There’s nothing quite like the thrill of survival horror. It’s a genre that crawls under your skin, making your heart race and your palms sweat as the tension rises. From claustrophobic environments to relentless threats, these games push you to the edge, delivering unforgettable moments of terror and triumph. If you love the adrenaline rush that comes with navigating terrifying worlds, this list of survival horror games will keep you up all night long.

Here are ten standout survival horror games, each offering its own unique flavor of fear.

1. The Last of Us

Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us redefined survival horror by blending an emotional narrative with terrifying gameplay. You step into the shoes of Joel, a smuggler navigating a world devastated by a deadly fungal outbreak, and Ellie, a teenage girl who holds the key to humanity's survival.

The game’s tension comes from its stark realism. You’ll often find yourself scrounging for resources, crafting weapons, and confronting grotesque infected creatures lurking in shadowy corners. But it’s not just the monsters that instill terror; The Last of Us portrays the true cost of survival as you encounter morally gray humans who are just as dangerous as the infected. Its storytelling, character depth, and haunting score make it a masterpiece of the genre.

2. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Resident Evil 7 brought Capcom’s franchise back to its horror roots with an intense first-person perspective that heightens the fear factor. This entry follows Ethan Winters as he searches for his missing wife in a decrepit and disgusting Louisiana plantation, home to the nightmarish Baker family.

With its grotesque visuals, claustrophobic environments, and relentless sense of dread, Resident Evil 7 is an unforgettable ride. What makes this game truly horrifying is its use of sound; creaking floors, eerie silence, and sudden noises keep you constantly on edge. It’s a perfect example of how survival horror can make every step feel like a risk.

3. Silent Hill 2

Often hailed as a psychological horror masterpiece, Silent Hill 2 dives deep into the themes of guilt, grief, and madness. The story follows James Sunderland, who ventures into the foggy and mysterious town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased wife.

What sets this game apart is its oppressive atmosphere and subtle psychological scares. The heavy fog conceals horrors, while the sound design amplifies every unsettling moment. With its iconic monsters, like the menacing Pyramid Head, and its emotionally impactful narrative, Silent Hill 2 has earned its place among the horror greats.

4. Dead Space

When it comes to sci-fi horror, few games can rival Dead Space. As engineer Isaac Clarke, you find yourself aboard the derelict spaceship USG Ishimura, which has been overrun by grotesque alien-like monstrosities called Necromorphs.

The game’s use of isolation and sound is unparalleled, with every creak and distant growl keeping you alert. Combat is just as horrifying as exploration due to its dismemberment mechanic, which forces you to surgically dismantle Necromorphs to survive. Combined with its grisly visuals, Dead Space delivers an intense horror experience that leaves no room for comfort.

5. Outlast

Outlast drops you into Mount Massive Asylum, a derelict psychiatric hospital teeming with violent, deranged inmates. What makes this game truly terrifying is its commitment to helplessness. You play as an investigative journalist armed only with a camcorder equipped with night vision.

This lack of weaponry means survival depends on your ability to run, hide, and outsmart your pursuers. The asylum’s dark, blood-soaked corridors and relentless enemies create a suffocating atmosphere that keeps your adrenaline high from start to finish.

6. The Evil Within

Directed by Shinji Mikami, the mastermind behind Resident Evil 4, The Evil Within combines psychological horror with survival gameplay. You play as Detective Sebastian Castellanos, who is pulled into a nightmarish world filled with grotesque threats and surreal landscapes.

With limited resources and a need for strategic combat, the game constantly keeps you on edge. The haunting environments and grotesque creature designs amplify the sense of dread, making every encounter a test of survival. The Evil Within fully immerses you in a world where insanity and terror go hand in hand.

7. Alien: Isolation

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the sheer terror of being hunted by a Xenomorph, Alien: Isolation delivers with spine-chilling precision. You step into the role of Amanda Ripley as she searches for clues about her mother’s disappearance aboard a desolate space station.

What sets Alien: Isolation apart is the AI-driven Xenomorph, which learns and adapts to your strategies, creating a relentless and unpredictable predator. Combine that with limited resources and a nerve-shredding atmosphere, and you have one of the most heart-pounding survival horror experiences in gaming history.

8. Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Regarded as one of the scariest games ever made, Amnesia throws you into the crumbling halls of a gothic castle. You play as Daniel, a man suffering from memory loss, who must uncover the truth about his past while being hunted by a shadowy presence.

The game’s focus on psychological horror, paired with a lack of weapons, forces you to rely on stealth and wits to survive. Managing light sources and maintaining Daniel’s sanity adds another layer of tension, ensuring every moment is drenched in fear.

9. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly

Fatal Frame II offers a unique take on survival horror by using a camera as your primary weapon. Set in an abandoned, cursed village, you follow Mio and her twin sister Mayu as they confront vengeful spirits and uncover dark secrets.

The game’s tense atmosphere and unsettling ghost designs make every encounter chilling. Armed with the Camera Obscura, players must face their fears directly to fend off spirits, adding a layer of intimacy to the terror that few games can replicate.

10. Soma

Frictional Games followed up Amnesia with the equally impactful Soma, a game that combines existential dread with survival horror. Set in an underwater research facility, you’ll unravel the mystery of what happened to humanity while navigating corridors filled with rogue machines and unrelenting creatures.

What makes Soma special is its philosophical narrative, which explores themes of consciousness, identity, and what it means to be alive. The tension comes not just from the game’s stealth-based horror elements but also from the weight of the questions it asks. It’s a haunting experience on every level.