20 Best Multiplayer Horror Games to Play with Friends and Have Fun
by Ievgen Dubravin Last update: August 29, 2024
Looking for a way to combine the thrill of horror with the joy of multiplayer gaming? You’re not alone. The horror genre has made a lasting impact not just in movies and TV shows but also in the realm of video games. The craving for chilling experiences has led to the launch of numerous top-tier multiplayer horror games. If you’re planning an adrenaline-pumping game night with your friends but can’t decide where to start, we’ve got you covered with a list of the absolute best scary games to play with friends, including some tried-and-true classics.
Top Multiplayer Horror Games That Will Give You Chills
As we explore some of the scariest coop horror games available, be ready for a spine-tingling journey. These games are sure to give heart-pounding moments that you and your friends won’t soon forget, whether you’re looking for supernatural horrors or psychological terrors.
20. Dead by Daylight
Developer | Behaviour Interactive Inc, 505 Games |
Genre | Survival horror |
Release Date | June 14, 2016 |
Platforms | Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, PS 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox S and X, Google Stadia and Microsoft Windows |
Dead by Daylight delivers an asymmetrical 4v1 gaming experience where you either play the lone Killer or one of the four Survivors attempting to escape a horrifying fate. While Survivors get a third-person perspective for better situational awareness, the Killer enjoys a first-person view for focused hunting. The game offers dynamic, procedurally generated levels, ensuring every match feels unpredictable. Choose to collaborate with others for survival or go solo, but remember: each choice impacts your chances of evading the Killer’s clutches. Thrilling adventures will make this one of your favorite scary games to play with friends.
19. Ghost Watchers
Developer | Renderise, Renderise Game Studio |
Genre | Adventure, Early Access |
Release Date | July 28, 2022 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows |
Venture into eerie, abandoned properties in Ghost Watchers, is one of the horror multiplayer games that tasks you with hunting down and capturing various types of ghosts and demonic entities. Equipped with over 20 specialized tools, you’ll gather evidence and determine the ghost’s characteristics before attempting to capture it. Whether you encounter a sorrowful spirit or a menacing demon, every hunt is a chilling experience.
18. GTFO
Developer | 10 Chambers |
Genre | Action |
Release Date | December 9, 2019 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows |
GTFO plunges you into an underground horror, blending high-octane action with nerve-wracking suspense. The game is designed for teams of four; this co-op horror shooter prioritizes strategy, stealth, and tight-knit teamwork. While bots can fill the roster, human players are optimal for communication and tactical execution. From carefully selecting gear to navigating through an environment full of dormant creatures known as “Sleepers,” every decision counts. Fail to coordinate, and chaos ensues. Survive the ordeal, and you’re rewarded with cosmetic gear that’s more than just for show.
17. Killing Floor 2
Developer | Tripwire Interactive, Saber Interactive, Hardsuit Labs, Inc. |
Genre | Survival horror |
Release Date | November 18, 2016 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Linux, Xbox One |
Killing Floor 2 plunges you into a post-apocalyptic Europe overrun by monstrous clones. A month after the original game, these creatures have thrown society into chaos. Teams of mercenaries and civilians join forces to tackle the menace, operating out of makeshift bases. The game is renowned for its hyper-realistic gore and gripping suspense. It offers solo and six-player co-op modes, as well as a 12-player PvP Versus Survival mode. An expansive arsenal and revamped perk system contribute to the strategic depth, while melee combat gets a brutal overhaul. Extras include a host of cosmetic items and a copy of the first game.
16. Resident Evil 5
Developer | Capcom |
Genre | Survival horror |
Release Date | March 5, 2009 |
Platforms | Windows, Android, PlayStation 4 and 3, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Nvidia Shield TV, Xbox One |
Resident Evil 5 is one of the best multiplayer horror games. Resident Evil 5 takes you on a high-stakes mission to Africa, where you play as Chris Redfield, a member of the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA). Together with your partner, Sheva Alomar, you uncover a new bio-organic threat that is wreaking havoc on the population. The game notably shifts from its survival-horror roots to a more action-oriented experience. Notable for being the first in the series with 2-player co-op, it employs motion capture and a virtual camera system for a cinematic feel. Available in a Gold Edition with additional content.
15. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (Zombies)
Developer | Treyarch |
Genre | Action, Adventure |
Release Date | May 16, 2017 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (Zombies) thrusts you into a dystopian 2065, offering an enhanced co-op horror games campaign for up to four players. Cybernetic enhancements boost your abilities as you navigate less restrictive levels. The game is different from what we see in Call Of Duty : Modern Warfare 2, this edition resurrects its iconic Zombies mode, featuring maps like Morg City’s Shadows of Evil and the exclusive The Giant. A standalone Zombies campaign and a unique “Nightmares” mode round out the thrilling experience.
And for all the CoD franchise fans, don’t forget to check our CoD LFG page, since the game is most fun when played with people who share your interests, and that’s what we at GameTree are here to help you with.
14. Left 4 Dead 2
Developer | Valve Corporation |
Genre | Action |
Release Date | November 17, 2009 |
Platforms | Xbox 360, MacOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux |
Left 4 Dead 2 elevates co-op horror FPS gaming, placing you in a zombie apocalypse sweeping the Deep South. Choose from four new characters and arm yourself with both firearms and new melee weapons like chainsaws and frying pans. Face off against terrifying new Special and “uncommon” infected zombies. The game features AI Director 2.0, which adapts the game environment and enemy behavior based on your playstyle, ensuring a unique experience each time. The game boasts five extensive campaigns and various modes, further enriched by a new multiplayer mode, making it an excellent choice amongst multiplayer horror games to play with friends.
13. Devour
Developer | SitBack Games |
Genre | Action |
Release Date | January 28, 2021 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, MacOS |
Cooperatively facing off against demon-possessed cultists, Devour is a horror survival game. Prevention of being taken to hell is the ultimate aim. Every game variation happens when sessions that can last up to an hour are played. If you want to succeed in your quest, you need to search for rituals tools and cast Azazel away. A UV flashlight represents your sole means of defense against mounting difficulties as you proceed. From player development to different modes (such as Nightmare) and complete VR integration, a distinct dark and creepy challenge emerges.
12. Dead Space 3
Developer | Visceral Games |
Genre | Survival horror |
Release Date | February 5, 2013 |
Platforms | Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 |
In Dead Space 3, players join Isaac Clarke and Sgt. John Carver on a perilous quest to Tau Volantis, aiming to annihilate the Necromorph menace at its root. Players can either go solo or pair up in an online scary co-op to battle evolved enemies amid avalanches, icy climbs, and hostile terrain. Gathering components allows players to construct rare weaponry; resourcefulness plays an important role when fighting to stay alive. Combating the menace of Necromorphs requires achieving the grand aim of preserving humanity’s survival. The series is infamous for its eerie atmosphere and jump scares.
11. Desolate
Developer | Nearga |
Genre | Adventure |
Release Date | February 8, 2018 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows |
In Desolate, players assume the role of “Volunteers” dispatched to the eerie island of Granichny to investigate its paranormal activity and dark history. Exploring these locations requires cooperation among four adventurers; they must contend against eerie entities and bizarre weather occurrences.
With an emphasis on both fight and concealment, play the sport to discover hidden island mysteries. Three essential components in this frightening experience with a first-person perspective are crafting, enhancing skills, and upholding good mental heath. This is also a very good multiplayer horror game to play with friends.
10. Pacify
Developer | SKH Apps |
Genre | Adventure |
Release Date | February 22, 2019 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, MacOS |
Pacify puts players in the shoes of PAH Inc. agents, investigating haunted locations with a dark history. This Intense scares, PC multiplayer horror game offers three unique missions, each featuring a different monster and story. Explore the corridors of a creepy old house and evade a girl who alternates between good and evil. Use clues, keys, and other items to pacify her and escape. The game allows for varying levels of teamwork and challenge. It’s a race against time and the supernatural, filled with terrifying gameplay elements.
9. Remnant: From The Ashes
Developer | Gunfire Games |
Genre | Third-person shooter |
Release Date | August 16, 2019 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
In Remnant: From the Ashes, players traverse a post-apocalyptic world, decimated by beings from another dimension. As one of humanity’s last survivors, you team up with up to two others to face relentless enemies and bosses. Scavenge, adapt, and build a formidable arsenal to reclaim what’s lost. The game offers dynamically generated worlds for endless variety and high replayability. Teamwork in fright is crucial for tackling the game’s most challenging obstacles and unlocking ultimate rewards.
This title recently received a sequel, and while we didn’t have a chance to fully test it yet, it is looking like it also easily get’s on the list of the best creepy games to play with friends.
8. 7 Days To Die
Developer | Iron Galaxy, The Fun Pimps |
Genre | Survival horror |
Release Date | December 13, 2013 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, Xbox Cloud Gaming |
By combining elements of various genres, including FPS, survival horror, and RPGs, gamers navigate a post-apocalyptic zombie world with unparalleled crafting options. Selling over 16 million copies, the game grants gamers vast world-creation options encompassing numerous ecosystems, allowing for either cohesion or opposition play modes. Crafting items like weapons and vehicles, establishing impenetrable strongholds, and honing one’s combat prowess via attribute improvements and literature consumption are just some of the opportunities available to gamers. With these features, the game presents a singular campaign, unpredictably generated landscapes, daunting combat experiences showcasing numerous zombies, along with a real-time survival mechanic affecting progression.
7. Back 4 Blood
Developer | Turtle Rock Studios |
Genre | First-person shooter |
Release Date | October 7, 2021 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox One, S and X |
Back 4 Blood is an exhilarating co-op FPS from the makers of Left 4 Dead, where you battle against the Ridden—once-humans turned monstrous by parasites. You can join up to three friends in a dynamic campaign, choosing from eight unique “Cleaners,” immune survivors armed with various weapons and gear. The game also features PVP modes. Players may choose between being a Cleaner or a Ridden in PVP matches, each offering exclusive capabilities. The rogue-lite Card System and adaptive Game Director ensure varied, terrifying gameplay, including gigantic mutated bosses.
6. Barotrauma
Developer | Undertow Games, FakeFish, FakeFish Limited |
Genre | Strategy Video Game |
Release Date | March 13, 2023 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox One, S and X |
Barotrauma is a 2D multiplayer space-submarine simulator with elements of survival horror and role-playing. Set beneath the ocean of Jupiter’s moon, Europa, players are assigned specific roles on the sub, with specialized equipment and traits. Missions vary from cargo transport to undersea combat against hostile creatures and artifact retrieval. Throughout the game, players face unexpected challenges requiring quick decision-making to maintain the submarine and complete objectives.
5. The Outlast Trials
Developer | Red Barrels |
Genre | Survival horror |
Release Date | May 18, 2023 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows |
Experience psychological terror in the Cold War era, either solo or in co-op, in The Outlast Trials by Red Barrels. Trapped in Murkoff Corporation’s facility, you’ll undergo disturbing psychological trials, either individually or in teams up to 4 players. Customize your character and tools, navigating through a mix of stealth, evasion, and ethical dilemmas. The objective is to survive Murkoff’s twisted experiments and earn your release while gathering evidence of their unethical practices.
4. Phasmophobia
Developer | Kinetic Games |
Genre | Survival horror |
Release Date | September 18, 2020 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5 |
Dive into the paranormal as you and three other investigators hunt for spectral evidence in Phasmophobia’s chilling, online tense co-op gameplay. Utilize authentic ghost-detection tools like EMF readers and night vision cameras across various haunted settings. The ghosts are unique and interactive, requiring voice recognition for communication. Choose from multiple locations and game modes to keep the horror fresh. Teamwork is crucial, whether you’re in the field or coordinating from the safety of a truck. Customize difficulty levels to suit your bravery.
3. Dead Rising 2: Off The Record
Developer | Capcom Vancouver, Capcom |
Genre | Adventure |
Release Date | October 11, 2011 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
Step back into the chaotic world of Dead Rising as original hero Frank West returns to confront new enemies and challenges in a revamped Fortune City outbreak. This version has been completely reimagined, with brand-new missions and a brand-new plot, as well as experiences at the bizarre amusement park “Uranus Zone.” Utilize Frank’s well-known camera to record various scenes that are labeled as horror, drama, and more in order to earn Prestige Points. This multiplayer scary game also offers technical improvements for a smoother experience.
2. Dying Light & Dying Light 2 Stay Human
Developer | Techland |
Genre | Survival horror |
Release Date | February 4, 2022 |
Platforms | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 & 4, Xbox One, X and S, Nintendo Switch |
Twenty years post-apocalypse, you’re Aiden Caldwell, a courier seeking his sister Mia in Villedor, Earth’s last city. Navigate a complex, zombie-infested world with parkour skills, joining forces with allies. By day, Villedor simulates normalcy; by night, it’s overrun by horrific creatures. Team up with up to 3 players for better survival odds. The game combines intense combat and strategic escapes, forcing players to be creative in both. Without hesitation, not only is it a great scary game, but it’s also one of the best multiplayer Switch games.
1. Deceit
Developer | World Makers, Automaton Games |
Genre | Survival horror |
Release Date | March 3, 2017 |
Platforms | GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows |
In Deceit, a multiplayer scary game, you’re one of six players who wake up in a mysterious location, manipulated by the Game Master. One-third of the group is secretly infected, plotting against the innocents. Players must strategize: innocents gather resources and form alliances, while the infected sabotage and collect blood. As trust erodes, each zone culminates in a blackout, where the infected turn into stronger, faster “terror forms” to eliminate innocents. One of the scariest coop games combines lightning-fast combat, meticulous preparation, and psychological manipulation.
Ready To Play Some Of The Best Multiplayer Scary Games
From co-op horror games to heart-pounding zombie action, the multiplayer scary games genre has something for everyone. Delve into the world of thrilling adventures and multiplayer scares, and discover some of the best immersive fear experiences the industry has to offer. Whether you’re searching for a thrilling 2-player horror game experience or a wider co-op session, there’s no shortage of scary games to play with friends. These scream-inducing fears and haunting narratives always keep us thrilled and coming for more, and we hope they will be to your liking too.
Find Friends Who Share Your Interests With Gametree
Looking for like-minded horror enthusiasts to dive into the scariest coop games? GameTree is the best solution! We created our app to help people find friends to play their favorite games with, and there are plenty of horror game fans with us already! Don’t miss out on this chance to battle terrifying enemies and tackle multiplayer horror games with your old and new friends with GameTree!
Final Thoughts
Embarking on a journey in the best horror multiplayer games with friends is a unique experience, filled with thrills, chills, and unforgettable moments. It also offers a special fusion of anticipation, dread, and cooperation. Whether it’s the intensity of trying to survive together or the shared screams and laughter, these scary games to play with friends will leave you with memories for a lifetime. Dive in, if you dare, and remember – the best horror experiences are those shared with friends be it in real life or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Multiplayer Horror Game?
Absolutely! From Phasmophobia to Deceit, the range of best horror games to play with friends available provides countless hours of scary games to play with friends.
What Are Some Free Horror Games To Play With Friends?
Experience the chills without spending a dime with titles like No More Room in Hell and SCP: Secret Laboratory. Both are fantastic scary games to play with your friends without any cost.
What Are Some Of The Scariest Games To Play With Friends?
When seeking the scariest coop games, titles like Phasmophobia and Amnesia: The Dark Descent's multiplayer mode stand out. Perfect for those nights you want a real scare with pals.
What Is The Best Multiplayer Horror Game?
Subjective, but many would say Phasmophobia is one of the best horror multiplayer games because of its realistic ghost hunting and psychological horror components.
How Do I Find People To Play Co-op Horror Games With?
Beyond just your immediate circle, platforms like GameTree can help you discover fellow enthusiasts for 2 player horror games or larger co-op experiences.