15 Amazing First Person Horror Games You Need To Play [2025 Edition]

Sons of the Forest

Sons of the Forest expertly blends the open-world freedom of survival games with genuinely frightening horror elements. While it might initially appear similar to other crafting and building games, it surpasses expectations thanks to its skillful execution of both genres. From creepy, mutated creatures to unpredictable events and a smart, realistic crafting system, Sons of the Forest is a game you won’t want to skip.

Layers of Fear (2023)

If you enjoy horror that focuses on psychological thrills, *Layers of Fear* could be your next obsession. It features a twisting, spooky mansion, a mysterious backstory to explore, and plenty of atmospheric storytelling combined with challenging puzzles. The game feels like a throwback to classic survival horror titles such as *Resident Evil*, *Silent Hill*, and *The Shining*. If you enjoyed the *Silent Hill 2* remake, this game from Bloober Team is definitely worth a look.

Ghostwire: Tokyo

Ghostwire: Tokyo offers a unique take on horror, moving away from typical survival elements and instead focusing on action-packed, magical karate. The game truly shines with its atmosphere; the city of Shibuya is eerily empty and haunted, lit only by neon and filled with the forgotten possessions of the vanished. You’ll face enemies inspired by Japanese folklore – modern twists on Yokai, like emotionless businessmen and headless schoolgirls. Despite the quick combat, the game maintains a sense of unease thanks to the desolate Tokyo streets and imaginatively designed creatures.

Resident Evil Village

The original *Resident Evil* perfectly captures the essence of survival horror, leaving players feeling vulnerable with limited resources and truly terrifying enemies. *Resident Evil Village* successfully builds on that classic formula, balancing careful exploration and puzzle-solving with intense action sequences and challenging boss battles. What really stands out in *Village* is the variety of its locations and themes – the opulent Castle Dimetrescu feels completely different from the gritty industrial factory led by Heisenberg, and the game’s story is cleverly presented through a unique folktale perspective.

Amnesia: Rebirth

The *Amnesia* series excels at making players feel helpless, and *Rebirth* continues that tradition. Like other *Amnesia* games, you can’t fight back – you have to run, solve puzzles, and explore to survive. What’s different in *Rebirth* is the setting: instead of being trapped in a building like previous games, you’re lost in the Algerian desert. You play as Tasi, a pregnant woman searching for her crew. While the desert is expansive, you’ll still find yourself in dark, frightening places like caves and ruins, maintaining the series’ signature creepy atmosphere.

System Shock Remake

If you’re looking for a game with meaningful choices and immersive gameplay, *System Shock Remake* is a great option. The original was a groundbreaking survival horror title, one of the first to truly pull players into its world. The villain, SHODAN, is still considered one of the most compelling in the genre. She makes the spaceship feel genuinely haunted, constantly watching and disrupting everything you do. The game’s creepy atmosphere, filled with unsettling noises and distorted sounds, perfectly complements her presence, and this remake enhances those scares, making them even more polished and terrifying.

Choo-Choo Charles

If you’re looking for a quick scare, check out the indie game *Choo-Choo Charles*. You can finish it in just 3-4 hours. The game has a simple but interesting idea: you collect eggs and help people to lure out a creepy, villainous train named Charles, and then you have to defeat it. It’s a charming and unusual concept, and Charles has plenty of surprising jump scares.

Visage

Visage is an indie horror game frequently compared to the demo P.T. You’ll find yourself trapped in a haunted suburban house from the 1980s, filled with locked doors and challenging puzzles. Keeping your sanity is key – you’ll need to avoid dark areas and ghostly encounters. If you enjoyed the unpredictable nature of P.T., Visage is definitely worth playing.

The Mortuary Assistant

Ever dreamed of investigating corpses and performing exorcisms in a video game? This independently developed horror game lets you do just that, and more. In *The Mortuary Assistant*, you play as a new morgue assistant who prepares bodies for burial. But this isn’t your typical job – demons frequently possess the corpses, and you’ll need to exorcise them while also completing your work. The game features a somewhat random storyline, offering a lot of replay value.

Ad Infinitum

Ad Infinitum offers a unique and intriguing idea. The game puts you in the shoes of a World War I veteran returning home to care for his sick father. The horror elements stem from the character’s wartime trauma, which manifests as monsters haunting the house – representing his inner turmoil. Gameplay involves exploring a large house, solving puzzles, and evading these frightening creatures.

Phasmophobia

While it might be unexpected, *Phasmophobia* is likely the most popular game on this list. It taps into the recent trend of social deduction games, but instead of mysteries, you’re investigating ghosts! Though working with a team to find a ghost doesn’t sound *too* scary, the gradual discovery of what you’re dealing with – and eventually being haunted yourself – can be genuinely frightening, even when you’re playing with friends.

Still Wakes the Deep

Often called “The Thing on an oil rig,” *Still Wakes the Deep* is a horror game focused entirely on atmosphere and story – there’s no fighting. You’ll have to sneak around and avoid the monster. As you play, the oil rig itself changes, with areas becoming flooded or damaged. The game doesn’t use a typical heads-up display, which adds to the immersive and unsettling experience. If you like classic, exploration-based horror, *Still Wakes the Deep* is worth checking out.

Nightmare of Decay

If you’re looking for a scary game without spending much money, this $4 indie title could be perfect, particularly if you enjoy classic action horror. *Nightmare of Decay* feels a lot like playing *Resident Evil 2* in first-person, with lots of ammo and plenty of zombies roaming around a large mansion. There’s a good amount of exploring to do, with puzzles and a variety of weapons to find. It’s a real find for fans of the original *Resident Evil 2*.

Stay Out of the House

We couldn’t complete this list without including a slasher horror game, right? *Stay Out of the House* is a thrilling escape game where you’re hunted by a cannibalistic serial killer. You’ll try to survive as they stalk a house and its neighborhood. While made on a limited budget, the game uses retro filters to create a charming, PlayStation 1-inspired look.

The Outlast Trials

The Outlast Trials offers a unique and engaging take on cooperative horror. Players improve their abilities by successfully completing challenging trials. The game seamlessly blends its story with its gameplay, creating a truly immersive experience. Set during the Cold War, you play as a recruit tasked with surviving trials against former participants who have become mentally unstable and violent. The game’s rich backstory, revealed through radio recordings and environmental storytelling, elevates it beyond a typical horror title.

2025-09-18 17:51