10 Most Addictive Horror Games

There are some video games that you simply cannot put down. Regardless of responsibilities or whatever else that pulls you away from your screen, you can't escape the tight grip that the game has on you.

The next thing you know, you've dumped hundreds of hours into the game.

Horror games don't immediately come to mind when players think of the most addictive video games they've played, but there are definitely plenty that will grip players and refuse to let go — and you'll love every second.

These games will not only scare you, but they'll entertain you in ways you've never expected.

10 The Mortuary Assistant

You Want to Figure It Out

The Mortuary Assistant is one of those games where it'll take a few playthroughs before you can genuinely succeed at the game's goal, which, in this case, is to find and exorcise the demon that wants to take over your body. But, you can't just clock out of work for that. Oh no, you have to continue your shift as if nothing is wrong while you're trying to escape the demon's clutches.

Thankfully, the game itself isn't too long, so it's easy to try again when you inevitably fail and get possessed on your first playthrough. And every time you play, it just continues to get more fun than the last time.

Normally, in games where you're destined to lose, many players accept their fate and just stop playing once they get their first round of credits. However, players will want to play The Mortuary Assistant again and again until they finally succeed in discovering, naming, and exorcising the demon.

And with the game's multiple endings, your curiosity is going to lead you through 100 percent of what the game has to offer, and your interest will be gripped the entire time.

9 Left 4 Dead 2

Go Crazy, Go Stupid

If you're new to survival horror overall, Left 4 Dead 2 is an excellent introduction to the genre — and one of the most fun that you'll play. Of course, this experience is only amplified if you're playing with friends, but you're still bound to have a killer time singleplayer. Plus, if you're particularly skittish, it's not too scary other than the Special Infected, but you can learn what they're about.

Even if you have played the game, this is a game you'll often find yourself revisiting the action-packed hoards of zombies you have to fight off, which only gets more fun the more friends you have playing with you. And if you really want to spice things up? There are all kinds of mods that will have you and your friends literally rolling on the floor laughing.

Left 4 Dead 2 is timeless in every sense of the word, and the addictive gameplay is a major reason for that. If you're looking for an excuse to try this classic, just know that you're in for a ride.

8 Pathologic 2

Correct Your Mistakes

Being a doctor isn't easy even with decades of schooling and experience — however, in Pathologic 2, the difficulty is ramped up when you're dropped in the middle of a plague-ridden town, and you're on a time-crunch to figure out a cure. You aren't given any leg to stand on, either, because you start with literally nothing, broke and distrusted by everyone in the very town you're trying to save.

No, it doesn't get any easier, no matter how much you wish it would be.

Pathologic 2 is so difficult, in fact, that you're basically destined to fail your first playthrough; you're going to feel compelled to dive back in and correct your mistakes a second time. Not to mention, there's a good number of things to discover that you won't catch your first time around.

Despite how much this game itself is against you, you persevere, and you're loving every second.

7 Phasmophobia

Fun with Friends Never Expires

The best part about being a ghost hunter is the fact that you never know what you're in for when you step into the room. In Phasmophobia, you and your friends work together as paranormal investigators, thinking it's just another day (rather, night) in the life — until things genuinely get spooky.

As the supernatural continues to unfold, you all work together to, of course, figure out the truth behind these creatures and what's happening, but perhaps more importantly, to stay alive. The game won't hold your hand after your little tutorial, so it's harder than players first expect.

The detective work alone is fun and engaging; but when you add classic co-op shenanigans into the mix, it becomes a circus that will have you laughing as often as you're running away screaming.

6 Exit 8

Find All Anomalies!

It's easy to find something repetitive and looping to be redundant, but Exit 8 turns it into a chilling experience that will grip you long past actually getting to the final (eighth) exit. You'll want to successfully get out, sure, but even after you do, you'll want to keep playing to find every single anomaly that you can.

There aren't any enemies in the game, so long as you don't let your curiosity get the better of you. If you spot an anomaly, just turn around and progress; sometimes seeing is more than enough.

It doesn't take too long to find them all, either, so it's easy to find every anomaly in a single sitting — but even then, I wouldn't blame you if you wiped your progress to do it all again after you complete it. They're just that fun to find.

There was also a recent movie adaptation of the game that recently released, and it's been met with applause from fans and critics alike.

5 The Forest

Open Worlds Have that Effect

It's no secret that open world games are addictive in and of itself — The Forest is no exception to this. What starts as a simple open world genre hybrid turns into some of the most fun you can have in these circumstances (especially if you always wanted to dabble in some casual cannibalism).

In fact, you'll have so much fun on this island that you'll be too caught up to find your son, who was also stranded on the island somewhere, terrified and waiting for you ... he'll be fine.

The enemies that you encounter only add to this incredible open world; their intelligence remains among the best in the genre. You'll find yourself completely immersed and engaged in all the best ways, you'll find yourself not even wanting to be rescued.

Its sequel, Sons of the Forest, is just as fun and addictive (if not better), in case you want to spice things up a little.

4 Resident Evil: Requiem

The Gameplay is Just That Fun

The Resident Evil games have always been known for having fun gameplay combined with unforgettable survival horror, and the greatest part about Resident Evil Requiem is the fact that it completely perfects this formula.

On one hand, you've got uncanny and terrifying encounters while just trying to survive as Grace, but on the other, you've got the most fun, opportunistic combat in the whole franchise with Leon. The gameplay is genuinely so addictive, scratching an itch that I didn't even know needed scratching — so fun and addictive, in fact, you'd be willing to overlook the more divisive moments.

It does not matter who you play as, you're going to love every single aspect of the gameplay, and the fact that it's actually scary makes it all the better.

Not to mention, there was a recently added game mode that is strictly Leon's combat gameplay, but gives a more significant challenge for players who want to purposefully get caught in the gameplay loop: Leon Must Die Forever. It's fun and got a good amount of difficulty, it's just got a bit of a learning curve.

3 Darkwood

You Love a World That Hates You

In Darkwood, you're trapped in a hostile forest that hates every single fiber of your being, and yet, as you play, you can't help but absolutely love it in return. In spite of it all, you can't stay out of these woods and try to uncover the mysteries that linger within them — even if it costs you.

The world is fascinating in every sense of the word, but it's about as harsh as it comes. Yet, you won't find yourself caring too much that the environment itself is out to get you; if anything, you're willing to pay the price if it means staying just a little bit longer.

Every single part of the game comes together perfectly — the sound design influences the atmosphere directly, working hand-in-hand to offer something grotesque, yet familiar. Combine this with the traditional survival mechanics of inventory management that you have to pay careful attention to, and it's an equation for a grueling, unforgiving experience.

Which, that's exactly what you'll get, but you genuinely can't get enough of it.

2 Subnautica

Simply Explore

While Subnautica isn't classified as a traditional maritime horror game, thalassophobia is such a common fear that it's an honorary entry in the genre. And yet, for so many players, they're willing to dive as deep as possible if it means exploring every inch of the ocean.

It's a vast, beautiful, underwater world — what's not to love about it?

There are all kinds of unique aquatic creatures just waiting to be discovered, too, and you're going to want to meet every single one (even the Leviathan, after you've already had your canon freak-out upon seeing it for the first time).

The ecosystem is so rich and stunning that exploring it is so addictive, it makes you forget, even for a moment, that you're hundreds of meters under the sea.

1 Dredge

The Inventory Management Alone

Dredge is a 20-hour game at most if you do everything — yet, that didn't stop me from logging over a hundred hours in it (and counting). The addiction to this game is real, with one simple mechanic: the inventory management.

Sure, the fishing and filling out the encyclopedia is satisfying, but it ends up not being anywhere near as fun as trying to fit everything into your ship's hull. Of course, you can upgrade your ship so that it can hold even more ... which means more fishing and addictive gameplay (and many, many more hours of your life you'll happily give with glee).

It's not too scary, either — it's more of a cozy horror game than anything else — even when your sanity depletes, you'll just want to keep sailing through and fishing. That's if you're not scanning every part of the map for other characters you can talk to and docks where you can ... well, dock at. You have to be thorough if you want those trophies.

Even then, Dredge is so absolutely addictive, the trophies are just an afterthought.