It’s a classichorrortrope; the deep dark forest full of strange sounds and shadows lurking between the trees. But there’s a reason that forests are such a popular setting in the genre, and that’s because it works. Films likeThe Blair Witch Projecthave a reputation for a reason, and there are plenty ofhorrorgames that take a leaf out of the screen’s book.
Expansive open maps leave players feeling vulnerable, and the darkness can really play on fears of the unknown, leaving them feeling watched by unseen threats. When trees obscure the path, it can also feel like there’s no way out, which leads to some claustrophobic situations. These are some of thebest horror games set in a forestthat serve up plenty of outdoor frights.
The games on this list are those where all or the majority of gameplay takes place in a forest, not those where there are forest sections or take place in forest towns.
In Silenceis anasymmetrical horror gameabout escaping the rake. The rake is generally known as a humanoid cryptid with a penchant for human meat, although in this game appears as a much more disturbing monster; unnaturally fast and strong with a terrible set of jaws.
The survivors can decide whether to escape or fight back but must bear in mind that the rake compensates for its poor eyesight with hypersensitive hearing. The player can also play as the monster, condemning the others as its next meal.
12Silent Breath
Don’t Make A Sound
Beginning at a cabin in the woods, which also happens to be a crime scene, the player inSilent Breathmust find five people missing in the forest before the night is over. To make matters worse, there are grotesque humanoid monsters roaming around with them.
Silent Breathuses the player’s mic activity, restarting the game if they are too loud, which adds an extra layer of tension to the gameplay. There is also an element of mystery, with an unexpected twist that contributes tothe psychological horrorof the game.
Dropped into the woods with a video camera, the player must survive for 18 minutes without - as the titleDon’t Screamsuggests - making a sound. Being too loud will restart the game, but staying quiet can prove a challenge when the forest is full of distressing encounters.
Don’t Screamexcels in sound design, where each twig snap and distant scream creates an incredibly tense atmosphere. With lots of creepy landmarks to discover, this game covers pretty much everything expected of a spooky horror experience.
Bigfoot, or the Sasquatch, is one of the biggest American mysteries that lends its name to onslaughts of sightings and hoaxes, as well as featuring in a number of films and games.BIGFOOTis a co-op hunting game, with players attempting toobtain proof of the cryptid’s existence.
The hunters can set traps and cameras to track the beast down. Alternatively, one player can take on the role of Bigfoot, protecting their territory. The locations inBIGFOOTare modeled after real national parks using Unreal Engine, making for some immersive gameplay.
9The Cursed Forest
Taking A Shortcut Leads To A Mystery
The Cursed Forestfollows an unnamed protagonist, who has found himself lost in a forest after taking a shortcut on the way to the hospital. The player must navigate through the woods to escape, uncovering terrible secrets along the way.
While there isan underlying mysteryand objectives,The Cursed Forestis first and foremost a walking simulator. As such, the game has stunning visuals that contribute to a distinctly dark fantasy atmosphere, making it stand out from other games set in similar locations.
8Through The Woods
A Chilling Experience Based In Norse Mythology
InThrough the Woods,the player controls Karen, a mother whose son, Espen, has gone missing. Braving a mysterious forested island alone, she embarks on a journey to save Espen from the clutches of his otherworldly kidnapper.
Inspired by Norse mythology, players will encounter the likes of trolls, elemental spirits, and enchanted animals, as well as beautiful Scandinavian scenery.Through the Woodshas an intense unfolding narrative that bridges the boundaries of myth to the real world while exploring other dark themes.
7Fears To Fathom: Ironbark Lookout
A New Job Entails More Than Anticipated
Fears to Fathomis a series of horror games, each tackling different scenarios recounted by the survivor.Ironbark Lookoutis the fourth episode, told from Jack Nelson’s perspective, covering his trial by fire at his new summer job as a lookout at Ironbark State Park.
The game takes place over multiple days/nights, with increasingly sinister events occurring. The initial rumors of missing people and creatures begin to seem feasible when Jack starts to hear screams and see mysterious figures roaming the forest.Ironbark Lookoutis a particularly unsettling game thatplays on players' sense of isolationand helplessness.
6Red And The Whispering Woods
A Grisly 2D Twist On Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hoodhas been subjected to numerous interpretations and reimaginings, fromHoodwinkedtoOnce Upon a Time.With its premise, the tale has a lot of potential to be adapted into a horror - a crossover thatRed and the Whispering Woodsdoes very well.
As Red, the player must visit her sick Grandma, a simple objective that quickly takes a dangerous turn whenthe wolf begins to hunther down. Using their microphones, players can control Red’s actions, ultimately determining whether she or the wolf will escape the woods alive.
Once known as the page-finding game,Slender: The Arrivalwas updated in 2023, massively expanding on the story and gameplay, and is now a fully-fleshed horror experience. The player initially follows Lauren who, upon finding her friend missing and her house covered in distressing drawings, embarks on a manhunt, setting into motion a sinister series of events.
Using a combination of exploration and found footage,Slender: The Arrivalweaves multiple narratives together. Alongside the new locations and characters, this makes for a gripping and unnerving experience that still maintains the familiar appeal of the original creepypasta games.
When thinking of a horror set in the woods,The Blair Witch Projectis likely one of the first titles that springs to mind. Lost in the forest and surrounded by freaky sounds and the potential presence of a witch, it is no surprise that it has beenadapted into a video game:Blair Witch.
While not following the exact narrative,Blair Witchtakes place in the same universe as its film counterpart. As former police officer Ellis, the player joins the effort to find a missing boy in the Black Hills forest. However, upon delving deeper, he comes face to face with a much more sinister presence that forces Ellis to confront his own life.
