When it comes time to create a game, there are many tools available. Unity, Source, Twine, and other engines allow designers to create all kinds of virtual worlds, from the most welcoming to the most inhospitable. Horror can mean blood and gore or psychological thrills rendered in utmost fidelity with little graphics.
The 86 Best Free Horror Games on Steam
Those looking for the best cheap thrills have come to the right place. Take a look at the best free horror games on Steam.
Since the original debut in 1992 RPG Maker It has been a catalyst for many games. Indie developers from all walks of life have been leveraging user-friendly toolsets to create stories of fear and disgust. In fact, it is this set of tools that has made some of the horror genre's greatest and most exciting achievements possible. This is even more impressive when you consider that this engine was originally created to help developers create RPGs with turn-based combat, but over time developers may try to make some transitions with it.
Written by Mark Sammut on February 13, 2026: RPG Maker MZ is currently free to try/try until February 16th, so if you've always been interested in trying out the tool, this is a great opportunity to give it a try. Need some inspiration? Then check out these horror games featuring the best of RPG Maker.
1
look outside
A survival horror mystery with gorgeous, creepy art.
We've been receiving a ton of RPG Maker horror games over the years, so any new release will have to offer something special to stand out among the hundreds of options on Steam. well, look outside It definitely managed to stand above the crowd, and is arguably one of the scariest pixel art games of all time. This type of animation is surprisingly suitable for creating a creepy and intense atmosphere, even though the isometric angle is not particularly suited to direct horror.
outside booty It casts you as the only human in a block of flats who hasn't yet been transformed into a nightmarish being, and everyone outside his window is the definition of cosmic horror. The gameplay loop revolves around exploring the building while using the apartment as your home base, while survival elements are implemented through resource management.
2
Alice Mare
A great combination of psychological horror and surrealism.
Centered around the story of Alan, a boy who lost his memory and was trapped in an orphanage. Alice Mare It perfectly blends surrealism and psychological horror to create an eerie experience. Despite warnings not to wander into the world of the story, Allen is trapped in a bizarre and dangerous world.
Alice Mare It tackles complex topics such as trauma and loss and explores the nuances between what is real and what is not. As the game progresses, players discover more and more about Allen's past and the darkness behind it.
3
Chloe's Requiem
Players learn of Chloe's dark past as the game progresses.
- Year of release: 2013 (original), 2023 (remastered)
- developer: buriki watch
With dark gothic art, Chloe's Requiem It centers around a girl with the same name. Players take on the role of Michael, a boy who finds himself in the midst of a dangerous supernatural world shortly after meeting Chloé. To uncover the mystery behind her past, the two must explore a world filled with eerie elements and dark secrets.
Through puzzles and narratives centered around grief, guilt, and sacrifice, players will have a fun and spine-chilling experience as they progress through the game, discovering all its secrets.
4
Lisa: painful
A game that pushes RPG Maker to its limits and reveals horror as the story progresses.
Lisa: painful is a video game that pushes the RPG Maker engine to its limits and shows what's possible with a lot of creativity using this tool. The sheer amount of love that exists for the game clearly shows why so many people are huge fans of this title. The monotonous and bleak nature of the world is juxtaposed with the title's black comedic moments, which boast excellent writing skills.
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lisaThe engaging combat and interesting story make this a title worth checking out. Players will find Brad to be a very versatile character as he sets out on an adventure to rescue Buddy from kidnappers. Along the way, he'll discover a variety of characters and tense moments where the game's muted horror roots bare their fangs.
5
Fear and Hunger 2: Termina
This title improves significantly on its predecessor.
fear and hunger is a game that came out of nowhere, showing just how flexible the RPG Maker engine can be in the right hands. The first game was a test of players' patience and eagerness to explore a game they truly hated. Every encounter featured pulse-pounding combat that could result in ruin if players bite off more than they can chew. The second game ultimately took advantage of its predecessor and expanded on everything from combat to the series' exciting story.
The result is one of the best sequels of all time, which tones down the difficulty, albeit only slightly. The game is still devilishly difficult and will brutally test players to their limits. Every save feels like a breath of fresh air for players who have truly been struggling for a long time!
6
witch's house
A little girl's adventure to escape from a creepy house full of different horrors.
witch's house It follows a young girl named Viola who finds herself trapped in a mysterious forest, hiding in a house filled with horrific events and terrifying moments. As she attempts to escape, she encounters a variety of terrifying creatures and must solve puzzles to progress through the game.
8 Best Dark Fantasy Horror Games
Dark fantasy games often run parallel to horror, eschewing the magic and wonder of high fantasy for the dark and grotesque scenes of these titles.
The story is full of twists and turns, and despite the visuals being “cute” for lack of a better word, the eerie soundtrack adds to the unsettling atmosphere. However, the biggest hit this game delivers comes from the ending, and players who haven't checked it out yet will witch's house If you love how the horror genre shines through the medium of video games, then playing this masterpiece is essential.
7
fear and hunger
Players love games, but games hate players.
fear and hunger It's a horror-themed role-playing game that's one of the hardest and most unfair experiences anyone can go through. The game makes no effort to hide the fact that it actively hates the player, with death present around every corner and harassing the player at every step.
fear and hunger A variety of enemies appear, including bizarre monsters and twisted versions of familiar creatures. Combat is turn-based and requires strategic thinking, with cutting off limbs important to neutralize enemies. Of course, the player's limbs are also free space, so they can be hacked at a moment's notice, seriously reducing combat effectiveness. That means a content warning is needed here. fear and hunger Player discretion is advised as it depicts disturbingly graphic and sexual violence.
8
pocket mirror
A very obscure game that fits well with the narrative.
Created using RPG Maker VX ACE, pocket mirror It is a horror game where symbolism is paramount. Because of this, people looking for a simple game with a simple A-to-B plot should look elsewhere. to everyone else pocket mirror It's a nightmare at best.
Almost everything in it is subject to interpretation. In some games, ambiguity is a result of the game designer's laziness in not knowing the end result they are trying to achieve, but in this game, exploring the true meaning of symbols is key. Featuring original artwork, original soundtrack, and visual novel elements, pocket mirror Performance that surpasses most RPG Makers title.
text pocket mirror As of 2016, they are quite difficult to find, but not impossible. but, Pocket Mirror ~ GoldenerTraum This is a remaster available on Steam.
9
Yumeniki
Events that disrupt children's imagination
Imagination can be a terrible thing, and when it comes from a child, it can be as disturbing as it is ominous. Yumeniki It's a surreal exploration of the titular character's head, starting when the player falls asleep and returning to reality each time he wakes up.
Horror game that uses the player's microphone
Using the player's microphone in gameplay is a great way to increase immersion and tension in horror games. The best performing titles are:
The excellent sound design complements the game's avant-garde style beautifully, and it's not an indie game that takes a long time to beat. Rather than compromising with a complicated plot, Yumeniki It leaves a lot to the player's interpretation. As with dreams and nightmares, sometimes it is better not to analyze.
10
crooked man
A tenant's quest to uncover the truth behind a haunted apartment
Moving to a new home is a beloved horror trope. crooked man It has a beautiful effect. David Hoover moves into a new apartment, but discovers that the building may be haunted. Not the type to leave ghosts uninvestigated, David sets out to unravel the mystery and sets himself up for a series of escalating horrors.
Repeated encounters with the Crooked Man himself do not dissuade him, even as the situation becomes increasingly bleak. crooked man is the first installment of strange Men Anthology, It's a collection of four games, and it's probably the best of them all. Sandman, Boogeyman, and hanging man Even if they're not major indie success stories, they're all worth playing.
