Steam has long seen the rise of many great games over the years. From AAA titles to surprising hits, the platform is a treasure trove that pushes the boundaries of gaming. When it comes to indie horror, the platform continues to showcase creativity and innovation, especially with titles that combine suspense, clever design, and spine-chilling stories to deliver unforgettable experiences.
While typical horror titles rely on shock value, indie horror games on Steam tend to change up what it truly means to play a horror game. Some focus on atmosphere, narrative, and psychological tension, keeping you on edge every second you’re playing.
Whether you’re looking for a thriller, a survival nightmare, or a uniquely twisted story, these 10 indie games showcase the best of indie horror and are guaranteed to keep you up at night.
10. World of Horror
If you love retro and cosmic horror, World of Horror is for you. Set in a small Japanese town, this 1-bit RPG has you investigating strange, terrifying events where every choice you make can lead to a horrific outcome. The game is a roguelite that has turn-based combat and very unforgiving choices. You’ll have to experiment with your deck of event cards to discover new forms of cosmic horror in every playthrough.
It’s perfect for fans of choice-based horror games and the concepts of cosmic horror. With the Lovecraftian and Junji Ito-inspired atmospheres, it’s easy to get lost in the chilling and unsettling visuals and sound design. If you enjoy games that reward experimentation, World of Horror is a must-play indie horror gem on Steam.
9. Poppy Playtime
Then, we have Poppy Playtime, a first-person horror puzzle game that’s been ongoing since 2021. You’re tasked with exploring the abandoned toy factory of Playtime Co. and unraveling its secrets while trying to survive the vengeful toys waiting for you, such as the iconic Huggy Wuggy. Most recently, Poppy Playtime released Chapter 5, which reveals the true mastermind behind the game’s events.
Since the game’s release, the title has catapulted into popularity and is a great recommendation for fans of indie horror who enjoy a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, jumpscares, and lore deep dive. You can enjoy the different clues you’ll find on how Playtime Co. rose and fell as the king of the toy manufacturing industry.
8. Five Nights at Freddy’s
Now, who wouldn’t forget Five Nights at Freddy’s? An iconic indie horror game, first released in 2014, the game puts you in the role of a security guard who must watch the security camera screens every night to monitor Freddy Fazbear and his animatronic friends as they move about. The game has since spawned multiple titles, such as several sequels and prequels, spin-off games, novels, anthologies, and even movies.
It’s a must-play for those who enjoy suspense and strategic gameplay. While the game relies a lot on shock value, its gameplay mechanics are what elevate the game to its mainstream status today, influencing countless indie horror games. You don’t necessarily have anything to protect yourself with against the animatronics, except for closing doors, flashing lights, and more. The next games in the series add more features to do these without overhauling the main gameplay of Five Nights at Freddy’s.
7. Bendy and the Ink Machine
A unique entry into this list is Bendy and the Ink Machine. It’s a first-person puzzle adventure horror game set in a 1930s animation studio gone wrong. Its visuals are stylized in rubber-hose animation, and your goal is to uncover a studio’s dark past while evading twisted cartoon creations brought to life by a sinister ink machine.
This game shines as a recommendation of indie horror on Steam because of its unique art style, eerie atmosphere, and compelling narrative. It blends nostalgia with horror, creating a very distinctive experience that may or may not ruin your childhood love for cartoons.
6. Doki Doki Literature Club
Don’t let the cut anime-style visuals fool you! Doki Doki Literature Club starts as a cheerful visual novel but quickly spirals into a psychological horror experience. As a student and part of your school’s literature club, you write poems for your crush and erase any mistakes along the way to ensure your perfect ending.
This game was a lovely surprise during its time, as its clever storytelling and shocking twists mess with your expectations. It slowly pulls you into an unsettling psychological experience, breaking the fourth wall, and making you question what’s actually happening in this game.
5. Mouthwashing
Like stepping into a dream (or nightmare), Mouthwashing is a surreal indie horror experience that forces you to explore twisted and abstract environments. You’re a member of a dying crew of a shipwrecked space freighter wherein you and your crewmates weather starvation, isolation, and each other.
What makes Mouthwashing so compelling is its unpredictable atmosphere. Every corner of the ship feels unsettling, and you, as the player, keep second-guessing about what’s real and what’s in your mind. If you enjoy experimental horror that leans into psychological tension and surrealism, this game is a true standout indie horror title on Steam.
4. Buckshot Roulette
While a lot of these great indie horror games are often played solo, this one is a four-way multiplayer experience that uses gambling and high stakes to create a truly terrifying game. Buckshot Roulette makes you play Russian roulette with a 12-gauge shotgun. As four players enter, only one leaves.
Buckshot Roulette throws you into making split-second decisions to go against The Dealer and possibly walk away with his prize. It’s a great pick if you enjoy fast-paced, adrenaline-filled horror with lots of unpredictability and playing with luck itself. The suspense of it keeps your heart racing from start to finish.
3. No, I’m Not a Human
Another psychological horror game, No I’m Not a Human, dives deep into the concepts of identity and isolation in this haunting experience. Set in an apocalyptic-like earth during a solar catastrophe, humans have become nocturnally active. At night, you must interview other humans who have shown up at your doorstep seeking shelter and decide if the interviewee is a human or a hostile “Visitor.”
Heavily inspired by titles such as This War of Mine and Papers, Please, this game is a must-try for its story-driven psychological horror. Its tense decision-making and limited amount of energy points for investigating your guests keep you constantly second-guessing yourself, making for a memorable indie horror experience that is as thought-provoking as it is chilling.
2. The Mortuary Assistant
Ever wondered what it would be like to work in a mortuary…and deal with the supernatural? The Mortuary Assistant lets you do just that, mixing realistic tasks with paranormal events. As you take on an apprenticeship at River Fields Mortuary, you learn how to embalm corpses, identify possessed ones, and perform the correct exorcisms to expel them to survive.
If you like an immersive horror game with a slow burn, this might just be the indie horror title for you. The combination of realism and supernatural scares will have you on edge. Plus, this game has a film adaptation that recently came out in its limited theater release.
1. Iron Lung
Finally, we have Iron Lung. Straight-up pure claustrophobic horror, you’re trapped in a tiny submarine exploring an ocean of blood on an alien moon, relying on limited visibility and nerves of steel to survive. The game features experimental minimalist gameplay where your senses are limited, and anything could be lurking around you. So much dread and paranoia go into the experience.
The game is ideal for those who want intense atmospheric horror. Plus, with its short gameplay time, every moment will still feel terrifying, proving that the scariest games don’t need long hours of exploration or narrative; they just need the creativity to make a unique experience for players. Iron Lung has also been hitting it off again lately with Markiplier’s film adaptation of the game, which has reached commercial success as an independent film.
Looking to try out some horror games?
If you’re itching to dive into something scary but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. Horror games come in all shapes and styles. To help you get a better feel for what’s out there, we’ve included this list below that showcases some standout horror games releasing this year that are worth checking out.