PlayStation’s Best Under-the-Radar Horror Games to Play in the Dark

4 March 2025

When it comes to scary games, PlayStation has an insane catalog of nightmares just waiting to mess with your head. But let’s face it, whenever someone says “horror games,” it’s always the usual suspects: Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Dead Space. Yeah, yeah, we love them too, but what about the creepy gems that don’t get the spotlight? The ones that are lurking in the shadows, much like a horror antagonist waiting to give you a heart attack?

So, pop some popcorn, turn off the lights, and maybe keep a pillow close because we’re diving deep into PlayStation’s best under-the-radar horror games to play in the dark. Ready? Let’s go scare ourselves silly.

1. Soma – Where Sci-Fi and Horror Get Hitched

You know that feeling when you question your entire existence? No? Well, Soma is happy to help you with that. Developed by the twisted masterminds behind Amnesia: The Dark Descent, this game isn’t your typical jumpscare factory. Nope, it’s more like an existential crisis wrapped in a blanket of underwater dread.

The story? You wake up in an underwater research facility called PATHOS-II, and surprise, everything’s gone horribly wrong. The robots are acting like humans, the humans are (probably) dead, and the whole place feels like it’s one wrong move away from collapse. The vibe is somewhere between Black Mirror and a really vivid nightmare.

Why it’s great? It plays with your brain in ways you’re not ready for. The scares come less from things jumping out and more from the creeping realization that… yikes, this could be us one day. If you’re into slow-burn horror that makes you ponder life itself, fire this one up. But seriously, keep the lights off to soak in the eerie glow of the underwater abyss.

2. Until Dawn: Rush of Blood – Roller Coasters Are Terrifying, Period

Okay, confession time: I never trusted roller coasters, and Until Dawn: Rush of Blood has validated all my fears. This game is a spin-off of the original Until Dawn, but instead of making life-or-death choices, you’re strapped into a nightmarish carnival ride with a pair of guns and zero hope of survival.

It’s a virtual reality horror shooter, so yeah, you’re gonna need a PlayStation VR headset for this one. But trust me, it’s worth it. You’re riding through a disturbing landscape filled with clowns, mutilated monsters, and just… horror galore. Did I mention the clowns? Because that’s important. TOO MANY CLOWNS.

Why it’s great? If you’ve ever wanted to experience the combination of sheer terror and adrenaline that only a haunted carnival ride can offer, this is your ticket. Plus, the VR immersion gets so real that you might actually forget it’s a game. Bonus: it’s way cheaper than therapy, but possibly just as traumatizing.

3. Siren: Blood Curse – A Sleeper Classic with Serious Chills

Raise your hand if you’ve heard of the Siren series. No one? That’s what I thought. This cult classic is criminally underrated, and Siren: Blood Curse deserves way more love than it gets.

Set in a creepy, isolated Japanese village that makes you want to nope out immediately, the game follows a group of unlucky characters who are dragged into a nightmare involving cursed rituals, undead villagers (called Shibito), and the kind of atmosphere that makes you keep checking over your shoulder IRL.

Why it’s great? The episodic format (think Netflix, but scarier) keeps things fresh and constantly throws you into different perspectives. It’s like the game is saying, “Oh, you think you’re safe? Let’s switch to another vulnerable character and see how you handle THIS.” It’s tough, it’s terrifying, and it’ll haunt your dreams.

4. A Plague Tale: Innocence – Rats, Rats, and More Rats

Who knew that rats could be this scary? A Plague Tale: Innocence combines heartbreaking storytelling with a side of rodent-based horror. Set in medieval France during the Black Plague, this game is equal parts gorgeous and grotesque.

You play as Amicia, a teenage girl trying to protect her little brother Hugo from—wait for it—a literal sea of plague-ridden rats and a ruthless Inquisition. The rats are the real stars here; they swarm like a living flood, devouring anything in their path. It’s kind of like Jaws, but on land. And with rats. LOTS of rats.

Why it’s great? The mix of stealth, puzzles, and gut-punch narrative keeps you hooked. Plus, playing in the dark really highlights the creep-factor of those glowing rat eyes. You might want to keep a broom handy, just in case your imagination decides to play tricks on you.

5. Observer: System Redux – A Cyberpunk Nightmare

Ever wondered what a cyberpunk horror game starring the late, great Rutger Hauer would look like? Meet Observer: System Redux. This game throws you into a dystopian future where you play as Daniel Lazarski, a detective who hacks into people’s minds to solve crimes. Sounds cool, right? Yeah, until you realize that digging around in the subconscious of a murder victim is the stuff of actual nightmares.

The atmosphere is so thick you could cut it with a knife, and the psychological horror elements are cranked up to eleven. Think Blade Runner meets The Shining, and you’ll get an idea of what you’re in for.

Why it’s great? It messes with your head in ways that only the best psychological horror can. Plus, the graphics in the System Redux version are stunning, which makes the horrifying moments hit even harder. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

6. The Forest – Where Going Camping Is a Terrible Life Choice

Camping trips are supposed to be fun, right? Well, not in The Forest. In this first-person survival horror game, you crash-land on a mysterious island, and your first order of business is to find your missing son. Sounds wholesome-ish, until you realize the island is home to a tribe of terrifying cannibals and, oh yeah, a few nightmare-fueled mutants.

Why it’s great? The game feels like a mash-up of Cast Away and The Descent. By day, you’re gathering resources, building shelters, and trying your best to not be food. By night? You’re fighting for your life. Playing this in the dark takes the tension to a whole new level—you’ll feel like the cannibals are breathing down your neck.

7. Detention – A 2D Horror Masterpiece

Who says 2D games can’t be scary? Detention is here to prove otherwise. Set in 1960s Taiwan under martial law, the game weaves history, folklore, and psychological horror into a haunting story that stays with you long after the credits roll.

You play as a student trapped in a school that seems to have slipped into a sinister alternate realm. The visuals are chilling, the soundtrack is unsettling (in the best way), and the story is dripping with metaphor and meaning.

Why it’s great? Detention isn’t just a horror game—it’s art. The scares are subtle but effective, and the narrative is so good, it could be a Sundance film… but, you know, scarier.

8. Little Nightmares – Creepy Cute Chaos

If Tim Burton decided to make a horror platformer, it’d look a lot like Little Nightmares. This game oozes style, with its eerie world and grotesque yet fascinating characters. You play as Six, a tiny girl in a yellow raincoat trying to escape a horrifying place called The Maw. Spoiler alert: The Maw is filled with terrifying, oversized creatures that want to eat you. Lovely, right?

Why it’s great? It’s a beautifully disturbing mix of puzzle-platformer and survival horror. The art direction is stunning, and the scares are subtle but effective. It’s basically a playable nightmare—and yes, it’s way better in the dark.

Closing Thoughts: Don’t Forget the Nightlight

Horror games are so much better when they’re unexpected, and PlayStation has no shortage of hidden gems that’ll have you questioning why you ever thought it was a good idea to play them in the dark. These titles may not have the same fame as the usual big-budget franchises, but trust me, they pack just as much punch—with maybe even more personality.

So, the next time you’re craving chills and thrills, skip the mainstream stuff and give one of these a shot. Who knows? You might just find a new favorite. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when you end up sleeping with the lights on.