Ready to have your spine tingled without spending a dime?
Halloween might be over, but the desire for a good scare never truly fades. Luckily, Steam is a treasure trove of terrifying experiences, many of which won’t cost you a single penny. So, turn off the lights, grab your headphones (seriously, do it), and prepare yourself for some free-to-play fright fests!
1. Cry of Fear
Subheading: Atmospheric Horror at Its Finest
This psychological horror game throws you into a world of darkness and despair. Explore a haunted manor, solve puzzles, and try not to jump out of your skin at every creak and groan. Cry of Fear masterfully uses sound design and lighting to create a truly unsettling atmosphere, leaving you constantly on edge.
Bonus scare: It features multiple endings, so you might just have to play through again…if you dare.
2. Doki Doki Literature Club!
Subheading: Don’t Let the Cute Anime Fool You
Think this visual novel is all sunshine and rainbows? Think again. Doki Doki Literature Club! starts off innocently enough, but beneath the surface lurks something truly sinister. As you join the literature club and get to know its members, things take a dark and disturbing turn.
Fair warning: This game tackles some heavy themes, so proceed with caution.
3. Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion
Subheading: 1000 Rooms of Terror
This one’s for the fans of jump scares (and anyone who wants to test their cardiac health). Navigate your way through 1000 rooms filled with cute-yet-creepy creatures who just love to make you scream. While the scares are plentiful, there’s a surprising amount of charm and humor to be found within the mansion’s walls.
Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled for hidden secrets and easter eggs!
4. The Cursed Phone
Subheading: Found Footage Horror Hits Home
Ever found a lost phone and felt compelled to snoop through it? The Cursed Phone takes that concept and twists it into a terrifying tale. Told through the lens of found footage, you’ll uncover the secrets of the phone’s previous owner, encountering chilling messages, disturbing images, and an unsettling mystery that’ll have you glued to your screen.
Don’t worry: It’s just a game…right?
5. SCP: Containment Breach
Subheading: No Escape From the SCP Foundation
Based on the popular collaborative fiction project, SCP: Containment Breach drops you into the shoes of a Class-D personnel trapped within a facility housing dangerous anomalies. You’ll need to use your wits and limited resources to avoid capture by the escaped SCPs, each with their own unique and terrifying abilities.
Good luck: You’ll need it.
So, there you have it: five free horror games on Steam ready to scare your socks off. Have you played any of these games? What are your favorite free horror experiences on Steam? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!