2019 was one of the best years for horror games in recent times, it providing big-hitters like the Resident Evil 2 remake and some indie gems such as Layers of Fear 2. Heck, even World War Z turned out to be pretty damn great, surprising everybody. Now, though, it’s time to look forward to some of the new horror games of 2020 and the fresh ways developers will make you brown your pants.

Although it’s early days as we typing this up, things are shaping up pretty nicely for horror games in 2020 indeed. From Early Access graduates to long in the making spooks, it’s shaping up to be a stellar year — and there’s plenty more to be announced.

Here are the biggest new horror games of 2020 for you to look forward to. We will be updating this throughout the course of the year as more games get announced or *gulp* delayed.

Horror Games 2020 Release Schedule

Game Platforms Release Date The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners PCVR, PSVR January 23rd Dawn of Fear PS4 February 3rd Hunt: Showdown PS4 February 18th World of Horror PC February 20th DreadOut 2 PC February 20th Death of Rose PC February 21st Resident Evil 3 Remake PC, PS4, Xbox One April 3rd Hellpoint PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch April 16th Daymare: 1998 PS4, Xbox One April 28th Someday You'll Return PC May 5th The Last of Us: Part II PS4 June 19th Carrion PS4, Xbox One, Switch July 23rd Maid of Sker PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch July 28th What Happened PC July 30th Remothered: Broken Porcelain PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch August 25th The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope PC, PS4, Xbox One October 30th Amnesia: Rebirth PC, PS4 Autumn 2020 Little Nightmares 2 PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Q4 2020 Unholy PC Q4 2020 Once Upon A Time In Roswell PC Q4 2020 Chernobylite PC TBC (out now in Early Access) Visage PC TBC (out now in Early Access The Walking Dead: Onslaught PSVR TBC 2020 Lunacy: Saint Rhodes PC TBC 2020 Dead Static Drive PC TBC 2020 Rainbow Six Quarantine PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox 4 TBC 20/21 The Outlast Trials TBC 2021 In Sound Mind PC 2021 Resident Evil 8: Village PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One 2021 Dying Light 2 PC, PS4, Xbox One TBC Succubus PC TBC Paranoid PC TBC Devotion PC TBC Atomic Heart PC, PS4, Xbox One TBC Secret 2 TBC TBC System Shock Remake PC, PS4, Xbox One TBC Scorn PC, Xbox Series X TBC Back 4 Blood PC, PS4, Xbox One TBC Sons of the Forest TBC TBC

World of Horror | February 20th*

Developer: panstasz

Publisher: Ysbryd Games

Platforms: PC

Perhaps one of the most interesting looking horror games in recent memory, World of Horror is a lo-fi slice of Lovecraft in which the old gods are awakening. A roguelite experience with turn-based combat, you must make some tough choices across the game’s five playable characters while they uncover the mystery of what’s going on.

Developer panstasz promise there won’t be any jump scares, rather a disquieting trek through some lovely throwback visuals with the depth of a modern game. World Horror is one of the most intriguing 2020 horror games that doesn’t seem to want to do things the conventional way.

*Steam Early Access release

Resident Evil 3 | April 3rd, 2020



Developer: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

Platform(s): PC, PS4, XB1

Leaks made this an almost 99.5% chance of being a reality with it being officially confirmed during Sony’s last State of Play of 2019. Coming hot off the heels of the remake of the second game, Resident Evil 3 takes us back to Raccoon City with a rather different looking Jill Valentine.

As well as featuring a HD Nemesis, the remake will also include the Resistance multiplayer mode, an asymmetric horror experience where players go up against and play as a demented guy who unleashes Umbrella’s hordes.

It’s not the Outbreak remake that many of us were expecting from Capcom, yet Project Resistance still looks like it has something novel to offer.

Taking inspiration from the likes of Dead By Daylight, Project Resistance is a 4V1 multiplayer game in which survivors must team up against Umbrella’s creations at the behest of a mad scientist.

Looks like there will be a lot of value with this one.

Someday You’ll Return | May 5th, 2020

Developer: CBE software

Publisher: CBE software

Platform(s): PC, PS4, XB1

An intriguing looking psychological horror set in a forest in the Czech Republic, Someday You’ll Return follows a father as he searches for his missing daughter — but also looks like he will find some stuff he didn’t want to.

More of a horror of the mind than of the monster variety, Someday You’ll Return promises some twisty, anxiety-inducing gameplay that will take you for a ride with crafting, herbalism, and even a karma system to contend with.

The console versions for Someday You’ll Return will release later in 2020.

The Last of Us: Part II | June 19th

Developer: Naughty Dog

Publisher: SIE

Platform: PS4

Apart from the next generation of consoles dropping, The Last of Us: Part II looks like it may be the biggest thing across all gaming next year, not just horror. It’s been delayed in the past, but that hasn’t stopped fans from wanting to see what’s next for Joel and Ellie.

It’s already shaping up to be something of a technical landmark with all enemies having specific names and heartbeats, not to mention how pretty the thing is. You can rest assured that the Clickers will be as ugly as ever, though, and we will also be seeing some new forms of The Infected.

Carrion | July 23rd, 2020

Developer: Phobia Game Studio

Publisher: Devolver Digital

Platforms: PC, XB1, Switch

Trust Devolver to publish a horror game that goes against the grain and makes you the monster. Sure, there’s stuff like Friday the 13th and Dead By Daylight, but Carrion looks to be somehow even more gruesome than both of those.

After escaping from containment, you play as a murderous red blob of tendrils and utterly ruin the day of hapless scientists, leaving a trail of dead bodies in your wake. If you’re curious, you can catch a demo of it on Steam.

Remothered: Broken Porcelain | August 25th, 2020

Developer: Stormind Games

Publisher: Modus Games

Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1, NS

The follow-up to the cult favourite Tormented Fathers, Broken Porcelain continues the story from its predecessor with returning characters and all new gameplay mechanics. Real-time cinematics will make their debut, but the scares will (hopefully) also be coming back.

Tormented Fathers was definitely an interesting first attempt in the announced Remothered trilogy, and it looks like Broken Porcelain will be the next natural step. With the original game amassing a cult following, expect this one to have its fans as well.

Amnesia: Rebirth | Autumn 2020

Developer: Frictional Games

Publisher: Frictional Games

Platforms: PC, PS4

One of two secret games that Frictional were working on, Amnesia: Rebirth was the subject of a long ARG before it was revealed as the newest game in the Amnesia series, or rather a re-imagining of what we’ve already seen with less a focus on outright horror and more atmospheric storytelling.

Taking control of Tasi Trianon, Rebirth will take you on “a harrowing journey through devastation and despair, personal terror and pain, while exploring the limits of human resilience”. That sounds very promising to us indeed.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope | October 30th, 2020

Developer: Supermassive Games

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Platform(s): PC, PS4, XB1

The second game in The Dark Pictures Anthology, Little Hope, is the follow-up to the somewhat polarising Man of Medan. While it still managed to provide a few scares, it didn’t have nearly enough to match Supermassive’s horror zenith so far: Until Dawn.

Little Hope looks like it will be more of the same with player choice as a key mechanic. This time out, players will be playing as four college students and their professor after a mysterious fog traps them all. Expect twists aplenty.

And also Will Poulter, who will always look the same age.

Little Nightmares 2 | Q4 2020

Developer: Tarsier Studios

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1, NS

The original Little Nightmares was a brilliant surprise in the horror genre, it pitting you as a young girl, Six, against Ray Harryhausen-esque abominations who were trying to eat you aboard a demented cruise ship.

The sequel looks to build on that with Six returning but new protagonist Mono at the helm instead. As the pair make their way to The Signal Tower to try and save Six’s life, you better believe some uglies will get in their way. If you haven’t played the original, you can pick it up at a very agreeable price these days.

System Shock Remake | 2020

Developer: Nightdive Studios

Publisher: Nightdive Studios

Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1

It’s been a very tumultuous development period for the System Shock remake since Nightdive acquired the rights in 2012 with it being due for release a few times already, the first being during 2017. Following a successful Kickstarter, the remake was opened up to more possible platforms.

The original game was a landmark title, though not many people knew it at the time. Set aboard a space station, you play as a hacker who must escape with everything — and everyone — going to hell around him. While it’s pencilled in for Q1 2020, we sadly wouldn’t be surprised to see this get delayed again.

The Walking Dead: Onslaught | TBC 2020

Developer: Survios

Publisher: Survios

Platforms: PCVR, PSVR

It’s not a stretch to say that The Walking Dead IP has had a tumultuous time sine Telltale’s iconic adaptation. We’ve had a lot of stinkers away from Clem and Lee, and you might be forgiven for thinking that Onslaught won’t change the trend.

However, this is Survios we’re talking about, who have yet to have a dud in the virtual reality world. Based on the AMC show, Onslaugh will allow players to slash limbs off with Michonne and presumably struggle to hold an accent as Rick when it launches sometime in 2020.

Visage | TBC (Out Now In Early Access)

Developer: SadSquare Studio

Publisher: SadSquare Studio

Platforms: PC

Visage is shaping up to be the most successful P.T. homage since Kojima and del Toro’s delectable weirdness was cancelled.

Taking plenty of inspiration from that peerless demo, Visage has been in Early Access on Steam for a good while now, it getting new content added on a semi-regular basis. While the development seems to have hit a few snags along the way, the full Visage experience is looking to be one of the scariest horror games around.

Chernobylite | TBC (Out Now In Early Access)

Developer: The Farm 51

Publisher: The Farm 51

Platforms: PC

Chernobylite has one of the most fascinating hooks for a modern survival horror game. Either solo or with other stalkers, you must explore the ruined remains of Chernobyl and try to figure out what happened to the person you love, all while fending off multiple dangers.

Mixing survival elements with the supernatural, Chernobylite has received decent reviews from players since its Early Access launch and the best is yet to come.

Dying Light 2 | TBC

Developer: Techland

Publisher: Techland Publishing

Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1

Listen, right: we’ll stop talking about Dying Light around these parts when enough people play it the amount it deserves. A follow-up to one of the best open world games of its generation, Dying Light 2 has a far bigger sense of scale with your choices really mattering in regards to the story and the fortunes of The City, too.

Away from that, though, expect the same brilliant parkour and zombie-chopping action. Also, while we have you here, go play Dying Light. You may as well now that Dying Light 2 has been seriously delayed.

Scorn | TBC

Developer: Ebb Software

Publisher: Ebb Software

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X

It feels like we’ve been talking about Scorn for years when it comes to these new horror game lists, often alongside Agony due to the pair’s unsettling, uncompromising imagery. While Agony released to less than great reviews, Ebb Software have been taking their time with Scorn and the updates have been pretty scattered.

Still, just from the glimpses of gameplay we’ve seen, this could be one of the most unsettling horror experiences — whenever it releases, of course.

Secret 2 | TBC

Developer: Frictional Games

Publisher: TBC

Platforms: TBC

If you’re wondering what Frictional have been up to since the excellent SOMA, they’ve been deep in development on two new properties, one that we now know is Amnesia: Rebirth and the other has yet to be revealed. Heck, it may not even be horror.

Regardless, whenever Frictional release a new game, you have to sit up and pay attention as they always inspire other developers for years to come. Watch them release a sequel to Hello Kitty Kruisers and it be the scariest game around.

Atomic Heart | TBC

Developer: Mundfish

Publisher: Mundfish

Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1

Atomic Heart made a huge impression when its first trailer released out of nowhere, its madcap mix of macabre visuals putting it on the map of plenty of horror fans.

Mundfish have been hard at work on the game ever since with fleeting sightings of it since, but this first-person shooter set in an alternate Soviet reality is going to have really go out of its way to waste its potential. BioShock and Metro fans might love this one.

Rainbow Six Quarantine | TBC 2020/2021

Developer: Ubisoft

Publisher: Ubisoft

Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1, PS5, Scarlett

Following the success of an in-game spin-off, Ubisoft have decided to make Quarantine its own. Taking the form a PVE co-op experiences compared to Siege’s PVP, Quarantine will focus on the Six’s trouble with a rampant virus and will feature Operators from the “main” game.

At this time of writing, Quarantine has been the subject of an unspecified delay but will also now be coming to the next generation consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Project Scarlett, as well as current platforms.

Back 4 Blood | TBC

Developer: Turtle Rock Studios

Publisher: WB Games

Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1

The team behind the original Left 4 Dead, Steam’s premier co-op zombie shooter, announced in 2019 that they would be coming back to produce a spiritual successor with WB Games on publishing duties. Beyond that, we don’t know too much about Back 4 Blood.

Turtle Rock Studios were also behind the much reviled Evolve, which promised much before sinking without a trace. It looks like they’re going back to their roots with Back 4 Blood, which is being billed as a AAA experience. We’ve seen a lot of L4D imitators over the years, so it will be interesting to see how this one shakes out.

The Outlast Trials | 2021

Developer: Red Barrels

Publisher:Red Barrels

Platforms: TBC

A co-op experience set in the Outlast universe, The Outlast Trials isn’t a direct continuation of the series, more a spin-off set during the Cold War in which three players can team up to escape some horrific trials.

Little is known about the game apart from that it’s going to have a whole heap of gore and some unforgettably gruesome moments, but with this being the newest co-op horror game, could it be pointing at a sign of things to come for the genre in the future?

Devotion | TBC

Developer: Red Candle Games

Publisher: Red Candle Games

Platforms: TBC

This might be a bit of a cheat here considering Devotion did actually in 2019, but it was quickly pulled following some pretty heavy controversy relating to China’s Prime Minister. Since then, Red Candle have been very quiet on its possible re-release but things aren’t looking that bright.

Still, if Devotion does eventually come back out, new players can look forward to playing one of the best horror games ever made. It’s an absolute crime that so few had the chance to experience it.

What are you looking forward to most?

MORE HORROR:

– 50 Best Horror Games Of All Time

– 15 Best Indie Horror Games You Should Play (If You Dare)

– 15 Best Horror Movies On Shudder You Should Watch