Are you in need of a spooky gaming experience this year? There are some promising upcoming horror games in 2023. The best part is that many of these games are on their way soon! You won’t have to wait long to get some great scares. As a major fan of the genre, I’ll keep a close eye on several of these games.
Dead Space
A remake of the original from 2008, Dead Space is looking to be a great time for old and new fans. If you’ve somehow never got your hands on the original, the Dead Space remake will likely be a great entry point into the series. The game follows Isaac Clarke, an engineer who finds himself on board the USG Ishimura, a giant spaceship infested with undead monsters known as Necromorphs. Players must make use of what they have to survive the horrors of outer space.
The original game is quite famous for its horrific death animations and dismemberment system. Players must place their shots carefully when in combat with Necromorphs. Clever use of the dismemberment system can allow players to gain the upper hand in many scenarios. The remake promises to take the system even further with some innovations, including natural indicators of how likely an enemy is going to be dismembered.
Out of all the games on this list, this one is coming the soonest. You will be able to experience the Dead Space remake on January 27, 2023. The game will be exclusive to current-gen consoles and PCs with capable enough hardware. Hopefully, the Dead Space remake will be able to recapture what made the original such a classic horror title.
Resident Evil 4
Also included on our list of the most anticipated action games of 2023, Resident Evil 4 looks to be a promising reimagining of the original from 2005. While the original game is known for pivoting the mainline series away from horror until Resident Evil 7, it still contains a distinctly creepy atmosphere despite the campy nature of many of the game’s story elements. It may have been an action game at its core, but it didn’t stray too far away from the series’ roots as a horror franchise. However, Resident Evil 5 and 6 would go on to ditch the horror elements in favor of more action.
Fortunately, the Resident Evil 4 remake is looking to embrace its horror elements even more than the original game. Of course, there will still be plenty of action, but this game doesn’t look to be straying too far from the current horror identity of the series that Resident Evil 7 and the Resident Evil 2 remake established. While I may miss some of the campy stuff from the original, I’ll be glad if the remake can establish its own identity.
You will be able to purchase the Resident Evil 4 remake on March 24, 2023. While PlayStation 4 users will be able to enjoy the action/horror adventure, Xbox One users will be left out. However, all owners of current-gen consoles and capable PCs will be able to immerse themselves in Capcom’s latest remake. With all that in mind, Resident Evil 4 could be one of the most fun horror games in 2023.
Alan Wake 2
It’s getting close to thirteen years since the original Alan Wake came out to favorable critical reception. Taking inspiration from Stephen King novels and the classic TV series Twin Peaks, the game impressed players with its moody atmosphere and sense of tension. While a standalone spin-off title did get a release in 2012, a sequel would never seem to come. A prototype of Alan Wake 2 would surface, but only portions of it would get reworked into American Nightmare.
As you can imagine, the game would gain a dedicated following over the years, but there appeared to be little hope of a sequel. However, this would change with the release of Control, a game also developed by Remedy Entertainment. Control makes some direct references to Alan Wake and confirms that both games are part of a shared universe. This brought some reassurance to Alan Wake fans that Remedy was indeed still interested in returning to the IP.
At the Game Awards 2021, fans would finally receive the announcement that they were dreaming of. Alan Wake 2 was revealed to be officially in development and slated for release in 2023. While there is no specific release date yet, the game will be exclusive to current-gen consoles and PC when it launches. With an increased focus on horror compared to its predecessor, Alan Wake 2 could prove to be one of the more intense horror games of 2023.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse
Fatal Frame is a unique series of horror games where a camera is the player’s primary method of defending themselves from ghosts. The concept may sound a little silly on paper, but in practice, these games can be quite creepy and unnerving. If you haven’t yet had the chance to check out a Fatal Frame game and are a fan of horror, I suggest you start now.
While Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a remaster of a Wii title from 2008, this will be the first time players outside of Japan will be able to experience it in an official capacity. This is why I’m including it here. Additionally, you can watch a developer commentary that will give you some more insight into the game. It will be interesting to see how this game performs with audiences outside of Japan.
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse will be available to play on March 9, 2023. This is coming to basically every current platform, so there is no need to worry about hardware exclusivity. It may not technically be one of the horror games of 2023, but as it will be a new experience for many, it might as well be.
Amnesia: The Bunker
A new entry in the Amnesia series from Frictional Games, The Bunker will be a first-person horror game like its predecessors. As you might guess, the game takes place in a creepy bunker that the player must explore. Unlike the previous Amnesia games, the player will be able to use a weapon. However, resources will be very scarce, as you may expect from a game like this.
As someone who enjoys some of Frictional’s previous games, such as SOMA, I’m interested to see what they do with this game. I’m glad that it appears they are experimenting more with gameplay. Amnesia: The Bunker will be available in March of this year. Players will be able to experience the horror of a World War 1 bunker on all platforms except Switch and PS5.
Silent Hill 2
While there is no guarantee that this will release in 2023, it wouldn’t feel right not to include this here. So, consider this an extra of sorts. A remake of the classic horror game from 2001, Silent Hill 2 marks the big return of the Silent Hill franchise. Developed by Bloober Team, the studio behind games such as Layers of Fear and The Medium, Silent Hill 2 looks to be a visually impressive reimagining of James Sunderland’s twisted journey through the titular town.
I’m still a bit skeptical, but I think it’s worth keeping your eyes on the Silent Hill 2 remake. As you can imagine, a game as graphically detailed as this is going to have a hard time running on last-generation consoles. For now, the game will only see a release on PlayStation 5 and PC. PC players will likely need to own a rig with very capable specs, as the listed minimum requirements are quite demanding compared to most games.
More Horror Games to Come In 2023
Be sure to keep your eyes out for more games to come! 2023 is still a young year, so many more announcements are basically a guarantee. I’m sure by October, there will be even more horror games on the way. Stay tuned for more updates on the best horror games of 2023!
