If you’re craving the adrenaline rush of jump scares, creepy environments, and survival horror, but you still want to shoot your way through the madness, then this is the list for you. These horror FPS games aren’t just about gunning down monsters—they’re about immersive exploration, psychological tension, and the kind of fear that makes you look over your shoulder in real life.

Here are 8 of the best horror-themed first-person shooters that blend chilling atmosphere with heart-pounding gameplay.

1. F.E.A.R. (2005)

Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Developer: Monolith Productions

F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon) is a masterclass in psychological horror mixed with slick, slow-mo gunfights. The game drops you into a haunted industrial complex filled with supernatural threats—and the terrifying little girl Alma, who haunts your every step.

Why it works:
The AI is smart, the gunplay is tight, and the pacing perfectly balances exploration and jump scares. F.E.A.R. doesn’t just rely on cheap frights—it builds dread through atmosphere and story.

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2. Condemned: Criminal Origins (2005)

Platform: Xbox 360, PC
Developer: Monolith Productions

This cult favorite is a gritty, first-person psychological horror game with more melee combat than gunplay—but the FPS moments are brutal and impactful. You play an FBI agent tracking down serial killers in an abandoned city teeming with deranged criminals.

Why it works:
It’s not just the scares—it’s the feeling of being hunted. The environments are oppressive, the audio design is disturbing, and the game feels like a nightmare you can’t escape.

3. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (2007)

Platform: PC
Developer: GSC Game World

Set in a haunted and irradiated post-apocalyptic Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. throws players into a sandbox of radiation, mutants, and supernatural anomalies. While it’s part shooter, part RPG, the tension and immersion make it perfect for horror exploration.

Why it works:
This game shines in its emergent storytelling. You’ll come across horrifying underground labs, terrifying creatures, and haunting environmental storytelling without a single cutscene.

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4. Clive Barker’s Jericho (2007)

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Developer: MercurySteam

Jericho is a supernatural FPS horror game penned by horror legend Clive Barker. You control a squad of elite soldiers with paranormal powers sent to stop an ancient evil from destroying the world.

Why it works:
The environments are grotesque, the creature design is straight out of a hellish fever dream, and the squad-based combat keeps you on edge. It’s rough around the edges, but pure horror energy.

5. Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason (2009)

Platform: PC
Developer: Action Forms

In Cryostasis, you’re stranded on an ice-locked nuclear submarine in the Arctic, where the cold isn’t your only enemy. The game’s “Mental Echo” mechanic lets you relive the final moments of deceased crew members to solve puzzles and change fate.

Why it works:
The combat is sluggish—intentionally so—to reflect the freezing environment. What Cryostasis nails is atmosphere: it’s eerie, isolated, and emotionally heavy.

6. Metro 2033 (2010)

Platform: Xbox 360, PC
Developer: 4A Games

Set in a post-nuclear Moscow where humanity clings to life in the subway tunnels, Metro 2033 is part shooter, part survival horror, and 100% oppressive. Expect limited ammo, terrifying mutants, and psychological dread as you move through its dark world.

Why it works:
You’ll scavenge for air filters, fumble through pitch-black corridors, and deal with paranormal hallucinations. Exploration feels like survival in the worst possible place.

7. Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (2005)

Platform: Xbox, PC
Developer: Headfirst Productions

This underrated gem drops you into the weird and terrifying world of Lovecraft. You play as a detective investigating strange goings-on in the town of Innsmouth—and slowly lose your grip on reality.

Why it works:
You’re underpowered, under-armed, and under constant psychological assault. The sanity mechanic and first-person immersion make this a true cosmic horror FPS.

8. Doom 3 (2004)

Platform: Xbox, PC
Developer: id Software

Unlike its fast-paced predecessors, Doom 3 leans hard into survival horror. You’ll navigate dark corridors on a Mars research base where demonic forces have overrun everything—and you often have to choose between holding your gun or your flashlight.

Why it works:
This game makes you feel vulnerable, even when you’re armed. It uses shadows, jump scares, and ambient dread to give Doom fans something more chilling than thrilling.

Final Thoughts: Exploration Meets Terror

If you’re tired of basic jump scares and want something more immersive, these FPS horror games deliver the goods. Whether you’re uncovering cosmic horrors, reliving memories of the dead, or creeping through the Metro with limited bullets and even less hope, these titles prove that first-person exploration can be absolutely terrifying.

And remember: In these games, bullets aren’t your most valuable resource—it’s your sanity.

💬 What’s Your Favorite Horror FPS?

Did we miss your personal nightmare fuel? Drop a comment with your favorite horror FPS game and let us know what gave you chills!