Not all horror games are made for the bravest souls or those who thrive on jump scares. If you’re more into the spooky atmosphere and prefer a game that’s more scary than scary, you’ve come to the right place. Below are ten of the best horror games that aren’t all that scary. All of these games have a unique take on what horror is, giving you the spookiness you’re looking for without keeping you awake at night.
The 10 Best Horror Games That Won’t Scare You
These ten games could all be described as cozy or dark cozy. Honestly, they’re supposed to be “scary games” and not even remotely in the horror genre, but there’s no scary genre to categorize them into. They have horror elements, but nothing remotely resembling blood and gore, and just… . Grotesque modern horror games.
Like Cult of the Lamb, which is an outlier in my article on cult-themed horror games due to its cutesy style, these ten games only touch on the theme of horror without incorporating the entire game into it. Let’s count down from scariest to scariest!
10. Ox free
This may seem too scary or scary at first, but stay with me. OXENFREE is a supernatural game about a group of teenagers who accidentally open a ghostly rift on an abandoned military island. The spooky atmosphere is there, but the game is an immersive, interactive mystery where your decisions shape the story.
Since there are no real jump scares and the emphasis is on narrative, it’s perfect for players who like scary stories. Sometimes you will be fascinated by the story and the relationships, so much so that you can easily forget that you are not safe. The atmosphere of OXENFREE is just super disgusting and Reddit agrees with me.
9. Night in the forest
“Night in the Woods” offers a deeper, more emotional experience. Although it has its scary moments, this game is more about the existential horrors of life.
You play the role of Mae, a college dropout who returns to her small hometown to find that things have changed in disturbing ways. The likeable characters, real-life battles and the mysterious undercurrent that runs through the city enrich the game in a very real way. Players identify with the characters, which adds to the immersion. It’s more melancholic than scary, but the mystery will draw you in – and don’t be surprised if you end up feeling connected to these characters.
8. Pumpkin Jack
If you’re a fan of platform games with a dark twist, Pumpkin Jack is for you. You play as the titular Pumpkin Jack and fight your way through vivid, spooky environments full of puzzles and fast-paced combat. The images have a distinct cartoon feel and despite the premise of supporting evil, the tone is light and funny.
The challenges are more in the realm of physics puzzles and platforming, allowing you to enjoy the spooky environment without any real fear. Perfect for players looking for Halloween vibes without the fear.
7. Lost by chance
Inspired by gothic fairy tales, this game has a whimsical atmosphere that might remind you of a Tim Burton film. In Lost in Random you explore a strange world where the roll of the dice decides your fate.
While the environment is definitely spooky and dark, the combat and exploration are anything but scary. The game’s charmingly eerie aesthetic makes it more of a whimsical adventure than anything that will unsettle you. Think of it as creepy but sweet – a dark world, yes, but nothing too disturbing.
6. Don’t starve
The hand-drawn art style and unique creatures give Don’t Starve a whimsical, whimsical atmosphere, but the game’s dark undertones are undeniable. You’re thrown into the wilderness and left to your own devices to craft, survive and explore.
While the game’s world can be unforgiving, the humor and art style keep it from becoming too intense. You’ll laugh as often as you worry about survival, and the lack of jump scares or truly terrifying moments makes it more of a whimsical survival challenge than a horror game.
5. MediEvil
If you’re looking for something more action-packed, MediEvil is a hack-and-slash classic that’s definitely more of a spooky adventure than anything else – despite its themes of death, monsters, resurrection and the like. The 2019 remake brings Sir Daniel Fortesque’s incredibly unpleasant return from the dead as he fights his way through haunted landscapes to save his kingdom.
There are creepy skeletons, creepy ghouls and eerie environments, but it’s all very ironic, with more humor than horror. And if you played the original a few decades ago, like I did, this will hit you with a wave of nostalgia.
4. Hollow Knight
Despite its dark aesthetic, Hollow Knight is an action-packed Metroidvania that feels more adventurous than frightening.
You explore a mysterious underground world in which bizarre beetles live, uncover secrets and fight impressive bosses. Sure, the atmosphere is a little eerie and some of the enemies may look scary, but the focus is on exploration, combat and story. There is no overwhelming sense of fear – just an exciting world full of challenge and charm to explore.
3. Luigi’s Villa 3
Who says horror can’t be charming? Luigi’s Mansion 3 puts you in the role of Luigi, who hunts ghosts in a haunted hotel. But this isn’t spooky horror – it’s a charming, light-hearted adventure in which Luigi uses his ghost-sucking vacuum cleaner to solve puzzles and save his friends. The only thing that might scare you is how cute the ghosts are!
The game is full of charm, humor and puzzle-solving expertise, making it perfect for players who want to immerse themselves in a haunted house without any real fear.
2. Costume quest 1 and 2
Two for one here, as both games deserve your time, especially if you love Halloween but not the nightmare fuel that often comes with it. In Costume Quest, you roam a neighborhood with friends, trick-or-treating, and battling candy-loving monsters in costumes that transform you into powerful heroes. It’s spooky in the most charming way, with lots of Double Fine’s trademark humor.
Costume Quest 2 picks up where the first left off, adding quality of life features like maps and trading cards to spice up the battles. Despite a few fights here and there, you’re more likely to laugh than shake in fear.
1. Cemetery keeper
Finally, we come to Graveyard Keeper, which is named the least scary horror game on the list. It’s about managing a cemetery in a whimsical, medieval setting.
Sure, there are corpses to contend with, but the game’s dark humor and whimsical art style turn a potentially bleak premise into something completely fun and light-hearted. You will care more about managing your graveyard efficiently than being afraid of ghosts or monsters. And who would have thought that running a cemetery could be so comfortable?
Want to read more about horror games at Pro Game Guides? Check out our lists of the 20 first-person horror games to play and the 10 best scary games to play this Halloween.