If you love horror games but also want the power to fight back, then you’re in the right place. This list highlights the best horror games to play with guns, featuring terrifying enemies, intense gunplay, and chilling atmospheres. Whether you prefer zombies, aliens, or supernatural horrors, there’s something here to keep your trigger finger ready!
1. Resident Evil 4 (Remake & Original)
Metacritic Score: 93 (Remake), 96 (Original)
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: March 24, 2023 (Remake) / January 11, 2005 (Original)
Developer: Capcom
The legendary survival horror classic returns with a modernized remake, offering stunning visuals and improved gameplay while keeping the intense third-person gunplay intact. Playing as Leon S. Kennedy, you’re tasked with rescuing the President’s daughter from a sinister cult deep in a rural Spanish village.
With scarce ammo, strategic combat, and nerve-wracking encounters with grotesque monsters, Resident Evil 4 delivers pure horror-action perfection. The over-the-shoulder shooting and satisfying gun upgrades make every headshot feel rewarding, but don’t get too comfortable—the infected villagers and monstrous bosses never stop coming.
2. Dead Space (Remake & Original)
Metacritic Score: 89 (Remake), 86 (Original)
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S (Remake), PS3, Xbox 360 (Original)
Release Date: January 27, 2023 (Remake) / October 14, 2008 (Original)
Developer: Motive Studios (Remake), EA Redwood Shores (Original)
One of the scariest sci-fi horror games ever made, Dead Space puts you in the boots of Isaac Clarke, a lone engineer trapped on a derelict spaceship overrun by Necromorphs—horrific creatures that require strategic dismemberment to kill.
The remake takes the atmospheric horror and tight gunplay of the original and cranks it up to ultra-high definition terror. With weapons like the Plasma Cutter and Pulse Rifle, you can slice through enemies in the most gruesome ways. If you love sci-fi horror with brutal gunfights, this is a must-play.
3. Resident Evil 2 (Remake)
Metacritic Score: 91
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: January 25, 2019
Developer: Capcom
This remake of the 1998 classic is survival horror at its finest, offering a tense balance of limited ammo, terrifying zombies, and masterful level design. Playing as Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, you’ll navigate Raccoon City’s zombie-infested police station, scavenging for weapons and managing every bullet like your life depends on it—because it does.
The gunplay is satisfying and precise, but ammo is scarce, forcing players to strategically decide when to fight or flee. And don’t forget Mr. X, the relentless stalker who turns every encounter into a heart-pounding escape mission.
4. F.E.A.R.
Metacritic Score: 88
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Release Date: October 18, 2005
Developer: Monolith Productions
F.E.A.R. combines military shooter action with psychological horror, creating a unique blend of slow-motion gunplay and supernatural terror. You play as a special forces operative investigating a paranormal threat, but you’re constantly haunted by Alma, a terrifying ghost girl who disrupts reality itself.
The game’s bullet-time combat makes for some of the most stylish and intense firefights in horror gaming, but don’t let the firepower fool you—F.E.A.R. still delivers plenty of chilling, nightmarish moments.
5. Metro Exodus
Metacritic Score: 82
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: February 15, 2019
Developer: 4A Games
Metro Exodus takes you out of the tunnels of Moscow and into a post-apocalyptic Russian wasteland, filled with mutants, bandits, and terrifying supernatural horrors.
The survival mechanics make every bullet count, and you’ll need to craft, upgrade, and manage your weapons carefully. Stealth is often your best friend, but when things go south, the gunfights are brutal and realistic—whether you’re facing off against mutant horrors or desperate survivors.
6. The Evil Within 2
Metacritic Score: 82
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: October 13, 2017
Developer: Tango Gameworks
From the creator of Resident Evil, The Evil Within 2 delivers psychological horror mixed with intense third-person shooting. You play as Sebastian Castellanos, a detective navigating a nightmarish world filled with grotesque monsters and disturbing environments.
You can go in guns blazing or take a more stealthy, strategic approach, but either way, the tension never lets up.
7. Dying Light 2
Metacritic Score: 77
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch (Cloud)
Release Date: February 4, 2022
Developer: Techland
A zombie survival game that blends first-person parkour, melee combat, and firearms, Dying Light 2 offers intense encounters with both the undead and human enemies. The day-night cycle adds dynamic horror, with zombies becoming far more aggressive and terrifying at night.
Guns are limited, but when you do get one, it’s a game-changer—and you’ll need every bullet when facing the incredibly fast and deadly Volatiles.
8. Left 4 Dead 2
Metacritic Score: 89
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360
Release Date: November 17, 2009
Developer: Valve
One of the best co-op horror shooters ever, Left 4 Dead 2 throws relentless zombie hordes at you, forcing you and your teammates to fight for survival with an arsenal of weapons.
The game’s AI Director ensures no two playthroughs are the same, making each campaign unpredictable and thrilling.
9. The Callisto Protocol
Metacritic Score: 69
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: December 2, 2022
Developer: Striking Distance Studios
If you’re a fan of Dead Space, The Callisto Protocol delivers brutal, claustrophobic horror in a high-security prison overrun by mutated creatures.
The game features visceral melee and ranged combat, forcing you to conserve ammo while using shotguns, handguns, and a gravity gun to obliterate grotesque enemies in close quarters. With cinematic horror and gruesome deaths, this game keeps the terror levels high.
10. Doom 3
Metacritic Score: 87
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, VR
Release Date: August 3, 2004
Developer: id Software
While most Doom games focus on fast-paced action, Doom 3 shifts gears into dark survival horror. Trapped on a Martian research facility overrun by demons, you’ll need to rely on shotguns, plasma rifles, and machine guns to survive.
With eerie lighting, terrifying sound design, and a constant sense of dread, Doom 3 delivers a more atmospheric, slower-paced horror experience compared to the franchise’s usual chaos.
11. Darkwood
Metacritic Score: 80
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: August 17, 2017
Developer: Acid Wizard Studio
Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game that blends psychological terror with strategic gunplay. You scavenge for resources, craft weapons, and fortify your shelter while nightmarish creatures lurk in the shadows.
Guns are scarce but powerful, and every bullet matters. The game’s unsettling, mysterious world and permadeath mechanics make every encounter intensely nerve-wracking.
12. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Metacritic Score: 82
Platforms: PC
Release Date: March 20, 2007
Developer: GSC Game World
A blend of survival horror, first-person shooting, and RPG mechanics, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl drops you into the radiation-ravaged Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, filled with mutants, hostile factions, and supernatural anomalies.
With realistic gun mechanics, terrifying mutated creatures, and dynamic AI, this game delivers an unforgiving horror experience where every firefight feels tense and unpredictable.
13. Hunt: Showdown
Metacritic Score: 81
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Developer: Crytek
Steam Link: Hunt: Showdown
A multiplayer horror shooter, Hunt: Showdown puts players in the boots of bounty hunters tracking down supernatural creatures in the 19th century.
With PvP and PvE elements, you’ll face both horrifying monsters and rival players, making every mission a brutal fight for survival. The game’s slow, tactical gunplay adds to the high-stakes tension, making it one of the most unique horror FPS games around.
Conclusion: Lock, Load, and Survive the Nightmare
We hope you enjoyed our list of the Best Horror Games to Play with Guns!
Horror games usually make you feel powerless, forcing you to hide, run, and pray you’re not the next victim. But sometimes, developers give us a fighting chance—an arsenal of weapons to stand our ground against the horrors lurking in the shadows. That’s exactly what makes these best horror games to play with guns so thrilling. They blend the sheer terror of survival horror with the adrenaline-pumping action of intense gunplay.
Each game on this list brings something unique to the table:
- If you love classic survival horror, Resident Evil 4 (Remake & Original) and Resident Evil 2 (Remake) deliver tight, strategic gunplay with limited resources, keeping the tension high.
- For those who prefer sci-fi horror, Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol put you in deep-space nightmares, where dismembering monsters is your only hope of survival.
- If you want tactical shooting mixed with supernatural horror, F.E.A.R. and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl balance intense gunfights with eerie, psychological horror elements.
- Looking for multiplayer horror? Left 4 Dead 2 and Hunt: Showdown bring co-op and competitive survival horror to the mix, forcing you to rely on teamwork while facing relentless enemies.
- Fans of post-apocalyptic horror will find Metro Exodus and Dying Light 2 offer open-world survival, making every bullet count.
What Makes a Horror Shooter Great?
A great horror game with guns isn’t just about giving players a massive arsenal and letting them mow down enemies. Instead, the best ones find a balance—they give you enough firepower to fight back, but not so much that you feel completely safe.
- Resource Management: Games like Resident Evil and Metro Exodus force players to conserve bullets, making every shot count.
- Atmosphere & Tension: F.E.A.R. and Darkwood use psychological horror to make gunfights even more stressful.
- Enemy Design: Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol introduce enemies that don’t just die from simple headshots—you have to strategize and aim carefully.
- Unpredictability: Hunt: Showdown and Left 4 Dead 2 use AI-driven encounters, keeping each playthrough fresh and terrifying.
Final Thoughts: Horror with Firepower
Whether you’re strategically managing scarce bullets, running from overwhelming hordes, or battling terrifying supernatural forces, these games prove that horror is even more intense when you have to fight back.
So, which one will you play first? Will you dismember Necromorphs in Dead Space, fend off an undead army in Left 4 Dead 2, or face the psychological terror of F.E.A.R.? Whatever you choose, one thing’s for sure—you’ll need every bullet, every ounce of courage, and maybe even a spare pair of pants.
Got a favorite horror shooter that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments! And if you’re brave enough, turn off the lights, put on some headphones, and dive into these nightmares—locked, loaded, and ready to survive.
🔫💀🔥 Stay scared. Stay armed. Stay alive. 🎮👻
