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Horror games have been around the industry for ages but in recent years have seemed to almost surge in popularity and wide ranging appeal. A large part of this comes from the increase in co-op horror titles. Being able to experience the feel of horror games alongside your friends has really drawn in large groups of people that wouldn’t normally play the genre, and has even seen some games become large streaming successes across different platforms. That’s why we’re looking at the top upcoming co-op horror games of 2023!
#7 Demonologist
Platform: PC
Release Date: September 25, 2023
Why in the world would you take on terrifying threats on your own when you can call in backup to better your odds? That’s what we thought.
Demonologist will let you do a special 4-person co-op adventure where you can go to haunted places full of terrifying supernatural entities and attempt to flush them out with the equipment you’ve brought. Will they be ghosts? Will there be spirits? Or how about wraiths? You’ll need to dig deep into these places to find out.
Plus, every place will be randomized, so no two adventures will play out the same way! Are you ready for what lies within?
#6 Ripout
- Release date: October 24, 2023
- Developer: Pet Project Games
- Publisher: 3D Realms
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5
Sci-Fi horror is a big gamble. You either risk alienating players, being too generic, or if you’re lucky, making something truly unique. Ripout fortunately seems to be the latter option. A co-op survival horror game where you have to work your way through procedurally generated spaceships full of loot while battling against horrific mutated monsters that can reconfigure their bodies with the technology they happen upon. Your goal isn’t just to find shiny weapons; however, with humanity on the brink of extinction you’re searching for Sanctuary, the last shred of civilization for humans in all of space.
#5 HumanitZ
- Developer: Yodubzz Studios
- Publisher: Freedom Games
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
- Release date: September 18, 2023
HumanitZ looks like a rather enjoyable top-down co-op zombie survival game. The world has essentially ended due to the zombie infestation around the entire world but that isn’t going to stop you from trying to survive. Build communities around the map by yourself or with friends as you attempt to rebuild a sliver of civilization.You can play it safe by sticking to the country. There’s less zombies, more land for farming and zombies, but other resources are a bit scarce. Or you can gamble on the cities. There will of course be more zombies and various other dangers, but the amount of resources and equipment might just make the risk worth it all.
#4 Eresys
- Developer: Ares Dragonis
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
- Release date: April 20, 2023
- Publishers: Dragonis Games, Ares Dragonis
Lovecraft is one of the grandfather’s of horror as we know it today and Eresys is built right on the foundation of his ideas. Your group has set off to try and stop a rogue cultist of your order who stole a powerful book after being expelled. In your attempt to stop him you’ll be hunted by Lovecraftan monsters using a unique Smart AI system. This means they will learn from your behaviors over time, keeping you on your toes as you continuously adapt against them. Every item on the island has been affected by the sinister magic, so each decision you make can have dire consequences for you and your party. Picking up the wrong item can trigger an unexpected event, quickly turning the wheel on your fate. If you want to survive you’ll have to think carefully, stay prepared, never remain in one area for too long, and work together.
#3 The Outlast Trials
- Developer: Red Barrels
- Publisher: Red Barrels
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
- Release date: May 18, 2023
Outlast has made a good name for itself in many horror circles and it looks like The Outlast Trials is set to expand on that reputation. You have to survive a series of cruel experiments either by yourself or with a party of up to four people. You’ll experience brainwashing, mind control, and other forms of demented manipulation. If you want to play a game that is unsettling and will have you questioning yourself and your morals then The Outlast Trials is the perfect game for you.
#2 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- Developer: Gun Interactive
- Publisher: Gun Interactive
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, X/S, PS5
- Release: August 18, 2023
Horror games where one person plays as a “killer” and the rest play as “survivors” has steadily grown in popularity, with many horror movie IPs coming out with their own take on the genre. One of which had joined those ranks called The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. You can either play as a member of the Slaughter family or one of their victims. As a victim your goal is to survive and escape the family as intact as you can, whereas when you take on the role of the Slaughter family your only objective is to catch your victims by any means necessary.
#1 Sons of the Forest
- Release date: February 23, 2023
- Developer: Endnight Games
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
- Publishers: Endnight Games, Newnight
In Sons of the Forest you’ve been sent to an isolated island to search for a missing billionaire but quickly find yourself knee deep in a horrifying mystery. Team up with friends and try to survive the cannibalistic horrors that lurk within the forest. You can craft new weapons, build a base of operations, and hunt. With the changing seasons you’ll need to make sure you’re well prepared for the cold months where resources are scarce. With the co-op mode you have the option to explore and build with other people which adds to the intensity of the game during exploration. If you get separated from your companions, finding them again in order to offer them help might be more difficult than you imagine.
Disclaimer: This article was updated on 11/16/23 as we continue to adjust this list with new entries or remove games due to delays or failure to captivate audiences.
