As someone who’s been playing horror games since the late ’90s , and developing them more recently , I tend to gravitate toward projects like this. Games that understand fear as something built slowly, through space, sound, and limitation.
These are underrated indie horror games on Steam that deserve more attention than they usually get , all strong, thoughtfully designed experiences that prove you don’t need blockbuster budgets to create lasting tension.
Mundaun , Folklore Horror Through Visual Unease
Platforms: PC (Steam), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Release Year: 2021
Developer: Hidden Fields
Scare Factor: 7.5 / 10
Mundaun stands out immediately because of how it looks. Every texture appears hand-drawn, like rough pencil sketches brought to life. That visual uncertainty , blurred edges, unclear shapes , feeds directly into the horror.
Set in a remote Swiss Alps village, the game blends folklore, isolation, and survival horror mechanics. A stress system subtly affects how vulnerable you feel, reinforcing tension without overt punishment. It’s a slow, atmospheric experience that rewards patience and curiosity rather than aggression.
For players tired of generic horror aesthetics, Mundaun feels refreshingly personal.
The Tartarus Key , Puzzle Pressure as Horror
Platforms: PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release Year: 2022
Developer: Vertical Reach
Scare Factor: 7 / 10
The Tartarus Key feels like a modern take on classic escape-room horror. You’re trapped inside a mansion, solving complex puzzles under constant pressure, knowing that mistakes don’t just cost time , they cost lives.
What makes it effective is balance. The puzzles are dense but fair, and the horror never overwhelms them. Instead, tension comes from decision-making and consequence. It feels closer to a Saw-style scenario than a haunted house.
Despite excellent reviews, it’s rarely mentioned , which is a shame, because it understands pacing far better than most puzzle horror games.
Tormented Souls , Classic Survival Horror, Properly Respected
Platforms: PC (Steam), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Year: 2021
Developer: Dual Effect, Abstract Digital
Scare Factor: 8 / 10
Tormented Souls is a genuine love letter to classic Resident Evil and Silent Hill , not just visually, but structurally. Fixed camera angles, limited saves, inventory management, and puzzle-heavy exploration all work together to create sustained tension.
The setting , part mansion, part hospital , leans heavily into occult experimentation and unsettling imagery. Controls are deliberate, sometimes uncomfortable, and that discomfort is intentional. You’re meant to feel vulnerable.
For fans of true survival horror design, this is one of the strongest modern indie examples available on Steam.
Nightmare of Decay , Tight, Old-School First-Person Horror
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Year: 2022
Developer: Checkmaty
Scare Factor: 7 / 10
Nightmare of Decay channels late-90s survival horror through a low-poly first-person lens. You explore a cursed mansion filled with secrets, limited ammo, and enemies that reward careful aim rather than panic.
What I appreciate most is its pacing. The game doesn’t overextend itself. It introduces mechanics, explores them fully, and ends before they wear thin. Resource management matters, exploration is rewarded, and combat feels purposeful rather than chaotic.
It’s short, dense, and confidently designed , exactly what this style of horror should be.
Creeping Terror , Stalker Horror With B-Movie Charm
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Release Year: 2017
Developer: Nikkatsu, mebius
Scare Factor: 6.5 / 10
Creeping Terror blends 2.5D presentation with fully 3D environments, creating a stalker-style horror experience where hiding and stamina management matter more than fighting back.
You explore underground facilities and mansions while being hunted by different killers, each with their own behavior patterns. The presentation leans into B-movie horror, but the pacing and tension are surprisingly effective.
It’s not perfect, but it understands how pursuit and vulnerability work , and that’s the core of good horror design.
Quick Access: Underrated Indie Horror Games on Steam
| Title | Steam Page Link |
| Mundaun | See At Steam |
| The Tartarus Key | See At Steam |
| Tormented Souls | See At Steam |
| Nightmare of Decay | See At Steam |
| Creeping Terror | See At Steam |
Why These Games Deserve More Attention
None of these games are accidents. They’re carefully constructed experiences that prioritize tension, structure, and atmosphere over spectacle. They may not dominate headlines, but they’re well-reviewed for a reason , players who find them tend to appreciate what they’re trying to do.
Many of these titles lean into ideas you rarely see in mainstream releases, much like the experimental indie horror games , that prioritize creativity over comfort.
If you’re looking for thoughtful, well-designed indie horror on Steam, these titles are easy to miss , and very much worth finding.
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