The technology required to make video games is finally widespread and easily accessible enough that game development is no longer monopolized by the same handful of companies, and online distribution has made it easier than ever for anyone to self-publish their virtual passion projects. That’s why I think it’s safe to say that we’re living in a golden age for independent video games.
Of course, this industry boom has its downsides, especially when no gamer can be expected to keep up with the constant deluge of new interactive experiences released every single day. The horror genre is no different in this regard, and quite a few scary titles from 2025 had the rotten luck of being overshadowed by titles that benefited from a bigger marketing budget. With that in mind, this list highlights six of the best indie horror games that you might have missed this year! After all, there are plenty of chilling releases from 2025 that deserve a second chance at finding their audience – and more horror gaming is never a bad thing.
For the purposes of this list, we’ll only be considering fully released independent productions (that means no demos or early access titles!), but don’t forget to comment below with your own favorite horror experiences from 2025 if you think we missed a particularly underrated game.
With that out of the way, onto the list!
6. BrokenLore: Don’t Watch
Some narratives are uniquely suited for a particular medium, and what better way to tell a story about a struggling hikikomori (a pathological shut-in) than by literally placing you in his shoes as he’s forced to confront the horrors lurking in his own mind while also dealing with the isolation of his claustrophobic apartment?
Taking cues from classics like Silent Hill 4: The Room and even P.T., Don’t Watch is a terrifying J-Horror experience with a meta-twist. You see, our protagonist’s only link to the outside world is his trusty computer, but even this small glimmer of digital hope slowly becomes a source of nightmares once the games and programs inside the device are corrupted by sinister forces.
5. Riddlewood Manor
I grew up playing scary point-and-click adventure games like Exmortis and Crimson Room, so Peanut Button’s promise of a modern-day equivalent to those titles in Riddlewood Manor came as something of an unexpected treat. A spooky puzzle game where you explore a stylish haunted mansion that’s hell-bent on killing the player, this escape room simulator is one of the most charming titles on this list.
That being said, don’t let the Riddlewood’s cutesy cartoon graphics fool you, as there are some legitimately chilling frights to be had here – though these serious moments are usually diffused by over-the-top humor and Looney Tunes-inspired antics.
4. The Séance of Blake Manor
A more serious alternative to Riddlewood Manor, Spooky Doorway’s The Séance of Blake Manor combines the whodunnit thrills of an Agatha Christie novel with classic ghost stories. A narrative-driven puzzler, this game puts you in the shoes of a detective tasked with finding out the truth behind a mysterious disappearance in an Irish hotel rumored to have ties to the occult.
Not only does this incredibly stylish adventure feel like a Mike Mignola comic come to life, but the more free form approach to puzzle-solving and social investigation makes it an incredibly immersive experience. However, the game is also constantly reminding you of an ever-encroaching time limit as the titular séance looms on the horizon, with that added pressure making this one of the most nerve-wracking titles on this list.
3. Look Outside
I’m a huge fan of urban horror, so I obviously had great expectations for Francise Coulombe’s retro survival horror RPG Look Outside. Taking place entirely within a dilapidated apartment building after an apocalyptic event turned everyone who looked out the window into supernatural monstrosities, this ambitious title makes the most of its claustrophobic setting by turning exploration into a nightmarish dungeon crawl.
While the game looks pretty simple at first glance, I’m still blown away by how much quality Coulombe managed to cram into a humble little RPGmaker project. From the eerie visuals to the memorable music and sound effects (not to mention some genuinely creepy writing), there are countless reasons why Look Outside should be on your radar.
2. PAGER
Absurdist corporate satire isn’t a common subject in the world of video games, so Bilge’s minimalist horror comedy came as something of a surprise when it was released back in August. A first-person job simulator where you follow increasingly over-the-top instructions from a pager, this criminally underplayed ’90s period piece will feel even scarier if you have personal experience with the toxic expectations endemic to corporate workspaces.
Of course, it’s the retro aesthetics that make PAGER such an effective title, with the dithered monochromatic graphics enhancing the capitalist despair while further immersing you in the 90s atmosphere.
1. A.I.L.A.
Artificial Intelligence has become something of a contentious topic in recent years, so it’s only natural that developers are now tackling this ongoing issue in increasingly disturbing ways. And among the recent wave of AI-focused genre experiences, the Brazilian-developed A.I.L.A. happens to be one of the most interesting.
A first-person survival horror experience inspired by the likes of Resident Evil and Silent Hill, A.I.L.A. has you play as a videogame tester in a dystopian future that was hired to evaluate an AI tool meant to revolutionize the gaming industry. Naturally, things take a turn for the worse when the AI’s simulations (which are all inspired by classic horror games) begin to erase the boundaries between programming and real life.
A smorgasbord of familiar horror tropes served with a refreshingly meta twist, I’d recommend A.I.L.A. to any fan of classic horror gaming featuring mind-bending storytelling!
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