Horror games take on a whole new dimension when experienced with friends. The shared thrills, teamwork, and moments of panic create unforgettable gaming sessions. Let’s explore some of the best co-op horror games to play with your friends in 2025, from intense zombie shooters to eerie ghost-hunting adventures.
Phasmophobia
Release Date: September 18, 2020
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, VR
Players: 1-4 player co-op
Phasmophobia puts you and up to three friends in the role of paranormal investigators, tasked with identifying the type of ghost haunting various locations. What sets this game apart is its use of real-time voice recognition - the ghosts can hear and react to what players say, creating truly spine-chilling moments.
The game demands close teamwork as you gather evidence and piece together clues about the haunting entity. Equipment like EMF readers, spirit boxes, and video cameras must be used strategically to uncover the ghost’s identity.
Phasmophobia shines in its ability to create a tense atmosphere, where even periods of inactivity can be nerve-wracking. The randomized ghost behavior keeps each investigation feeling fresh and unpredictable.
Key Features:
- Voice recognition technology for ghost interactions
- Variety of investigation tools and equipment
- Procedurally generated ghost behavior
- VR support for added immersion
The Outlast Trials
Release Date: May 23, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Players: 1-4 player co-op
The Outlast Trials takes the intense, psychological horror of the Outlast series and introduces a cooperative element. Set during the Cold War era, players become unwilling test subjects in disturbing experiments reminiscent of the Saw film franchise.
Unlike previous Outlast games where you’re completely defenseless, The Outlast Trials provides limited tools to distract or temporarily incapacitate enemies. This adds a new layer of strategy to the series’ trademark stealth and evasion gameplay.
What makes The Outlast Trials particularly intriguing is the moral dilemma it presents - players can choose to help their teammates or betray them for personal gain. This creates a constant undercurrent of tension, even among allies.
Key Features:
- Cold War setting with conspiracy undertones
- Limited defensive capabilities compared to previous games
- Moral choices affecting team dynamics
- Intense psychological horror and disturbing imagery
Dead by Daylight
Release Date: June 14, 2016
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile
Players: 4v1 asymmetrical multiplayer
Dead by Daylight has become the definitive asymmetrical horror game, pitting four survivors against one player-controlled killer. The game features an impressive roster of original characters alongside iconic horror movie villains and heroes from franchises like Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Stranger Things.
Survivors must work together to repair generators and open escape routes while evading the killer. Each character has unique perks and abilities, encouraging diverse team compositions and strategies. The killer, on the other hand, must hunt down and sacrifice survivors to an eldritch entity.
The game’s lasting appeal comes from its regular content updates, introducing new killers, survivors, and maps that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.
Key Features:
- Asymmetrical 4v1 multiplayer
- Extensive roster of original and licensed characters
- Regular content updates and events
- Cross-platform play
Resident Evil 5
Release Date: March 5, 2009
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Players: 2 player co-op
While Resident Evil 5 leans more heavily into action than pure horror, it remains a benchmark for cooperative survival horror gameplay. The game follows series veteran Chris Redfield and his new partner Sheva Alomar as they investigate a bioweapon threat in Africa.
Resident Evil 5’s co-op mechanics are seamlessly integrated into both gameplay and storytelling. Players must share resources, watch each other’s backs, and solve puzzles together. The game’s inventory management system encourages constant communication and strategic decision-making.
As the story progresses, the threats escalate from infected villagers to grotesque mutations and even series antagonist Albert Wesker. The co-op element shines in boss battles, where teamwork is essential for survival.
Key Features:
- Full campaign co-op play
- Resource sharing and cooperative puzzle-solving
- Mercenaries mode for arcade-style action
- Split-screen option for local co-op
Left 4 Dead 2
Release Date: November 17, 2009
Platforms: Xbox 360, PC, Mac
Players: 1-4 player co-op
Left 4 Dead 2 remains the gold standard for cooperative zombie shooters, even years after its release. The game pits four survivors against hordes of infected in various campaigns across the American South.
What sets Left 4 Dead 2 apart is its AI Director system, which dynamically adjusts enemy spawns, item placement, and music cues based on the team’s performance. This ensures that no two playthroughs feel exactly the same, keeping the experience fresh and unpredictable.
The game’s special infected enemies, each with unique abilities, force players to stay alert and work together. The Smoker can snare players with its long tongue, the Charger can separate a teammate from the group, and the dreaded Tank can wreak havoc on an unprepared team.
Key Features:
- AI Director for dynamic difficulty adjustment
- Variety of campaigns and game modes
- Versus mode allowing players to control special infected
- Extensive modding community creating new content
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Release Date: August 18, 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Players: 4v3 asymmetrical multiplayer
Based on the iconic horror film, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre offers an intense asymmetrical multiplayer experience. Four victims must work together to escape the Slaughter family’s twisted playground, while three killers (including the infamous Leatherface) hunt them down.
The game meticulously recreates locations from the original film, adding an extra layer of authenticity for horror fans. Victims must use stealth, distraction, and teamwork to survive, while killers employ unique abilities to track and capture their prey.
Communication is key for the victims, as they coordinate to complete objectives and assist each other. The three-person killer team must also strategize, using their different strengths to corner and eliminate the victims.
Key Features:
- Authentic recreation of the film’s setting
- Asymmetrical 4v3 gameplay
- Multiple escape routes and strategies
- Character progression system
These co-op horror games offer a range of experiences, from the intense action of Left 4 Dead 2 to the psychological terror of Phasmophobia. Whether you prefer working together to survive or facing off against your friends as the monster, there’s something here for every horror fan. Gather your bravest friends, turn down the lights, and prepare for some unforgettable gaming sessions filled with scares, laughs, and adrenaline-pumping moments.