When it comes to scary games, you’re not exactly spoiled for choice. In recent years, the horror genre somewhat faded into obscurity, with the indie horror games scene keeping the terror alive. But in the past year, give or take, we’ve witnessed a renaissance of horror games, such as Callisto Protocol and the recent and well-received Dead Space remake from EA Motive. With so many to play, what are the best horror games in 2023 worth your time?
It’s worth noting that not all of these games were released in 2023, but they’re still worth playing this year!
Dead Space
If you asked a year or two ago whether or not EA could redeem themselves, no one in their right mind would say ‘Yes.” But here we are, with the Dead Space remake on Steam with ‘Very Positive’ reviews and no third-party launcher requirements. It’s an absolute win!
While some aspects from the original were altered, like the character designs and some of the more archaic gameplay, like the turret section, most of the remake remains faithful. It’s a wholly terrifying and addicting horror game that ramps up the tension and keeps you on your toes at all times.
The downside, however, is its price tag. This is a brand-new release, from January of 2023, and as such, it costs $59.99. To many, that’s a hefty asking price.
You can grab Dead Space on Steam!
Dead by Daylight
Personally, I feel that playing a multiplayer horror game often removes some of the terror from the experience. You have others to lean on in your time of fright. But hey, if you prefer the multiplayer aspect, there’s nothing wrong with that, and Dead by Daylight in 2023 is better than ever to scratch the itch!
Dead by Daylight currently has over 35 DLCs available, with new killers and survivors to play around with on brand-new maps. It’s expensive, if you want every piece of content, but even the standard edition comes with enough to keep you busy for a few hundred hours.
The gameplay loop remains simple. One player takes on the role of the killer, who hunts down the four survivors as they attempt to repair the generators scattered about the map and escape with their lives. The killer receives unique powers to help them slaughter, and the survivors can access to skills and tools to help them accomplish their tasks, too.
You can grab Dead by Daylight on Steam!
Resident Evil Village
Some fans criticize Resident Evil Village for being too action-oriented. They say there are not enough scares and tension to keep the player invested. I disagree, though. The first time you step into the catacombs below Castle Dimitrescu, knowing something is stumbling about in the darkness, brings about its own flavor of terror.
This time around, instead of the usual zombies, you’ll face vampires, werewolves, and other monstrosities straight out of Eastern European lore and myth. And with its first-person perspective, this is one must-play horror game that remains in-your-face.
It goes on sale regularly, features a recently-released expansion and third-person mode, plus works extremely well on the Steam Deck. It’s a big win for the horror game genre!
You can grab Resident Evil Village on Steam!
What do you think of these horror games to play? Would you recommend any others in 2023?