Summary
- Horror games don't always need enemies for scares - psychological horror like Layers of Fear excels at atmosphere.
- Titles like Year Walk focus on exploration and storytelling without enemy threats.
- Some games like Doki Doki Literature Club surprise with psychological horror without traditional enemies.
There's no denying that the tension in a horror game is elevated by the presence of nightmarish enemies that can quickly turn the player into mincemeat. However, this isn't a necessity, something that has been proven by many titles in the genre.
The 86 Best Free-to-Play Horror Games on Steam (2025)
Those looking for the ultimate cheap thrill have come to the right place. Here's a look at some of the very best free-to-play horror games on Steam.
Some games, especially those that delve into psychological horror, rely on atmospheric design and excellent storytelling to keep players on the edge of their seats, instead of using monsters to deliver their scares. Such titles should be celebrated for scaring players out of their wits without requiring any enemies that players must either take down or run away from.
8 Layers Of Fear
The Slow Descent Into Madness Is Horrifying And Done Without Any Enemies
Layers of Fear
- Released
- February 16, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Horror
Layers of Fear is an excellent horror game that delves into the mind of a painter who is slowly losing his mind. The story that unfolds in the background is a chilling one, detailing a marriage that was once perfect before a tragedy changed its trajectory for good.
All of this is conveyed through chilling visuals that show what happened in the painter's life. No enemies are required to show how this character is losing his grip on his sanity, as the environments become increasingly nightmarish over the course of this game's run to convey this information instead.
7 Year Walk
A Folk Horror Game With A Focus On Exploration
Year Walk
- Released
- February 21, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence, Blood
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
One of the most beautiful horror games that players can check out, Year Walk focuses on Swedish folklore and lets players experience an atmospheric experience. Players must participate in the eponymous Year Walk, beginning a journey full of beautiful and horrifying moments in equal measure.
The puzzles are all fairly similar and promote exploration as players traverse wintry locations and encounter mythological figures along the way. There are no enemies to be found in this game, and it doesn't need any to deliver on its horror elements.
6 Doki Doki Literature Club!
Disguises Itself As A Cute Dating Simulator, Only To Reveal Something Sinister
Doki Doki Literature Club!
- Released
- September 22, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel, Horror
One of the most deceptive horror games around managed to take the internet by storm. Doki Doki Literature Club!, is not for the faint of heart. What seems like a cute visual novel dating simulator slowly turns into a meta horror game after a tragic event rocks the lives of the protagonist and the other members of the literature club.
Horror Games That Use Players' Microphones
Using the player's microphone in gameplay is an excellent way to increase immersion and tension in horror games. Here's which titles did it the best.
Every girl has insecurities and tragedies that they've dealt with, only to be wiped away by a self-aware Monica who is the closest this game has to an enemy standing in the player's way. The game does more than just operate through a visual novel, eventually forcing players to delete game files from their PC to fight off the horrors that plague them.
5 Milk Outside A Bag Of Milk Outside A Bag Of Milk
Shows How The Horrors Of Psychosis And Trauma Can Affect Someone's Daily Life
Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk
- Released
- December 16, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel
After "Milk Inside a Bag of Milk" became a surprise hit, the developer decided to take the concept to the next level in the sequel. Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk explores most of the same issues that plagued the protagonist in the first game.
The fact that a simple grocery run becomes haunting courtesy of psychosis, trauma, and other forms of emotional baggage is a huge part of what makes both Milk Outside and its predecessor so riveting. As one would expect, this visual novel doesn't have any enemies per se, given that its horrors stem from the protagonist's psychological issues.
4 SOMA
Safe Mode Ensures That Enemies Won't Get In The Player's Way
SOMA
- Released
- September 15, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Horror
While SOMA does have enemies that players must avoid, their threat can be negated entirely in Safe Mode. This may alleviate some tension from the game, but it's worth it for players who prefer to avoid the hide-and-chase sequences while still experiencing the game's stellar narrative.
SOMA's story is its biggest strength and something that doesn't lose its impact even with the advent of Safe Mode. The enemies in this game just become intimidating figures that shamble around as players focus on exploration and solving puzzles instead.
3 Devotion
A Masterful Psychological Horror Game About The Terror Of Family Trauma
Devotion
- Released
- February 19, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Horror
One of the most chilling psychological horror games available, Devotion deals with heavy themes surrounding a broken family. These include a father who tries to make up for his inadequacies, a mother unwilling to stick with her family during hard times, and a child who bears the brunt of this trauma.
10 Best Indie Horror Games of 2020s (So Far)
The 2020s have absolutely spoiled indie horror fans so far. Here are the smaller but creepy games horror fans can explore.
Devotion is a chilling experience that makes for one of the best horror experiences in video games, and it manages to do so without any enemies. It's a shame that a silly controversy means that the only way players can purchase this title is from the developer's website, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
2 Mouthwashing
A Short, Nightmarish Horror Game Set In Space
Mouthwashing
- Released
- September 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Psychological, Horror
Players must be cautious of the many trigger warnings in Mouthwashing, a game that deals with some heavy-handed themes. A crew performing a delivery for the Pony Express in space crashes, causing the sanity of the shipmates to deteriorate.
However, this is just a taste of what is truly brewing behind the scenes. Despite being a very short game, Mouthwashing will have a major impact on players for a long time after completing this title if they read about the story and hear the community's takes. Sure, there are some annoying chase sequences, but calling the chasers "enemies" is a bit of a stretch, especially after the truth comes to light.
1 P.T.
Players Solve Puzzles In A Looping Hallway While Being Haunted By A Nightmarish Ghost
P.T.
- Released
- August 12, 2014
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
P.T. Is one of the most legendary video games ever made, using a looping hallway, obtuse puzzles, and the threat of Lisa's ghost to keep players engaged and on edge. However, unlike what players may assume, Lisa isn't the game's enemy.
If anything, she's a victim who went through a horrific series of events that ultimately led to her brutal demise. It's easy to see why she has become a restless spirit once fans get the full picture.
8 Most Peaceful Horror Games
These may be horror games, but they are also surprisingly peaceful at the same time.