Horror games have always been a popular genre for those seeking spine-tingling thrills and heart-pounding scares and what’s even better than getting your adrenaline pumping while playing alone? Playing with friends, of course!
Co-op horror games provide an entirely different level of fear, tension, and excitement, especially when you can share the chilling experience with your buddies. If you’re ready to test your friendships and courage, here are some co-op horror games that will have you and your pals screaming, laughing, and bonding over shared terror.
1) Cry of Fear
Platform(s): PC
Price: Free
Cry of Fear plunges you and up to three comrades into a nightmarish deserted town teeming with unspeakable horrors. However, even with friends by your side, the game keeps you in a state of constant unease, making you question whether your companions can truly be trusted in this surreal nightmare.
Since the game stemmed from a Half-Life mod, some of the visuals may seem a bit dated and even raise some nervous laughter. Nevertheless, Cry of Fear is still wholly capable of delivering hair-raising moments and pulse-pounding experiences when shared with friends.
2) Dead by Daylight
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
Price: S$20 (Free on Android and iOS)
Dead by Daylight lets you step into the shoes of either a survivor or a deadly killer. When playing as survivors, you’ll team up with friends to repair generators and evade the killer’s clutches. As the killer, you’ll hunt down your friends one by one. The game’s intense asymmetrical multiplayer experience is a perfect recipe for adrenaline-pumping fun.
This hit game features iconic horror villains like Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers, alongside characters from classic horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, making it a thrilling experience for horror fans. There’s even the opportunity to add some laughs by playing as Nicolas Cage.
3) Don’t Starve Together
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Price: S$14.50
While not a traditional horror game, there’s certainly a growing feeling of dread as players team up to navigate a hostile world in Don’t Starve Together. Whether it’s fending off bizarre creatures or tackling supernatural challenges, the game’s eerie art style and unpredictable events will keep you and your friends on your toes. This co-op game may even teach you a thing or two about working together, and deepen your relationship with your companions.
4) GTFO
Platform(s): PC
Price: S$54.90
In GTFO, you and your squad of up to four fearless players find yourselves infiltrating a clandestine research facility overrun by hordes of zombie-esque creatures. These nightmarish foes are hypersensitive, reacting to the slightest sounds and even physical contact. This gives the game a crucial stealth element, as you and your team are tasked with silently dispatching the threats without stirring up a hornet’s nest.
However, should the situation take a turn for the worse and the creatures awaken, you’ll need to rely on an arsenal of weaponry, deployable turrets, explosives, and various other tools to fend off relentless waves of monstrosities. GTFO is a tense co-op experience that demands precision, teamwork, and nerves of steel to conquer its relentless challenges.
5) Left 4 Dead 2
Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360
Price: S$10
Left 4 Dead 2 is a classic co-op horror thrill ride. While it might be largely action driven, the spine-tingling cries of the Witch will stop you dead in your tracks as the eerie soundtrack echoes in the background. And good luck maintaining composure as a Tank bulldozes through your squad while a Jockey seizes control of your character’s movements.
This quintessential game thrusts four intrepid players into the midst of a relentless zombie horde. Beyond the standard infected adversaries, the game’s sprawling and meticulously crafted maps are teeming with special zombies capable of turning your survival mission into a nightmarish ordeal. There’s no room for solo heroics here, compelling you to provide unwavering cover and support for your teammates at all times.
6) Pacify
Platform(s): PC
Price: S$5.25
Pacify invites you and a squad of up to three brave souls to venture into a haunted house to find proof of the supernatural. Players are tasked with scouring the eerie abode, collecting keys, deciphering clues, and using tools to pacify the malevolent evil lurking within. While it can be tackled solo, this game is tailor-made for spooky sessions with friends. There’s jump scares, a creepy atmosphere, supernatural zaniness and lots of replayability, all rolled into one package.
7) Phasmophobia
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Price: S$14
If you’ve ever watched a paranormal investigation reality TV show and wondered what it would be like to hunt some ghosts of your own with your friends, Phasmophobia might just be the answer.
The psychological horror game offers a cooperative experience for groups of up to four ghost hunters daring enough to venture into the eerie unknown. It perfectly captures the initial sense of wonder and trepidation that accompanies stepping into a supposedly haunted location. There is also an interesting feature where players have to use their mic to communicate with each other as well as with the apparitions in the house.
Instead of banishing or pacifying the spirits, the objective is to solve the mystery and unveil the identity of the lurking specter while crucially making a swift escape with your lives intact.
8) Sons of the Forest
Platform(s): PC
Price: S$26
As a sequel to the equally-harrowing The Forest, Sons of the Forest similarly strands players in a cannibal-infested hellscape. Either alone or together with friends, you must gather resources, build shelter, and survive against the island’s natural horrors and its gruesome inhabitants.
The game’s open-world sandbox design, crafting, and terrifying atmosphere make it a perfect choice for those seeking a survival horror experience with plenty of unnerving imagery.
9) The Dark Pictures Anthology
- Man of Medan — Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch | Price: S$26.90
- Little Hope — Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch | Price: S$26.90
- House of Ashes — Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Price: S$39.90
- The Devil in Me — Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Price: S$49.90
There are a number of titles under The Dark Pictures Anthology series of games, including Man of Medan, Little Hope, House of Ashes, and The Devil in Me. These games pay homage to classic horror films and tropes, and play out like interactive movies, making them extremely accessible even to non-gamer friends.
In the world of The Dark Pictures Anthology, players take the reins of both the narrative and the destinies of the game’s characters. Every crucial decision becomes a crossroads as they navigate the intricate, branching storylines. What adds an extra layer of excitement is the star-studded cast, with players enjoying the thrill of recognising familiar faces such as Will Poulter (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical), and Shawn Ashmore (X-Men), making the experience even more captivating.
10) The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Price: S$34
Similar to Dead by Daylight, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre plunges players into an asymmetrical horror experience. Here, a team of four players adopts the roles of Victims, while a trio embodies the sinister Family. The chilling backdrop unfolds within the iconic house from the film, adorned with gruesome elements like meat hooks, bleached skulls, and gory torsos. The Victims’ mission is straightforward – endure the terror and find a way to escape, while the relentless Family will employ any means necessary to thwart their every move.
This unique dynamic results in a thrilling game of cat and mouse. As a Victim, an unrelenting sense of dread looms over every step, even when the cannibals are out of sight. Conversely, as a Family member, it’s a frantic scramble to ensure gates remain locked, generators hum with life, and Grandpa’s insatiable appetite is satisfied. No matter what, there’s oodles of shock and pressure around every turn.
Edwin is a seasoned raconteur with a lifelong passion for video games, comic books, movies, and more. He thrives on captivating stories and immersive world-building, with a soft spot for adorable monsters.
Yong Le
A'bidah Zaid
