Top Upcoming Horror Video Games of 2018

Note: Article was updated in August of 2018.

2018 is quickly approaching and with it will come a slew of new video game titles to look forward to playing. With that said, now’s a good time to start marking down what video games to keep an eye on when they officially launch next year. Let us lend a hand, in this list, in particular, we’re going over the top horror video games launching in 2018.

Find More Upcoming 2018 Video Game Lists on Gameranx:

State of Decay 2

Developer: Undead Labs
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: PC, XB1
Release Date: May 22, 2018

Overall, State of Decay 2 is a zombie-survival game that lets players have their own unique story. While battling zombies is very much a key aspect of the upcoming title release, players are encouraged to work together in setting up their own community that’s able to successfully take out the undead threat.

The game builds up on the groundwork laid in its predecessor that features an open world environment to explore but a permanent death component that will keep you tensed throughout the game. There’s always an on-going adventure as you attempt to gather resources to keep you alive while building up a thriving base. However, the bigger the base the more resources you’ll need to gather.

If you’re an Xbox Game Pass holder then you should give this game a chance as it’s available completely for free.

We Happy Few

Developer: Compulsion Games
Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Release: August 10, 2018

We Happy Few is an upcoming indie survival horror video game that comes from developers Compulsion Games, previously known for their release of Contrast. Overall, within the game, players are set in an alternative timeline in Europe where citizens are forced to consume a daily drug, hindering them away from the realities of the world.

The game will feature protagonists who have refused to take the drug causing them to see the corruption and horror within the world. Now as they venture out to solve their own mysteries they’ll have to carefully stay under the radar to avoid bringing unwanted attention.

There’s even a permadeath option if you’re feeling lucky and want a real challenge going through the game, but again, it’s an option that you don’t have to take on.

The Inpatient

Developer: Supermassive Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PS4
Release: January 23, 2018

The Inpatient is a psychological horror video game developed by Supermassive Games, the developers behind the hit horror title Until Dawn. This is a PlayStation VR title which means you’ll be required to use the virtual reality headset in order to even enjoy the game.

We won’t spoil you with too many details regarding the narrative, but The Inpatient takes place sixty years prior to the events of Until Dawn where players step into the shoes of an amnesiac who trying to recall lost events while at a sanatorium institute.

There won’t be too many jumps scares to go through in The Inpatient as developers rely on setting a more terrifying atmosphere which being a VR title definitely adds to the horror experience.

Scorn

Developer: Ebb Software
Publisher: Ebb Software
Platforms: PC
Release: October 2018

The horror title Scorn is all about immersion with the video game tossing players into a creepy atmospheric world that’s filled with grotesque creatures. One of the ways that Ebb Software is hoping to immerse players into this nightmarish world is by playing the entire game without any cutscenes. In fact, according to the past Kickstarter campaign page, Scorn doesn’t have a conventional plot but instead allows players to interpret the events and themes.

Another interesting aspect that will hopefully allow players to go through Scorn without being taken out of the gameplay experience is that the title will not have a HUD displays. Everything within the world is living and as players progress through the game, new areas will open up, however, don’t expect Scorn to hold your hand. You’ll have to think carefully about how to complete tasks and accomplish game goals.

Moons of Madness

Developer: Rock Pocket Games
Publisher: Rock Pocket Games
Platforms: PC
Release: 2018

Within Moons of Madness, players take on the role of an astronaut named Shane Newart who begins to battle hallucinations. Throughout the game, players will be tasked with exploring a research station called Trailblazer Alpha while solving puzzles in an attempt to solve the supernatural elements that seem to be surrounding the astronaut.

Unfortunately, there’s no set release date attached to the video game quite yet other than an expected release sometime in 2018. There’s a very good chance this game may end up being delayed until 2019 at the rate of updates we’re receiving.

Hunt: Showdown

Developer: Cryek
Publisher: Crytek
Platforms: PC
Release: February 22, 2018

From development team Crytek comes Hunt: Showdown. Acting as a spiritual successor to Darksiders, Hunt: Showdown has players facing each other in a PvP bounty hunting video game. However, the spin on this title is that the setting takes place in a rural nightmarish Louisiana swampland.

Not only will you be hunting or being hunted by other players, you’ll have to be careful of your surroundings for the lurking monsters. As of right now the game is currently in Early Access on Steam if you would like to give it a go but it looks like the actual full game won’t release until sometime next year.

Overkill’s The Walking Dead

Developer: Overkill Software
Publisher: Starbreeze Studios, 505 Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Release: November 6, 2018

The Walking Dead is an upcoming first-person co-op shooter based on The Walking Dead franchise. Players will have to survive together in a world that has been dominated by mindless flesh-eating walkers.

Within the game we know that players will have four different playable characters with their own abilities and play styles. With that said, the game will offer four player co-op to go through the narrative journey. Likewise, the game is said to take place in Washington, D.C. while also being attached to the comic universe.

In a lot of ways, this game looks to play out very similar to the Left 4 Dead series where players can team up and unload their ammo into some undead flesh. However, it seems that developers will offer stealth and RPG elements as well.

The Forest

Developer: Endnight Games
Publisher: Endnight Games
Platform: PC, PS4
Release Date: April 30, 2018

The Forest is finally coming out of its early access stage this year. Within the game, players take on the role of a man named Eric who is on a flight with his son. However, the duo finds themselves crashing down into an island where Eric witnesses his son being kidnapped.

Overall, the game is a mix between a horror title and a survival game. Within the island are cannibalistic tribe members that are keeping close eyes on Eric. As the game progresses, players will have to set up protection against the raids and hostilities of the tribe though outside of the exploration and aim for survival, there are no set missions or goals. However, developers have included an optional ending to the game if players wish to progress and seek it out.

Visage

Developer: SadSquare Studio
Publisher: SadSquare Studio
Platforms: PC
Release: 2018

Visage is a spiritual successor to P.T., the teaser game that was set to be Silent Hills before it was cancelled. Overall, the game takes place in an unknown home as the fight a supernatural entity.

Dozens of families have lived within the home where many of them died brutally while others were able to live their lives out normally without any harm.

As players progress through the game, they will learn more about the history of this horrific home.

Remothered: Tormented Father’s

Developer: Stormind Games
Publisher: Darril Arts
Platforms: PC
Release: January 30, 2018

Remothered: Tormented Father’s is a psychological horror game that follows Rosemary Reed, a woman who is seeking out the disappearance of a young girl named Celeste. However, during her investigate, reality seems to drift away.

Within this psychological thriller, players will have the ability to play the game in a variety of ways. Gamers can opt to be more strategic, stealthy, or simply attempt to overpower the enemies as an action game.

Likewise, players won’t have a health bar to gauge how their character is doing so you’ll need to keep a close eye on how the character’s body is holding up.

Layers of Fear: Legacy

Developer: Bloober Team
Publisher: Aspyr
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS
Release: February 21, 2018

Layers of Fear: Legacy is a horror game that plays more on the psychological element. Overall, the game follows a disturbed painter who is attempting to complete his most prestigious painting. However, he is soon engulfed with hidden secrets.

While the game has already been released into the market for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms, a port for the game was put out for the Nintendo Switch called Layers of Fear: Legacy, this year. The Legacy edition of Layers of Fear added in the previous DLC campaign, Inheritance, along with adding support for the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, touchscreen, and lastly, HD Rumble support.

Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game

Developer: Cyanide Studio
Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
Platforms: PS4, XBO, PC
Release: October 30, 2018

We’ve seen other titles in the past release featuring the Call of Cthulhu storyline, but in this particular game, we’re looking at Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game from the development team, Cyanide Studio.

Players will be taking the role of Edward Pierce, a former war veteran, and private investigator. Edward finds himself taking on an investigative case where he will attempt to clear up the murder of Sara Hawkins that occurred in Darkwater Island.

Being an adaptation of Lovecraft’s Call of Cthulhu you can expect a classical horror tale retold in what we hope is a solid game. Of course, we’ll have to wait and see when the video game officially rolls out into the market this October.