Games are capable of making us feel a wide range of emotions and the games on this list will make you feel panic, fear, dread, and eternal thanks that it's not really real. We've compiled a list of the most terrifying games available to play on Xbox One, from action-packed scares to the spookiest of haunted houses. Turn off your lights, crank the sound up high and bring a towel for your sweaty brow; you're in for a bumpy night.
The Evil Within 2
Following up on the acclaimed horror experience of 2014, The Evil Within, its successor improves upon the original in almost every regard. Building upon the foundation of the original, The Evil Within 2 offers an improved mission structure, storyline, and sense of presence, making for a much more immersive experience overall. Furthermore, the game steps up the horror to the next level, continuing to build on its frighteningly twisted world. The Evil Within 2 can be picked up today starting at $24.99 at Amazon, with no higher-tier special editions on offer.
Observer
Taking influence from the developer's previous project, "Layers of Fear," Observer is a horror experience that thrives on player uncertainty to build atmospheric tension. Following a detective in a dystopian cyberpunk world, the game kicks off shortly after the "Nanophage," a digital plague that's thrown the computer-dependent civilization into turmoil. With civilians now relying on simulations to obscure the horrors of the real world, digital realms are now more enticing than ever before.
With the ability to hook into the minds of the dead through realistic "Dream Eater" simulations, you'll soon begin to uncover clues from digital memories of the dead. However, diving into the minds of the insane, the game soon begins to blur the lines between the horrors of simulations and reality, making for a gripping and unpredictable adventure. Observer is available exclusively via the Microsoft Store, priced at $29.99.
Outlast
There are things I like to be chased by, and big, naked, murderously violent men with no lips are not one of them. Outlast has you stepping into the shoes of an investigative journalist who has been tipped off to some weird goings-on at a mental asylum. Being the astute and eager young man he is, he rushes off to the asylum with nothing but his night-vision camcorder in hand. Played most often through that night-vision, Outlast is dark, stressful, atmospheric, and scary enough that the likelihood if it being played in short bursts is quite high.
The real kicker is that you have absolutely no way to protect yourself from attack. Should you alert an enemy, your only option is to run away and hide and hope they don't find you. The higher your difficulty setting, the more hiding places enemies will check, and the fewer batteries you will have at your disposal to recharge your camcorder. Outlast is available for $19.99 digitally, however, for $19.96 on Amazon, players can invest in the Trinity collection, bundling together Outlast and Outlast 2, alongside the Whistleblower DLC.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Undeniably one of the best horror games of this generation, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard hoped to capture the terror of survival horror which gained the series its reputation. Taking inspiration from recent successes in the genre, the game pushes the Resident Evil franchise into a first-person perspective with new gameplay mechanics to take advantage of the point of view.
Embarking on a search for his missing wife, Resident Evil 7 takes Ethan Winters into the run-down plantation of the Baker Family. With the family on his tail, Winters must rescue his wife while escaping alive. Offering tense cinematic experiences mixed in with some well-suited combat, Resident Evil 7 sits among the best horror games this decade. Resident Evil 7 is available starting at $19.51 for physical copies, with digital licenses available from the Microsoft Store for $29.99.
Resident Evil Remastered
Hailed as the very first game of the survivor horror genre, Resident Evil recently reached its 20th birthday. Twenty whole years of fright over stupid dogs jumping through windows, houses with a labyrinth of rooms and zombies, lickers, sharks, giant snakes... and that tell-tale squishy sound effect that meant you could hear zombies before you saw them.
Resident Evil tells the story of the Racoon City S.T.A.R.S team investigating the missing Bravo Team who had been last seen in the mountainous region. With a Resident Evil 2 remake also in the works, and Resident Evil 7 launching in 2017, we may be seeing S.T.A.R.S for a while yet. Resident Evil Remastered is available from the Microsoft Store for $19.99.
State of Decay 2
Microsoft's latest zombie-themed adventure, State of Decay 2, isn't the scariest game on the market, but still has qualities horror fans will love. Unlike most survival games where players control a single character, the State of Decay franchise puts responsibility of an entire community in your hands. Players will need to gather resources and expand their presence in the world, while simultaneously caring for survivor needs. The second installment also corrects many of the original game's flaws, doubling down on its character building and progression. And with perma-death enabled for all, one wrong move can ruin your weekend.
State of Decay 2 retails for $29.99 for the standard edition, while Xbox One owners can also gain access via a $9.99 Xbox Game Pass subscription.
Layers of Fear
Layers of Fear makes the case for combatless horror experiences once again, focusing heavily atmospheric tension and the world it creates. Telling the psychedelic tale of an artist descending into insanity, Layers of Fear perfectly captures the chilling aspects of its narrative.
The artist's house is a maze of corridors and doors that appear out of nowhere or vanish and turn back on themselves, giving you the impression there's more than meets the eye. Genuinely in a class of its own, Layers of Fear deserves its place simply for how unexpectedly thrilling it can be. The game is available in digital form via the Microsoft Store, priced at $19.99.
Among the Sleep
Among The Sleep is a psychological horror game where you take control of a young boy as he collects memories of his mother with the help of his teddy bear guide. With a sad twist, and plenty of diving from creepy tree monsters, Among The Sleep holds more adult themes than first meets the eye. The game is available via the Microsoft Store for $14.99.
Metro Redux
If you prefer shooting over skulking, Metro Redux has you covered. Metro Redux contains Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light in one great package. Nuclear war and radiactive mutations are real threats in Metro. It has wonderful horror elements, detailed environments and an engaging plot, each making this a great action-packed, but equally hostile experience. This double pack can be purchased for $29.99, which grants access to both titles.
Alien: Isolation
Many people might put this in the top spot. Xenomorphs are everyone's favorite "horror movie monster", and Alien: Isolation really upped the ante. Previous 'Alien' games weren't know for being scary or even enjoyable, but Isolation is truly terrifying. Rather than getting swamped with black shiny skinned, eyeless, murderous humanoids, Isolation features a single xenomorph who antagonises you for the duration of the game. The base version of Alien Isolation starts at $14.98 on Amazon, with digital versions available for $29.99.
Are there any other horror games you think should be on this list? What would your list look like? Make sure to let us know in the comments.
Updated August 16, 2018: We've updated this list with the top Xbox One horror games of 2018.
