10 Easy-to-Play Entry-Level Horror Games for Newcomers

If you’re curious about horror games but aren’t sure where to start, you’re in luck! Horror games can be intense and thrilling, but some are perfect for beginners, offering chills without overwhelming gameplay mechanics. Here are 10 entry-level horror games that are easy to get into but still pack a spooky punch.

1. Little Nightmares (Single Player)

• Developer: Tarsier Studios
• Release Year: 2017
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Stadia
• Multiplayer: No

This atmospheric puzzle-platformer introduces players to a dark and eerie world. Guide a small character through haunting environments filled with creepy creatures. Little Nightmares is simple to control but delivers spine-tingling moments and tense puzzles that aren’t too overwhelming.

2. Dead by Daylight (Multiplayer)

• Developer: Behaviour Interactive
• Release Year: 2016
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Stadia
• Multiplayer: Yes, 4v1 multiplayer

Dead by Daylight is an asymmetrical multiplayer game where one player takes on the role of a killer, while the other four try to escape. It’s easy to pick up but offers endless fun as you try to outwit your opponents or stalk your prey. Perfect for beginners who want to jump into horror with friends.

3. Phasmophobia (Multiplayer)

• Developer: Kinetic Games
• Release Year: 2020 (Early Access)
• Platforms: PC (VR supported)
• Multiplayer: Yes, 4-player co-op

In Phasmophobia, you and up to three other players investigate haunted locations to identify the type of ghost lurking there. With easy controls and cooperative gameplay, it’s a great entry-level horror experience, perfect for those who enjoy working as a team to survive the paranormal.

4. Among the Sleep (Single Player)

• Developer: Krillbite Studio
• Release Year: 2014
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Multiplayer: No

In Among the Sleep, you play as a toddler navigating nightmarish surroundings. The game is easy to control, with a focus on exploration rather than combat. It’s a great introduction to horror through a unique and unsettling perspective.

5. Slender: The Eight Pages (Single Player)

• Developer: Parsec Productions
• Release Year: 2012
• Platforms: PC
• Multiplayer: No

A cult classic in the horror genre, Slender: The Eight Pages is a short and straightforward experience. You’re tasked with collecting eight pages scattered in a forest while avoiding the terrifying Slenderman. It’s a quick scare that’s easy for any beginner to pick up.

6. Five Nights at Freddy’s (Single Player)

• Developer: Scott Cawthon
• Release Year: 2014
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
• Multiplayer: No

This wildly popular series places you as a night security guard in a haunted pizzeria. You must survive five nights by monitoring cameras and conserving power. Five Nights at Freddy’s is easy to pick up, with simple point-and-click mechanics, but its jump scares are legendary.

7. Friday the 13th: The Game (Multiplayer)

• Developer: IllFonic
• Release Year: 2017
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Multiplayer: Yes, 1v7 multiplayer

Friday the 13th: The Game pits one player as the infamous Jason Voorhees against a group of camp counselors trying to survive the night. The mechanics are simple, but the suspense of hiding or hunting with friends makes it a great choice for those new to horror gaming.

Layers of Fear (Single Player)

• Developer: Bloober Team
• Release Year: 2016
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Multiplayer: No

This first-person psychological horror game immerses you in the mind of a painter slowly descending into madness. Layers of Fear focuses on exploration and narrative rather than combat or complex mechanics, making it easy to dive into for new players.

Deceit (Multiplayer)

• Developer: Baseline Games
• Release Year: 2017
• Platforms: PC
• Multiplayer: Yes, 6-player multiplayer

Deceit is a first-person multiplayer game where some players are infected with a virus and must deceive others while survivors try to escape. The social deduction aspect makes it a fun and accessible horror game, perfect for beginners who enjoy multiplayer mind games.

(Multiplayer/Single Player)

• Developer: Supermassive Games
• Release Year: 2019
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Multiplayer: Yes, co-op multiplayer and single player

Man of Medan is part of the Dark Pictures Anthology and can be played solo or with friends in multiplayer mode. The game offers simple controls and interactive storytelling where your choices shape the narrative, making it a great introduction to horror for those who prefer shared experiences.

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the horror genre or looking for something a bit less intense, these games are perfect for beginners. They offer a good balance of eerie atmospheres, simple mechanics, and plenty of spooks without being too difficult to handle. Happy gaming!

What was the first horror game you ever played, and how did it shape your experience with the genre? Are there any entry-level horror games you’d recommend to beginners? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! We’d love to hear about your favorite horror moments!