The Best Multiplayer Horror Games to Play with Friends
You’re crouched in a dimly lit hallway, controller sweaty in your hands, every creak and groan making your pulse spike. Suddenly, your teammate freaks out, totally blowing your cover—and instead of keeping cool, you’re yelling at each other while scrambling for a hiding spot. That’s something we all love about multiplayer horror games. They turn solo jump scares into chaotic co-op mayhem, where every bad move or clutch save feels way more intense with your squad in the mix.
Instead of just surviving the terror, you’re now strategizing, teasing, and occasionally blaming each other when things go wrong. Multiplayer horror games aren’t just about scares—they’re about creating unforgettable stories together, whether escaping a haunted asylum, outsmarting a monstrous AI, or trying to stay calm as your buddy completely loses it.
Ready to test your bravery with your squad? Here are some Argentics’ picks for the best horror games to play with your pals.
What Makes Multiplayer Horror Games Fun
Best multiplayer horror games crank up the thrill meter, throwing you and your buddies into nerve-shredding chaos. These games are about clutch plays, panicked comms, and seeing who cracks under pressure first. Whether you’re running for your life or sabotaging your squad, the tension and adrenaline create moments you’ll be roasting each other over for weeks. Here’s why these games hit differently when you’ve got a team.
Co-op Gameplay: Squad Up, Stay Alive
When the team’s lives are on the line, survival horror multiplayer games test how tight your squad really is. In Phasmophobia, you’re splitting tasks—one buddy baiting the ghost while another screams over voice chat because they dropped their flashlight. It’s all about sticking to the plan (or not) and watching it either pay off or blow up spectacularly.
Survival games like The Forest dial up the grind and the panic. You’ll be gathering resources, building defenses, and then suddenly dealing with mutant cannibals raiding your camp because someone forgot to extinguish the fire. Every session is a mix of strategy, teamwork, and pure chaos. The shared wins and epic fails keep co-op horror games fresh and addictive.
Competitive Gameplay: Predator or Prey
Competitive horror flips the script for those who live for the rush of PvP. In Dead by Daylight, one player gets to be the killer, hunting the rest of the team like a total boss while the survivors are sweating bullets trying to finish generators and escape. It’s a constant high-stakes dance between fear and strategy—every decision could mean the difference between freedom and getting hooked (literally).
Game-Changing Mechanics
What makes the best horror games stand out are the mechanics that mess with players in ways that feel personal. Devour keeps you on edge with proximity-based voice chat, so even a whisper can give away your position. Friday the 13th: The Game ramps up the tension as Jason gains new powers during the match, forcing survivors to change their tactics constantly.
These mechanics push you to adapt, experiment, and occasionally scream at your teammates for blowing the stealth. Every match feels like a new challenge, keeping the excitement alive.
Built for Streamers and Squad Nights
Whether you’re gaming with your squad or showing off for a Twitch audience, multiplayer horror is a content goldmine. Back 4 Blood brings non-stop zombie-slaying chaos, perfect for fast-paced streams. The Forest offers the kind of survival antics that guarantee viewers laugh, especially when your buddy accidentally alerts a horde.
From clutch escapes to hilarious missteps, good multiplayer horror games deliver the energy that keeps players and viewers coming back for more. Get your squad together, grab your headset, and see if you’ve got what it takes to survive the night. Or at least make it out without getting trolled too hard.
What Makes Multiplayer Horror Games Fun
Travel to Livonia for Free in DayZ
Number of players: 60 players per server (varies by server)
Multiplayer: Yes, online multiplayer
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Released: December 13, 2018 (Full Release on PC), May 29, 2019 (Xbox One), May 29, 2019 (PlayStation 4)
Developer(s): Bohemia Interactive
If you think you’re tough, DayZ is here to knock you down a peg. Dropping players into a gritty post-Soviet wasteland, this open-world survival game doesn’t hold your hand. Forget scripted scares; the real terror here is the unpredictable chaos of human players, zombie hordes, and the unforgiving wilderness. Whether looting a half-collapsed supermarket or creeping past rabid wolves in the woods, every move feels like a gamble.
Evade zombies, craft equipment, and stalk other players in DayZ. Whatever your move, do not follow the stranger offering you a free kit in Kamyshovo. For details on the latest update and the Livonia map, head over to DayZ
The servers are massive—60 players on consoles and up to 120 on PC—which means you’re not just dodging undead; you’re also watching your back for the guy with a sniper rifle camping on a rooftop. One minute, you’re roasting carp by the fire with your buddy. The next? You’re being ambushed by a squad of cannibal clowns screaming memes over voice chat. In DayZ, paranoia is Survival 101.
And let’s not forget about crafts. It’s not just a ‘combine this with that’ deal. This multiplayer horror game rewards creativity. Did you get a propane canister and a couple of rolls of duct tape? Congratulations, you’ve just created a DIY grenade to blow up someone’s base. Or you could use a kitchen timer to bait zombies into an enemy hideout? This is just the tip of the iceberg if you have the guts — and the gear.
DayZ – Official Cinematic Trailer
The health system cranks the realism up a notch. It is never just about slapping a bandage on it and trying to move on. You give mouth-to-mouth while zombies sniff at you: if the bullets are coming your way, you are scrounging around for antibiotics or taking an IV. Some friends will leave the game for good. It’s brutal because every interaction, every bit of loot shared, makes you care about that survival journey.
While it’s unpredictable PvP, deep crafting and nail-biting stakes out there for survival in DayZ make you sit on pins from start to finish. Just remember–if a stranger offers to give you a “free kit” in Kamyshovo, it’s probably a ploy.
Survive the Chaos in SCP: Secret Laboratory
Number of players: 20+ players (varies by server)
Multiplayer: Yes, online multiplayer
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
Released: December 29, 2017
Developer(s): Northwood Studios
If chaos is your jam, SCP: Secret Laboratory delivers it by the truckload. This first-person survival brawl throws you into a procedurally generated death trap, where trust is nonexistent, and betrayal is just another part of the game. You’re dropped into a secret lab crawling with mutants, anomalies, and unhinged players, each with their own goals—and you better believe those goals won’t line up with yours.
Every match starts with a dice roll—are you a hapless prisoner trying to escape, a gun-toting security guard sent to rescue scientists, or an anomaly ready to hunt down anything that moves? Oh, and let’s not forget the shady insurgents trying to burn the place down. Random assignments and layouts mean you never know what kind of chaos is about to go down, keeping every session unpredictable.
Work with friends and enemies alike as you try to survive and thrive in the endless, haunted corridors of SCP. Learn more on Steam at SCP: Secret Laboratory on Steam (steampowered.com)
The tension ramps up as you navigate the maze-like corridors. Lost? Good. That flashlight beam in the distance? Friend or foe? You won’t know until they’re either handing you a keycard or shoving you into an ambush. And speaking of ambushes—watch out for “helpful” players. That prisoner offering to assist with the generators? Yeah, they’re probably an anomaly waiting to delete you once you’re alone.
SCP: Secret Laboratory is all about playing dirty. Sabotage, disguise, and mind games are baked into the experience. Fragile truces are the norm—until someone flips the script and chaos explodes. Think Among Us but cranked up with more jump scares and mutants out for blood.
This is one of the best free multiplayer horror games, so there’s zero excuse not to squad up and dive into the madness. Just remember: in SCP, the only thing you can trust is that everyone’s out to screw you over.
Note! In light, keep running until your stamina reaches zero. After that, don’t run until it’s full. Considering how the stamina bar refills, this approach is the quickest and most effective way to sprint.
Do Your Best to Survive in Once Human
Number of Players: Up to 80 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platforms: Android, iOS, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows
Released: July 9, 2024
Developer: Starry Studio, a subsidiary of NetEase Games
The world of Once Human isn’t just broken—it’s been transformed into an alien-infested nightmare. This free-to-play survival horror game trades your average post-apocalypse vision for something much more warped: a wasteland ruled by Stardust, a goo that has set loose all kinds of mutant beasts. As a Meta-Human with Stardust powers, you aren’t merely scavenging for scraps—you’re working your way towards your survival as you learn to outsmart and outlast a world that’s constantly coming after you.
The sprawling open world is filled with peril at every corner. Aberrations called Deviations wander the land, from derelict settlements packed with precious loot to shadowy wastelands where you can die simply by taking one wrong step. It’s a survival sandbox where everything you do — scavenging for resources, crafting weapons, even going out to find water — feels like a gamble.
Top Co-Op Horror Games
Test your Mettle in The Outlast Trials
Number of players: 1-4 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows
Released: May 18, 2023 (Early Access)
Developer(s): Red Barrels
No game released in 2024 better exemplifies the evolution of the horror genre than The Outlast Trials. Veterans of the series probably remember inviting friends over and passing the controller at every death, as the first two installments of Outlast were that horrifying. Now, developers at Red Barrels have created a cooperative campaign for the first time.
You’re not here to mess around. As one of Murkoff’s “volunteers,” you’ve had night vision goggles forcibly bolted to your skull. Cool, right? Not so much when the batteries run out, and you’re fumbling in the dark as something nasty closes in. Inventory? Hardly enough space for a granola bar. The survival of your team requires division of labor — someone is hoarding batteries,and one breathes the blunt of the enemies’ attention while the rest scavenge or heal. It’s game over if you mess it up.
Note! Between trials, you return to the Murkoff Facility, where you can upgrade gear, adjust your stats with new meds, or interact with other subjects.
Experience fear like never before while trying to survive The Outlast Trials. Read more at The Outlast Trials – Red Barrels (redbarrelsgames.com)
The final kicker is that The Outlast Trials has a class system to keep things spicier than just trying not to die alone. All of the player roles have their own perks and quirks that require you to think about changing how you play. Whether you’re the squad medic patching up teammates or a distraction pro baiting enemies, each run feels distinct. It’s not an RPG grind but gives just enough extra flavor to keep things interesting.
Forget cheap jump scares because this is the best multiplayer horror game that goes for the jugular with atmosphere and psychological horror. Creepy phone calls, disorienting video cuts, and the overwhelming fear of what comes next bait your tension. It’s an endless loop of “What just happened?” and “Please, not again!” that’ll have you hooked.
Ready to see if you’ve got what it takes to survive? What’s interesting, though… Survival is a team effort… until it isn’t.
Become Part of the Cult in DEVOUR
Number of players: 1-4 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
Released: January 28, 2021
Developer(s): Straight Back Games
Welcome to DEVOUR, where you and your crew are members of the Watchers of Azazel—a demonic cult gone horribly wrong. Your fearless leader, Anna (or another poor soul, depending on the map), went rogue and decided to summon the goat demon Azazel, thinking it was a great idea. Guess what: it wasn’t. Now possessed, she’s running amok, and it’s up to you and your squad to shut it all down before things get even worse.
Find Your Way Out in Labyrinthine
Number of players: 1-4 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
Released: 18 Aug, 2023
Developer(s): Valko Game Studios
The darkness pulls you in, the walls twist tighter, and every step echoes like it’s baiting something to come after you. Labyrinthine isn’t just a game—it’s a sweaty grind of survival where every corner feels like a death trap, and every choice could wipe your squad. Forget cheap jump scares; this is next-level calculated terror where the maze itself is the final boss.
Story Mode kicks off with Joan’s grim grind through a cursed fairground. Every clue you find adds more layers of “what the hell” to the mystery, pulling your squad deeper into the horror. But if you’re chasing high-stakes runs, Case Files mode is where the sweat hits. Randomized maps, trash-tier loot spawns, and difficulty spikes force you and your team to pop off on every decision—because one bad call can turn a run into a wipe fest.
Survive the Ghost Hunt in Phasmophobia
Number of players: 1-4 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
Released: September 18, 2020 (Early Access)
Developer(s): Kinetic Games
Now, who doesn’t like good old ghost stories and haunted places? In Phasmophobia, you and your squad aren’t just messing around with shadows—you’re diving headfirst into haunted hotspots where every flicker of light or creak of a floorboard feels like a warning. Armed with your trusty ghost-hunting gadgets and a solid dose of courage (or not), your goal is to ID the spirit wrecking the place and figure out how to handle it before it handles you. The clock’s ticking, and the tension climbs with every second you stick around. Ghost hunting has never been this sweaty.
What sets Phasmophobia apart is its intense immersion. The realistic graphics and haunting audio create an atmosphere that keeps you constantly on edge. Your heart is pounding, and you creep through dark corridors. To discover the presence of the invisible, you rely on tools such as EMF readers and night vision cameras. Every subtle sound makes every moment in the game feel like a genuine paranormal investigation.
Visit the Sunny City of Angels in Dead Island 2
Number of players: 1-3 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Released: April 21, 2023
Developer(s): Dambuster Studios
Twelve years after the release of the revolutionary Dead Island, Dambuster Studios is back with one of the best co-op horror games! Set in modern-day Los Angeles, players team up to survive the city-wide quarantine the US military has implemented. What is the reason the city has been closed up? Zombies. Players can choose between one of six characters at the beginning of the game, each with wildly different personalities. The ensemble cast of a petty criminal, a stripper, a D-list stuntman, and some other average Joes creates hilarious storytelling between the action. Likewise, players will encounter charismatic gang leaders, paranoid celebrities, and many other faces.
The first-person game differs from its predecessors as it no longer contains a skill tree but a “player deck,” which can be filled with skill and perk cards found or earned throughout the campaign. Being able to shuffle things up during the playthrough is fun and makes it less likely that your group will get stuck on a quest if a member can’t be online. The lack of acute skill specialization also makes it easier to jump into gameplay with strangers and still be able to carry on.
Hack and slash your way through the sun-soaked metropolis of Hell-A in Dead Island 2. For trailers and info check out Dead Island 2 – Deep Silver
One of the scariest multiplayer horror games is reminiscent of the movie Zombieland– characters have a sense of humor and often pretend to be living everyday lives, just for a brute of a zombie to come crashing through the door when you least expect it! The primarily intact city and casual banter trick players into letting their guard down, making for some epic jump scares. On top of that, new technology has made this the goriest game in the franchise! The so-called “FLESH” (Fully Locational Evisceration System for Humanoids) mechanism is a randomly generated system of body dismemberment. This means that a good crack from your baseball bat could crush a zombie’s skull in or even take their arm clean off! Countless animations and realistic physics make every kill feel unique, so you will never get bored of fighting through the undead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Qypoo0a8w&ab_channel=GameSpot
If trouble in paradise is your thing, head out to LA in Dead Island 2 for your fair share. The map is beautiful, the fights are visceral, and the storytelling is deep. This game promises to be good for both laughs and screams and is a wonderful time to play with your friends.
Try Not to Become a Dinner in Sons Of The Forest
Number of players: 1-8 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
Released: February 23, 2023 (Early Access)
Developer(s): Endnight Games
It’s time to breathe some fresh air. Sons Of The Forest offers captivating landscapes and cannibals. Sent to find a missing billionaire on an island crawling with cannibals and mutants, players are in for a wild ride.
From the moment you hit the ground, Sons of the Forest gives you complete freedom. No NPCs barking orders or mission markers telling you where to go. It’s all up to you. Want to focus on building an impenetrable base? Go for it. Prefer to scavenge and explore the island’s massive open world? Grab your gear and get moving. This game hands you the tools and says, “Good luck.”
The island is massive—four times bigger than The Forest—and filled with secrets. Whether you’re building a cabin or fortifying a base against cannibals, every action feels real. And when winter comes, survival gets even harder. Stock up on food or risk starving while mutants hunt for their next victim in the cold.
Mix Parkour and Survival in Dying Light
Number of players: 1-4 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux
Released: January 27, 2015
Developer(s): Techland
More of survival, but still as much horror – Dying Light teleports players into the chaotic heart of Harran. In this zombie-infested city, they need to master parkour, craft brutal weapons, and make every second count to survive.
Dying Light stands out with its killer parkour system. It turns the entire city into a playground, but it is better to keep children away from there. You’ll be vaulting over rooftops, zip-lining between buildings, and scrambling up walls to escape the infected. Freedom of movement is everything, especially when night hits, and the game cranks up the danger. When the sun sets, the zombies get faster, and Volatiles start hunting—forcing you to either run like hell or fight for your life.
Find Your Way Out in Back to the Rooms
Number of players: 6 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
Released: October 22, 2024
Developer(s): Studio 111
Back to the Rooms amps up the pressure with its blend of survival horror and co-op strategy. The setup is straightforward: a gate to the nightmare Backrooms opens up at your base, and you and your team need to contain it. Sounds doable, right? Not when every procedurally generated level is a twisted set of hallways eager to ensnare, terrify, and overpower you at every corner.
Once you’re in, there’s no time to chill. You’ll be sprinting through pitch-black hallways, grabbing loot, and collecting keycards to push deeper into the nightmare. But every step forward comes with a price—the difficulty keeps climbing, the enemies get meaner, and the environment itself seems determined to break you. Jump scares? Of course, they’re there, but the real terror comes from not knowing what’s waiting around the corner.
Back to the Rooms – Announcement Trailer
Managing your squad’s resources is make-or-break in Back to the Rooms. You’re constantly grinding for dark energy to keep the portal from spiraling out of control, all while dodging whatever monstrosity is hunting you. Stay together for safety or split up to cover more ground — but make that decision wisely. You may be faster, but you’re an easy target if you wander off.
With its unpredictable maps, escalating difficulty, and relentless enemies, Back to the Rooms keeps you and your team breathless. Whether you’re grasping a victory or barely holding on, each run leaves you itching to jump back in for more chaos.
Best Competitive Multiplayer Horror Games
Robbers vs Paranormal Creatures in Dark Hours
Number of players: 1-4 players
Multiplayer: Yes, online multiplayer
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
Released: 2024
Developer (s): Piece of Cake Studios
In Dark Hours, you’re about to realize that the heist isn’t the hardest part—it’s surviving what comes after because a supernatural force traps your team of robbers in an auction house. The ones who said that money isn’t everything are right. Now, the mission is about survival. Up to four players must cooperate to escape or endure until dawn while avoiding a relentless demonic entity stalking the building.
Try not to Scream Playing Pacify
Number of players: 1-4 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
Released: February 22, 2019
Developer(s): Shawn Hitchcock, SKH Apps
Will you ease the ghost’s anger in Pacify? As a rookie for Paranormal Activity Helpers Inc., you’re sent to investigate a funeral parlor filled with eerie mysteries, a vengeful ghost, and a ton of paranormal chaos. A vengeful ghost, by the way, is a little girl. She roams the house, switching between good and pure evil, and when she’s after you, it’s a full-on sprint for your life.
Games with Strong Narrative and Cooperative Mechanics
Run from a Murderous Mickey Mouse in Infestation: Origins
Number of players: 1-4 players
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform (s): Microsoft Windows
Released: 2024
Developer (s): Nightmare Forge Games
Infestation: Origins throws you and your squad into the ultimate 80s nightmare, where a simple pest problem morphs into a full-on fight for survival. What starts as a routine extermination job quickly spirals into a co-op survival horror experience filled with twisted versions of classic characters and urban legends. Developed by Nightmare Forge Games, this episodic horror title lets you and up to three friends team up as exterminators tasked with shutting down infestations before they spread—and believe us, it’s not just about rats.
From the moment you drop into each location, you’ll know things are about to get messy. You can roll with your squad in private lobbies, dive into public matches, or even tackle the nightmare solo if you feel brave. Communication is vital, so use the in-game proximity and global voice chat to plan your moves and coordinate takedowns—whether you’re splitting up to handle the infestation faster or sticking together to survive.
Play with Kids in Lost Lullabies: The Orphanage Chronicles
Number of players: 1-4
Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
Released: 2024 (Early Access)
Developer(s): Pugsy Studios
Deep in the fog-covered woods outside Lowell lies the ominous Lowell Orphanage, buried under twisted legends and dark secrets. This is where the chilling story of Lost Lullabies: The Orphanage Chronicles begins. The orphanage, infamous for rumored experiments and torture on children, was consumed in a mysterious fire in 1960. Fast-forward to 1980—four brave friends set out to uncover the truth, venturing into the burnt ruins to unravel the nightmares that still haunt its halls.
Find Your Perfect Scare
For Beginners: Easing into the Fear
If you’re just getting your feet wet, you want some scary games to play with friends, but not a total rage-quit factory. Phasmophobia is the MVP here. It’s straightforward—hunt ghosts, piece together clues, and try not to lose your cool when the ghost flips the script. The co-op setup means your squad’s got your back, even when things get dicey. Plus, you’ll learn to rely on gear like EMF readers and spirit boxes without needing a manual to figure it out.
DEVOUR is still a good pick for beginners. The gameplay loop is to dodge the demons and destroy all the cursed totems before they catch you–and whatever you can do now. Just keep your distance from Nightmare Mode until you’ve leveled up your taste for horror experiences, obviously.
For Mid-Tier Survivors: Turning Up the Heat
If you’ve got some hours logged and are ready to step up, Labyrinthine is your next grind. This one keeps you on your toes with procedurally generated maps and puzzles that demand actual brainpower. It’s about strategy. You’ll need good comms and solid teamwork to make it out alive.
Want something with more action? Dead Island 2 lets you hack and slash through a zombie-filled Los Angeles. The loot grind, open-world exploration, and weapon crafting keep things spicy without overwhelming you. It’s the perfect mix of chaos and control for players who want more freedom in their scares.
For Hardcore Players: Bring the Pain
If you’re here to flex, Sons of the Forest is your proving ground. It’s a no-holds-barred survival experience where the open world isn’t just deadly—it’s downright sadistic. You’ll need to micromanage everything—resources, base-building, and your sanity—while cannibals and mutants come at you with relentless aggression.
And finally, if screwing with other players is your style, SCP: Secret Laboratory should be at the top of your queue. This PvP horror sandbox is about strategy, deception, and fragging when the opportunity strikes. With randomly assigned roles and procedurally generated maps, every match is a new layer of madness. Will you trust your squad or stab them in the back?
Playing best multiplayer horror games with friends is an experience like no other. It’s not just about scares—it’s a pressure cooker of frayed nerves, clutch plays, and the kind of panic that separates the legends from the dead weight. Whether you’re into brutal survival runs, adrenaline-fueled combat, or unpredictable mind games, these titles will test your squad’s mettle and keep you looking over your shoulder. Argentics dares you to dive into the chaos and see who cracks first. Just remember: in these games, not everyone gets a respawn.
