There's nothing like a good scare once in a while. A good scare at a table with friends, though, now that's even better. Whether you're a longtime Tabletop Roleplaying Game fan or think a horror game would be the best way to get into them, there is no wrong answer.
In fact, the horror genre of tabletop games has really flourished lately. From eerily quiet space adventures to grim slogs through zombie-filled fantasy marshes, there are some amazing horror games out there to be played with friends, and here are some of the best ones you should try.
10
Morkborg
Morkborg is an incredibly dark and grim fantasy combat tabletop RPG. Gothic-inspired, this game sees you and a group of adventurers fight against some grueling enemies in a world in the throes of death.
This game can be played as a standalone, or you can always use bits and pieces of it to modify another RPG you want to run to make it darker. It's a great choice for Soulsborne fans, dark fantasy fans, or someone who wants to give their gaming group a dark challenge.
9
Blades In The Dark
Another RPG similar to Dungeons and Dragons but far grimmer. If you're a fan of the Dishonored series, you'll love Blades In The Dark. In a world covered in darkness, your players are a group of thieves and assorted criminals in one of humanity's last cities.
The rest of the world is plagued by demons and ghosts, and a series of arcane technologies keep your city mostly safe. Using an in-depth pass-or-fail system with different levels of success or failure, your team must run heist after heist while dealing with rival gangs, the paranormal, and everything in between.
8
Blackbirds
The gods are dead, and all that is left is rot and monsters. Leading your team of adventurers through this dark world is a task that is sure to run you into some creepy and altogether memorable encounters.
Blackbirds runs on the Zweihander system, an up-and-coming favorite, that's a great combat-oriented way to run a fantasy game. There's a lot in this game that harks back to the older days of tabletop and plenty of updates that won't make it feel like a slog, either—the best of both worlds.
7
Kult
Kult is a far more psychological option for a creepy night with friends. Kult sees you and the rest of humanity trapped in a dream by supernatural powers. Use your skills throughout the game to try and escape, all the while running into angels, demons, and nightmarish creatures pulled from your psyche. The newly updated version Kult: Divinity lost takes into account the modern day and updates the setting and some rules for ease of play.
6
Alien
Whether you're a fan of the movies, being hunted by murderous creatures, or want a fun and tense time in an RPG with a space setting, Alien is a good choice for you. The Alien universe is as deadly as it is complex. Space is an ever-present killer, not to mention the deadly xenomorphs you may find stalking you as well.
Running on the same system as Mutant: Year Zero and Tales From The Loop, this game can either be played in a long-form sandbox style or in one of a series of already-created one-shot adventures that are incredibly reminiscent of the terrifying Alien movies.
5
The Machine
A journaling TTRPG. This one is not to be overlooked due to its different nature. You take the role of someone who has been cursed with the obsession of something called The Machine. This titular device is an odd assortment of parts, and the end goal is unknown. You take turns writing down your building of The Machine, led by a card and dice-based system, before passing your journal on to the next player, who then continues the building. As you pass it from one person to another, the mystery grows. There are a lot of obscurities, wonder, and dark psychological effects at play in this game that make it a fun one once you get used to the writing system.
4
Dread
Dread is an incredibly unique game that takes elements from typical RPGs, campfire storytelling, and a game of Jenga. Playing one of a series of pre-made tales, or one of your designs, you'll lead characters through a series of dark turns as they try to escape with their lives.
The catch? Every skill-based challenge must be resolved by trying to pull a block from the Jenga tower. A great balance of role-playing classics with real-life skills and calmness that's great for a tense night.
3
Heart: The City Beneath
Heart: The City Beneath is a great balance of psychological, body horror, and evil creatures. This game sees you leading an expedition into the under-city of the utopian Spire. What lies for you below the city streets will change your character forever if you survive. Classic dungeon-based adventures, an unforgiving landscape, and some dark encounters add to a game night that will last in your players' memories.
2
Call Of Cthulhu
A classic TTRPG that you no doubt have heard of. Whether you're a longtime cosmic horror fan or a newcomer who's only heard of Call of Cthulu before, there's a reason this game is so widely talked about.
A system that focuses not only on the typical RPG skill set but also on psychological resilience and mania, this game is perfect for late-night spooky gaming sessions. Throw some twisted monsters at them on your adventures and see your players and their characters react in kind.
1
The Zone
Mutations, settings that mix dreams with reality, and encounters that will alter your characters forever, all of this and more can be found in the system of The Zone. A card-based game that will see you explore what it means for your characters to be human before warping them irreparably. Fans of Stalker and Annihilation will fall in love with this, but anyone will get a kick out of what this game offers.