It's Halloween, so we descended into the catacombs and dusted off our best space horror games list. In space, no one can hear you scream, but here on Earth, everyone will hear your shrieks of terror if you sit down to play one of these spooky titles.
And while Halloween is the perfect time to venture into the derelict spaceships, abandoned space stations, and other… otherworldly locations where humans aren’t welcome, real sci-fi horror fans are out here squealing in their spacesuits all year round.
Horror comes in many forms, so we've tried to include a variety of interstellar terrors here, with big-budget titles that everyone's heard of, all the way down to indie delights that you'll be glad we introduced you to. Now, prepare for a fright as we run down the best space horror games to play this Halloween night.
Not a horror fan? Not sure why you clicked on this list then, but fear not! Our roundups of the best space exploration, settlement, and strategy games will help you absorb wonder instead of dread among the stars.
14. We Went Back
- Release date: April 3, 2020
- Platform: PC
- Developer: Dead Thread Games
The first title in our list is an overlooked, free-to-play (and keep) indie game by Dead Thread Games. The premise is quite simple, and the game can be beaten in less than 50 minutes: you’re all alone in an abandoned space station, the exit is locked, and something is lurking in the shadows – it’ll make you feel like you're in one of the Alien movies.
We have a soft spot for “condensed” horror stories, and We Went Back is like a great short story about fear of the unknown. It’s really good-looking for such a small dev team, too. With its Steam reviews sitting at a healthy “very positive” rating, maybe a bigger project based on this little treat will follow sometime in the future.
13. Moons of Madness
- Release date: October 22, 2019
- Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
- Developer: Rock Pocket Games
If you’re a fan of cosmic horror with Lovecraftian DNA, this one’s for you. Moons of Madness is another first-person horror game, this time set on Mars. Moreover, Moons of Madness features plenty of hard sci-fi elements. While the initial setbacks in your mission are somewhat normal, things quickly take a strange turn. What’s real and what isn’t? You know things are going to get dark soon, yet you can’t wait to uncover Mars’ biggest secret.
It comes from Rock Pocket Games, a Norwegian studio that started out developing mobile games before making the jump to full-blown horror for PC and consoles.
12. SOMA
- Release date: September 22, 2015
- Platforms: PC, Linux, MacOS, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Frictional Games
This one’s a bit of a wildcard. For starters, it’s not set in outer space, but underwater here on planet Earth instead. So, why is it part of this list? Well, its influences come from space-set games and sci-fi films with strong A.I. and body horror elements. In many ways, it feels like a spiritual successor to the classic System Shock games.
SOMA is Frictional Games’ 2015 follow-up to Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010), one of the most influential horror games of the past two decades. On this occasion, the Frictional folks went all in on the wild narrative and stunning twists. The stealth sections were still a bit undercooked, but the rest of the game is absolutely top tier.
11. Hellpoint
- Release date: July 30, 2020
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS, Xbox One and Series X/S, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Cradle Games
Dark Souls… in space! That’s a pitch that will automatically make tons of gamers click the nearest “buy” button. Cradle Games’ Hellpoint may lack the finesse and polish of bigger Soulslike titles, but its dark heart is in the right place. Derelict space colony? Check. Massive “we shouldn’t have tampered with this” cataclysm? Check. What’s not to like?
The player controls a nameless humanoid stranded on the Irid Novo space station, which orbits a giant black hole. Vicious creatures and entities need to be banished, and a huge mystery must be cracked. Of course, like most Souls-influenced games, this one’s tough and not for everyone. You’ve been warned.
10. Observation
- Release date: May 21, 2019
- Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
- Developer: No Code
One of our personal favorites, since it’s such a drastically different approach to telling a spooky tale set in outer space. No Code’s game is more of a thriller in which the truth about a mission gone awry must be uncovered through the lens of the station’s computer (S.A.M.), whose point-of-view is limited and changes as the game progresses.
Observation is more of a puzzle game which tells an unsettling story, and a much welcome change of pace for veteran gamers who have fought and hidden from unspeakable horrors for years. Though that doesn’t mean Observation can't be stressful when things get hairy – it’s definitely earned its spot on this list of the best space horror games.
9. DOOM 3: BFG Edition
- Release date: October 16, 2012
- Platform: PC, Xbox 360/One, PS3/4, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: id Software
DOOM 3 has always been regarded as a great first-person shooter and horror game, but a not-so-good DOOM entry. The latest iterations of the franchise have amplified its “power fantasy” philosophy up to eleven, but the classic instalments also had that kind of energy. DOOM 3 was a reboot of sorts that took advantage of the tech jump by id Software in the early 2000s to toy with the saga’s foundations.
When compared to the fast-paced action of the other Doom games, it's easy to see why DOOM 3 didn't land well with the fanbase, but that doesn’t make it a bad game. The shooting holds up, the atmosphere is still suffocatingly dark, and the overall experience makes for an interesting detour from punching demons in the face. Be sure to grab the “BFG Edition” to get all the latest bells and whistles.
8. Prey
- Release date: May 5, 2017
- Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4
- Developer: Arkane Studios
Prey’s history is a doozy: the (fantastic) original game flew under the radar for years before creating a cult following, then an ambitious sequel that promised bounty-hunting in a Star Wars-like setting was canned by Bethesda due to ongoing development issues. The IP was later rebooted with Prey (2017), an Arkane Studios-developed first-person shooter and immersive sim which took quite a bit from BioShock and other classics such as Deus Ex.
Much like the original title, Prey 2017 remains an exquisite yet underrated game. It never became as famous as the studio's Dishonored games, but it shares many strengths with those flexible first-person, immersive romps. The story takes place in an alternate timeline in which humankind took to the stars far earlier and encountered a hostile alien race with strange physical and psychic powers.
Ever been attacked by a cup? No? Well then, you need to play Prey.
7. Lethal Company
- Release date: October 23, 2023
- Platform: PC
- Developer: Zeekerss
Lethal Company has been something of a phenomenon in recent years, joining Dead by Daylight in bucking the prevailing belief that horror and multiplayer don't mix. As it turns out, having friends isn't all that comforting when they start going radio silent.
At first glance, Lethal Company is about facing space horrors with friends while finding all sorts of junk your employer needs. In reality, the Company’s profit quotas are scarier than most strange beings you’ll come across. Sure, you survived the cosmic horrors for a few missions, but the money line didn't go up high enough, so oops — you've been jettisoned into space. That sounds worryingly familiar.
The gameplay loop is tight, and the visual comedy potential is high, but playing with open mics is what turns the average run into gold as your friends squeal with terror or belly-laugh at your misfortunes.
We’ve seen a fair number of copycats come and go (including the excellent R.E.P.O.), but Lethal Company’s awesome comedic timing and off-beat, half-baked presentation reigns supreme in the co-op horror space.
6. Returnal
- Release date: April 30, 2021
- Platforms: PC, PS5
- Developer: Housemarque
OK, not everyone will agree that Returnal is a horror game, and we get it — bullet-hell third-person shooter is a more accurate description — but plenty of classic games gained their cult status by blurring the genre lines. And make no mistake, from the creepy setting and cosmic-horror premise of reliving the same day in hell, to the twisted visuals of the nightmares you face, Returnal is living its best horror life.
The game follows Selene, an astronaut who crash-lands on a shape-shifting world filled with savage monsters. The constantly shifting planet paves the way for a roguelite, procedurally-generated level structure and an Edge of Tomorrow-esque time-loop. With every death, she’s forced to repeat a time loop, and as she grows stronger and can take on greater challenges and enemies, she also learns about the mystery behind the planet... and her own past.
Returnal is by far one of PlayStation Studios’ most striking releases in years, and thus, we can’t wait for Saros, its spiritual successor.
5. System Shock 2 / System Shock 2 Remaster
- Release date: August 11, 1999 / June 26, 2025
- Platform: PC, Linux, MacOS, Xbox One and Series X/S, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch
- Developers: Looking Glass Studios, Irrational Games, Nightdive Studios
Many of the best space horror games in this hefty list wouldn’t have existed if System Shock 1 and 2 hadn’t paved the way first. The two games remain immersive sims worth exploring, but the second one gained a larger following thanks to its refined mechanics and systems. To this day, many believe it’s the most memorable one, but we have our own thoughts on the matter...
System Shock 2 was originally intended to be a standalone game, but plans changed in the middle of production, after Electronic Arts signed on as publisher. The story takes place in 2114, on the starship Von Braun, where a genetic infection has taken over. There’s plenty of action and thrills in this one, but what makes everything click together is the plot and SHODAN, one of the best video game villains ever. Trust us, things get really wild.
The 25th Anniversary Remaster was recently released across all modern platforms by Nightdive Studios and is the best way to experience this classic, with co-op multiplayer included.
4. Signalis
- Release date: October 27, 2022
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: rose-engine
Though its DNA can be felt throughout many sci-fi horror games, few titles have actually tried to be Resident Evil, but in space… and of those that tried, fewer still succeeded. However, rose-engine’s Signalis – one of the greatest overlooked indie darlings in recent memory – perfectly captured what made those early 3D survival horror games special and built an entrancing story and universe around their teachings, pixelated visuals included.
On the surface, it might seem like you're just shooting monsters in space, but beneath the surface, Signalis deals with themes of dystopia, humanity’s place among the stars, totalitarian regimes, deep psychological elements, and the morality of humanoid androids.
More importantly, it has an artistic vision of its own and feels confident in it from start to finish. Signalis is a perfect example of what happens when game developers have really done their homework and stepped outside the undefined bounds of the medium... but without losing sight of what video games can uniquely do. A blend of retro and modern sensibilities that's equal parts disturbing and enchanting.
3. System Shock (Enhanced Edition and Remake)
- Release dates: September 22, 2015 / May 30, 2023
- Platforms: PC, macOS, PS4/5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 1/2
- Developers: Looking Glass Studios, Nightdive Studios
Hello again, System Shock, back so soon?
A decade ago, we’d have told you System Shock 2 was the better sci-fi horror game to play in modern times, but Nightdive Studios’ excellent 2015 tune-up of the OG made it far more approachable. There’s also something extra fascinating about seeing the genesis of both the series and later games directly influenced by it (see: BioShock, Prey, etc).
But that wasn’t enough: In 2023, a full remake (also by Nightdive) brought all the dread and excitement of the original System Shock into the modern age. Where many remakes fail to convince fans, System Shock succeeded by staying faithful where it mattered most and boldly reworking mechanics and systems as needed. Patient gamers who are curious about first-person horror history should absolutely revisit the original game, but everyone else can jump straight into the remake.
In the first System Shock, SHODAN (the series recurring AI villain) takes over Citadel Station and turns the crew into “an army of cyborgs and mutants.” Before she can do the same to Earth, she must be destroyed. This requires blasting and exploration aplenty, but you'll also need to use your space noodle to outwit this psychotic supercomputer.
2. Alien: Isolation
- Release date: October 6, 2014
- Platforms: PC, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, Xbox 360/One, PS3/4, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Creative Assembly
We couldn’t close out this list without Alien: Isolation, Creative Assembly’s first foray into first-person horror. There have been plenty of Alien games that recreated the second film’s thrills and action, but this one took a page out of Amnesia’s book and instead focused on delivering the perfect sequel to Ridley Scott’s original 1979 horror classic.
The story follows Amanda Ripley, Ellen’s daughter, 15 years after the events that ended with the destruction of the ship Nostromo. Its flight recorder is recovered, and Amanda joins a retrieval mission so she can have closure. Instead, she’s fated to face the horror her mother tried to destroy. This one’s a nerve-wracking experience and a must-play for anyone into the durable sci-fi franchise.
In late 2024, it was announced that a sequel was finally in the works at Creative Assembly, so imagine how excited we are. Since 2014, Amanda has appeared in several Alien comic books and was referenced in Alien: Rogue Invasion, so expect a time jump following the original game’s cliffhanger ending.
1. Dead Space (original and remake)
- Release date: October 14, 2008 / January 27, 2023
- Platform: PC, Xbox 360, Series X/S, PS3/5
- Developers: EA Redwood Shores, Motive
Often described as “The Thing in space,” Dead Space quickly became a sleeper hit when it was launched back in 2008. Yes, it’s set in yet another abandoned ship that discovered something no one should have touched, but its deep worldbuilding and exquisite enemy and level design made it one for the ages.
A full-blown Dead Space remake, handled by EA’s Motive Studios, was released on January 27, 2023, to critical acclaim and positive player reviews, but the original game holds up and is still worth playing through. Dead Space 2 is a worthy follow-up that doubles down on the action, too.
Dead Space 3 may have strayed too far from the saga’s roots and become a full-blown third-person shooter in a horror frock, but some fans defend it to this day. Motive’s excellent remake didn’t sell as well as EA hoped for, so don’t expect the sequels to get the same treatment. Original creator Glen Schofield still wants to make a fourth game, however, so maybe there's hope.
