The PS5 has become a fantastic platform for indie horror games, offering visually stunning and deeply unsettling experiences. These games often rely on atmosphere, psychological tension, and creative storytelling rather than big budgets. Below are some of the best indie horror games available on PS5, each delivering unique scares and unforgettable moments.
1. Signalis (2022)
Developer: rose-engine
Why It’s Great: Signalis is a love letter to classic survival horror, blending Silent Hill’s psychological dread with Resident Evil’s inventory management and puzzles. The game uses retro-style pixel art and a haunting synth soundtrack to create an oppressive, dreamlike atmosphere.
Gameplay & Story:
You play as Elster, a Replika (android) searching for her lost partner on a derelict spaceship overrun by grotesque biomechanical horrors. The game features fixed camera angles, limited resources, and cryptic puzzles that require careful note-taking.
Scare Factor:
- Psychological horror with surreal, shifting environments.
- Body horror enemies that twitch and mutate unnaturally.
- A mysterious narrative filled with existential dread.
Why Play It? If you miss the golden age of survival horror, Signalis is a must-play.
2. Tormented Souls (2021)
Developer: Dual Effect / Abstract Digital
Why It’s Great: This game is a direct homage to Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark, with fixed camera angles, tank controls (optional), and a creepy mansion setting.
Gameplay & Story:
You control Caroline Walker, who wakes up in a haunted hospital-turned-mansion after investigating a missing twins case. The game features brutal puzzles, limited saves, and grotesque monsters.
Scare Factor:
- Gory, disturbing imagery reminiscent of Silent Hill.
- Tension from limited ammo and health items.
- Dark, moody environments with flickering lights and eerie sounds.
Why Play It? Perfect for fans of ’90s survival horror who want a modern take.
3. The Mortuary Assistant (2022)
Developer: DarkStone Digital
Why It’s Great: This first-person horror game simulates working in a mortuary while supernatural forces torment you. It’s immersive, unpredictable, and deeply unsettling.
Gameplay & Story:
You play as Rebecca Owens, a mortician working the night shift, embalming corpses while a demon tries to possess you. The game uses procedural scares, meaning each playthrough has different events.
Scare Factor:
- Jump scares that feel earned, not cheap.
- Slow-building dread as the demon’s presence grows.
- Multiple endings based on your choices.
Why Play It? If you love slow-burn horror with unpredictable scares, this is a must.
4. MADiSON (2022)
Developer: Bloodious Games
Why It’s Great: A first-person psychological horror game with a disturbing story and intense atmosphere.
Gameplay & Story:
You play as Luca, who wakes up covered in blood, realizing a demon named MADiSON is forcing him to complete a gruesome ritual. The game features a haunting Polaroid camera mechanic—some puzzles require taking photos of the supernatural.
Scare Factor:
- Brutal, shocking moments that stick with you.
- Unnerving sound design (whispers, distant screams).
- Dark, claustrophobic environments.
Why Play It? If you enjoyed PT or Visage, this is a must-play.
5. Dredge (2023)
Developer: Black Salt Games
Why It’s Great: A unique blend of fishing simulator and Lovecraftian horror.
Gameplay & Story:
You play as a fisherman in a cursed archipelago, where the waters hide monstrous creatures. By day, you fish and upgrade your boat; by night, eldritch horrors emerge.
Scare Factor:
- Subtle, creeping horror rather than jump scares.
- Sanity mechanics where the world distorts.
- Mysterious, eerie storytelling.
Why Play It? A relaxing yet deeply unsettling experience.
