Horror video games tend to be more scary than movies, and that goes double for horror games in virtual reality. With the Oculus Quest 2, players feel more like being in the middle of the story than in the safety of their living room.
For those who have the courage to play VR horror, there are plenty of games out there. Of course, VR is still in its early stages, so gamers can’t expect titles comparable to survival horror giants like Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Fatal Frame. However, the knowledgeable and well-rated horror games already on VR shelves may surprise you. Just make sure you really know what you are getting yourself into before you dive into these horrific VR titles.
10 Layers of fear
While Layers of Fear isn’t only available in VR, it’s a game that feels like it’s meant to be experienced with Oculus Quest 2. It’s a port, however, so the mechanics doesn’t include many VR tricks.
The horror element of the game is psychological. The player takes on the role of a hallucinating painter exploring his own home. There are no monsters that you can shoot or hide. It is a purely exploratory experience full of fear.
9 The exorcist: Legion
Available in five chapters, this adventure horror game has won over from various video game review publishers such as Kotaku and GameCrate. The player takes on the role of an exorcist and has to investigate demons and demons. The game has everything horror – from fear of jumping to sudden darkness and disturbing noises. Some players on Steam even reported having returned the game for a refund because it was too scary for them to play.
The only complaints some gamers have made are low frame rates and a few glitches.
8th Lies under
Released in March 2020, Lies Beneath is a survival horror VR game that has been inundated with near perfect rating results. Unlike Layers of Fear and The Exorcist: Legion, this horror game is full of action. The game takes place in the fictional town of Slumber, Alaska, and players play as a returning student. They find that the city is full of monsters and go in search of their father’s rescue.
Reviews have recognized the game for its soundtrack and graphics. Fans have compared it to a comic book rendering of The Thing mixed with elements from Silent Hill.
7th Arizona sunshine
Arizona Sunshine was originally released in 2016 and is your typical zombie survival horror game. Many have called this title the best zombie VR shooter. It’s a little harder than horror, but it can definitely make your heart beat faster because of its intensity. Unlike other horror titles, this VR game also has a co-op mode.
Many gamers suggest getting the game at a discount as it is a pretty general zombie shooter. The great thing about it is the VR skills and the ability to play with your friends.
6th leprechaun
Kobold is more of an experience than a game, but that’s the price tag for certain VR titles. In search of a missing boy, players explore an abandoned German mansion in a creepy forest. While the game is primarily cinematic, players can gather clues and take their time to see as much as possible. The game is short and lasts no more than an hour.
The beauty of the game lies in its atmosphere. It might be worth it for horror and mystery fans, but definitely not for all gamers.
5 Dreadhalls
In this title the player is trapped in a dungeon and has to find a way to escape. All reviews of the game admitted having a terrible experience and warn that the game is not for the faint of heart. There are creepy noises and monsters like hell dogs, floating heads, shadow people and devils. True to its name, this VR title gives players a sense of fear as they explore the huge dungeon.
The reviews have been mostly positive as the game costs a lot at just $ 10.
4th Five nights at Freddy’s: Help wanted
All players know the Five Nights at Freddy’s series. It’s one of those indie video games that has gone mainstream since its first release in 2014 and got a ton of games. In 2019 it entered the world of VR and the fans loved it. Help Wanted contains the original classics from the series as well as various mini-games. While gamers don’t need to use a VR headset to enjoy this game, it is definitely worth the scary experience.
While most gamers walk into the game knowing what to expect, the VR experience is terrifying.
3 Edge of nowhere
Unlike many other VR horror titles, Edge of Nowhere is not experienced from a third person’s perspective, but from a third person’s perspective. The players take on the role of a man who is looking for his missing fiancée in the rough land of Antarctica. However, the world turns into a place of monsters and madness pretty quickly. The game is a must have for HP Lovecraft fans as the game was inspired by his written work: Mountains of Madness.
In addition to being a scary adventure, the game is great too. Some reviews have criticized the game for poor controls, but nonetheless admitted that it is one of their favorite Oculus titles.
2 In death
For another battle-heavy horror VR game, In Death is spot on. The setting and story are quite interesting as the player explores a ruined and deserted sky that has been taken over by lost souls and monsters. It is up to the player to restore peace as they navigate a medieval environment and fight enemies.
It has a lot of positive reviews, and some claim that In Death is their all-time favorite VR game. The only negative is that it isn’t very scary compared to the many other horror titles Oculus has to offer.
1 Red matter
This puzzle adventure game has a pretty interesting setting and is set in a dystopian science fiction cold war. The player takes on the role of an astronaut on a moon base to investigate a secret research project. While the game is short (under roughly three hours), players have showered this title in positive reviews.
As in Death, the horror elements in this game are mild. Some gamers wouldn’t even call it a horror game, but many still admit that they feel insecure and a little scared at certain points. The players love the game because of its graphics, challenging puzzles, as well as its voice acting and exciting music.
About the author
Allison Stalberg
(136 articles published)
Writer, author of the Awei series and foster parents. Her favorite games include Dragon Age, Pokémon, Final Fantasy XIV, Team Ico games, Ōkami, and RPG maker horror games. She also loves pasta and would likely be a fairy / ghost type Pokémon trainer.
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