Best VR Horror Games To Really Scare You

For some spooky Halloween or anytime horror fun

 Amanda BlainPosted:October 31, 2021
Updated: October 19, 2023

One of my favorite genres in VR is horror so I went looking for the best VR horror games 2023. (UPDATED)

What is VR Horror?

VR horror affects you differently. You are not simply watching a 2D movie on a screen on the other side of the room.

When you put a VR headset on your mind is tricked into thinking it is in a different space.  This can cause you to lean on a table that is not there for example.

When it comes to VR horror though, it completely WRAPS you in the experience. The horror is all around you. There is a type of sensory overload. It can be extremely intense. Those who love regular movie horror might find a completely different experience in VR horror games.

VR game developers have worked on many different ways to scare you with their games and experiences. I have been working on reviewing many VR horror games for months so let’s get to the list. Everyone will find different things scary so I’ve tried to include a few different types of spooky best VR horror games.

The Exorcist Legion VR

Full Review here –https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/the-exorcist-vr-legion-review/
Played on – Steam VR, Oculus Rift,  Oculus Quest 2, Playstation VR
Cost – $24.99 USD

What Is it?

The Exorcist Legion VR Is a survival horror VR Game that is based in The Exorcist movie universe. You play as a police offer who is investigating some spooky locations.

There are 5 different chapters and experiences to play through that are full of horror elements, jump scares, and mild puzzle-solving.

Why is it Scary?

The Exorcist Legion VR is definitely one of the scariest and best VR horror games. Because it has 5 different situations all with very different scary elements there are sure to be a few in here that will get under your skin.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score

5 Ghosts

Dreadhalls

Full Review here –https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/dreadhalls-review-is-it-scary/
Played on – Steam VR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest 2
Cost – $9.99 USD

What Is it?

DreadHalls is a survival horror VR game experience. You are trapped in a massive dungeon. You need to explore it, survive, and find a way to escape. There will be monsters and evil creatures everywhere.

Why is it Scary?

Dreadhalls is EXTREMELY scary. Even though this game is very old it has a way of getting to you. The developers did a great job of making interactions happen depending on where you are looking in VR. Motion sickness may be an issue for some but overall this game is VERY SCARY.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score 

5 Ghosts

Hello Puppets!

Full Review here –https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/hello-puppets-virtual-reality-game-review/
Played on – Steam VR, Oculus Rift
Cost – $19.99 USD

What Is it?

Hello Puppets! is a dark, mysterious, VR horror- comedy adventure game. Your hand turns into a living puppet named Scout and you will need to figure out the mystery of Mortimer’s Handeemen.

Why is it Scary?

Hello Puppets! entire premise is extremely creepy! You are exploring an abandoned, strange, puppet-filled kids TV show that is anything but a kids TV show. Very quickly you learn horrible, sinister, and evil things are going on. Not to mention your hand gets replaced by a puppet that brings some really neat experiences to VR.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score 

5 Ghosts

The 7th Guest VR

Full Review here –https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/the-7th-guest-vr-review-classic-adventure-game-remade-for-spooky-fun/
Played on – Steam VR, Playstation VR, Oculus Quest 2
Cost – $29.99 USD

What Is it?

The 7th Guest VR is a completely remade version of the classic game that scared you in the 90s. Six guests have been welcomed to the foreboding mansion. But something sinister is at play. The wealthy recluse and toymaker, Henry Stauf, hides in the shadows, and there is a dark power here, shrouded in mysteries. Who is the 7th Guest? What does Henry want with them? And who will live to tell the tale?

Why is it Scary?

The original 7th Guest was a push into the horror genre in adventure games with murder mystery-level topics and this remake follows in its footsteps. Stauf will frequently taunt you as you solve the puzzles and everything is very dark and spooky in nature.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score 

5 Ghosts

Wraith The Oblivion Afterlife

Full Review here –https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/wraith-oblivion-vr-review-afterlife/
Played on – Steam VR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest 2
Cost – $27.00 USD

What Is it?

Wraith Oblivion is a Horror Adventure game for VR, heavy on horror. You died in a mysterious séance and have become a Wraith. You have to piece together the pieces of the mystery, figure out what has happened at the spooky Barclay mansion, and most importantly, how to escape.

Why is it Scary?

Wraith the Oblivion Afterlife has some very scary jump scares. The entire story is strange and mysterious. You are frequently chased by horrible beings. It can be slow in parts and has a few stealth game issues but it still is a great VR horror game.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score 

5 Ghosts

Paranormal Activity – The Lost Soul

Full Review here – https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/paranormal-activity-vr-review-the-lost-soul/
Played on – Oculus Quest 2, Steam VR, Oculus Rift, Playstation VR, Viveport
Cost – $29.99 USD

What Is it?

Paranormal Activity VR is a survival horror game. You are exploring an average-looking home that turns out to be anything but that. Unravel the horrifying mystery of what happened in this house and survive.

Why is it Scary?

Paranormal Activity The Lost Soul is based on the horror movie franchise Paranormal Activity. This horror game has non-stop jump scares, evil graphic moments, and tense feelings aplenty.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score 

5 Ghosts

Face Your Fears 2

Full Review here – https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/face-your-fears-2-review/
Played on – Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest 2
Cost – $29.99 USD

What Is it?

Face Your Fears 2 is a survival horror game. You are presented with two scenarios that focus on the mysterious Harvest House and Harvest Familly.

Why is it Scary?

Face Your Fears 2 plays off the success of their first VR horror game – Face Your Fears. There are some really great jump scares, and scary scenes. There are some frustrations in the 2nd part but a great addition to any horror VR enthusiast collection.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score 

4 Ghosts

Phasmophobia

Full Review here –  https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/phasmophobia-review/
Played on – Steam VR
Cost – $13.00 USD

What Is it?

Phasmophobia is a 4 player online co-op investigative horror game. You and your team will enter haunted locations with various ghost hunting equipment. As you use the items you will narrow down which type of ghost is haunting the location.

This game can be played in both VR and non-VR on a regular gaming PC.

Why is it Scary?

Phasmophobia has lots of extremely tense situations due to its procedurally generated ghost hunting experiences. It is an extremely popular horror video game for a reason. The developers continue to add new updates including one this month. VR (if it works for you) brings Phasmophobia to another level of scary and sets it firmly as a great choice for one of the best VR horror games.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score

5 Ghosts

SURV1V3

Full Review here – https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/surv1v3-review/
Played on – Steam VR
Cost – $24.99 USD

What Is it?

Surv1v3 is an extremely realistic 4 person co-op zombie survival FPS. The game focuses heavily on realism and immersion to make you truly see how you would handle being in a zombie apocalypse.

Fire, run, hide, lockpick, pretend to be a zombie, be smart, plan your moves and coordinate with your teammates!

Why is it Scary?

Surv1v3 takes typical FPS and zombie games and kicks it up many notches. Extremely realistic guns make reloading hard and survival difficult…. especially when there are a bunch of them swarming you. It gets very intense when your screen is turning red as zombie hordes attack from all angles.  This is not a survival horror or adventure game. There are no puzzles to solve. This is not a very jump scare-fille game but that doesn’t mean it isn’t scary.

❌ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score 

4 Ghosts

VR Chat

Full Review here – https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/what-is-vrchat-8-getting-started-in-vrchat-tips/
Played on – Steam VR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest 2
Cost – FREE

What Is it?

VRChat is not like a normal video game. VRChat is a game of virtual worlds where you socialize with other real people using avatars and your voice. You can do some pretty amazing stuff in VRChat, all for free. Although VRChat may not come to mind for the best VR horror games… there are definitely some must-check out VR horror games inside.

Why is it Scary?

There are QUITE a few full-length horror games to play in VRChat as well as many spooky experiences all for free! Some of my favorite and best horror worlds in VRCHAT are listed here. Some will work on Oculus Quest 2 even. Click the links or search for their name in game –

• Nightmare Town Christmas – vrchat://launch?id=wrld_efe1b44c-cdab-47fa-8153-b866b2338354:8863~public – A complete walk able world of the Nightmare Before Christmas movie in VR including many spooky surprises!
• Haunted Asylum – vrchat://launch?id=wrld_bd5fd91c-8369-438f-85d2-37ee593a5c36:2557~public – A very spooky flashlight filled haunted escape room.
• The Devouring – vrchat://launch?id=wrld_47237d61-4fd9-4066-bf91-41c482a67f0a:1475~public – A 6 hour long jumpscare free horror experience that has you solving lots of puzzles
• WDKS Horror Experience – vrchat://launch?id=wrld_cf5a728d-00df-428d-9424-64900200643d:4110~public – 4 different horror trail experiences that is many hours in length
• The Snooze’s Scary Maze – vrchat://launch?id=wrld_953eff93-20c9-457b-8ef0-1ac2130d5b8a:1317~public – Spooky jump scare filled maze to escape
• Lost Teddies Horror – vrchat://launch?id=wrld_73a08ca9-0b3f-4761-99e4-d40ac64f1f51:8053~public – Find all the teddy bears with something… chasing you

Total Score 

5 Ghosts

Resident Evil 7 (and 4)

Full Review here – https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/resident-evil-7/ and https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/resident-evil-4-vr-review-worth-it/
Played on – Steam VR, Oculus Rift, Playstation VR, and Oculus Quest 2
Cost – $29.99 USD

What Is it?

Fear and isolation seep through the walls of an abandoned southern farmhouse. Can you survive the Baker Family in Resident Evil 7.

Resident Evil 4 is the most popular in the entire franchise. Can you rescue the U.S. president’s daughter from a spooky and strange cult?

Why is it Scary?

Resident Evil is the franchise that started “survival horror”. If you are looking to take the horror up a notch Resident Evil in VR will take you there.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score 

5 Ghosts

Forewarned

Full Review here –  In progress
Played on – Steam VR
Cost – $29.99 USD

What is it?

FOREWARNED is a 1-4 player co-op survival horror. Gear up and delve deep into ancient Egyptian ruins with your team of fellow archaeologists. Investigate the phenomena around you, collect treasure, discover lore, and survive the evil that lurks within.

Why is it Scary?

Forwarned takes the game PHASMOPHOBIA and kicks it up a few notches. Instead of hunting ghosts in suburbia, you are exploring cursed and haunted Egyptian Tombs. If you like that type of horror game Forewarned should definitely be on your spooky VR horror game list.

✔️ Jump Scares
✔️ Gore, Violence, Blood
✔️ Tense Gameplay
✔️ Detailed Scary Story
✔️ Horror Graphics

Total Score 

5 Ghosts

A Few Extra FREE VR Horror Games and Experiences

If none of those float your fancy I am including a few extras that might…. they are all free!

Face Your Fears

Full Review here – https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/face-your-fears-vr-review/
Played on – Oculus Rift
Cost – FREE

What Is it?

Face Your Fears 1 VR is a short horror VR experience that asks you to… Face your fears. You are placed in 4 different fear-inducing environments. How well will you hold up?

Night of the Living Dead VR

Full Review here – https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/night-of-the-living-dead-vr-review-zombie-fun-from-the-film/
Played on – Steam VR, Oculus Rift
Cost – FREE

What Is it?

You find yourself trapped inside an old farmhouse, surrounded by the undead clamoring to get in. Your only defense is to board up the windows and doors and shoot as many as you can. With the zombie invasion intensifying, you might not make it out alive!

ABE VR

Full Review here – https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/abe-vr-a-short-vr-film-about-a-psycho-robot/
Played on – Steam VR, Oculus Rift
Cost – FREE

What Is it?

ABE VR is an intense experience that recreates the horrifying story about a misguided robot seeking the unconditional love of humans…at whatever cost.

The Raven VR

Full Review here – https://www.worldofgeekstuff.com/the-raven-vr-review/
Played on – Oculus Rift
Cost – FREE

What Is it?

The Raven VR is an audio visual experience for Oculus Rift based on Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” with Art by Thomas Pasieka, Code by Eric Liga, Music by Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and read by Barry Carl.

Final Thoughts on the Best VR Horror Games and Experiences

There you have it! Here are some of the best VR horror games you can experience in VR today.

VR Horror is going to be different for everyone but overall a mix of jump scares, story and other spooky elements can make you really scream out loud in fright. Is there one we missed? Are you working on a VR horror game? Let us know!