Streaming and horror games go hand in hand as they give the streamer so much to work with. Genuine frights are great to watch, and a good jump scare never hurts anyone!
If you’re looking for the next title to entertain your audience for Halloween or otherwise, here are our picks for some superb spooky games.
Every game on this list is perfect for streaming, but most of my recommendations are with smaller streamers in mind. If competition is high, it can be hard to reach viewers, so the latest and greatest games aren’t always the best idea.
10Silent Hill 2 Remake
A Faithful Upgrade
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2is easily one of the best horror games from the PlayStation 2 era. The 2024 Remake does a fantastic job ofrecapturing the classic magicand is the best way of reliving the terror without using emulators.
Silent Hill 2offers an atmospheric and tense experience that’ssure to put you on edge, and the exploration is something you’re able to tackle with your chat. The pace is notably slower than in some other horror titles, which does a great job in ramping up the tension and absorbing you in the world.
TheSilent Hill 2 Remakeis brand new at the time of writing and comes with a few streaming-specific issues. If you’re a smaller streamer, it’s essential to read the room as if hundreds of larger channels are playing simultaneously; you may get lost in the crowd.
The Best Multiplayer Horror
Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylightis an exceptional multiplayer horror game that’s captured ahardcore audience. In each match, there’s a killer and a group of survivors. The survivors must attempt to escape, and the killer must stop that from happening.
Ahuman adversary is far scarier than any AIas they can make snap decisions and plan traps. Characters haveunique abilities, and there’s a mountain of nuance and strategy for those willing to learn.
I could singDead by Daylight’s praises for an entire article, but it does have downsides for a streaming game. Ultimately, it’s an established game with a fanbase that can be tough to break into, especially as a small streamer.
That said, if you plan on making one horror title your “main” streaming game, this could be a great one to grow a community with.
8Resident Evil
Embrace The Backseat
Resident Evil
The originalResident Evilis ahorror masterpieceand one of the genre’s finest titles. There are plenty of scares, but there are alsomany puzzles to solvearound the mansion.
Those puzzles makeResident Evilgreat for streaming if you enjoy interacting with chat. Many passionate players in the fandom know every nook and cranny and usually have no issue offering guidance.
If you don’t mind your chat getting involved,Resident Evilcan be the platform for an unforgettable stream.
I know some streamers detest back seating, so this is a title to avoid if you fall into that category.
If you enjoy your time withResident Evil, there areplenty of fantastic sequelsto dive into next time you go live.
7Silent Breath
For The Indie Horror Fans
Bodycammade headlines for itshyperrealistic graphicsstyle. Now, imagine a horror game using the same technology.
Silent Breathsends you out into the woods at night to search for clues. The more you collect, the more monsters begin to chase, and if you’re caught, you go back to the beginning.
The gameplay loop is pretty similar toSlender Man, and you must learn how to evade each monster. The graphics makeSilent Breathfarmore immersive than it should be, and it’s a great title to play if you’ll get drowned out on more popular titles on Twitch.
Silent Breathis pretty short, and you’ll see everything it offers within an hour, making it excellent for a shorter session.
6Content Warning
Group Hysteria
Content Warning
Content Warningis a light-hearted horror game that isperfect for streamers playing with a group.
Your goal inContent Warningis to go viral on social media with dumb videos you record with your buddies. You go to a haunted realm at the end of the garden to do this, and it’s hilarious watching your buddies getting dragged away as a camera operator.
The game evenrecords your voiceand compiles clips of your “hype” moments to rewatch later.
Content Warningis a game where you must all contribute and is arguably best with at least three people. The gameplay loop is silly, and there are plenty of low-level scares.
5Inscryption
More Than Just A Card Game
Inscryption
Inscryptionis a deliciously bizarre and creepy card game with dozens of tricks up its sleeve. I use the term “card game” lightly becauseInscryptionalso hasRogueliteandEscape Room elementsand even puzzle solving.
There are plenty of moments where you may get your community involved, and thegameplay isn’t mechanically demanding, so you can freely interact.
Out of every game on this list,Inscryptionis best streamed if you don’t know what’s coming. The game throws endless bizarre curveballs your way, and the best streamer reactions are always genuine.
I’ve got a soft spot for this one, as I streamed it myself a couple of years ago. It was an absolute blast but wouldn’t have had any impact had I known what to expect.
10 Best Games Like Silent Hill
Fans of Silent Hill tend to be hungry for more horrifying games similar in style — maybe with the fog not included.
Classic Sci-Fi Horror
Dead Space (2023)
Dead Spaceis a terrifying third-person horror shooter that requires solid aim, puzzle-solving skills, and nerves of steel. The original is a classic, and the 2023 remake offers amassive visual upgrade.
The Necromorphs are horrific beasts that love nothing more than jump-scaring you from the shadows. In typicalDead Spacefashion, you must dismember them limb-by-limb, as headshots do absolutely nothing.
Jump scares are always great for your audience, and thesci-fi setting is a refreshing changefrom haunted houses and generic monsters.
Dead Spaceis an excellent game with a ton of perks for streaming. The title has a nostalgic following, which means there’s always interest, and it’s old enough that competition for views should be lower. you may also finish the game over a few streams, as it’s roughly 10-12 hours long.
3Phasmophobia
Genuine Multiplayer Terror
Phasmophobia
Phasmophobiashould need no introduction, but as it’s due for aconsole release soon, there’s no better time to discuss it.
InPhasmophobia, you’re part of aparanormal investigation teamand are sent to some of the creepiest, cursed places in the genre. Your group must try toidentify the ghost or spirithaunting each location using a wide array of ghost-busting tools.
Kinetic Games put on a masterclass inenvironmental horror, and your friends offer little comfort as you explore these locations, trying to put on a brave face.
There are some genuine scares inPhasmophobia, and they are perfect for a stream with a group that’s willing to get into it. you may even talk to the ghost with your microphone, adding even more depth to the experience.
2Five Nights at Freddy’s
A Horror Phenomenon
Five Nights at Freddy’s
TheFive Nights at Freddy’sseries is part of horror game royalty at this point. The franchise has countless titles, all guaranteed to raise blood pressure and make you jump off your seat.
Five Nights at Freddy’shas gained popularity with its creepy animatronics,brutal jump scares, and surprisingly rich lore.
That lore is the last thing you’ll care about if it’s your first time playing.FNAFis superb for streaming as, let’s face it, your viewers want to see you terrified.
As a streamer, you’re worried about the next scare and how not to embarrass yourself simultaneously. It’s a great mix, andFNAFis perfect, even if you’re running short on time.
If you become a fan of the formula,there are sequels and side titles galorefor future streams.
1Resident Evil 7 Biohazard
A Modern Horror Classic
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
I’ve already mentioned the originalResident Evil, but the pace and puzzle-solving won’t be for everyone.Resident Evil 7: Biohazardis a modern entry in the series, emphasizing action and thrilling set-pieces.
There are a few jump scares, butResident Evil 7leans into somejuicy “gross-out” horror. Inventory management is lighter than in the older games, and it’s hard to get lost as the path through the game is linear.
The Baker family are fantastic antagonists, each ferrying you to a different theme of location. You’ll go everywhere, from creepy, dilapidated houses to booby-trapped mazes. There’s downtime for chat interaction, and you can solve conundrums together.
Resident Evil 8is also absolutely worth playing, but it continues the story from 7, hence the recommendation.
