As a fellow gamer, I’d like to say on behalf of all fans that we love horror games. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, horror enthusiasts have much to look forward to in 2025. Developers are pushing the boundaries of fear and storytelling, crafting experiences that promise to haunt players long after they’ve put down the controller. Here are five of the most anticipated horror games slated for release this year.
Horror Games Of 2025
Cronos: The New Dawn
Developed by “Bloober Team”, known for their work on the Silent Hill 2 remake, Cronos: The New Dawn is a survival horror game set in a post-apocalyptic 1980s Poland. Players assume the role of an agent from the organization collective, tasked with rescuing individuals who perished during a cataclysmic event known as “The Change.” Navigating a devastated landscape filled with monstrous abominations, players will employ third-person shooter mechanics to fight off all threats. The game is scheduled for release in 2025 on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PlayStation 5.
Directive 8020
Directive 8020 by “Supermassive Games” is a sci-fi horror title that draws inspiration from films like Alien and The Thing. The narrative follows the crew of the colony ship Cassiopeia as they survey the planet Tau Ceti F, only to encounter a terrifying alien organism capable of mimicking its prey. Players will experience cinematic storytelling with the ability to influence character decisions, leading to multiple outcomes. The game supports cooperative play for up to five players and features Lashana Lynch as the pilot, Brianna Young. Directive 8020 is expected to launch in 2025 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Little Nightmares 3
Continuing the eerie journey into the world of nightmares, Little Nightmares 3 introduces new protagonists (Low) and (Alone) and cooperative gameplay, allowing players to experience the horror together. Players will navigate through unsettling environments, solving intricate puzzles while evading grotesque creatures that lurk in the shadows. With its signature art style and atmospheric storytelling, this installment aims to deepen the sense of dread and wonder. Little Nightmares 3 is scheduled for release in 2025.
Dying Light: The Beast
Dying Light: The Beast by “Techland” is a spin-off set 13 years after the original game, bringing back protagonist Kyle Crane. Now infused with zombie DNA, Crane can transform into a “Volatile,” unleashing his powers against enemies. The game features an open world, rooftop parkour, and up to four-player co-op. Originally planned as DLC for Dying Light 2, it was expanded into a full-length game and is slated for a summer 2025 release on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Reanimal
Reanimal is a game by Tarsier Studios that immerses players in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by mutated creatures. Assuming the role of a scientist-turned-survivor, players explore abandoned laboratories and decaying cities to uncover the origins of the mutation outbreak. The game emphasizes intense survival mechanics and psychological horror, with environments designed to evoke a haunting beauty. Critical decisions made throughout the game will impact the player’s survival. Reanimal is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2025.
Final Thoughts
As we come to an end with our top five list, make sure to be on the lookout for these horror games and more coming much sooner than later. These titles represent the forefront of horror gaming in 2025, each offering unique experiences designed to terrify and captivate players. As developers continue to innovate within the genre, horror fans alike have much to anticipate in the coming year.
Horror games have made their mark in the gaming industry, and something tells me 2025 will be a great year for this statement. With so many different genres of horror that can be made, we can only hope they keep improving here on out.
