It’s a good time to be a horror fan. Horror games have exploded in popularity onSteamrecently, especially horror that’s meant to be played and enjoyed with friends. As game prices increase, though, it’s becoming more difficult to enjoy the types of games you love without emptying your wallet.
Horror doesn’t have to cost a fortune, though. In fact, some of the best scares on Steamcost less than a movie ticket and are worth every penny. Frompsychological terror to jump scares, Steam has something for everyone—and these horror games are all under $10, so you don’t have to break the bank to play them.
10Buckshot Roulette — $2.69
A Lethal Game Of Chance
The thrill of this lethal game of luck will jolt you awake for less than the price of a cup of coffee. Created by Mike Klubnika and published by Critical Reflex,Buckshot Rouletteis a game ofRussian Roulette with a 12-gauge shotgun.
Sit across from the creepy dealer in either single-player or four-person multiplayer mode,aim the shotgun, fire, and hope for the best. Steer luck in your favor by using various items to increase your chances of survival.
This game’s price reflects itsshort length, but the surprisingly deep item mechanic and multiplayer mode make it a game of chance you’ll want to keep playing again and again.
9Lethal Company — $9.99
Horror And Hilarity In Multiplayer
Going by all the viral videos ofLethal Companythat have surfaced on social media, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s meant to be a comedy. But that’s only because it’smorbidly funny to watch players panickingwhen their friends go missing one by one.
This multiplayer title by Zeekerss sends players on missions toscavenge goods and scraps from abandoned planetsfor The Company. Monsters lurk in the dark shadows on the moons, and they can strike at any moment.
If your companion suddenly goes quiet, that might be your cue to run.
8Sally Face — $2.99
A Creepy Point-And-Click Adventure
Sally Faceis a classic 2016 point-and-click horror game by Portable Moose. Uncover thedark story of a boy with a prosthetic facethrough a beautifully illustrated, unsettling world.
The first episode, titledStrange Neighbors,tells the story of Sally Face and his father moving into a strangely decrepit apartment building.What horrors lurk in the shadows of the past?
Thishaunting psychological horroris just the first episode out of five. Though the full game isn’t under $10, it’s still a very affordable $14.98 (or $11.99 for episodes 2-4 if you’ve already purchased the first).
7Look Outside — $9.99
A Creepy Survival RPG Set Inside An Apartment Building
Look Outsideis a gorgeously grotesque pixel RPG created by Francis Coulombe and published by Devolver Digital.
Set entirely inside a crumbling apartment building,this survival horror has you scavenging to stay alive, while avoiding the strange and dangerous monsters that roam the halls. Whatever you do, don’t look outside—or you might just end up becoming one of the horrors, yourself.
Thetense atmosphere, terrifying monsters, and chilling soundtrackmake this horror title a steal at just under $10 on Steam.
6Poppy Playtime — Free!
Huggy Wuggy Just Wants A Hug
Poppy Playtimeisone of the most beloved hits of the mascot genre,and the first episode is entirely free on Steam. Experience thefirst game in the series, which was released in 2021 by Mob Entertainment.
You arrive at Playtime Co., where a tragic event years ago caused all the inhabitants to vanish. Armed (literally) with the GrabPack, make your way through the dark, abandoned hallways,uncovering the mysteries of the factory.
Watch out for the horrifying creaturesthat have become icons of the franchise: Huggy Wuggy, Catby, and Poppy herself are out there in the darkness, just waiting for someone to play with.
5The Cat Lady — $8.99
When The Horrors Outside Match The Ones In Your Head
The mundane title ofThe Cat Ladydownplays the psychological impact this game leaves on its players. Don’t be fooled, though: This 2012 point-and-click adventure from Harvester Games and published by Screen 7 is adark trip through the horrors of the human mind.
Theside-scrolling horror gametells the story of Susan Ashworth, who feels she has nothing left to live for. See the world through Susan’s eyes as she meets five strangers who might just change her entire perspective on life.
This experiencedeals with difficult topics like mental illness, so it might not be for everyone. If you feel like you’re able to face the darkness,The Cat Ladyis a grotesquely beautiful horror experience well worth its low price point.
Zombie Horror Done Right
Left 4 Deadis a multiplayer horror shooter from Valve, which feels like a mashup of the studio’s popular FPSCounter-Strikeand horror adventureHalf-Life.
Fight hordes of zombiesin either single- or multiplayer modes in a game designed to feel like you’re playing through a horror action movie. Both the original 2008 game and its 2009 sequel are available for under $10 on Steam, so you can enjoy both classics.
If you enjoy these titles but want something more recent, theLeft 4 Dead-inspiredDead by Daylightis an asymmetrical multiplayer gameby Behaviour Interactive that has a similar dark aesthetic and terrifying monsters. As a bonus, it’s also under $10 on Steam.
3Pony Island — $4.99
This Is Not A Game About Ponies
Daniel Mullins’Pony Islandisn’t a typical horror game. Instead of using monsters or jump scares, this game messes with the player’s mind through nefarioustricks, glitches, and hidden lorejust waiting to be uncovered.
Guide your pony through a side-scrolling obstacle course in this game that’s not about ponies at all.Break the game itself,complete coding puzzles, and uncover the real nature of this experience, before it breaks you.
2Doki Doki Literature Club — Free!
A Dating Sim With A Dark Twist
Doki Doki Literature Clubcaptivated audiences with itsunexpected mashup of horror with the dating simulator genre. The 2017 game from Team Salvato is entirely free to play from start to finish on Steam, and it’s an incredible ride if you haven’t experienced it before.
It’sbest to go intoDoki Dokiblind,though that’s unlikely today, after years of the game’s notoriety. If you’ve somehow never heard of the game before, it’s adating simulator about a high schoolerwho’s dragged into his school’s literature club, where he writes poems and gets to know his three club-mates.
It quickly becomes apparent thatsomething strange is going on. It’s everything you would expect from a cute anime dating sim that begins with a stern warning of dark themes and imagery.
1Five Nights At Freddy’s — $4.99
Experience The Game That Started The Franchise
To say that Scott Cawthon’sFive Nights at Freddy’sstarted aglobal horror sensationwould be an understatement. The immensely popular horror franchise single-handedly jump-sparked a horror trend towardcreepy animatronics, murderous mascots, and jump scares, interlaced with intricate and dark lore.
Revisit the game that started it all with the very first title in the franchise, which is available onSteamfor under $10. Many of the other classic titles are also under 10 bucks, so you’re able to continue your journey through the series with the second, third, and fourth games, as well aslSister Location.
