Feel the tension

46 games with filters by mode, platforms, budget, length and features.

Dread is its own pleasure: these games keep you tense without jumpscares. Stealth, survival on scarce resources and decisions you cannot undo. Playing feels like walking a tightrope.

If you want tension mixed with laughter, see “Have a laugh”. Some games here support co-op: fear splits in two, and it works.

See also
Stealth Get scaredTense

46 games found

Feel the tension
Darkest Dungeon 92
1

Darkest Dungeon

2016•Red Hook Studios
RPGDarkHard

A gothic roguelike about the price of adventuring: heroes break, and mercenaries are consumables.

~2100 ₽ 57–128 h
Mark:
The Outlast Trials 92
1–4

The Outlast Trials

2024•Red Barrels
HorrorDarkHard

Murkoff experiments in co-op for up to four: Cold War trials where madness is closer than the exit.

~3400 ₽ 13–77 h
Mark:
Half-Life: Alyx 92
1

Half-Life: Alyx

2020•Valve
ShooterVR supportSci-fi

The only reason to buy VR: interactivity where everything can be picked up.

~3490 ₽ 12–20 h
Mark:
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory 92
1–4

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

2005•Ubisoft
StealthEspionageTense

Sam Fisher at his best: light, noise and a superb two-agent co-op.

~400 ₽ 10–20 h
Mark:
Abiotic Factor 91
1–6

Abiotic Factor

2024•Deep Field Games
SurvivalCo-op focusedCrafting

Scientists survive in an overrun lab: Half-Life inverted and the best co-op of 2024.

~1500 ₽ 30–150 h
Mark:
The Last of Us Part I 89
1

The Last of Us Part I

2022•Naughty Dog
ActionStory-richEmotional

Joel and Ellie cross a dead world: the best example of games telling a story.

~3990 ₽ 15–25 h
Mark:
The Last of Us Part II Remastered 89
1

The Last of Us Part II Remastered

2024•Naughty Dog
ActionStory-richEmotional

Revenge that makes nobody happy: technically flawless and emotionally brutal.

~3990 ₽ 25–40 h
Mark:
Salt and Sanctuary 89
1–2

Salt and Sanctuary

2016•Ska Studios
RPGSouls-likeHard

A cursed island in 2D: a soulslike metroidvania with hand-drawn art and local co-op.

~1500 ₽ 17–32 h
Mark:
Don't Starve Together 88
1–6

Don't Starve Together

2016•Klei
SurvivalCo-op focusedCrafting

Tim Burton does survival: everyone starves in winter, burns in summer, and it is hilarious.

~700 ₽ 20+ h
Mark:
Frostpunk 88
1

Frostpunk

2018•11 bit studios
StrategyManagementDark

The last city on a frozen Earth: every law is a moral choice and children work the mines.

~1500 ₽ 12–40 h
Mark:
Barotrauma 88
1–16

Barotrauma

2023•FakeFish
SimulatorCo-op focusedHardcore sim

A submarine crew on Europa: a captain, an engineer and a monster in the hold.

~1500 ₽ 30–300 h
Mark:
Metroid Dread 88
1

Metroid Dread

2021•MercurySteam
MetroidvaniaSci-fiTense

Samus versus unkillable E.M.M.I. robots: Nintendo’s best action platforming.

~4990 ₽ 10–20 h
Mark: