First-person horror games captivate fans around the world by sending them into the heart of terror. So in this article, we'll explore some of the most gripping titles that have defined this beloved sub-genre.

Layers of Fear, Outlast, Alien: Isolation, and more horror games are known for their immersive gameplay and horrific experiences that leverage the first-person perspective to intensify the suspense. In them, you can expect to face chilling stories directly from the main character's viewpoint, enhancing the fear and engagement.

Let's discover what makes each game stand out from others and why they're the best horror titles you can play.

• Release Date : May 7, 2021.

•  Developer : Capcom.

•  Publisher : Capcom.

•  Platforms : PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, macOS, Nintendo Switch, iOS.

•  Metascore : 84.

Let's start talking about one of the most famous horror franchises in the gaming world. 

Resident Evil Village stands out among survival horror games, immersing gamers in a story that combines fear and suspense.

In this game, you play as Ethan Winters, searching for his kidnapped daughter Rose in a mysterious and foreboding world named the Village, crafted with great graphics that elevate the experience, bringing the eerie environment to life.

Through a first-person perspective, the gameplay intensifies by mixing combat, stealth, and puzzles, where every corner holds a new challenge - definitely, the Castle Dimitrescu Labyrinth Puzzle is my favorite one because it rewarded me with a Crimson Skull, worth 8,000 Lei.

You'll also be equipped with multiple weapons like rifles, knives, and grenades to kill demonic creatures while unraveling the plot's story.

Game features:

• Includes a merchant named The Duke, where you can buy, sell, and upgrade equipment.

• An innovative crafting system that allows you to create essential supplies and ammo.

• A "Village of Shadows" difficulty mode that offers an extreme challenge for expert gamers.

Resident Evil Village - RE VIII Global Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : Sep 8, 2010.

•  Developer : Frictional Games.

•  Publisher : Frictional Games.

•  Platforms : Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android.

•  Metascore : 85.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a horror title that immerses you in the story of Daniel, who awakens in the dark and ominous halls of Castle Brennenburg with no memory of his past. 

The game is well-known in the horror genre for its scary atmosphere and the sense of vulnerability. As Daniel, you navigate shadowy corridors, where puzzle-solving is crucial to uncovering the mystery of his amnesia and the castle's dark secrets.

Played from a first-person perspective, the game intensifies the terrifying experience with grotesque monsters while you go through pitch-black environments with only a lantern and your wits to guide you.

I can say this is one of the scariest games I ever played. The most frightening moment for me was when I was being chased by the shadow. I could only see its footsteps and feel it was close. Honestly, after it was over, I needed to pause for a breath.

Game features:

• Daniel's sanity meter decreases with darkness, affecting gameplay and visuals.

• You won't have weapons, emphasizing stealth and evasion over combat.

• The narrative is enriched with detailed diaries, notes, and flashbacks.

 Amnesia: The Dark Descent is available for purchase on Steam.

• Release Date : Feb 15, 2016.

•  Developer : Bloober Team.

•  Publisher : Aspyr.

•  Platforms : Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch.

•  Metascore : 72.

In Layers of Fear, a deeply psychological horror game, you delve into the twisted mind of a painter striving to complete his magnum opus. As the main character, you explore a constantly changing Victorian mansion, embodying the painter's fractured psyche.

The game weaves a tale of horror and mystery, where the walls around you seem to breathe with life. Through gameplay, you encounter multiple puzzles that challenge your wit and reveal more about the painter's dark past and his fight with inner demons.

The ability to manipulate the environments enhances the terror, as the atmosphere shifts unpredictably in response to your actions, immersing you fully in the genre's eerie ambiance.

The carousel scene was one of the scariest moments for me. As I spun around, creepy images appeared, like demonic toys and a child banging his head. It was genuinely chilling and left a lasting impression.

Game features:

• A no-death mechanic that emphasizes psychological horror over survival challenges.

• Sound design and music adapt to your actions, intensifying the experience.

• Multiple endings depend on decisions and actions taken throughout the game.

 Layers of Fear Global Steam CD Key  is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : Feb 19, 2019.

•  Developer : Red Candle Games.

•  Publisher : Red Candle Games.

•  Platforms : Microsoft Windows, macOS.

•  Metascore : 86.

Devotion, developed by an Asian independent studio, is a horror game experienced from a first-person perspective, immersing you in a deeply unsettling story set in a Taiwanese apartment complex from the 1980s.

The game takes the terrifying atmosphere to another level, drawing you into a hellish nightmare in a place you used to call "home," discovering past memories and your family's dark secrets.

Unlike traditional horror games, Devotion offers a unique gameplay experience compared to a walking simulator, allowing you to take your time to explore and absorb the eerie environment.

Game features:

• Traditional Taiwanese folklore and cultural references are woven into the story (Taoism/Buddhism elements.)

• The game's art direction authentically recreates the era and setting of 1980s Taiwan.

• Flashback sequences play a significant role in revealing the family's backstory.

 Devotion  is available for purchase on the developer’s website.

• Release Date : Feb 23, 2023.

•  Developer : Endnight Games Ltd.

•  Publisher : Newnight.

•  Platforms : Microsoft Windows.

•  Metascore : 86.

Sons of the Forest is one of the best survival games you can play. This video game is a sequel to The Forest, taking you back to a remote island where every choice is a matter of life and death. The lore deepens with new secrets surrounding the island's cannibalistic inhabitants, their disturbing rituals, and creepy mutants.

Armed with makeshift weapons and the remnants of a crashed helicopter, you must navigate forests, snowy mountains, and deep caves to survive the monsters that emerge at night and uncover the lore.

The gameplay challenges you to manage resources, construct defenses and traps, and engage in fights. Likewise, you can play this game alone or with friends, also accompanied by Kelvin and Virginia, two friendly NPCs who will help you defend yourself.

Fun fact, don't ask Kelvin to find your tree trunks while you're building a treehouse because he will cut down the very tree you're building on. It happened to me, and I wouldn't want it to happen to you.

Game features:

• Enhanced AI behavior makes enemies more unpredictable and dangerous.

• Realistic survival mechanics include hunger, thirst, and injury.

• Intricate cave systems offer high-risk, high-reward exploration opportunities.

 Sons Of The Forest Global Steam CD Key  is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : Aug 30, 2019.

•  Developer : Bloober Team.

•  Publisher : Lionsgate Games.

•  Platforms : Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, Luna.

•  Metascore : 69.

Blair Witch is a video game that draws inspiration from the iconic horror films associated with the Blair Witch legend. You play as Ellis, a former police officer with a troubled past who ventures into the Black Hills Forest searching for a missing boy.

As night falls, the forest reveals its terrifying nature, and you must navigate this environment using only a flashlight, a camcorder, and the guts to defend yourself against the psychological terror that awaits. The gameplay combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and sanity management. 

I loved this game so much that I beat it three times to get all the achievements. The forest parts were very atmospheric, and the way the enemies ran between the trees was really creepy. So believe me when I say that Blair Witch invites you to experience real suspense.

Game features:

• You'll have a companion named Bullet, a loyal dog who will help you find clues.

• The camcorder is used to discover hidden messages within the environment.

• The narrative adapts to your decisions, offering multiple endings.

 Blair Witch  is available for purchase on Steam.

• Release Date : Sep 4, 2013.

•  Developer : Red Barrels.

•  Publisher : Red Barrels. 

•  Platforms : Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, OS X, Nintendo Switch.

•  Metascore : 80.

Outlast is widely one of the scariest games in this genre. This title takes place in the Mount Massive Asylum, where you play as an investigative journalist, Miles Upshur, trapped in it.

The point of playing Outlast is not to fight but to survive, having the only options to run, hide, or die. The lore goes around the sinister experiments conducted in the asylum, leading to the creation of terrifying creatures, the ones you must hide from.

You'll have to rely on a night-vision camcorder to pass through the corridors because the game's dark design doesn't allow you to see, amplifying the fear and making every shadow a potential jumpscare or a hiding spot to avoid another hit from the horrors you encounter.

Outlast is terrifying. There were moments, especially in the asylum basement, where I felt like I couldn't go on. It was pitch black, and I was under attacked by that big buy while desperately trying to restart a generator. I lost count of how many times I died in that part.

Game features:

• Audio cues and sound design play significant roles in signaling danger and enhancing the atmosphere.

• Intense chase sequences create heart-pounding moments of fear and adrenaline.

• Includes a battery mechanic, requiring you to find replacements and manage the resources wisely.

 Outlast Steam CD Key  is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : Dec 16, 2021.

•  Developer : Steel Wool Studios, Scott Cawthon.

•  Publisher : Steel Wool Games, ScottGames, Maximum Games.

•  Platforms : PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch.

•  Metascore : 64.

Five Nights at Freddy's is a famous franchise with millions of fans worldwide, and it even can boast its own movie! It offers the best horror games you can play, including the one we're discussing today, Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach.

Here, you play the role of Gregory, a young boy trapped overnight in Freddy Faznear's Mega Pizzaplex. The game's story is about various animatronics that come to life at night and start chasing you throughout the pizzeria. Your only objective is to unlock the doors to escape using various gadgets, but be careful, if they find you, you'll be confronted by hear-stopping jump scares.

The suspense in this game is palpable, as every shadow and sound could be a sign that any animatronic is coming for you. I always found Five Nights at Freddy's a unique franchise that focuses on point-and-click gameplay, so I really loved the free-roam approach in Security Breach, making me walk around and solve the puzzles to space.

Game features:

• Freddy Fazbear will help you, allowing you to hide inside to evade other animatronics.

• Advanced AI for animatronics that creates unpredictable encounters.

• A security camera system that offers strategic surveillance options.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach is available for purchase on Steam.

• Release Date : Jan 24, 2017.

•  Developer : Capcom.

•  Publisher : Capcom.

•  Platforms : PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S.

•  Metascore : 86.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is one of the best survival horror titles in this franchise. Here, you play as Ethan Winters, who embarks on a haunting journey to find his missing wife in the Baker family mansion.

This title focuses on exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, featuring an intricate crafting system for the creation of health items and ammunition. However, you'll need to decide how to best use your arsenal or weapons to fight off the Baker family because the resources are limited.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is well known for its intense terrifying moments, which challenge you to maintain your composure in the face of unspeakable horrors.

Game features:

• A videotape mechanic that reveals backstory and offers unique gameplay segments.

• The "Madhouse" difficulty mode provides a tough challenge for experienced players.

• Enhanced VR support for a more immersive horror experience.

 Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : Nov 15, 2005.

•  Developer : Monolith Productions.

•  Publisher : Sega.

•  Platforms : Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows.

•  Metascore : 81.

This title might have started the world of first-person horror games in 2005, offering a unique gameplay experience that combines intensity with a psychological thriller, all with a new approach for that time.

In Condemned: Criminal Origins, you assume the role of Ethan Tomas, an FBI agent specializing in crime scene investigation. Accused of a murder he didn't commit, Ethan starts to track down the real perpetrator, a mysterious figure known only as Serial Killer X.

Set against the backdrop of urban decay and societal madness, the game challenges you to go through hostile environments. It's also focused on melee combat rather than shooting, requiring you to use your surroundings and different interactive elements to kill the enemies - I even used a paper cutter, a subway sign, and a desktop.

As Ethan delves deeper into the mystery, the line between reality and madness blurs, making every encounter a test of survival and wits.

Game features:

• You can encounter various collectibles that provide deeper insight into the game's lore and backstory.

• The sound design intensifies the eerie atmosphere and your experience.

• A health regeneration system is limited, emphasizing cautious gameplay.

Condemned: Criminal Origins is available for purchase on Steam.

• Release Date : Oct 6, 2014.

•  Developer : Creative Assembly.

•  Publisher : Sega.

•  Platforms : PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Linux, OS X, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS.

•  Metascore : 79.

Alien: Isolation immerses you in a suspense journey that mirrors the terror of the original "Alien" movies. In this game, you are Amanda Ripley, the main character determined to uncover the truth behind her mother's mysterious disappearance.

Set in a desolate space station, you have to avoid the horrible alien that stalks you, so the gameplay only focuses on stealth and survival. It also uses AI to adapt to your moves and can learn from your past mistakes.

The fear you'll have when the monster discovers you, combined with the game's creepy atmosphere, makes every moment a test of your nerves.

As Amanda, you run and hide through the station using different strategies to avoid the alien while at the same time piecing together the story of what happened to your mother and the station's inhabitants.

Game features:

• You can craft items like medical kits and distraction devices.

• The Sevastopol space station offers a fully explorable environment, sticking to the "Alien" series aesthetic.

• Stealth gameplay that requires careful planning and timing.

 Alien: Isolation Steam CD Key  is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : Feb 4, 2022.

•  Developer : Techland.

•  Publisher : Techland.

•  Platforms : PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch.

•  Metascore : 76.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human is an adventure game that combines horror, gore, and action RPG with the intensity of surviving a post-apocalyptic world. In this sequel to the acclaimed franchise, you navigate the open world of a city named Villedor 15 years after the zombie apocalypse.

As Aiden Caldwell, you're tasked to find the man who was experimenting with you and your lost little sister. You'll also have parkour skills to explore the city, fight different types of zombies, and save other people's lives.

The gameplay is a dynamic mix of combat, survival, and exploration, where you can craft weapons, deal with enhanced zombies that come at night, and make difficult decisions. The game is designed to be fun to play with friends, offering co-op options, and boasts impressive graphics that create an immersive experience.

I played it with a friend and we had an amazing time because our different skill sets helped us through the hardest quests. The best part for us was doing oddball things like gathering as many propane tanks as possible and blowing them all up at once.

Game features:

• Action-packed game with parkour mechanics that allow for fluid movements.

• Your decisions influence the city's factions and overall story outcome.

• A Day-night cycle that changes the zombies' behavior.

 Dying Light 2: Stay Human Steam CD Key  is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

The games mentioned in this article offer a unique approach that takes you deeper into eerie and terrifying worlds. They are well-known for delivering intense jump scares, compelling stories, and immersive gameplay that will make your heart race.

Each title, viewed from the protagonist's perspective, enhances the sense of danger and suspense, making every shadow and sound a potential threat. They'll push the boundaries of the horror genre and innovate how stories are told and experienced, ensuring a place in your nightmares.