We took some time to piece together this collection of top Horror Games where you are the monster!
If you love horror games, you know there’s no shortage of terrifying experiences that leave you feeling helpless and afraid. From indie nightmares to AAA productions with creatures that haunt your dreams, developers have mastered the art of making players feel vulnerable. There’s a certain thrill in surviving these ordeals, but sometimes, you crave a change of pace. Instead of being the hunted, what if you could be the hunter?
Given how frequently protagonists in horror media meet grisly ends, it makes sense that fans are drawn to the most consistent characters in horror franchises—the villains. Think about it: when you hear Friday the 13th, Jason Voorhees is the first name that comes to mind, not his unfortunate victims.
Enter reverse horror games, a niche but exhilarating genre that puts you in the shoes of the monster itself. Rather than fearing discovery, you stalk your prey, revealing in the power of being the nightmare instead of the one running from it. Whether it’s rampaging as an unrelenting bio-weapon, hunting down helpless survivors, or embracing the bloodlust of a vampire, these games flip the traditional horror narrative and let you become the terror.
Here’s a list of the best horror games where you are the monster, allowing you to experience horror from the other side.
1. Bloodborne
Metacritic Score: 92
Platforms: PS4
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Developer: FromSoftware
While Bloodborne initially casts you as a hunter, the deeper you go, the more you realize—you might be the true monster. With terrifying Lovecraftian horrors and the potential for your own transformation, this is one of the most atmospheric horror experiences ever created.
2. Prototype Series
Metacritic Score: 79 (Prototype), 75 (Prototype 2)
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: June 9, 2009 (Prototype), April 24, 2012 (Prototype 2)
Developer: Radical Entertainment
Ever wanted to unleash devastation as a shape-shifting bio-weapon? In Prototype, you play as Alex Mercer (and later, James Heller), a powerful entity that can mutate into deadly weapons. With the ability to consume people and absorb their memories, Prototype lets you become the ultimate predator in an open-world New York City.
3. The Darkness
Metacritic Score: 82
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: June 25, 2007
Developer: Starbreeze Studios
In The Darkness, you play as Jackie Estacado, a mobster cursed with a demonic force known as “The Darkness.” With terrifying shadow creatures at your command, you wreak havoc on your enemies in this eerie, story-driven FPS.
4. Carrion
Metacritic Score: 77
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: July 23, 2020
Developer: Phobia Game Studio
A true ‘reverse horror’ experience, Carrion puts you in control of a grotesque, amorphous creature escaping from a lab. Instead of running from the monster, you are the monster, hunting down terrified scientists and soldiers as you grow stronger. A must-play for fans of chaotic destruction.
5. Maneater
Metacritic Score: 72
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: May 22, 2020
Developer: Tripwire Interactive
Ever wanted to become a shark and terrorize beachgoers? Maneater lets you play as a bloodthirsty predator, evolving as you consume prey and humans alike. It’s part RPG, part feeding frenzy, and all fun.
6. Vampyr
Metacritic Score: 72
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
Vampyr puts you in the role of Dr. Jonathan Reid, a newly turned vampire struggling between his oath to heal the sick and his growing thirst for blood. Your moral choices shape the story, but to survive, you’ll have to feed on the living.
7. Alien vs. Predator (1999)
Metacritic Score: 85
Platforms: PC
Release Date: April 30, 1999
Developer: Rebellion Developments
This cult classic lets you play as a Xenomorph, a Predator, or a Marine. As the Xenomorph, you stalk and kill humans with terrifying speed and agility, proving why these creatures are feared across the universe.
8. The Suffering
Metacritic Score: 80
Platforms: PS2, Xbox, PC
Release Date: March 8, 2004
Developer: Surreal Software
In The Suffering, you play as Torque, a man on death row with the ability to transform into a monstrous entity. As you battle supernatural horrors inside a haunted prison, you must decide whether to embrace your monstrous side.
9. Manhunt
Metacritic Score: 76
Platforms: PS2, Xbox, PC
Release Date: November 18, 2003
Developer: Rockstar North
A controversial classic, Manhunt puts you in the shoes of James Earl Cash, a man forced into a brutal snuff film where survival means becoming the monster. Using stealth and execution kills, this game makes you question how far you’re willing to go.
10. Scorn
Metacritic Score: 71
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: October 14, 2022
Developer: Ebb Software
A grotesque, atmospheric horror game inspired by H.R. Giger, Scorn drops you into a nightmarish world where you embody a strange humanoid creature. With disturbing environments and cryptic storytelling, this game feels like a living nightmare.
11. Dead by Daylight
Metacritic Score: 71
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: June 14, 2016
Developer: Behaviour Interactive
A massively popular asymmetric multiplayer horror game where you can play as various iconic killers, including original creations and famous horror villains like Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and Ghostface. As the killer, you hunt down survivors in terrifying cat-and-mouse gameplay.
12. Left 4 Dead Series – Versus Mode
Metacritic Score: 89 (Left 4 Dead), 89 (Left 4 Dead 2)
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360
Release Dates: November 17, 2008 (Left 4 Dead), November 17, 2009 (Left 4 Dead 2)
Developer: Valve
While the main campaign focuses on survivors, Left 4 Dead’s Versus Mode allows players to control Special Infected such as the Tank, Hunter, and Smoker. Coordinating with your team to take down human players creates an intense and strategic experience, making it one of the best multiplayer horror experiences.
13. Resident Evil: Village – The Winters’ Expansion
Metacritic Score: 77
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Capcom
In The Winters’ Expansion DLC for Resident Evil: Village, players can step into the shoes of Lady Dimitrescu or Heisenberg in Mercenaries Additional Orders mode. This allows for a monstrous power fantasy as you unleash their devastating abilities on hordes of enemies.
Final Thoughts
The games on this list of our Top Horror Games where you are the monster offer a fascinating twist on the horror genre, shifting the perspective from that of a terrified survivor to an all-powerful monster. Each title presents a different kind of experience, whether it’s Carrion’s chaotic rampage, Maneater’s primal oceanic terror, or Prototype’s open-world devastation.
Some of these games, like Vampyr and The Darkness, explore moral dilemmas alongside their monstrous power, forcing players to consider the consequences of their actions. Others, such as Manhunt and The Suffering, blur the line between villain and victim, making players question whether they are truly the monster or simply a product of their circumstances. Meanwhile, Bloodborne and Scorn dive deep into grotesque, otherworldly horror that immerses players in eerie, nightmarish landscapes.
Ultimately, the appeal of playing as the monster lies in its ability to flip horror on its head. Instead of hiding in fear, you instill it. These games offer unique and memorable experiences that showcase the raw power and terror of being the predator rather than the prey. If you’re looking for a horror game that lets you break free from the typical survivor role, these titles are an excellent place to start.
If you loved this list, check out our post on the best horror games that use your mic creatively!
