In space nobody can hear you scream. However because you’re not in space (in all probability), put together to shake and squirm in your seat with the spookiest and greatest space horror video games accessible proper now. Our purpose with this checklist is to showcase our picks for the largest and greatest space-set horror video games – as of late 2022 – in ranked order.
We imagine the entire video video games talked about listed below are effectively price trying out and canopy a variety of scary tales and unsettling atmospheres which are good for this Halloween season. The primary rule is easy: they should be set in space… though there’s one notable exception.
Nice space horror video games aren’t obligated to toy with monsters nor supernatural phenomena as scares are available in many kinds – possibly it’s only a creepy ambiance that’s doing all of the work. As said above, outer space is a lot scary with out added rigidity and freaky threats, however these are positively welcome.
If you happen to’re additionally in search of calmer space video video games that look to the celebrities, you may need to take a look at our checklist of the best space exploration games, or possibly the best Star Wars games for followers of all types. Wanting on the future, we’ve additionally ready a listing with upcoming space games you need to control, together with the long-anticipated Dead Space remake (opens in new tab) and that very same sequence’ religious successor, The Callisto Protocol (opens in new tab).
10. We Went Again
- Launch date: April 3, 2020
- Platform: PC
The primary title in our checklist is an ignored, free-to-play (and hold) indie recreation by Lifeless Thread Video games. The premise is sort of easy, and the sport might be crushed in lower than 50 minutes: you’re on their lonesome in an deserted space station, the exit is locked, and one thing is lurking within the shadows – it’ll make you’re feeling such as you’re in one of many Alien movies (opens in new tab).
We’ve got a tender spot for “condensed” horror tales, and We Went Again is sort of a nice brief story about concern of the unknown. It’s actually good in search of such a small dev staff, too. With its Steam evaluations sitting at a wholesome “very constructive” score, possibly an even bigger venture based mostly on this little deal with will observe someday sooner or later.
9. Moons of Insanity
- Launch date: October 22, 2019
- Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
Moons of Insanity is one other first-person horror recreation. This one is greater and shakier although. It comes from Rock Pocket Video games, a Norwegian studio that started off creating cellular video games after which made the leap to full-blown horror for PC and consoles.
If you happen to’re a fan of cosmic horror with Lovecraftian DNA, this one’s for you. Furthermore, Moons of Insanity has loads of laborious sci-fi parts as effectively. Whereas the preliminary setbacks in your mission are considerably regular, issues shortly take a wierd flip. What’s actual and what isn’t? You understand issues are going to get darkish quickly, but you’ll be able to’t wait to uncover Mars’ largest secret.
8. SOMA
- Launch date: September 22, 2015
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS, Xbox One, PS4
This one’s a little bit of a wildcard. For starters, it’s not set in outer space, however underwater right here on planet Earth as a substitute. So, why is it a part of this checklist? Nicely, its influences come from space-set video games and sci-fi movies with sturdy A.I. and physique horror parts. In some ways, it appears like a religious successor to the traditional System Shock video games.
SOMA is Frictional Video games’ 2015 follow-up to Amnesia: The Darkish Descent (2010), one of the vital influential horror video games of the previous twenty years. On this event, the Frictional of us went all in on the wild narrative and gorgeous twists. The stealth sections have been nonetheless a bit undercooked, however the remainder of the sport is completely high tier.
7. Hellpoint
- Launch date: July 30, 2020
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS, Xbox One and Collection X/S, PS4/5, Nintendo Change, Google Stadia
Darkish Souls… in space! That’s a pitch that can robotically make tons of players click on the closest “purchase” button. Cradle Video games’ Hellpoint could lack the finesse and polish of larger Soulslike titles, however its darkish coronary heart is in the fitting place. Derelict space colony? Test. Huge “we shouldn’t have tampered with this” cataclysm? Test. What’s to not like?
The participant controls a anonymous humanoid stranded on the Irid Novo space station, which orbits an enormous black hole. Vicious creatures and entities should be banished, and an enormous thriller should be cracked. In fact, like most Souls-influenced video games, this one’s robust and never for everybody. You’ve been warned.
6. Commentary
- Launch date: Might 21, 2019
- Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
One in every of our private favorites, because it’s such a drastically completely different strategy to telling a spooky story set in outer space. No Code’s recreation is extra of a thriller through which the reality a couple of mission gone awry should be uncovered by the lens of the station’s pc (S.A.M.), whose point-of-view is restricted and modifications as the sport progresses.
Commentary is extra of a puzzle recreation which tells an unsettling story, and a a lot welcome change of tempo for veteran players who’ve fought and hidden from unspeakable horrors for years. Although that doesn’t imply Commentary cannot be hectic when issues get furry – it’s positively earned its spot on this checklist of one of the best space horror video games.
5. DOOM 3: BFG Version
- Launch date: October 16, 2012
- Platform: PC, Android, Xbox 360/One, PS3/4, Nintendo Change
DOOM 3 has all the time been thought to be an ideal first-person shooter and horror recreation, however a not-so-good DOOM entry. The most recent iterations of the franchise have amplified its “energy fantasy” philosophy as much as eleven, however the traditional instalments additionally had that type of vitality. DOOM 3 was a reboot of kinds that took benefit of the tech leap by id Software program within the early 2000s to toy with the saga’s foundations.
It’s laborious to argue in opposition to DOOM 3 being a bland illustration of the remainder of the franchise, however that doesn’t make it a foul recreation. The taking pictures holds up, the ambiance continues to be suffocatingly darkish, and the general expertise makes for an attention-grabbing detour from punching demons within the face. By the way in which, make sure to seize the “BFG Version” to get all the newest bells and whistles.
4. Prey
- Launch date: Might 5, 2017
- Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
Prey’s historical past is a doozy: the (unbelievable) unique recreation flew below the radar for years earlier than making a cult following, then an bold sequel that promised bounty-hunting in a Star Wars-like setting was canned by Bethesda attributable to ongoing improvement points. The IP was later rebooted with Prey (2017), an Arkane Studios-developed first-person shooter and immersive sim which took fairly a bit from BioShock and different classics resembling Deus Ex.
Very like the unique title, Prey 2017 stays an beautiful but underrated recreation. It by no means turned as well-known because the studio’s Dishonored video games, however it shares many strengths with these versatile first-person, immersive romps. The story takes place in an alternate timeline through which humankind took to the celebrities far earlier and encountered a hostile alien race with unusual bodily and psychic powers.
Ever been attacked by a cup? No? Nicely then you should play Prey.
3. System Shock 2
- Launch date: August 11, 1999
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS
Most of the greatest space horror video games on this checklist wouldn’t have occurred if System Shock 1 and a pair of hadn’t paved the way in which. Each video games stay immersive sims price exploring, however the second gained a bigger following because of its refined mechanics and programs.
System Shock 2 was initially supposed to be a standalone recreation, however plans modified in the midst of manufacturing, after Digital Arts signed on as writer. The story takes place in 2114, on the starship Von Braun, the place a genetic an infection has taken over. There’s loads of motion and thrills on this one, however what makes every little thing click on collectively are the plot and SHODAN, probably the greatest online game villains ever. Belief us, issues get actually loopy.
Improvement on System Shock 3 and a remaster/reboot of the primary instalment are occurring as we converse, so this can be a saga that shall be reactivated within the mainstream quickly.
2. Alien: Isolation
- Launch date: October 6, 2014
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, Xbox 360/One, PS3/4, Nintendo Change
We couldn’t shut out this checklist with out Alien: Isolation, Artistic Meeting’s first foray into first-person horror. There have been loads of Alien video games that recreated the second movie’s thrills and motion, however this one took a web page out of Amnesia’s e book and as a substitute targeted on delivering the proper sequel to Ridley Scott’s unique 1979 horror traditional.
The story follows Amanda Ripley, Ellen’s daughter, 15 years after the occasions that ended with the destruction of the ship Nostromo. Its flight recorder is recovered, and Amanda joins a retrieval mission so she will have closure. As an alternative, she’s fated to face the horror her mom tried to destroy. This one’s a nerve-wracking expertise and a must-play for anybody into the sturdy sci-fi franchise.
1. Lifeless Area
- Launch date: October 14, 2008
- Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Typically described as “The Factor in space,” Lifeless Area shortly turned a sleeper hit when it was launched again in 2008. Sure, it’s set in one more deserted ship that found one thing nobody ought to have touched, however its deep worldbuilding and beautiful enemy and degree design made it one for the ages.
A full-blown Dead Space remake, dealt with by EA’s Motive Studios, is approaching January 27, 2023, however the unique recreation holds up and continues to be price taking part in by. Lifeless Area 2 is a worthy follow-up which doubles down on the motion, too. It was Lifeless Area 3 that possibly strayed too removed from the saga’s roots and have become a horror-themed third-person shooter, however some followers defend it to this day.
