What are the best horror VR games? Video games have always excelled at delivering spine-chilling horror, and this becomes even more potent when experienced through VR goggles. The unsettling atmosphere of horror becomes even more gripping as you dive deeper into the virtual world, and virtual reality provides the ultimate level of immersion.
Some of the finest VR horror games take existing horror titles and give them a fresh, immersive twist. But what games can truly plunge you into the abyss of existential terror? Which ones will send shivers down your spine like a frosty bath on a speeding train through the Alps? We’ve got a handful of recommendations to quench your thirst for all things spine-tingling.
The best horror VR games are:
- A Chair In A Room: Greenwater
- Alien: Isolation
- Resident Evil 7 VR
- Kobold
- Phasmophobia
- Cosmodread
- Dreadhalls
- The Exorcist: Legion
- Killing Floor Incursion
- The Forest
- Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul
- Blair Witch
- Torn
- Narcosis
- Arizona Sunshine
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted
- Dollhouse VR.
17 Best Horror VR Games for Spine-tingling Scares
1. *A Chair In A Room: Greenwater* – One of Our Favorite Horror VR Games
In 2016, Wolf & Wood Interactive Ltd. brought to life a bone-chilling VR game known as “A Chair in a Room.” It’s an eerie adventure divided into six chapters, each lasting a hair-raising 30 minutes, transporting you to various unsettling locations. You can experience this spine-tingling game on both Windows and PlayStation 4.
The game’s narrative, while disturbing, might initially leave you a tad perplexed. But this confusion is all by design, immersing you deeply in the protagonist’s unsettling journey. The Pelican Motel level, in particular, takes a toll on your psyche; the less said about it, the better. If you’re on the lookout for a meticulously crafted psychological horror VR game, “A Chair in a Room: Greenwater” unquestionably stands out in its genre.
2. *Alien: Isolation*
Alien: Isolation is already a heart-pounding horror game on its own, but adding a VR feature takes things to a whole new level. The game plunges you into a claustrophobic nightmare that’s much closer to the original Alien movie’s suspenseful atmosphere than the action-packed sequel. If you aim to create a truly spine-tingling Alien game, taking cues from the first film is the way to go.
At its core, Alien: Isolation is like an intense game of hide-and-seek. You’re stuck in a cramped space station with a deadly Xenomorph hot on your heels. The game’s exceptional AI makes it even more harrowing, with the Xenomorph adapting and learning from your actions. You can’t rely on the same evasion and hiding tactics repeatedly, keeping you in a constant state of unease and tension.
3. *Resident Evil 7 VR*
Resident Evil 7 injects a surge of adrenaline, reviving the series and returning it to its horror origins. The game is already spine-tingling with a regular controller, but picture yourself in the opening section with a VR headset.
Being pursued within the labyrinthine, eerily Southern Gothic manor is nerve-wracking and incredibly tense. Now, put yourself right in the heart of that experience in VR. If you’re up for the most chilling encounter with Resident Evil 7, playing it in VR will plunge you headfirst into the depths of terror, where screams and shivers await.
4. *Kobold* – One of the Most Popular Horror VR Games
Kobold, a truly underrated horror VR game, exudes a suspense-filled atmosphere and skillfully crafts a deeply unsettling and tense adventure. Developed by anotherworld GmbH, this game immerses you in the role of an urban explorer delving into a chilling cold case involving a vanished child.
The profound sense of isolation accompanying your exploration of an abandoned, crumbling mansion is eerie in its own right. When you factor in the unsolved mystery and the eerie suggestion of something supernatural, you’ve got the perfect recipe for a classic horror experience. Moreover, the game boasts photorealistic visuals that intensify the immersion, ensuring you’ll be gripped by an overwhelming sense of dread as you unearth this hidden horror gem.
5. *Phasmophobia*
Phasmophobia, created by Kinetic Games, brings an online co-op horror experience to life. Step into the shoes of a paranormal investigator on a mission to uncover the truth behind eerie happenings in diverse locations. This game is essentially a ghost-hunting simulator where you and your buddies can utilize all the tools real paranormal investigators use, like Ouija boards, a spirit box, and an EMF detector.
While it unquestionably delivers fun, Phasmophobia also introduces moments of intense stress. The game allows you to explore its spine-chilling world either on your own or with friends. The question is: Can you gather enough evidence to prove the existence of ghosts, or will you have a firsthand encounter with the afterlife?
6. *Cosmodread*
Imagine stepping into the world of Dead Space, but this time, it’s in the immersive realm of virtual reality. Cosmodread, a survival horror VR game with roguelike elements, guarantees plenty of nail-biting deaths. You assume the role of a patient confined within a forsaken space station, desperate to uncover an escape route. Interestingly, Cosmodread hails from the same creators of Dreadhalls, a VR horror classic.
The game preys on your deepest fears—the darkness and the great unknown. You’re thrust into a perplexing situation with little knowledge of what’s unfolding. Your sole mission: flee the ship, even though the deceased crew still roams the corridors. Not for the faint of heart, Cosmodread plunges you into an abyss of suspense and cosmic horror, making it a must-try VR experience.
7. *Dreadhalls*
A classic in the world of virtual reality gaming, Dreadhalls proves that even old games can still bring fear. This early horror VR title demonstrated the power of VR to elevate your gaming adventure. While it doesn’t offer a complex story, it excels at immersing you in heart-pounding scenarios, with terrifying creatures pursuing you through labyrinthine dungeons.
Dreadhalls keeps it straightforward, focusing on delivering a spine-tingling VR experience, and it absolutely succeeds in that endeavor.
8. *The Exorcist: Legion*
Drawing inspiration from the iconic horror film series, The Exorcist: Legion promises an eerie encounter for supernatural enthusiasts. Though relatively brief, with gameplay spanning just a few hours, this game is a relentless thrill ride, steadily heightening the fear factor.
In this game, you assume the role of a detective delving into a murder case tied to the ritualistic death of a priest. Your journey unfolds through various episodes set in different locations. The game maintains its intensity without lingering, ensuring a memorable and fear-filled experience from start to finish.
9. *Killing Floor Incursion* – One of the Best Horror VR Games with Zombies
Navigating through hordes of eerie, zombie-esque entities is a classic element of horror, and Killing Floor Incursion provides an abundance of that chilling experience. But it’s more than just blasting monsters.
This game doesn’t merely immerse you in a sinister world; it challenges your intellect with thoughtfully crafted puzzles. VR technology seamlessly melds the game’s mental and physical aspects, offering a range of distinct items for you to manipulate, employ, and engage with, each leaving its distinctive tactile impression.
10. *The Forest*
Venturing into the forest holds a remarkable surprise. Our human instinct often tingles with unease in the wild, and The Forest exploits this fear brilliantly. Assume the role of someone stranded on a densely wooded peninsula. As you gradually acclimate to your surroundings, the disturbing realization dawns upon you: you share the wilderness with others.
Initially, it resembles many survival games, but you’ll soon encounter the peculiar cannibals dwelling on the island. Their remarkable AI sets them apart and sends shivers down your spine. They aren’t mindless, unrelenting attackers; they’re crafty and cunning, with an uncommon sense of self-preservation in this genre. In VR, the isolation becomes even more unnerving, making you genuinely believe you’re not alone.
11. *Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul*
Drawing inspiration from the well-known Paranormal Activity movie series, The Lost Soul weaves a distinctive tale within an ordinary home. One of the key strengths of this series lies in its ability to bring supernatural encounters to a setting that resembles your own residence, leaving you forever wary of your hallway.
This unique essence also shines through in the game adaptation. As you navigate through a dimly lit house, your sole companion is a flickering flashlight, and you must use it judiciously as its battery drains over time. It’s not long before you realize that you share the house with otherworldly entities, an expectation given the circumstances. The spine-tingling scares intensify to levels that genuinely send shivers down your spine.
Your mission is clear: unravel the enigma shrouding the house’s unsettling past before a dreadful fate befalls you.
12. *Blair Witch*
In 1999, The Blair Witch Project revolutionized the horror genre by introducing the found footage sub-genre. Even today, you can discover movies and video games that draw inspiration from this influential film. So, it’s only fitting that a video game be set in the eerie Blair Witch universe.
Found footage games seem tailor-made for virtual reality (VR), and this is especially true for Blair Witch. The game weaves a unique narrative centered around a man named Ellis Lynch, who becomes disoriented in the woods while searching for a missing child. If you’ve watched the movie, you’ll know what to expect here. It’s not just about what you see (though you’ll definitely encounter unsettling things); the pervasive dread that hangs in the air as you navigate these ominous, shadowy woods will keep you on your toes.
13. *Torn*
This game carries a touch of whimsy that sets it apart from the rest on this list. If you have a penchant for investigating mysterious structures, this one’s a perfect match. Torn places you in the shoes of a woman who stumbles upon a peculiar old mansion, driven by sheer curiosity.
As you venture deeper into the house, the layers of the story unfurl, leading you into the uncharted territories of the human psyche and even parallel dimensions. This is a VR-exclusive adventure, thoughtfully crafted, and an experience that absolutely deserves your attention.
14. *Narcosis*
Is the vast ocean a source of fear for you? If it is, perhaps you should (or should not) consider trying Narcosis. In this game, you step into the shoes of a survivor who endured a seismic upheaval in a methane harvesting facility nestled deep beneath the ocean’s surface. Throughout the adventure, you remain encased in your diving suit, with your dwindling air supply amplifying the overall sense of confinement.
At certain points, you find yourself outside the confines of the station, delving into the ocean’s abyss, where the horror stems from the bizarre and almost otherworldly creatures that lurk in the depths. In contrast, while you’re within the submerged station, the terror arises from the eerie, supernatural events unfolding around you and the profound isolation you experience in a place that should be bustling with others. It’s a remarkably captivating game, particularly when experienced in the immersive world of VR.
15. *Arizona Sunshine*
There are plenty of zombie games out there, making it tricky to separate the good ones from the not-so-great ones. But fear not, because Arizona Sunshine is a top-notch game, especially if you’re into virtual reality horror games or first-person shooters.
One of the things that sets Arizona Sunshine apart is the main character. Even though they don’t have a name, they have a vibrant personality. They crack jokes and share witty remarks throughout the game, adding some humor to the mix. But don’t be fooled; the game can be genuinely spine-tingling, especially when you find yourself in the dark, unable to wield a weapon as you must carry a torch.
16. *Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted*
When it comes to heart-pounding jump scares, nothing quite compares to the Five Nights at Freddy’s series. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s all about animatronic creatures coming to life in a pizzeria at night. Even on a regular screen, these creepy creations have given people a good scare, so you can only imagine the dread in VR.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted takes the core ideas from the earlier games and puts them into a virtual reality setting. You’ll find yourself walking through dimly lit, eerie halls of an old pizza joint, always on edge, fearing that one of those animatronics might lunge at you any moment. It’s a straightforward game, perfect for those seeking classic thrills. When it comes to that raw sense of unease, nothing quite matches up to FNAF.
17. *Dollhouse VR*
Enter the enigmatic realm of Dollhouse, a psychological horror adventure unlike anything we’ve discussed earlier. Delve into the mysteries of your fractured history as you explore an eerie and constantly shifting dollhouse. Reassemble your memories, solve complex puzzles, and elude the relentless pursuit of the eerie presence that dwells within. With its noir-inspired ambiance, intricate storyline, and immersive gameplay, Dollhouse is bound to send chills down your spine.
