Horror games are tense yet memorable experiences when the landing sticks. The combination of a dreadful atmosphere, bone-chilling music, immersive stories, and nightmarish enemies all combine to help fans enjoy some of the most impactful video games they can get their hands on.
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The Xbox Game Pass library is full of exciting titles, but remember to check out the best and most terrifying horror games in this collection.
Some horror games pride themselves on being rather challenging, with some players feeling overwhelmed. Eventually, they'll be able to master the gameplay systems and overcome the hurdles thrown at them with relative ease.
8 World Of Horror
A Roguelike Horror Game With Combat That Takes A While To Get Used To
World of Horror
- Released
- December 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
It's recommended to start World of Horror at a lower difficulty in the first few runs until players become familiar with how the mechanics work. Trying to jump into the deep end of the challenge early can just frustrate players, who barely solve a case or two before they eventually fail in their goal.
Understanding how investigations work and becoming more familiar with the village's layout will eventually make things easier for players in the long run. After a point, even the hardest difficulty is doable for players as long as they don't put themselves in harm's way too many times.
7 Condemned: Criminal Origins
The Melee Combat In This Game Is Incredibly Satisfying When Everything Clicks
Condemned: Criminal Origins
- Released
- November 22, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Action
Condemned: Criminal Origins boasts one of the best melee combat systems in a horror game. As satisfying as it may be to beat enemies to a pulp, this satisfying mode of self-defense doesn't take away from the game's oppressive atmosphere in the slightest.
This ensures that players will have a grand time with the first Condemned title as they power through its chilling story and punch numerous psychos along the way. The combat seems simple, but players who don't fall for feints and master the parry can smash enemies to a pulp in no time.
6 Returnal
Players Slowly But Surely Master The Tough Third-Person Shooting Combat Of This AAA Roguelike Game
Returnal
- Released
- April 30, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
The fact that AAA games are trying their hand at the roguelike genre shows just how far this genre has come. Returnal is Housemarque's stellar take on this genre, with players controlling Selene in a hostile and alien world where something puzzling is going on.
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Players must master the third-person combat and make slow but steady progress, eventually conquering the game's biomes and realizing what's going on. The combat can be deceptively hard at first, but players will eventually learn how the game works and balance risk and reward in every run to punish enemies who used to give them a tough time.
5 The Last Of Us Part 2
The Combat Is A Massive Improvement That Fans Must Become Experts At For The No Return Mode
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
The Last of Us Part 2 boasts one of the crunchiest action-stealth combat systems, with everything from melee attacks to ranged combat being improved tremendously. At the start, most players will be cautious in the game and try not to alert enemies as they take them out from the shadows.
Eventually, players will learn to clear encounters faster, using distractions smoothly to take out enemies stylishly. A player's aptitude in direct combat scenarios also increases over time, especially once they become familiar with the weapons that each character can use.
4 Inscryption
Players Must Become Masters Of The Deckbuilding Side Of Things To Not Get Stumped At Kaycee's Mod
Inscryption
- Released
- October 19, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
Inscryption is one of the best horror games that fans can check out, with its incredible atmosphere being in a class of its own. After finishing the game, players who want to test their expertise with the game can check out Kaycee's Mod and realize just how out of their depth they are.
Even though the game's first act taught players a lot of what they needed to know about this game, this additional challenge mode can still be rather overwhelming. The bosses are fiercer than ever, forcing players to optimize their decks and use buffs on relevant cards to make things easier for themselves.
3 Omori
Players Who Opt For The Hikikomori Route Must Min-Max Their Party To Deal With The Game's Toughest Foes
OMORI
- Released
- December 25, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Given Omori's attempts to emulate JRPG gameplay, it's easy to see why the turn-based combat has a high skill ceiling. At the start of the game, players can only rely on basic abilities to defeat opponents.
However, over time, Omori and his buddies will become strong and learn how to manipulate emotions. This is imperative for players who want to go down the alternate Hikikomori Route, since it houses some of the hardest bosses in the game, who will test a player's skills with the game.
2 System Shock 2
The PSI Powers Can Become Downright OP In The Right Hands
System Shock 2
- Released
- August 11, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, FPS
System Shock 2 can be extremely hard at first for beginners, with the lack of resources and respawning enemies frustrating players. However, this is just a part of the game's difficulty that many players must overcome, which can take some patience.
Eventually, players will gain better equipment and understand enemy patterns better. This allows them to deal with tougher threats without backing down, something that would be unthinkable in the early game when players cower at the sight of a lowly hybrid.
1 Bloodborne
Players Who Get Used To The Fast-Paced Combat Can School The Game's Toughest Foes With Ease
Bloodborne
- Released
- March 24, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Bloodborne's gothic and Lovecraftian horror makes it one of the scariest FromSoftware games players can get their hands on. It's also the most rewarding one for players who are patient and choose to improve their skills naturally over the course of the game.
Bosses like Father Gascoigne serve as a litmus test for the player's skills, with this challenging early boss turning into a simple encounter for players familiar with how Bloodborne works. It's a satisfying sense of progression for players who overcome this game's major glass ceiling.
8 Most Complex Horror Games, Ranked
Players will have to face a bit of a learning curve when it comes to the following horror game, due to their complex mechanics.