Games Like Layers of Fear (2016)

Visage is a first-person psychological horror game. Explore a mysterious ever-changing house in a slow-paced, atmospheric world that combines both uncannily comforting and horrifyingly realistic environments, and enjoy a genuinely terrifying experience.

Why similar: Horror 69.8%, Psychological Horror 13.8%, Walking Simulator 3.4%, First-Person 2.3%, Dark 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: If you loved exploring a haunted house where the environment itself becomes hostile and disorienting, Visage is one of the closest modern matches.

A first-person, story-driven psychological horror game based on the cinematic lore of the Blair Witch. Explore the haunted grounds of the Black Hills Forest in a harrowing investigation that forces you to confront the evil that resides deep in the woods.

Why similar: Horror 62.4%, Psychological Horror 14.1%, Walking Simulator 7.2%, First-Person 3.4%, Atmospheric 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: Made by the same studio, it delivers a very similar blend of first-person exploration, psychological unraveling, and oppressive audiovisual horror.

The Beast Inside is a unique, gripping twist on thriller and survival horror. Immerse in the story of long-buried secrets, personal tragedies, and madness. Play as two protagonists bounded by dark heritage. Combat the enemies, solve riddles and experience real terror in the 3D-scanned environment.

Why similar: Horror 71.9%, Psychological Horror 7.7%, Walking Simulator 4.6%, First-Person 3.2%, Multiplayer 2.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its haunted-house exploration, narrative focus, and frequent shifts between reality and nightmare make it feel very close to Layers of Fear’s style.

Set in a creepy amusement park hiding a dark and sinister secret, The Park is a first-person psychological horror experience focused on exploration and storytelling.

Why similar: Horror 60.3%, Psychological Horror 13.2%, Walking Simulator 11.7%, First-Person 4.1%, Atmospheric 3.2%

Why You'll Like It: This is a short, story-heavy psychological horror experience built around first-person wandering through a space that becomes more disturbing as you uncover the protagonist’s mind.

MADiSON is a first person psychological horror game that delivers an immersive and terrifying experience. With the help of an instant camera, connect the human world with the beyond, take pictures and develop them by yourself. Solve puzzles, explore your surroundings and most importantly, survive.

Why similar: Horror 66.1%, Psychological Horror 15.4%, First-Person 3.7%, Dark 3.3%, Atmospheric 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same intimate, first-person psychological terror and escalating supernatural unease, with a strong emphasis on atmosphere over combat.

From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Dear Esther comes a new first-person horrorgame that will drag you to the depths of greed, power and madness. It will bury its snout into your ribs and it will eat your heart.

Why similar: Horror 66.5%, Walking Simulator 16%, Psychological Horror 5.4%, Atmospheric 2%, First-Person 1.9%

Why You'll Like It: Compared with other Amnesia games, this one leans much more toward narrative, mood, and haunted-walkthrough horror than survival mechanics.

From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent comes SOMA, a sci-fi horror game set below the waves of the Atlantic ocean. Struggle to survive a hostile world that will make you question your very existence.

Why similar: Horror 52%, Psychological Horror 12%, Walking Simulator 8.9%, Atmospheric 4.2%, Lovecraftian 4%

Why You'll Like It: Its deeper sci-fi themes differ, but the immersive first-person storytelling, oppressive atmosphere, and psychological dread are an excellent match.

Silver Chains is a first-person horror game with a strong emphasis on story and exploration. Search for clues within an old abandoned manor to unravel the truth about the terrible events which have happened.

Why similar: Horror 69.7%, Psychological Horror 12.4%, First-Person 2.7%, Walking Simulator 2.6%, Multiplayer 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: It offers first-person exploration through a creepy old mansion filled with jump scares, puzzles, and a similar gothic horror mood.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent, a first person survival horror. A game about immersion, discovery and living through a nightmare. An experience that will chill you to the core.

Why similar: Horror 73.9%, Psychological Horror 7.9%, Walking Simulator 2.8%, Atmospheric 2.8%, First-Person 2.6%

Why You'll Like It: Though more survival-focused, it shares the same first-person immersion, sanity-driven horror, and oppressive environmental storytelling.

The most terrifying journey of your life set in the beautiful winter scenery of the Ural Mountains. Uncover the horrific mystery behind the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Narrated by the famous Sean Bean.

Why similar: Horror 94.7%, Psychological Horror 1.4%, Walking Simulator 1.3%, Atmospheric 0.6%, First-Person 0.4%

Why You'll Like It: This is another atmospheric first-person horror game built around lonely exploration, minimal combat, and a constant feeling of dread.

A first‑person cyberpunk horror detective story set in a decaying, neon‑scarred future. As an Observer who invades minds to hunt for clues, you will sift through corrupted memories to track down a mysterious killer and confront your own dark past.

Why similar: Horror 62.2%, Walking Simulator 13.7%, Psychological Horror 12.9%, First-Person 5%, Story Rich 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: Another Bloober Team horror game, it swaps Victorian gothic for cyberpunk nightmare while keeping the same surreal, story-first descent into a fractured mind.

Mundaun is a lovingly hand-penciled horror tale set in a dark, secluded valley of The Alps. Explore various areas full of secrets to discover, survive hostile encounters, drive vehicles, fill your inventory, and solve a variety of handcrafted puzzles.

Why similar: Horror 47.8%, Walking Simulator 14.3%, Psychological Horror 13.1%, First-Person 4%, Atmospheric 4%

Why You'll Like It: Its slow, eerie exploration and deeply personal psychological horror create the same kind of unsettling, introspective experience despite a very different visual style.

Coming back to the family hotel after years, a young woman finds herself trapped with the ghosts from her past and an old cellular telephone as the only way to unveil a terrible truth.

Why similar: Horror 37.5%, Walking Simulator 20.6%, Atmospheric 7.8%, First-Person 6.1%, Dark 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: This is a slow-burn first-person psychological mystery with a lonely, oppressive setting and a heavy emphasis on environmental storytelling.

Hell is an experiment you can't survive in Outlast, a first-person survival horror game developed by veterans of some of the biggest game franchises in history. As investigative journalist Miles Upshur, explore Mount Massive Asylum and try to survive long enough to discover its terrible secret... if you dare.

Why similar: Horror 79.6%, Psychological Horror 7.5%, First-Person 3%, Atmospheric 2.8%, Survival Horror 1.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is much more chase-heavy, but the first-person immersion, asylum setting, and relentless oppressive atmosphere make it a solid adjacent pick.

Penumbra: Overture is a first person survival horror game, emphasizing on survival and problem solving instead of mindless violence and gore.

Why similar: Horror 73.9%, Psychological Horror 8.6%, First-Person 3.6%, Atmospheric 3.1%, Lovecraftian 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: It is an older but influential first-person horror experience that mixes exploration, physical interaction, and oppressive isolation in a very similar way.

A third‑person psychological horror game where you explore both the real world and the spirit realm. As a medium drawn to a deserted resort, you’ll uncover dark secrets, confront echoes of trauma, and face the consequences of seeing more than one truth.

Why similar: Horror 62.7%, Psychological Horror 13.4%, Walking Simulator 5.7%, Atmospheric 4.5%, Adventure 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: Even in third person, it channels a similar psychological-horror tone with personal trauma, environmental symbolism, and a story-centric structure.

Alone with the dead... Embalm corpses, banish demons, save your soul.

Why similar: Horror 82.8%, Atmospheric 3.4%, First-Person 2.7%, Mystery 2.4%, Multiplayer 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: Its confined setting, escalating hallucinations, and emphasis on tension and ritualized interaction make it a strong fit for fans of immersive psychological horror.

Among the Sleep: Enhanced Edition is a new and improved version of the award winning first person horror adventure. In the game you play as a small child trapped in a weird nightmare where you go looking for your mom.

Why similar: Horror 80.8%, Walking Simulator 3.9%, Psychological Horror 3.5%, Atmospheric 3.1%, First-Person 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its first-person perspective, dreamlike logic, and emphasis on emotional psychological horror make it resonate strongly with Layers of Fear’s mood.

Moons of Madness is a first-person, story-driven cosmic horror game where the scientific exploration of Mars meets the supernatural dread of Lovecraft.

Why similar: Horror 62.6%, Psychological Horror 9.5%, Walking Simulator 6.7%, Lovecraftian 5.8%, First-Person 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: It combines first-person narrative horror with sanity-warping visions and a strong feeling that reality is breaking down around you.

Home Sweet Home is a first-person horror adventure game based on Thai myths and beliefs. The core gameplay focuses on storytelling and stealth to avoid perilous spirits hunting you. Moreover, few puzzles are added into the game, making gameplay more various.

Why similar: Horror 75.3%, Psychological Horror 7.6%, Walking Simulator 3.6%, First-Person 2.4%, Multiplayer 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its first-person perspective, cultural horror framing, and tense stalking sequences pair well with the same kind of immersive haunted-space storytelling.

DISTRAINT is a 2D psychological horror adventure game for PC. In order to secure a partnership in a famous company, Price seizes the property of an elderly woman. In that very moment, he finds out the price of his humanity.

Why similar: Horror 50.8%, Indie 26.5%, Psychological Horror 13.7%, Atmospheric 2.5%, Story Rich 2%

Why You'll Like It: This is a compact psychological horror story about guilt and deterioration that captures a similarly intimate, symbolic approach to fear.

In Sound Mind is an imaginative first-person psychological horror with frenetic puzzles, unique boss fights, and original music by The Living Tombstone. Journey within the inner workings of the one place you can’t seem to escape—your own mind.

Why similar: Horror 63.6%, Psychological Horror 15.1%, Psychedelic 5%, Atmospheric 4.2%, Story Rich 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: It mixes first-person exploration and psychological storytelling with surreal, mind-themed environments that echo Layers of Fear’s warped reality.

Conarium is a chilling Lovecraftian game, which follows a gripping story involving four scientists and their endeavor to challenge what we normally consider to be the ‘absolute’ limits of nature. Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s novella "At the Mountains of Madness", but largely set after the original story.

Why similar: Horror 56.4%, Walking Simulator 11.1%, Psychological Horror 10.2%, Lovecraftian 7.7%, First-Person 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: This is a slow, atmospheric horror adventure centered on exploration, surreal visuals, and narrative dread rather than action.

Experience true psychological horror as you explore nightmares inspired by the creator's struggles with depression and OCD. The defenseless protagonist must avoid monstrous manifestations of what haunts his subconscious in his quest to wake up into reality.

Why similar: Horror 68.6%, Psychological Horror 15.6%, Walking Simulator 8.2%, Atmospheric 3.7%, Indie 1.1%

Why You'll Like It: Its focus on mental collapse, looping imagery, and deeply personal psychological horror makes it a strong tonal match despite the 2D presentation.

Set in 1944 Italy, Martha Is Dead is an award-winning dark psychological thriller where the lines between truth, superstition, and tragedy blur. Explore a haunting countryside, uncover disturbing memories, and peel back layers of mystery. Every choice shapes the nightmare…are you ready to face it?

Why similar: Horror 58.8%, Psychological Horror 17.4%, Atmospheric 5.1%, Story Rich 4.2%, Dark 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: This story-driven psychological horror game focuses on trauma, unreliable perception, and disturbing atmosphere rather than conventional action.

Investigate an infamous cold case in the eerie, abandoned town of Painscreek. Search for evidence, connect the dots and uncover who killed Vivian Roberts. Can you expose the truth behind this town’s dark secrets?

Why similar: Horror 55.4%, Walking Simulator 12.4%, Psychological Horror 6.7%, Atmospheric 5.3%, Mystery 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: While more investigative than overtly supernatural, it delivers the same lonely first-person exploration and unsettling sense of uncovering something deeply wrong.

When reality is a nightmare, nightmares become real. In this psychological horror game, you fight the terrifying creatures invading your mind. Can you save your sanity?

Why similar: Horror 61.2%, Psychological Horror 14.4%, First-Person 4.8%, Atmospheric 4.7%, Dark 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its warped interiors, trauma-driven horror, and surreal transitions between reality and nightmare line up well with what makes Layers of Fear memorable.

An award-winning narrative thriller about a blind woman’s journey to uncover the truth about the mansion from her nightmares, or else become one of its victims.

Why similar: Horror 74.6%, Walking Simulator 11.6%, Atmospheric 4.1%, First-Person 3%, Adventure 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: This narrative-first horror game emphasizes exploring a haunted house and piecing together its story, with atmosphere doing most of the work.

The era-defining first-person psychological horror in all its terrifying glory. All of the game’s chapters collected into one convenient package that allows you to plumb the depths of madness in pursuit of artistic revelation.

Why similar: Horror 50.6%, Psychological Horror 13.7%, Psychedelic 7.4%, Walking Simulator 6.9%, First-Person 4.2%

Outlast 2 introduces you to Sullivan Knoth and his followers, who left our wicked world behind to give birth to Temple Gate, a town, deep in the wilderness and hidden from civilization. Knoth and his flock are preparing for the tribulations of the end of times and you’re right in the thick of it.

Why similar: Horror 70.9%, Psychological Horror 13.3%, First-Person 3.6%, Atmospheric 2.9%, Dark 2.5%

A first‑person psychological horror game set on a haunted ocean liner. As an actor summoned by an unorthodox director, you’ll confront twisted memories from your past and learn the price of achieving the perfect performance.

Why similar: Horror 47.5%, Psychological Horror 15%, Walking Simulator 9.6%, Atmospheric 4.2%, Psychedelic 4.1%

What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of strange tales about a family in Washington state. As Edith, you’ll explore the colossal Finch house, searching for stories as she explores her family history and tries to figure out why she's the last one in her family left alive.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 22.8%, Horror 22.2%, Atmospheric 9.5%, Story Rich 9.5%, Psychological Horror 9.1%

Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for PC. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 33.4%, Atmospheric 26.6%, Story Rich 20%, Adventure 7.8%, Singleplayer 6.4%

Enter a tangibly horrifying Virtual Reality and explore a mansion of horror as an artist falling into the depths of insanity. Will you find the muse for your masterpiece... or madness?

Why similar: Horror 61.8%, Psychological Horror 11.8%, Adventure 11.1%, Indie 8.3%, Atmospheric 4%

Mists of Aiden is a first-person story driven horror game. You play as a thief trapped in an eerie mansion. Each choice can open a new mystery of the house and lead to a unique walkthrough and ending. Uncover final secret of the house. Uncover your own secrets.

Why similar: Horror 68%, Psychological Horror 10.3%, Walking Simulator 6.4%, First-Person 2.9%, Atmospheric 2.6%

In Rise of Insanity, as a doctor of psychology you will explore the darkest recesses of the human mind. Overcome your fear to find the truth behind the tragedy that has befallen your family.

Why similar: Horror 51.6%, Psychological Horror 11.8%, Walking Simulator 9.4%, Psychedelic 5.1%, Atmospheric 3.3%

The Guest is a first-person psychological horror game that focuses on creating fear and tension for the player.

Why similar: Horror 56%, Psychological Horror 14.2%, Walking Simulator 10.8%, First-Person 4.4%, Dark 3.8%

A rogue-like river journey through the backwaters of a forgotten post-societal America. Forage, craft, evade predators.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 41%, Atmospheric 20.6%, Adventure 15.5%, Exploration 9.8%, Indie 9.1%

RESTORER is a classic walking simulator set in an old, atmospheric mansion. Something roams the halls… It wants to share its secret—with the price being your sanity.

Why similar: Horror 43.1%, Psychological Horror 16.5%, Walking Simulator 14.5%, Psychedelic 9.5%, Atmospheric 5.4%

A first-person horror adventure. Uncover your past and survive the Algerian desert. Fear is your enemy; stay calm to not succumb to an illness threatening you and your loved one. Avoid darkness, hide from monsters and solve puzzles. Adventure Mode available for a less scary experience.

Why similar: Horror 56.7%, Psychological Horror 9%, Lovecraftian 5.7%, First-Person 5.4%, Atmospheric 5.1%

Chorus of Carcosa is a first-person psychological horror game about an anxious sculptor who is trapped in a dark and ever-changing building. Stay silent, survive its twisted labyrinths and escape the monsters. Just don’t lose your way in the shadows or within your own mind.

Why similar: Horror 46.9%, Psychological Horror 13.2%, Walking Simulator 11.7%, Atmospheric 4.5%, First-Person 3.6%

Get ready for some seriously stylish action from renowned designer SUDA51. In this exclusive version for PC, players will be slicing, dicing, and shooting as the suave executioner Mondo Zappa. Prepare for the thrill of love and kill in KILLER IS DEAD!

Why similar: Surreal 30.1%, Great Soundtrack 24.3%, Atmospheric 20%, Singleplayer 11.2%, Story Rich 7.5%

Big Brother has arrived - and it’s you. Investigate the lives of citizens to find those responsible for a series of terror attacks. Information from the internet, personal communications and private files are all accessible to you. But, be warned, the information you supply will have consequences.

Why similar: Story Rich 29.9%, Mystery 23.9%, Atmospheric 21.9%, Indie 9.1%, Singleplayer 8.1%

Luto is a psychological horror experience where you take on the role of someone unable to leave their home. Every attempt to escape will lead you deeper into the unknown, where nothing is as it seems and everything will test your senses.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 24.4%, Walking Simulator 20.7%, Horror 17.4%, Atmospheric 6.6%, Dark 6.1%

Take on the role of Six, a lone child lost in a massive metal vessel known as the Maw, surrounded by dangerous, distorted versions of adults. You’ll need to do your best to escape in one piece or your fate will be worse than you ever dared dream.

Why similar: Horror 71.2%, Psychological Horror 7.6%, Atmospheric 5.5%, Dark 3.4%, Great Soundtrack 2.6%

2280 A.D. The last few survivors of a ruined Earth seek a new home: Mars, a planet whose inhabitants didn't take too kindly to outsiders. The Red Solstice is a tense, tactical, squad-based action game. Fight to survive with up to 8 players in co-op, or lead your own squad in single-player mode.

Why similar: Atmospheric 47.2%, Multiplayer 40.6%, Singleplayer 12.3%

Shadow Warrior is a bold reimagining of the classic 3D Realms’ shooter from independent developer Flying Wild Hog (Hard Reset) starring the legendary and quick-witted warrior Lo Wang.

Why similar: First-Person 44.4%, Great Soundtrack 27.6%, Adventure 10.5%, Atmospheric 10%, Singleplayer 7.5%

Satellite Reign is a real-time, class-based strategy game, set in an open-world cyberpunk city. You command a group of 4 agents through rain-soaked, neon-lit streets, where the law is the will of mega-corporations.

Why similar: Atmospheric 25.3%, Multiplayer 23.7%, Indie 20.7%, Great Soundtrack 20.2%, Singleplayer 10.1%

Wander through an interactive nightmare set within the confines of a once-happy household. Piece together the mystery behind a harrowing series of events while struggling to survive encounters with an entity that relentlessly stands in the way of finding absolution.

Why similar: Horror 59.5%, Psychological Horror 14.4%, Walking Simulator 8.7%, Atmospheric 3.7%, First-Person 3.2%

The year is 1962 and the Cold War has the nation gripped by fear. A top-secret government unit called The Bureau begins investigating a series of mysterious attacks by an enemy more powerful than communism.

Why similar: Atmospheric 33%, Singleplayer 24%, Story Rich 16.9%, Multiplayer 15.7%, Adventure 10.4%

Experience terrors only madness can conjure in HEKTOR, a psychological horror game set in a world that literally moves with your every twist and turn.

Why similar: Horror 80.7%, Psychological Horror 12.3%, First-Person 4.2%, Adventure 1.6%, Indie 1.3%

Surrounded by enemies and assaulted by terror from all sides, Philip must collect clues and solve vexing puzzles while combating the gnawing psychological terrors that assail his mind and threaten to strip him of his sanity.

Why similar: Horror 69.1%, Psychological Horror 11.3%, First-Person 3.9%, Atmospheric 3.2%, Lovecraftian 2.4%

Stories: The Path of Destinies is an Action RPG, an enchanted storybook filled with madcap fantasy tales, each told by a zippy narrator attuned to the player’s choices and actions.

Why similar: Adventure 79.6%, Great Soundtrack 9.5%, Story Rich 4.5%, Indie 4.2%, Singleplayer 2.2%

Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic.

Why similar: Atmospheric 45.1%, Singleplayer 23.8%, Adventure 19.4%, Indie 11.7%

Jotun is a hand-drawn action-exploration game set in Norse mythology. In Jotun, you play Thora, a Viking warrior who died an inglorious death and must prove herself to the Gods to enter Valhalla. Impress the Gods!

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 26.3%, Atmospheric 26%, Adventure 20.4%, Exploration 9.6%, Indie 8%

From the darkness is a psychological horror game with a scary atmosphere, the game takes place in an old Soviet abandoned apartment.

Why similar: Horror 66.6%, Psychological Horror 12.7%, Walking Simulator 6.8%, Dark 2.7%, First-Person 2.6%

Slender Man returns more terrifying than ever. You're on your own. No one to help you. No one to hear you scream. Relive the horror all over again with cutting edge visuals for the 10th Anniversary Update and experience survival horror at its finest.

Why similar: Horror 76.7%, Psychological Horror 6.3%, Walking Simulator 5%, First-Person 2.9%, Atmospheric 2%

Selected by the fickle finger of fate, Abe™, floor-waxer first class for RuptureFarms, was catapulted into a life of adventure when he overheard plans by his boss, Molluck the Glukkon™, to turn Abe and his fellow Mudokons into Tasty Treats as part of a last-ditch effort to rescue Molluck's failing meat-packing empire.

Why similar: Adventure 79.7%, Dark 6.1%, Puzzle 6%, Atmospheric 5%, Singleplayer 2.7%

Brütal Legend is an action-adventure that marries visceral action combat with open-world freedom. Set in a universe somewhere between Lord of the Rings and Spinal Tap, it’s a fresh take on the action/driving genre, which in this case is full of imitation cover bands, demons intent on enslaving humanity and Heavy metal tunes.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 60.9%, Adventure 16.8%, Atmospheric 10.3%, Multiplayer 8%, Singleplayer 4%