25 most terrifying cooperative horror games

Many of us love the thrill of needing to escape from a maniac or banish terrifying demons from our world. In this selection, we will tell you about games that will give you and your friends such sensations.

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An important note: for many games on the list, you will need a microphone.

Phasmophobia

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Phasmophobia is one of the most famous cooperative horror games, limited to 4 players. Participants act as a team fighting against the supernatural.

You will visit various gloomy places and search for ghosts in them. There are a total of 24 ghosts in the game, each with their own clues.

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It can be confidently said that the developers have done a great job. In co-op, the game not only fulfills the usual tasks of a horror game, but it can also amuse and engage everyone with a detective investigation.

The Quarry

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The Quarry is an excellent horror game that makes good use of all the classic tropes. Players will dive into the terrifying events of one summer at a forest camp, hunted by 'something'. They will have to make decisions and find a way out to avoid falling into the clutches of monsters.

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The Quarry has two types of cooperative play:

Local – in this mode, you can play with friends (up to 8 people), passing the control in turn. For this mode, you need to select "Couch Co-op", after which each player chooses a character.

Online – in this mode, you create a game where players will control all the characters throughout the gameplay. All players vote on decision-making together.

Deceit

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Deceit is a great example of a horror game with social elements, similar to the well-known "Mafia" game. Players appear on one of the maps, and their goal is to escape from a dangerous place. Hindering them will be the "local mafia", which in reality is a horror in human guise. You will face deception, betrayal, verbal battles, and possible rescue from the clutches of monsters.

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The only downside of the game is the mandatory presence of 6 players.

Dead Frontier 2

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Dead Frontier 2 is an "old school" action-horror game with numerous battles and eerie pursuits. In this game, you will explore a vast map with abandoned buildings and plenty of loot. Players take on the role of survivors: they will have to confront zombies, enemies, and make important decisions.

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Pros include a huge, constantly updated map, and interaction with other players.

The Dark Pictures Anthology

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The Dark Pictures Anthology is an excellent example of interactive horror. To date, four parts of the game have been released:

It’s hard to say which is the best as it's a matter of preference and subjective perception. However, each part will be entertaining and interesting when played in a group. The gameplay is similar to The Quarry, which is listed above. Not surprisingly, as the developer is the same.

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In the "dark pictures" series, the atmosphere builds up a bit more slowly, but you are constantly reminded of the consequences of your choices.

Just like The Quarry, the game has two cooperative modes:

Dead by Daylight

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Dead by Daylight is a quite decent horror survival game with its unique features. Players are divided into two teams: victims and a maniac. The goal for the former is to survive and escape, while the hunter's goal is to prevent them from doing so. Recently, an expansion related to the Resident Evil game series was released. The concept is interesting, the clichés are well used, but there are also many issues, so let’s examine the game's pros and cons.

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Starting with the cons:

There are many pros in the game:

In Silence

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In Silence is very similar to the previous game, but in the author's opinion, it's slightly better. It has fewer technical issues and more interesting mechanics. The gameplay is not much different from Dead by Daylight: one player acts as the monster, while all others play as survivors. It's also worth mentioning that the balance here is more even.

Propnight

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Propnight is a game from the same series as Dead by Daylight and In Silence, but with a significant difference in its cartoonish graphics. In this survival horror, players are also divided into two teams: victims and a hunter. It's important to note that the balance of the sides here is excellent. Playing as the monster is a bit more challenging. There are quite a few distinctive gameplay mechanics. For instance, players can destroy furniture and the environment.

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If you don't mind the cartoonish graphics, Propnight surpasses its competitors in dynamics and entertainment value.

DEVOUR

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DEVOUR is a decent cooperative horror game that can entertain its players for a long time. Here, you'll take on the role of exorcists trying to stop possessed cult members. DEVOUR is similar to Phasmophobia, but with more investigations and tracking of supernatural guests. The game is limited to 4 players.

BIGFOOT

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BIGFOOT stands out from all the games in this list, at least because it was developed by just two people. The gameplay is quite interesting: the players' task is to catch Bigfoot.

Currently, the game supports cooperative play for up to 4 people. Using various mechanics like traps or flares, players will hunt Bigfoot. The twist is that the hunters don't yet know that they will soon become the prey themselves. We can confidently say that BIGFOOT is an excellent example of a horror game where players are not just helpless victims. They are confident hunters, not so easily scared.

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SCP: Secret Laboratory

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SCP: Secret Laboratory is a multiplayer horror game based on the events in a fictional secret organization. Employees' tasks include studying and containing anomalies, creatures, objects, etc. Players will come face to face with many terrifying beings hidden from the ordinary world.

The game features decent roleplaying. Although it's a horror game, it has quite a bit of humor. The community is friendly, so don’t worry if you have no one to play with. Finding company for the evening won't be hard.

Stay Out

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Stay Out is an MMORPG with elements of shooter and horror. Fans of the Stalker series will definitely like the setting and gameplay. Players will have to survive in the Exclusion Zone and encounter anomalies and terrifying creatures. Currently, the game is in early access, so let's discuss its pros and cons.

Pros:

Cons:

No More Room in Hell

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No More Room in Hell is a cooperative first-person survival game with multiple quests on each map and a limit of up to 8 players. The typical objective is to reach the evacuation point alive. The developers included many references to classic zombie movies. Despite its old release, the game still looks fresh and keeps up with newer titles.

Sometimes, the game reminds players of the good old Resident Evil, where the goal is not just to kill a pile of zombies, but to survive. Be prepared for challenges, conserving resources, and constant tension.

Grim Dawn

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Grim Dawn is almost a classic Diablo-like game with horror elements and a limit of up to 4 players. Players are tasked with saving the world of Cairn and its inhabitants. It features a top-down view, challenging leveling, and bosses that will make you sweat. The game has well-crafted and beautiful locations, an engaging atmosphere, and a solid storyline. It's a great fit for fans of isometric horror games.

Resident Evil Re:Verse

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CAPCOM has made additional cooperative modes for the main game before, but they often turn out mediocre. Resident Evil Re:Verse also has its flaws, but it's still enjoyable to play, especially for fans of the series.

Re: Verse is a classic battler where you can play as characters from different parts of the franchise. The game has some issues with balance and optimization, but they are not too obstructive.

Ghost Watchers

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Ghost Watchers is very similar to the above-listed game, Phasmophobia. Unlike its "older brother", gameplay in Ghost Watchers is more active and a bit more challenging. Players also have to hunt ghosts and make contact with them. Besides, there are 4 randomly generated tasks that can earn players money.

If you’re getting bored of Phasmophobia or looking for more complexity and dynamics, Ghost Watchers can be an excellent replacement.

FOREWARNED

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If you're a fan of Egyptian myths and associate Brendan Fraser solely with The Mummy, then FOREWARNED is exactly what you need. In this game, you will explore ancient temples and Egyptian burials.

To be honest, FOREWARNED can be considered another clone of Phasmophobia. However, it turned out quite well and can entertain you for many evenings. Just find some company and start playing.

Killing Floor 2

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Killing Floor 2 is a real cooperative meat grinder. An excellent first-person shooter in the survival horror genre. Players must survive for a certain period, shooting hordes of zombies and other monsters.

Killing Floor 2 has quite a few different pros, but the main ones are:

Horror Maps in Garry's Mod

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Garry's Mod is a unique sandbox created from a simple modification for Half-Life 2. Thanks to an excellent set of tools, players have created many interesting maps that can compete with full-fledged games. If you're tired of the usual cooperative horrors, Garry's Mod is exactly what you've been looking for.

There are already many horror maps in Garry's Mod that can scare you and your friends for several evenings. You just need to choose a suitable one and start playing. And if you get lost in the abundance of maps offered in the community, there are plenty of videos on YouTube that can help you make the right choice.

Damned

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Damned is a survival horror game very similar to Dead by Daylight. Players also divide into two teams:

Damned has some technical shortcomings, but its atmosphere and gameplay are no worse than DbD, and in some respects, even better.

It's worth noting the well-balanced interaction between teams and the map. The locations are huge and made with obvious love and a desire to keep players trapped in them forever.

Death Swap: End As One

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Death Swap: End As One is a simple cooperative horror game for four. Players take on the role of scientists stuck in a secret scientific complex, hunted by a monster much faster, stronger, and, unlike the players, able to see in the dark.

The players' task is simple — fix the lift in the complex without light, using only the glow of dim flashlights. Aside from minor technical issues, the game can brighten up many evenings for your group.

The Escape: Together

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The Escape: Together is a psychological horror for two players. They play the roles of a little brother and sister, trapped in a house with an evil spirit. The spirit is much stronger than the children, and all exits are locked, forcing them to constantly hide and hope for survival.

Although the game is still in early access and has some technical issues, it's an excellent indie project. It mainly captivates with its atmosphere of fear and difficulty, sometimes lacking in other co-ops.

EXOME

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EXOME is another promising cooperative horror game. Players dive into the role of a rescue team tasked with arming themselves and saving a group of researchers. The gameplay is straightforward: prepare for battle and explore the area during the day, and at night, survive and kill as many monsters as possible.

Noteworthy are the excellent monster design and decent shooting, along with good game balance. The only downsides are minor technical issues and limited content, but these can be attributed to early access.

PROJECT: PLAYTIME

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In PROJECT: PLAYTIME, similar to DbD, players are divided into monsters and humans. A group of friends takes on a job at a toy factory, tasked with assembling a giant doll, but it's not that simple as monsters roam the building.

The main plus of PROJECT: PLAYTIME is its atmosphere. A night-time toy factory with numerous puzzles and monsters. You can expect not only classic scares but also a lot of humor.

Mantra

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Mantra is another successful example of a horror game in early access. A co-op for five with an interesting atmosphere. Players take on the roles of possessed corpses trying to perform a ritual to save their souls.

Despite technical shortcomings, the gameplay feels quite pleasant and moderately challenging. The balance between players and monsters is a bit off, but the ability to respawn solves this problem.

All that's left is to gather your friends, download the games (many from this list are free and available on Steam), and pretend you're not scared. Share in the comments which is your favorite horror game for co-op?

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