This year, Steam presents us with a new edition of Steam Scream Fest IV, when some of the scariest horror games are on sale! We selected the best from their list and invite you to go through these terrifying adventures.
One of the best titles in the Dark Anthology franchise just is The Quarry. Hackett Quarry is a summer camp where a group of teenagers decide to stay one more night to celebrate the end of the season. What was supposed to be a night of fun and freedom quickly turns into a fight for survival when the camp begins to be haunted by bloodthirsty creatures and dark secrets hidden by its owners. It is a game that combines elements of the movie, offering players an experience reminiscent of a horror game where they determine the course of action. Players take control of nine characters, and every decision – from a simple dialogue response to a choice between flight and fight – can mean the difference between life and death. The game uses a branching plot system with multiple possible endings, so every decision has long-term consequences. With visuals and an atmosphere reminiscent of classic American horror films from the 80s, The Quarry certainly delights and encourages you to unravel the story - all in one night.
Furthermore, Project Zomboid is a survival game with an extremely realistic, ruthless and extremely detailed survival simulation in a world infested with zombies. Although it is a 2D graphic, the gameplay itself provides a realistic feeling - lack of resources for survival, human physiological needs, fragile health of survivors and the like. The action takes place in the fictional American district of Knox County in the federal state of Kentucky, after a virus turns most of the population into zombies. The player assumes the role of an ordinary person caught in the apocalypse, without superpowers and heroic scenarios. Goal? Survive as long as possible - because, as the game brutally reminds, "This is the way you're going to die." It is an open world where every decision is crucial. Meals, water, sleep, health and mental state need to be planned, and any noise can attract hordes of zombies. You can build shelters, grow food, cook, treat wounds, learn new skills and try to avoid infection - because one mistake means death. It is particularly notable for its deep system of realism – from body temperature and backpack weight to the effects of depression and fear. The game supports cooperative multiplayer, which allows players to survive together (or betray each other), creating dynamic and unpredictable scenarios. Despite its simple appearance, Project Zomboid has been praised for its complexity, difficulty and authentic atmosphere of despair that perfectly captures what it means to be human in a world that is falling apart.
Look Outside is an RPG horror game that takes place in a four-story apartment block, where a strange phenomenon has occurred - anyone who looks out the window will see something horrible and then turn into a monstrous version of themselves. The player takes on the role of Sam, an ordinary man who must survive and at the same time uncover what happened. It is a combination of a survival game and a turn-based RPG battle in which every encounter can be deadly. The player explores the building, collects supplies, weapons, can invite neighbors to his apartment as allies or enemies, while Sam inside the apartment can do everyday things: prepare dinner, play video games, take a shower - these routines are important for maintaining mental and physical condition. The game relies on the body horror genre with extremely disturbing and graphic depictions of the creatures and people outside Sam's apartment. Although it looks like an old 16-bit RPG, Look Outside brings modern horror mechanics and a very effective sense of fear and curiosity at the same time.
For fans of indie games, we recommend Birth – an adventure puzzle game about loneliness. The protagonist, who lives alone in a big city, "builds" herself a friend from the bones and organs she finds while exploring a city district. The game combines simple challenges in a 2D environment with exploration and a very distinct atmosphere: an aesthetic reminiscent of hand drawings, a slightly spooky tone, but also a gentle approach to the theme of loneliness and transience. Players solve puzzles, explore museums, cafes, libraries, meet unusual characters and collect fragments for their created friend. Birth is not a typical horror action game — it's more of a meditation on isolation, transience and the need to connect with others, all of which is presented through an unusual and somewhat dark visual expression.
Phasmophobia, quite possibly the most popular title on this list, is a co-op horror game about paranormal investigators. Alone or in a team of four players, you enter haunted locations - from abandoned houses and schools to asylums and farms - with the goal of identifying the type of spirit that haunts the premises. Players use a variety of paranormal equipment such as EMF detectors, cameras, spirit boxes, UV lamps, and ghost writing books. Each spirit has different behavior patterns, so the game requires cooperation, communication and analysis of clues. What makes Phasmophobia special is that the ghost "hears" your voice - if you provoke it, it can attack you. During missions, the team must keep their composure while gathering evidence, and any wrong decision or staying too long in dark rooms can end in death. The game uses a dynamic system of fear and madness, so the longer you are exposed to the supernatural - the harder it is to stay sober. This realistic audio-design performance, tense cooperative mechanics and a constant sense of uncertainty create a perfect horror atmosphere that you can experience alone or with your loved ones. Each game is different, as the ghosts behave unpredictably, which ensures a high level of replayability.
And the last, but not the least important title, it is Killer Frequency. This suspenseful first-person horror thriller combines elements of mystery, humor and retro atmosphere. The player takes on the role of Forest Nash, a radio host who takes calls from citizens during the night shift - but soon realizes that the lines are filled not with ordinary questions, but with cries for help. A serial killer has appeared in town, and Nash, locked in his radio studio, becomes the only hope for terrified listeners. Gameplay is based on dialogue, decision making and logical puzzles. The player must collect clues, use various objects in the studio (cassette recorder, record player, city maps) and guide the callers to safety in real time – or lead them to their deaths unintentionally. Every decision shapes the outcome of the story and the number of survivors. The game's aesthetic is inspired by American horror films from the 80s, with neon lights, synthesizer music and dark humor. The voice acting and atmosphere of tension further enhance the feeling of being a part of a nightly horror movie that takes place live, while you are broadcasting. Killer Frequency is a unique blend of radio thriller, interactive drama and classic horror, which tests your insight, empathy and ability to think quickly under pressure.
Steam Scream Fest IV starts on 10/27 and runs until 11/3/2025 We hope you enjoy the recommended titles – or even find something better, to your taste.
