Best Horror TTRPGs

A genre designed to evoke fear, featuring supernatural elements, monsters, or psychological terror.

Monster of the Week

Monster of the Week is a tabletop role-playing game that empowers players to take on the roles of monster hunters, echoing the vibes of shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural. Players collaborate to investigate mysterious events and battle sinister creatures. The game focuses on story development and character-driven action, using the Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) system to facilitate dynamic, cinematic gameplay.

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Alien

Alien RPG immerses players in the foreboding universe of the Alien franchise, blending survival horror with science fiction in a game of fear, power, and survival. Set in the iconic world of xenomorphs and corporate intrigue, players navigate a series of thrilling scenarios from commercial haulage missions to colonial marines operations. The game emphasizes cinematic play, with a rule system that enhances the tension and horror of the Alien universe.

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Ten Candles

Ten Candles is a tragic horror storytelling game designed for one-shot sessions. Set in a world shrouded in darkness, players are survivors facing their final moments as they confront mysterious and malevolent forces. The game is uniquely played by the light of ten candles that gradually extinguish, representing the dwindling hope and life of the characters. This atmospheric mechanic not only serves as a timer but also intensifies the sense of impending doom.

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Dread

Dread RPG is a unique horror tabletop game renowned for its use of a Jenga tower instead of dice to resolve in-game actions, which significantly enhances the tension and suspense throughout play. Ideal for one-shot sessions, the game focuses on narrative and player interaction, with the ever-present risk of the tower collapsing adding a palpable sense of dread that complements the horror theme perfectly.

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Kult: Divinity Lost

Kult: Divinity Lost is a contemporary horror role-playing game that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. It explores themes of existential fear, hidden truths, and the illusion of reality, drawing heavily on Gnostic and mystical influences. The game is notorious for its mature and controversial content, providing players with a deeply immersive and often unsettling experience.

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Delta Green

Delta Green is a contemporary horror role-playing game that merges elements of Lovecraftian horror with modern conspiracy theories. Players become part of a secret government agency tasked with combating paranormal threats while maintaining their sanity and moral integrity. The game is renowned for its intense psychological impact, deep narrative, and the ethical dilemmas it poses.

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Werewolf: The Apocalypse

Werewolf: The Apocalypse is a dark fantasy role-playing game set within the World of Darkness universe. Players assume the roles of Garou, werewolves tasked with protecting the earth from supernatural corruption and societal decay. The game combines intense personal drama with broader ecological and spiritual conflicts, highlighting themes of environmentalism and mysticism.

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Call of Cthulhu

Call of Cthulhu plunges players into the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft, where they become investigators of the supernatural and the unknown. Using a skill-based system and a critical sanity mechanic, players experience profound psychological horror as they uncover chilling mysteries and face indescribable entities.

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Mothership

Step aboard the desolate, dark confines of space in Mothership, a sci-fi horror RPG where players navigate treacherous alien worlds and face off against cosmic terrors. With a streamlined ruleset focused on survival and psychological horror, Mothership immerses players in a tense, suspenseful atmosphere where every decision can mean life or death. Unique character classes, random tables for generating spooky encounters, and an emphasis on narrative-driven storytelling make Mothership a must-play for fans of sci-fi and horror RPGs.

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The Wretched

The Wretched is a haunting solo tabletop roleplaying game that immerses players in the desperate struggle for survival aboard a doomed spaceship, influenced heavily by classic sci-fi horror. Utilizing innovative gameplay mechanics, players craft a poignant narrative through the decisions of a single survivor who must balance resource management and emotional turmoil while facing external threats and the creeping dread of isolation. What sets The Wretched apart is its unique integration of journaling and a rotating cast of characters, allowing for a deeply personal storytelling experience that evolves with each playthrough.

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The Magnus Archives

The Magnus Archives transports players into a world of supernatural horror, where they investigate mysterious cases and encounter eldritch entities straight out of Lovecraftian nightmares. With a focus on storytelling and uncovering secrets, the game offers a chilling and immersive experience that will keep players on the edge of their seats. Unique mechanics like the Archives system add depth to character interactions and provide a sense of dread and tension as players delve deeper into the unknown.

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Liminal Horror

Liminal Horror plunges players into a world where the boundary between reality and the supernatural is thin, inviting them to navigate eldritch horrors and twisted mysteries. Key features include a focus on psychological horror, investigation, and the exploration of the unknown, making it a unique experience that challenges players to confront their fears and unravel dark secrets lurking in the shadows.

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The Walking Dead Universe

The Walking Dead Universe immerses players in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a relentless zombie outbreak, where survival hinges on difficult choices and the dynamics of human relationships. Utilizing an innovative blend of narrative-driven mechanics and survival tactics, players create unique characters while navigating moral dilemmas and the ever-present threat of the undead. With a focus on collaboration, resource management, and character development, this game offers a distinctive experience that explores the fragility of civilization and the resilience of the human spirit.

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Dead of Night

Dead of Night immerses players in a chilling modern horror setting where they take on the roles of ordinary individuals grappling with unimaginable terror. Featuring a unique blend of narrative focus and tension-building mechanics, this game encourages characters' vulnerabilities to shape the unfolding story as they confront their deepest fears. With its emphasis on suspense and the unpredictability of horror, Dead of Night invites players to explore the darkness both within and around them, creating a memorable experience of dread and resilience.

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Death in Space

Death in Space invites players into a gritty, dystopian universe filled with cosmic horrors and desperate survival. Blending science fiction with elements of horror, the game features a unique mechanic that combines resource management and character advancement, driving home the theme of impending doom even as players explore derelict stations and confront existential threats. Its striking artwork and modular approach to world-building create a deeply immersive experience, allowing for both thrilling adventures and darkly comic escapades in the vast emptiness of space.

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Zombie World

Zombie World immerses players in a gritty, post-apocalyptic landscape where survival hangs by a thread amid relentless waves of the undead. With a strong focus on character-driven storytelling, the game uses unique survival horror mechanics that accentuate emotional stakes and interpersonal dynamics within an ensemble cast. As players navigate their fragile relationships and confront harrowing choices, Zombie World sets itself apart by emphasizing narrative depth and the profound impact of each character’s decisions on their shared fate.

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Arkham Horror

Arkham Horror immerses players in a Lovecraftian world of cosmic horror, as they take on the roles of investigators striving to prevent the awakening of ancient deities. This cooperative game combines strategic gameplay with an intricate narrative filled with mystery, madness, and supernatural encounters, requiring players to manage their resources and face challenging scenarios together. What sets Arkham Horror apart is its atmospheric blend of storytelling and suspense, where every decision can lead to triumph or doom in the ever-encroaching darkness.

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Cthulhu Confidential

Cthulhu Confidential immerses players in a noir-infused world where they step into the shoes of hardboiled detectives navigating the shadowy streets of 1930s Los Angeles, all while facing the unsettling horrors of the Cthulhu Mythos. This unique game combines a focus on solo or dual player experiences with an innovative narrative system, allowing for deep character exploration and dramatic twists as players uncover mysteries and confront eldritch threats. With its blend of cinematic storytelling and psychological tension, Cthulhu Confidential redefines the detective RPG genre by inviting players to grapple not just with crime, but with their own sanity.

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Trail of Cthulhu

Trail of Cthulhu immerses players in the unsettling world of cosmic horror, drawing heavily from the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Unique for its emphasis on investigation and sanity mechanics, the game encourages teams of investigators to piece together eldritch mysteries while grappling with their own mental fragility. With a rich narrative focus and a system that rewards careful planning and critical thinking, Trail of Cthulhu invites players to confront the unknown, often with chilling consequences.

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