Hello! This week Cat had a great idea for a list for the Focus on the Frightful. A list of indie horror games that are free to play. Whether you’re short on time or budget, these horror games are available to download right now for free. So, kick back, dim the lights, slip on your headphones and let some indie games give you the fright of your lives!
Horror Games That Won’t Cost You A Thing (other than your nerve)
Blameless
Played by Cat
Developer: Vaclav Hudec
Publisher: Blameless Games
Release Date: 13 October 2016
Review: Blameless can be played in an hour or less, with decent voice acting and creepy surroundings. The aim is to escape the worksite of an unfinished house, with more than one way to accomplish that goal. I enjoyed the exploring, puzzle-solving, and getting caught up in the overall ambiance. That ending is also a slap in the face, every time
Contemp
Played by Cat
Developer: Micaka
Publisher: Micaka
Release Date: ?? 2017
Review: Contemp takes place in an abandoned house, and it relies more on atmosphere than anything else. It can be completed in just ten minutes with a very basic concept of walking from room to room. I was impressed with it, especially when taking into account it was created by a single university student in a nine-week production period.
Cry of Fear
Played by Cat
Developer: Team Psykskallar
Publisher: Team Psykskallar
Release Date: 25 April 2013
Review: As dated as it is, Cry of Fear is a game I’ll never forget, it’s one of the few to legitimately scare me. Originally a mod for Half-Life, it took on a whole life of its own, gaining great popularity. With Swedish roots, it includes many areas and enemies to kill, offering challenges along the way. I remember getting so frustrated at how much I died, but that was part of the appeal.
(Note from Gracie: If you have an older computer Cry of Fear may not run very well. At least, it didn’t on my dinosaur PC, haha)
Haunted Gas Station
Played by Gracie
Developer: JubleLemonSeed
Publisher: JubleLemonSeed
Release Date: October 16th, 2019
Review: An ok little time waster. It’s not particularly scary’ since I don’t count jump scares as scary (and the monsters were too cute to be scary). There was an interesting moment, however, where claws appear at the edge of your screen that was pretty cool. For being a tiny game it ran my laptop really, really hot so be careful of that.
Holmes’ Hotel
Played by Gracie
Developer: swordmaster300
Publisher: swordmaster300
Review: Generally I don’t play favourites on the site but if we’re talking about free games that are cool then I just have to mention Holmes Hotel. Made by a beginning young developer for his mom on her birthday (and he made her cry, btw) I had to include it. Because I’m very proud of this totally unknown to me young man (*cough*). Ok, fine. Adult man.
Hotel Remorse
Played by Gracie
Developer: Charlie Behan, Raddy Peid
Publisher: Charlie Behan
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Review: The hotel hallways look nice with a little nod to The Shining. The story is rather creepy but did feel slightly unfinished but you get that sometimes with these shorter playthroughs. I didn’t have any play issues or glitches with it other than walking incredibly slowly.
Notes of Obsession
Developer: Creaky Stairs
Publisher: Creaky Stairs
Release Date: ?? 2016
Review: Another example of what students can achieve in a short time, Notes of Obsession was all about using a music box to find strange symbols throughout the character’s home. I found myself paying attention to the detail in the surroundings, and the monster that hounded my steps was downright creepy. Definitely a fun one to remember.
Resident Evil 7: Beginning Hour
Played by Cat
Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Publisher: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Release Date: 18 December 2016
Review: Beginning Hour often goes overlooked due to the main game being available, but despite being the teaser for Resident Evil 7, it holds up its own as a short but unnerving experience, involving a seemingly abandoned farmhouse. There’s secrets to uncover, ghosts to watch out for, and in general I still think of it fondly as it paved a brand new direction for the franchise.
The Static Speaks my Name
Played by Gracie
Developer: the whale husband
Publisher: the whale husband
Release Date: August 10th, 2015
Review: It has been a while since I played this but it has really stuck with me. It appears on the surface to be a guy puttering around his house apathetically. Until the end. Then it wallops you with an “Ohhhhh.“
The Witch’s House
Played by Gracie
Developer: Fummy
Publisher: DANGEN Entertainment
Release Date: October 3rd, 2012
Review: I played The Witch’s House with my son and his girlfriend and it was really fun. Now, it’s hard to be scared by games in the RPG Maker but they can still be a very good, spooky time. The story is excellent and interesting (and the true ending is heartbreaking) and the puzzles were fun. It can be downloaded for free but there is an upgraded version available for purchase in the Steam store, as well.
Cat and I hope you’ve enjoyed our list of Freebies for the Fearless and if you did, be sure to drop back by next Friday for part two! Because there are always more games. Always. And, if you have any free-to-play games that you’d like to suggest drop us a comment down below.
GracieKat was the first co-host of Sci-Fi & Scary, Lilyn’s partner-in-crime, and sub-head of the Kali Krew. She reviews horror books, movies, and games for the site. She also does a weekly Focus on the Frightful feature, and is the site list-maker. She is also in control of the Sci-Fi & Scary podcast which will relaunch soon.
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