Terrifying PS5 horror games

If you are looking for chills, thrills, and scares, plenty of PlayStation 5 games deliver. PS5 has an excellent horror library spanning survival horror, psychological nightmares, cinematic thrillers, and even multiplayer scares. And here are 10 of the best horror games on PS5 you can play right now (with a few extra recommendations sprinkled in). I included modern horror masterpieces like Resident Evil Requiem, CONTROL Resonant, and Silent Hill 2.

If you want to dig into the scares right away and know the type of game you’re after, the quick list below will help you find your preferred kind of scare. Looking to explore all your options? Read on for my personal fright picks …that is, if you’re brave enough to discover what’s lurking in the dark.

What makes a great horror game on PS5?

For me, great horror is more than a well-timed jump scare, but those are great too. I love games that make me question whether I really want to open the next door or investigate that strange noise at the end of a hallway. Survival horror often achieves that through scarce ammunition and resources, while psychological horror uses atmosphere, storytelling, and uncertainty to get inside your head.

PS5 hardware supports the scares

The PS5 hardware is particularly well suited to the genre. Detailed visuals can make environments feel disturbingly real, while 3D audio helps you pinpoint (or worry about) sounds around you. PS5 DualSense controller haptics and adaptive triggers can also add another layer to tense encounters. Ultimately, though, the best game depends on what scares you most.

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Quick list of the best horror games on PS5

GameHorror typePS5 releaseBest for
1. Resident Evil RequiemSurvival/action horror2026Survival horror fans
2. Alan Wake IIPsychological survival horror2023Narrative fans
3. Resident Evil 2Survival horror2022Classic survival horror
4. Silent Hill 2Psychological horror2024Story and atmosphere
5. Dead Space RemakeSci-fi survival horror2023Intense scares
6. The Last of Us: Part ISurvival action2022Character-driven drama
7. Silent Hill: TownfallFirst-person psychological horror2026Exploration and evasion
8. Until DawnCinematic slasher2024Branching choices
9. Control ResonantParanormal action horror2026Surreal action
10. Resident Evil 4 RemakeAction horror2023Combat

10 Best horror games on PS5

If you are looking for the best horror games on PS5, these are some of my favourites:

PS5 cover art for the video game Resident Evil Requiem.

1. Resident Evil Requiem

Resident Evil Requiem masterfully blends survival horror with explosive action, creating a great balance between feeling hunted and fighting back. If you are a returning fan of the series, it offers some exciting, familiar spots to play through, like Raccoon City.

PS5 cover art for the video game Alan Wake 2.

2. Alan Wake II

Alan Wake II remains one of my favourite psychological horror games on PS5; its storytelling and knack for unsettling set pieces are unmatched. It was my game of the year in 2023 for good reason; I highly recommend it.

PS5 cover art for the video game Resident Evil 2.

3. Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 is still one of my favourite examples of survival horror done right. Exploring the Raccoon City Police Department is incredibly tense, especially when you’re low on ammo, trying to solve a puzzle, and can hear something closing in on you. Capcom did an incredible job modernizing the 1998 classic without losing what made it so memorable, and for me, it remains one of the best horror remakes.

PS5 cover art for the video game Silent Hill 2.

4. Silent Hill 2

Another classic returns with a stellar remake. Silent Hill 2 follows James Sunderland into a fog-shrouded town packed with paranormal creatures. Its monsters and environments feel tied directly to his story, creating the kind of unsettling horror that lingers long after you stop playing.

PS5 cover art for the video game Silent Hill 2.

5. Dead Space Remake

If you are looking for sci-fi survival horror, Dead Space is at the top of my list. It combines incredible graphics, lighting, and sound design with terrifying Necromorphs that force you to dismember them strategically. It’s a gory experience brimming with tension and jump scares that are some of the most memorable on this list.

PS5 cover art for the video game The Last of Us Part I.

6. The Last of Us: Part I

The Last of Us: Part I combines Hollywood-level storytelling with survival-horror gameplay and perfected pacing. Clickers are terrifying when supplies run low, but Joel and Ellie’s relationship gives the experience emotional weight far beyond its monsters.

PS5 cover art for the video game Silent Hill Townfall.

7. Silent Hill Townfall

Silent Hill: Townfall moves the series into first-person horror, with a greater emphasis on puzzle-solving and stealth. Survival often means knowing when to stand your ground and when to run, as powerful enemies can quickly overwhelm you. That stealth can get especially nerve-racking when you’re tucked into a hiding spot, listening to an enemy move just outside and hoping it doesn’t discover you.

PS5 cover art for the video game Until Dawn.

8. Until Dawn

Until Dawn feels like stepping into a slasher movie where your choices determine who survives by the end game. I recommend it to horror newcomers because of its focus on exploration and decision-making. It’s easy to pick up and play while still delivering plenty of scares.

PS5 cover art for the video game Control Resonant.

9. Control Resonant

Control Resonant takes Remedy’s paranormal universe into a warped Manhattan with a new protagonist, focusing on Dylan Faden. Its fast melee combat makes it action horror, but impossible architecture, bizarre entities, and unsettling imagery keep things wonderfully strange.

PS5 cover art for the video game Resident Evil 4 Remake.

10. Resident Evil 4 Remake

Resident Evil 4 Remake leans harder into action, but it never completely abandons horror. Grotesque enemies and relentless encounters keep the pressure high, while snappy combat makes it perfect if you want scares with considerably more firepower.

Other horror games worth mentioning

As promised, I add here a few of my other favourites you might want to check out:

  • Cronos: The New Dawn: This sci-fi survival horror adventure lets you explore a retro-futuristic world with limited resources and dangerous creatures. It really encourages you to pick and choose your battles with limited resources.
  • MADiSON: This horror experience delivers frights with first-person exploration, disturbing environments, clever puzzles, and plenty of well-timed scares.
  • Dead by Daylight: Dead by Daylight is a great choice if you want to take your horror thrills online. It pits four survivors against one player-controlled killer. The human element makes every match unpredictable and gives it plenty of replay value.
  • Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me: It follows a documentary crew trapped inside a deadly recreation of a notorious murder hotel. Branching choices, deadly traps, and permanent consequences make it a strong pick if you like cinematic horror.
  • Luto: The game offers a slower, more psychological approach, using grief, shifting environments, and surreal imagery to make familiar spaces feel increasingly unsettling.
  • Tormented Souls 2: This classic survival-horror features eerie exploration, limited resources, dangerous creatures, and elaborate puzzles. It’s a slower, puzzle-heavy style of old-school horror; it’s well worth a look.

Best PS5 horror games by category

  • Best survival horror game: Dead Space is one of my top picks thanks to its resource pressure, exploration, and terrifying sound design.
  • Best psychological horror game: Silent Hill 2 is hard to beat, while Silent Hill: Townfall offers a first-person alternative that delivers big scares.
  • Best story-driven horror game: Alan Wake II is my pick for its gripping mystery, memorable characters, and reality-bending narrative that keeps you guessing from beginning to end, with incredibly unique set pieces and big jump scares.
  • Best multiplayer horror game: Dead by Daylight is my top multiplayer pick, combining tense cat-and-mouse gameplay with a huge roster of iconic killers, survivors, and evolving content.
  • Best horror game for beginners: Until Dawn is an excellent choice for beginners. If you prefer fighting back rather than hiding, Control Resonant offers a much more action-heavy entry point.

Find the best PS5 horror game for you

PlayStation 5 has a horror experience for just about everyone. You can fight for survival, unravel a psychological mystery, or take your scares online. I recommend picking your preferred flavour of fear, turning down the lights, grabbing your PS5 DualSense controller, and letting the scares set in. 

Browse the latest PS5 games and PS5 consoles at Best Buy Canada to find the right setup for your next horror gaming session.

Best horror games FAQ

What is the scariest game on PS5?

Different games offer different experiences, but Dead Space offers sustained tension, MADiSON specializes in first-person shocks, and Silent Hill 2 excels at psychological dread. All three deliver excellent, unforgettable scares.

Which PS5 horror game has the best story?

Alan Wake II is my pick for its daringly ambitious, reality-bending narrative and wonderfully strange storytelling. Remedy Entertainment recently followed it with Control Resonant, another excellent showcase for the studio’s talent for surreal worlds, paranormal mysteries, and memorable storytelling. Silent Hill 2 offers something more intimate and psychologically unsettling, while The Last of Us: Part I delivers an emotional, character-driven story anchored by Joel and Ellie’s unforgettable journey.

Are there multiplayer horror games on PS5?

Yes. Dead by Daylight offers four-versus-one online multiplayer and is one of the strongest options if you want to experience horror with friends.

What are the best survival horror games on PS5?


There are many to choose from, but Resident Evil Requiem, Resident Evil 2, Dead Space, and Silent Hill 2 are all excellent choices.

Is Silent Hill 2 better than Resident Evil 4?

They deliver very different experiences. Silent Hill 2 emphasizes psychological horror and atmosphere, while Resident Evil 4 Remake focuses more heavily on combat and action. Your best choice depends on the kind of fear you want; for me, I’m going with Resident Evil 2, it was one of my early key experiences with survival horror.

Matthew Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things tech related since the start of the digital era. He shares his passion for technology in his day job as a teacher and via multiple media platforms. As a long-time veteran of the video game and tech industry, he's covered interactive entertainment and esports on the web, in video series, podcasts, and on international television. You can follow Matthew's tech-venture filled lifestyle on twitter, instagram @dapper_tux.

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