judgment and sanity will be tested at every turn as you try to slay the princess whilst keeping a clear conscious that your actions will save the world (Or will it?). With a creepy art style and a solid score of 90 on Metacritic, Slay The Princess comes highly recommended.

Throw your expectations out of the window with this game as it goes places you’ll never expect.

World Of Horror (78)

A black and white beautiful bit art game that’s a love letter to the horror stylings of Lovecraft and the twisted mind of Junji Ito, World Of Horror from Panstasz is a descent into the madness of Japanese Cosmic Horror.

Dark gods are awakening and horrible demons and deities are testing the resolve and sanity of the populace and it’s up to you to try and confront this new rogue-like reality through RPG menus and turn-based combat. Thanks to its horrific and very creative imagery, World of Horror was a cult hit when it came out, it earned itself a 78 on Metacritic and a spot on a lot of people's gaming libraries and Wishlists.

Ad Infinitum (70 )

Survive the abominable realities of Ad Infinitum and piece together the tortured tale of a German family torn apart by the events of World War One. This reality-hopping horror game from Hekate is heavily influenced by the Great War and the horrors of The Front. Explore trenches filled with mud, the dead, and wandering nightmare beasts as you try to break the cycle of torture.

There are plenty of puzzles to sink your teeth into and each new section has its own nightmare beast screeching at its center. Reality is quickly falling apart around you, so solve the mystery before it’s too late. With a respectable Metacritic score of 70, Ad Infinitum is a great horror game to check out.

Unholy (52)

A reality-bending adventure into a nightmare realm, Unholy from Duality Games is an interesting Indie Horror game that will unsettle and unnerve you. Your child has gone missing, and it’s up to you to get them back by crossing parallel worlds, solving devilish puzzles, and dealing with the denizens of this new demonic dimension.

Use the power of emotions to interact with your environment as well as deal with enemies. Plus, there’s a unique skill and ability system at its core that’s linked to an interesting Mask building mechanic. Though it scored 52 on Metacritic, it’s still a satisfying experience, especially around Halloween.

Killer Frequency (78)

A crazed killer stalks the town, the citizens are being hunted down one by one, and their fates rest in the hands of the helpful local Disk Jockey in Killer Frequency from Team17. This great VR Horror game lets you live out the classic horror trope of the helpful DJ in a Slasher film.

Answer calls from terrified town residents and help them shelter or escape from the roaming mass murderer. Guide them through mazes, help them hotwire cars, and walk them through what they must do to get out alive. It’s a tense and exciting game that requires a lot of observation and decisive thinking, as every snap decision and hasty choice could spell doom for someone else outside. Great solo or to spice up a party, plus it’s earned a respectable 78 on Metacritic for its efforts.

Metal: Hellsinger (79)

A fast-paced rhythm shooter with Hellish aesthetics, Metal: Hellsinger from The Outsiders is an infernal adventure into the burning depths of the Underworld. All whilst an exclusive and unique metal soundtrack shreds in the background as you blast apart demons to the beat with a roster of powerful weaponry.

All your guns look delightfully demonic and there are plenty of different ways to make the big bad monsters go boom or fly into tiny bits. Featuring a tight story and a challenge mode that will keep you coming back for more, Metal: Hellsinger went down well with critics, scoring a 79 for its take on music-based mayhem.

Hello Neighbour 2 (59)

It’s back into the twisting halls and trap-filled rooms of the strange home in Raven Brooks. This time around you’re playing as Quentin, a journalist who’s visiting the town to investigate the events of the first game. Sneak your way back inside the neighbor's home and figure out what’s going on at the heart of this mystery.

With a whole town to explore, there are plenty of puzzles to solve and secrets to dig up around the neighborhood. Though it got a bit of a mixed reception, with it scoring 59 on Metacritic, it’s a suitable and satisfying follow-up to the original and a nice extra bit of filler for those who were left looking for more at the end of the first game.

My Friendly Neighborhood (82)

Muppets have always been a little off-putting, and the team behind My Friendly Neighborhood are definitely aware of this. Developed by the Szymanski’s, this puzzle-filled indie horror game is reminiscent of early Resident Evil meets Poppy’s Playhouse with a healthy dollop of fun ribbing on iconic muppet shows like Sesame Street.

You play as Gordon, an unfortunate repairman that’s been sent in to disconnect the antenna that’s been broadcasting episodes of the show from a now-abandoned studio complex. Twisting halls filled with wandering, psychologically unstable puppets await and unless you subdue and tape them up, those creatures simply reappear to antagonize and throttle you to death. Sitting on a well-earned 82, My Friendly Neighborhood isn’t doing a lot that’s different, but it’s definitely got some good ideas.

Dredge (84)

A single-player fishing game from Black Salt Games, Dredge is a spooky pixely Indie game that's made a lot of ripples when it splashed onto our screens. After waking up on strange shores after a monstrous encounter with an underwater Leviathan, your task is simple, figure out what’s going on whilst trying to leave these eldritch waters.

There’s plenty of strange and twisted creatures to pull up from the depths to sell at market, but those channels and estuaries are far from safe. Hostile mutant fish prowl beneath the waves and unless you’ve been upgrading your boat as you go along, it won’t be long until you’re turned into fish food. With multiple endings, a satisfying score of 84, and multiple platforms to play on, Dredge has set itself apart as a fantastic and frightening adventure fishing game.

Layers Of Fear: Legacy (80)

Layers of Fear is a series that’s been around for a while but they’re always popular since Bloober Team seem to know their way around horrifying imagery and unsettling storytelling. Now you can take that terror on the go with Layers Of Fear: Legacy on the Nintendo Switch.

You play as an unwell painter that’s trying to piece together his big masterpiece in a twisting tale that reveals the dark side of obsession and the impact it can have on a family. Legacy also takes it one immersive step further by implementing the Switch’s hardware to include motion and touch-screen controls. Overall it’s an interesting and unique port that went down well with critics as it scored a respectable 80 on Metacritic.

Tormented Souls (79)

A surprisingly satisfying indie horror game from PQube, Tormented Souls wears its inspirations proudly on its sleeves. Fans of Resident Evil and Silent Hill will find themselves right at home here as they uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of twin girls at Winterlake.

After waking up in a bathtub in a rundown building, it’s up to investigator Caroline Walker to get out of there alive. Combat is evenly paced and methodical, and there are plenty of puzzles to solve and twisted monsters to take down. Sitting on a score of 79, if you enjoyed that 90’s era of classic horror, then you’ll like Tormented Souls.

Prodeus (84)

Though it may look like another Boomer Shooter-esque game, Prodeus from Bounding Box Software is anything but. The retro looks are only aesthetic as the gameplay is fast, frantic, and very modern. Feeling more akin to Doom or Strafe, Prodeus is a nonstop action-packed FPS horror game with a lot of guns and even more gore.

There’s an arsenal of powerful weaponry to pick up and use to paint the walls with excessive amounts of monster blood. Plus, with their dismemberment system, you can watch your foes fall apart under a hail of gunfire in a rather satisfying way. To further add to the chaos, Prodeus comes with four-player co-op, 16-player deathmatch, a map editor, and a plethora of other multiplayer modes to sink your teeth into. With a score of 84, Prodeus is one worth picking up.