Summary
WithLethal Companybecoming one of the most popular games of 2023, it has opened up the co-op horror genre to many players. The unique gameplay and art style makeLethal Companyan experience worth playing among friends for horror and comedic purposes. Although its success has been unrivaled for an indie horror game, many underrated horror gems play similarly toLethal Company.
Horror games that have proven successful in recent years have used similar gameplay and esthetics, althoughLethal Companyputs its unique spin on the horror and extraction genre. Such games have incorporated features such as co-op,audio elements like voice proximity, and various monsters similar to that ofLethal Company, leading to an engaging experience within the horror genre.
7SCP: Secret Laboratory
Mass Multiplayer Factions
SCP: Secret Laboratoryis one of thebest free horror games available on Steamdue to its unique premise and reliance on large co-op groups.SCP: Secret Laboratoryrequires a minimum of ten players in a lobby to proceed, with voice chat proximity playing a significant role as players are placed in different groups. The game features several classes for players to be assigned, with each type having different objectives, such as the SCP aliens who aim to kill everyone. At the same time, the Scientists and Class D seek to escape the facility unharmed.
InSCP: Secret Laboratory, long dark hallways make up much of the surroundings, as players are unaware of what danger lurks around the corner, making the game wholly unique, especially with its high player requirement.
Escape The Backroomsis a multiplayer horror game that puts players in a never-ending maze that develops as players progress further. During the game, monsters lurk around every corner as players go through each stage, aiming to avoid getting caught. The game provides a frightening co-op experience with voice proximity enabled, making thegameplay experience even scarierif players inevitably get split up.
Escape The Backroomsmay not have the replayability of many co-op horrors, but it certainly provides a unique horror experience worth trying out.
5Secret Neighbor
Scavenge And Rescue
Secret Neighboris one ofthe best multiplayer games on Steamwith its unique premise and art style, particularly for a game in the horror genre.Secret Neighborrequires a group of players to rescue a friend stuck in the neighbor’s basement, with one of the players being the neighbor in disguise, hoping to catch the intruders.
The game requires players to find key cards to open doors within the map, with scavenging items being the primary way to succeed.Secret Neighborstands out due to its atmosphere and style, providing players with a fun but frightening time.
Within the 2D horror space,Barotraumastands out through its chaotic multiplayer experience of being submerged in water alongside scary monsters.Barotraumarequires groups of players toensure the submarine reaches the end of a levelwhile dealing with issues such as scary monsters, power failure, and all the specific systems in the submarine. While these issues occur, players must complete a set of objectives to succeed.
The amount of duties makes for a fun and challenging experience when accompanied by friends. The multitude of tasks can create pure chaos for a party while fending off the extreme dangers from underwater.
Chaos, death, and betrayal are all constants throughout the co-op gameDevour,which sees players seeking to destroy the ghost who aims to hunt them down.Players are tasked withcollecting ritual items in order to destroy the spirit, which changes depending on the multitude of maps in the game.
As more items are used for the rituals, madness ensues as the ghost’s activity increases, leading to chaotic moments involving doors, player blocking, and jump scares that will surely indulge horror fans seeking multiplayer experiences.
2Labyrinthine
Never-Ending Haunted Maze
Among co-op horror games that offer exclusive gameplay features,Labyrinthineexcels through its puzzle-based premise.Labyrinthinerequires players to traverse a maze filled with lurking monsters while completing thought-provoking puzzles. Along the way, players can find helpful items to aid progression, such as an energy drink that increases speed or a flare gun that can send signals.
WhileLabyrinthineprovides players with challenging puzzles and tasks, it still offers scary moments to frighten players, creating a fun and engaging multiplayer experience.
Since its launch,Phasmophobiahas become one of the most popular horror games due to its distinct gameplay, allowing for ghost hunting with friends through its exceptional detail and range of tools that can aid players.Phasmophobialeads players to try toidentify an unknown ghostin a house using devices such as flashlights and motion sensors.
Phasmophobia’srange of available equipment enables players to meticulously plan their course of action in identifying the ghost. In-game voice chat plays a significant role, with players being able to call out the ghost’s name to bring them forth, a feature that is engaging and rare in the horror genre.
