The best multiplayer horror games to play right now
Once upon a time, you wouldn’t have expected to see the words “horror” and “multiplayer” together. But in the last few years, there’s been a huge rise in multiplayer horror games and now, shared scares make up a big part of the horror gaming industry, coming in different shapes and sizes. But what are the best multiplayer horror games you can jump into right now? Read on to find out.
The feeling of being isolated and alone is generally intrinsic to the horror genre. After all, there’s strength (and safety) in numbers. But in recent years, developers have proved that you can indeed make something scary yet multiplayer-focused.
Some multiplayer horror games are all about co-op, where you and your friends help each other out to survive. Others pit you against each other — sometimes even making one or more of you the ‘monster’ while some of you need to survive. Below, we’ve rounded up our favourite multiplayer horror games, including a mixture of both co-op and versus experiences. If you want to have a horrifying time with your friends, then, you won’t regret jumping into one of these games.
This list was originally published in 2022 and has since been periodically updated with new titles.
1. The Casting of Frank Stone
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
When it comes to co-operative horror games, The Casting of Frank Stone is one of the best. It’s developed by Supermassive Games, the studio behind the likes of Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology. This game, though, which is the latest to come from the studio, is based on the world of Dead by Daylight — a game which you’ll find further down this list. Telling its own original story, however, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t played Dead by Daylight: you’ll still love The Casting of Frank Stone.
In it, you’ll take control of several characters over three different timelines. There’s a killer on the loose, and you’re going to have to keep your wits about you to survive. It’s no ordinary killer, either: there are supernatural shenanigans at work here. You can play with multiple friends, with each of you taking control of a character or two. The choices and actions you take will depend who lives and who dies, so tread carefully.
Read our review of The Casting of Frank Stone
2. Evil Dead: The Game
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Alright you primitive screwheads, listen up: Evil Dead: The Game is one of our favourite multiplayer horror games you can play, and it’s well worth your time. Just why wouldn’t you want to play as Ash? Although we do love the Evil Dead franchise so we might be a bit biased.
Evil Dead: The Game is a multiplayer horror game of the asymmetrical variety. That means that a team of four survivors goes up against a player-controlled demon. While the survivors have to complete a chain of objectives to emerge victorious, the demon has two options: kill all of the survivors, or destroy the Necronomicon – the Book of the Dead – in the final stage of the match.
Needless to say, Evil Dead: The Game isn’t very scary when you’re playing as a demon but it sure is fun. Thankfully it’s also fun playing as survivors.
Read our review of Evil Dead: The Game
3. Dead by Daylight
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and PC
You could say that Dead by Daylight is the game that made multiplayer horror games popular. Or at least 4v1 asymmetrical ones. In any case, if the idea of four people working as a team to escape while another player takes control of a killer to hunt them down appeals to you, you simply need to play it.
Since its launch in 2016, Dead by Daylight has grown considerably. While it initially only featured original killers, its success has led to many killers and survivors being added from some of the biggest franchises in the world. Fork out for DLC and you can add Halloween’s very own Michael Myers and Laurie Strode into the mix, for example. Or if you’re a fan of horror video games in general, you might like the chapters based on Silent Hill and Resident Evil.
It’s safe to say that Dead by Daylight is the biggest multiplayer horror game around around right now. And to some, the best. If you haven’t yet given it a try, maybe it’s time.
4. Dead Island 2
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Okay, Dead Island 2 isn’t strictly a multiplayer experience. This open world zombie-infested adventure can be played solo, and it’s perfectly enjoyable to do so. But you can play in co-op with your friends, making things even more exciting. After all, a zombie shared is a zombie… halved?
Seriously, though, after a 10 year wait, we were a little hesitant about Dead Island 2. Thankfully, it’s turned out great, and we’ve had a great deal of fun making our way through the game’s rendition of L.A. (yeah, not an island, we know… don’t get us started). There’s a gripping story, plenty of stuff to find and collect, lots of terrifying enemies to go up against, and some seriously cool weapons to wield. Add in a friend to bring along for the ride, and you’re going to have an absolute blast.
Read our review of Dead Island 2
5. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC
If you’re a fan of the classic horror movie from Tobe Hooper, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, we’re pretty sure you’re going to love playing the video game version. Of course, this isn’t exactly a narrative-driven experience: instead, you’ll either play as Leatherface or a member of his family, or a survivor trying to escape. Escaping the family’s farm is easier said than done: with three family members roaming around, you’ll need to avoid obstacles and try not to alert them to your location by making any noise.
There are plenty of similarities between this and the likes of Dead by Daylight, but having multiple killers after you really ups the ante. Playing as a survivor is truly terrifying, then, but even taking on the role of a killer is tense, as you don’t know where or when a survivor is going to appear.
Read our review of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
6. Left 4 Dead 2
- Available on: Xbox (via backwards compatibility) and PC
Now 15 years old, Left 4 Dead 2 still inexplicably remains one of the best multiplayer horror games available. It just goes to show that a simple yet solid game concept combined with co-op elements really can be timeless.
Sequel to – you guessed it – Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2 builds on the four-player co-op action of its predecessor, offering new survivors, campaigns, game modes and more. Working together as a team, you’ll need to fight off hordes of zombies as you move from one safe house to the next.
Really, though, it’s the simplicity of Left 4 Dead 2 that keeps players going back for more. There’s nothing complicated for players to get their head around or tie up their time. Throw in additional versus and survivor modes and you have a package that will still be being played in years to come.
7. Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC
We must admit, we were a bit taken aback when we first heard a Killer Klowns From Outer Space game was on the way. The cult 80s movie isn’t exactly relevant any more, but it turns out it doesn’t matter: this creepy clownfest is one of the best multiplayer horror games of the last couple of years, simply due to how bizarre it is. Playing as a clown makes a change from your run-of-the-mill killer type, and with a range of weird and wonderful weapons at your disposal, gameplay remains wholly entertaining no matter what side of the fight you’re on.
We love the fairground setting, too. There’s something so eerie about an an empty funfair: seeing somewhere that should be filled with joy and merriment instead filled with tension and terror is seriously effective.
Read our review of Killer Klowns From Outer Space
8. World War Z
- Available on: PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC
As you can imagine, lots of multiplayer horror games feature hordes of zombies. We’ve already had Left 4 Dead 2 on this list and here’s another: World War Z. The difference is, though, is that World War Z is a modern game with snazzier visuals and more complex mechanics.
Another four-player co-op game, perhaps the most notable thing about World War Z is just how many zombies it throws at you. It makes Left 4 Dead 2 look like child’s play. At key points during World War Z‘s numerous campaigns you’ll fight against so many zombies that they’ll climb on top of each other to form mountains, allowing them to gain access to higher ground that you thought was safe.
That, alongside the many special zombies that will make your life hell, is what keeps World War Z interesting. It’s tense and sometimes jaw-dropping. So, if you’re after the best multiplayer horror games, be sure to give it a go.
Read our review of World War Z
9. Aliens: Fireteam Elite
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Love the Alien films? Why not get closer to the action by playing Aliens: Fireteam Elite? The horrifying Alien Isolation remains the best Alien game so far, but if you like shared experiences, then Aliens: Fireteam Elite shouldn’t be overlooked.
Put you in the role of a marine, it’s your job to investigate a mysterious new planet. And yeah, you guessed it: it’s infested with Xenomorphs. During the course of four campaigns you’ll encounter more drones than you can count, but it’s the more deadly, elite-type Xenomorphs that will cause you the most trouble. And to keep you on your toes, you’ll encounter hostile androids and other threats, too.
Fun for up to three players, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is assuredly the game that tools you up the most to deal with threats on this list. But thanks to some truly fearsome Xenimorphs, it’s still one of the best multiplayer horror games you can play right now.
Read our review of Aliens: Fireteam Elite
10. Back 4 Blood
- Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC
With Left 4 Dead 2 being 15 years old yet still so popular, you might be wondering why there hasn’t been a Left 4 Dead 3. Yeah, us too. The fact that the studio that created the Left 4 Dead games for Valve re-founded and went independent in 2011 is perhaps the biggest reason. And in 2021 it released its own spiritual follow-up: Back 4 Blood.
As you’d expect, Back 4 Blood is very much like Left 4 Dead; a team of four survivors must work together to make it across a map and reach a safe house. The visuals here are much improved though, obviously. And there are some additional complexities to the gameplay. One of these is the introduction of a card system, which allows players to improve their characters and also modify the gameplay. Some will love it, others not so much. Still, if you’re after the best multiplayer horror games, it’s definitely worth giving a go.
Read our review of Back 4 Blood
11. Phasmophobia
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
All of the entries on this list of the best multiplayer horror games so far have put you against physical threats. But what about if you want something more paranormal in nature? For that, there’s Phasmophobia, a game that challenges you to work as a team to collect evidence of ghostly manifestations.
In Phasmophobia it’s up to you if you want to hang back and support your team by monitoring CCTV cameras, or get into the thick of the paranormal evidence-hunting action. If you opt for the latter, your time with the game is likely to be much more hair-raising, especially with the ghostly activity getting more hostile as time goes on.
What’s particularly noteworthy about Phasmophobia is that you can use your actual voice to communicate with spirits. And if you want to get even more immersed, you can play it in VR. Be warned, though, as it’s an option that can truly lead to terrifying results.
12. Midnight Ghost Hunt
- Available on: PC
Like Phasmophobia above, Midnight Ghost Hunt concerns itself with matters of the paranormal rather than zombies, aliens, or plain ol’ human killers. But this time, the ghosts are controlled by actual players. Needless to say, a spooky time can be had if you’re playing as a hunter.
Pitting four ghost hunters against four spooks, Midnight Ghost Hunt essentially plays out like hide and seek. As a ghost you can possess seemingly harmless objects in the environment such as chairs or clocks to avoid detection. And once you’ve got the upper hand, you can use your telekinetic powers to bombard your pursuers. What’s more, with each match taking place close to midnight, when the clock strikes twelve the ghosts get powered up, challenging the ghost hunters to escape with their lives.
