The Best Multiplayer Horror Games

Best multiplayer horror games at a glance

How these multiplayer horror games were selected

The ranking considers:

• Whether multiplayer is central to the experience
• How cooperation or competition creates tension
• Group size and the difference between local and online play
• Variety across investigation, stealth, survival, shooting and narrative play
• Whether every participant has meaningful decisions
• Replay value through changing threats, roles, maps or story outcomes
• Solo support where listed
• PC memory and storage requirements

Online services and exact cross-platform combinations can change, so verify current compatibility before purchasing specifically to join players on other hardware.

1. The Outlast Trials

Best overall multiplayer horror game

The Outlast Trials turns the series’ helpless stealth into a cooperative objective game.

Players enter hostile trials alone or as a team, complete tasks and avoid enemies capable of disrupting a coordinated route.

The group can divide responsibilities, watch routes and help teammates recover, but separation increases the risk of losing information or support.

Stealth and evasion matter more than conventional gunplay. Survival depends on moving carefully, using available tools and deciding when an objective is worth the exposure.

Character progression and repeated trials provide reasons to return beyond one completed story sequence.

It supports single-player and online co-op with full controller support. Minimum requirements include 8 GB RAM and 40 GB of storage.

Choose The Outlast Trials for structured co-op horror where communication remains useful but never makes the environment feel safe.

2. Dead by Daylight

Best asymmetrical multiplayer horror game

Dead by Daylight places one Killer against four Survivors inside an enclosed trial.

Survivors repair generators, avoid capture and attempt to open an escape route. The Killer uses a distinct power to find, interrupt and sacrifice them.

The two sides have different information and objectives. Survivors benefit from coordinated repairs and rescues, while the Killer tries to control several areas at once.

Perks support different approaches, including tracking, stealth, chases, healing and objective pressure.

Matches develop through a constant exchange of attention. Progress in one area can create danger somewhere else.

It supports online PvP and online co-op-related team play with full controller support. Minimum requirements include 8 GB RAM and 50 GB of storage.

Choose it for competitive horror and role variety. Players seeking one team against computer-controlled threats should choose The Outlast Trials or Demonologist.

3. The Forest

Best multiplayer survival-crafting horror game

The Forest begins after a crash leaves the player in a hostile wilderness.

Survival requires food, shelter, tools and an understanding of the surrounding terrain.

Co-op allows groups to divide construction, exploration and resource gathering. A larger base can become easier to operate but harder to defend.

Caves shift the emphasis from open survival into enclosed horror and dangerous exploration.

The world supports long sessions where the group creates its own priorities instead of following one short scenario.

It supports single-player, LAN co-op and online co-op. Minimum requirements include 4 GB RAM and 5 GB of storage.

Choose The Forest for a continuing survival campaign with building and exploration. It is less suitable for groups wanting short self-contained matches.

4. Demonologist

Best paranormal investigation multiplayer game

Demonologist sends investigators into cursed locations to identify a hostile spirit and complete an exorcism.

The team gathers evidence with specialized equipment, compares observations and narrows the possible entity type.

Investigation creates natural roles. One participant can monitor equipment while another explores or carries objective items.

The atmosphere relies on uncertain information. A quiet room may provide evidence, danger or nothing useful at all.

Optional exorcism objectives extend a successful identification into a more dangerous final phase.

It supports single-player and online co-op for one to four players. Minimum requirements include 16 GB RAM and 20 GB of storage.

Choose it for evidence-driven ghost hunting and a group experience built around observation rather than shooting.

5. DEVOUR

Best short-session exorcism horror game

DEVOUR gives one to four players a ritual objective inside a location controlled by a possessed enemy.

The early phase allows the group to explore, gather items and understand the map.

Completing objectives increases the threat, turning progress into escalating danger rather than simple relief.

The team must decide whether to remain together or split up to accelerate the ritual.

Different locations change the objective setup while preserving the central loop of preparation, ritual progress and escape.

It supports single-player and online co-op with full controller support. Minimum requirements include 8 GB RAM and 10 GB of storage.

Choose DEVOUR for compact sessions that become faster and less predictable near completion.

6. Escape the Backrooms

Best multiplayer horror exploration game

Escape the Backrooms traps one to four players inside a sequence of liminal environments.

Progress depends on navigating unfamiliar spaces, recognizing level rules and avoiding hostile entities.

Communication matters because visually similar corridors can separate a team quickly.

Different levels introduce new hazards and objectives, preventing one strategy from solving the entire game.

The experience favors attention and route planning over character builds or equipment progression.

It supports single-player and online co-op. Minimum requirements include 8 GB RAM and 25 GB of storage.

Choose it for eerie exploration, changing environments and the tension of losing contact with the group.

7. The Quarry

Best cinematic multiplayer horror game

The Quarry plays like an interactive horror film where decisions alter which characters survive and how the story develops.

The campaign follows counselors facing danger during the final night at a summer camp.

Multiplayer focuses on shared narrative control rather than simultaneous combat roles.

A group can debate choices, assign characters and watch consequences unfold across later scenes.

Branching paths support replaying the story with different decisions.

It supports single-player, multiplayer and split-screen co-op with full controller support. Minimum requirements include 8 GB RAM and 50 GB of storage.

Choose The Quarry for a local social night and story discussion. Groups wanting direct simultaneous action should choose The Forest or Killing Floor 2.

8. Killing Floor 2

Best wave-based multiplayer horror shooter

Killing Floor 2 pits a team against escalating waves of mutated enemies called Zeds.

Players select Perks that support different weapons and battlefield roles, including healing, close combat and ranged damage.

Team composition becomes increasingly important as later waves introduce tougher enemies and larger pressure spikes.

Downtime between waves allows the squad to resupply, reposition and prepare for the next attack.

The game also includes a competitive mode where participants can control Zeds against the human team.

It supports single-player, six-player online co-op and online PvP with full controller support. Minimum requirements include 3 GB RAM and 80 GB of storage.

Choose it for action-first horror, class teamwork and repeatable survival waves rather than slow psychological tension.

9. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Best team-based asymmetrical horror game

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre divides participants between victims trying to escape and members of the Family hunting them.

Unlike a one-versus-many structure, the threat comes from a coordinated group of hunters.

Victims rely on stealth, route knowledge and careful timing while creating paths out of the property.

Family members use different abilities to patrol, track and restrict movement.

The two teams must share information internally, but their goals and available tools are completely different.

It supports online PvP with full controller support. Minimum requirements include 8 GB RAM and 30 GB of storage.

Choose it for asymmetrical team competition and an established horror-film setting. Dead by Daylight is better for one Killer against four Survivors.

10. No More Room in Hell 2

Best large-team zombie horror game

No More Room in Hell 2 is built around eight-player cooperative survival during a zombie outbreak.

Participants can begin separated and work toward regrouping while completing objectives across the map.

Limited resources and the threat of infection increase the cost of poor decisions.

The larger group supports specialized responsibilities, but coordination becomes more difficult when participants cannot remain together.

Its structure emphasizes survival under pressure rather than the controlled wave arenas of Killing Floor 2.

It supports online co-op with full controller support. Minimum requirements include 12 GB RAM and 35 GB of storage.

Choose it for a larger squad, objective-based zombie survival and higher consequences for isolation.

Which multiplayer horror game should you play first?

Match the game to the group:

• Co-op stealth and objectives: The Outlast Trials
• One-versus-four competitive horror: Dead by Daylight
• A continuing survival campaign: The Forest
• Paranormal investigation: Demonologist
• Short exorcism sessions: DEVOUR
• Liminal exploration: Escape the Backrooms
• A local cinematic story night: The Quarry
• Co-op wave shooting: Killing Floor 2
• Team-versus-team asymmetrical horror: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
• Eight-player zombie survival: No More Room in Hell 2

The Outlast Trials is the strongest general co-op choice. Dead by Daylight suits competitive groups, while The Quarry is the easiest recommendation for people who prefer making story decisions together over controlling every action simultaneously.

Best co-op horror games for four players

The Outlast Trials supports cooperative objective play where teammates can separate, regroup and assist one another.

Demonologist supports one to four investigators and centers the session on identifying and exorcising a spirit.

DEVOUR supports one to four players in shorter escalating ritual scenarios.

Escape the Backrooms supports one to four players across changing levels focused on navigation and survival.

The Forest also supports online co-op, but its open survival structure is better for a continuing group campaign than a single evening’s scenario.

Best competitive multiplayer horror games

Dead by Daylight offers the clearest one-versus-many structure, with one Killer facing four Survivors.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre distributes both sides across teams, creating coordination among victims and Family members.

Killing Floor 2 includes online PvP alongside its stronger cooperative wave-survival identity.

Competitive horror works best when the sides have different tools and information. The imbalance creates tension, but balance still needs to give each side meaningful decisions.

Local versus online multiplayer horror

The Quarry is the clearest local group recommendation in this selection because it lists split-screen co-op.

The Outlast Trials, Demonologist, DEVOUR and Escape the Backrooms are listed for online co-op, not split-screen play.

Dead by Daylight and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre use online competitive multiplayer.

The Forest lists LAN and online co-op, which can suit groups playing through a continuing survival world.

Check the exact PC mode and controller requirements before planning a local session, because a game can support multiplayer without allowing several people to share one computer.

Best multiplayer horror games for lower-spec PCs

Killing Floor 2 lists 3 GB RAM, the lowest memory requirement here, but it requires 80 GB of storage.

The Forest lists 4 GB RAM and 5 GB of storage, making it the lightest overall listed requirement combination.

DEVOUR lists 8 GB RAM and 10 GB of storage. Escape the Backrooms lists 8 GB RAM and 25 GB.

Dead by Daylight and The Quarry each list 8 GB RAM with 50 GB of storage.

Minimum requirements do not guarantee ideal performance. Multiplayer also requires a suitable network connection, and online services may change. Compare the complete current requirements with the intended PC before purchasing.

How to choose a multiplayer horror game

Start with group size. Demonologist, DEVOUR and Escape the Backrooms suit groups of up to four, while No More Room in Hell 2 supports a larger team.

Decide whether the group wants cooperation or competition. Dead by Daylight and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre place players on opposing sides, while The Outlast Trials keeps the group aligned against the environment.

Choose a session structure. The Forest supports a continuing survival world; DEVOUR suits shorter repeated runs; The Quarry works like a shared interactive film.

Finally, consider tolerance for action. Killing Floor 2 emphasizes shooting, Demonologist emphasizes evidence and The Outlast Trials emphasizes stealth.

Final recommendations

The Outlast Trials is the best overall cooperative horror game in this selection. Dead by Daylight leads for asymmetrical competition, The Forest for survival crafting and Demonologist for paranormal investigation.

Choose DEVOUR for short escalating sessions, Escape the Backrooms for liminal exploration, The Quarry for a local story night, or Killing Floor 2 for action-heavy wave survival.

For larger and more competitive groups, choose No More Room in Hell 2 for eight-player zombie co-op or The Texas Chain Saw Massacre for team-based asymmetrical horror.

The right multiplayer horror game depends on what should create the fear: an enemy controlled by another player, incomplete evidence, limited resources, separation from the group or the knowledge that one bad decision may affect everyone.