Does running from terrifying enemies with limited ammo and a malfunctioning flashlight, exploring shapeshifting, surreal houses where nothing is as it seems, or taking on brain-hungry zombies in a post-apocalyptic world sound good to you? Check out seven of the best survival horror games, from recent releases to trusted classics. Whether you play with the lights on or in total darkness is up to you!

1. Alan Wake 2

We’re kicking off with one of the most recently released games on our list: Alan Wake 2. Fans of the original Alan Wake have been waiting 13 years for this game, but the wait was definitely worth it. In the meantime, we’ve had some crossover lore with the game Control (more on that shortly), but this is the first time we’ve directly returned to the world of Alan Wake in over a decade.

Alan Wake 2 is a digital-only release for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. At the game’s outset, you play an FBI agent, Saga Anderson, who’s investigating a murder linked to a creepy cult and keeps discovering pages of a book that seem to tell the story of the case. So far, so weird. And weird is pretty much the game’s theme, from the shrieking face jump scares to the various alternate realities that shift in and out of existence, to some incredibly meta moments early on in the game’s story. Alan Wake fans can’t afford to miss this, and even those who’ve never played the original game will enjoy the sequel’s horrifying, narrative-driven experience.

2. Control

Control, from Remedy Entertainment (the same developer behind Alan Wake and Quantum Break), is technically billed as an action-adventure game. Still, it’s so creepy — and it will stay with you so long after the end credits roll — that we feel it’s practically a horror game.

Available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, a sequel is in the making, but there’s no official word on a release date yet. There’s also an Ultimate Edition complete with the two expansions, The Foundation and AWE (a crossover with Alan Wake), and upgraded graphics for next-gen consoles.

The world of Control is a mind-bending one packed with paranormal mysteries. You play as Jesse Faden, and you’re on the hunt for your missing brother when you come across the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), a mysterious government agency. The FBC’s NYC headquarters, the Oldest House, is under attack by a supernatural force known only as the Hiss. Taking on the role of the FBC’s new director, you’ll need to explore the shapeshifting, ever-evolving rooms and corridors of the Oldest House, fighting off corrupted members of the team and uncovering the history and lore behind the bureau and the Hiss to survive.

As a bonus, there’s some overlap in the worlds of Control and Alan Wake — we won’t give anything away, but if you’ve played Control, you can expect a few familiar faces and scenarios in Alan Wake 2.

3. Dead Space (Remake)

The Xbox 360 science fiction horror game Dead Space was released in 2008 and has since become a bit of a classic. In 2023, a remake landed, every bit as good as — some say better than — the original. The newest Dead Space is available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S and is included with an EA Play subscription.

You play as engineer Isaac Clarke, on a mission to repair the USG Ishimura, a mining spaceship overrun by alien creatures known as Necromorphs. Oh, and you’re battling psychosis, to boot. Plus, the ship’s crew is dead, and your partner, Nicole, is missing.

The new Dead Space has been rebuilt from the ground up. This time around, the pesky loading screens have gone, and there are many enhancements to the graphics, audio, and gameplay.

Whether you loved the original Dead Space or are entirely new to the franchise, the Dead Space remake is one of the best survival horror games for Xbox and a must-play for horror fans.

4. Alien: Isolation

From one sci-fi horror game to another absolute classic, Alien: Isolation goes down in history as one of the most terrifying games you’ll ever play. Available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, this isn’t the game for you if you’re into fast-paced, run-and-gun survival horror. It’s all about stealth, with the creeping sense of dread as you try to avoid the Alien, making for horrifically tense gameplay.

It may be almost a decade old, but the graphics in Alien: Isolation hold up well, and the Alien looks as frightening as it was when we first booted up our Xbox Ones to play it back in 2014. Set fifteen years after Alien, you play as Amanda Ripley, Ellen’s daughter, who sets out to discover what happened when her mother disappeared.

The key here is to use your wits to stay alive, hiding in vents, scavenging resources, and avoiding detection by the Alien at all costs. If it finds you, it’s game over. Trust us when we say the sound of the Alien crashing through vents above your head will haunt your dreams for months after you finally complete the game.

5. Resident Evil 2 (Remake)

Ask any Resident Evil fan which installment of the franchise is their favorite, and they’ll inevitably pick the second game. The remake, released in 2019, is available for Xbox One and next-gen consoles, but if you’re playing on Xbox Series X/S, grab the Deluxe Edition, which has been optimized for next-gen consoles and also includes the DLC pack with a number of costumes and weapons.

Set in 1998, Raccoon City is engulfed by a deadly virus. This is the first time we meet Claire Redfield, who’s on the hunt for her missing brother, Chris, a S.T.A.R.S. police officer. When Claire arrives in town, she finds it overrun by flesh-hungry zombies. We’re also introduced to rookie cop Leon Kennedy, and the game allows you to play as both characters for an immersive experience.

Resident Evil 2 had pretty groundbreaking graphics and gameplay at the time, and the remake is equally impressive. It’s the most popular game in the series, and whether you’re a Resident Evil fan or not, it’s one you must play if you love survival horror.

6. Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Another game that’s classed as an open-world action-adventure game rather than survival horror, we’re still including Dying Light 2 here for its unique narrative-driven experience, awesome parkour, and terrifying, zombie-infested post-apocalyptic setting.

Available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, the Xbox One edition includes an automatic upgrade to the next-gen optimized version. The Deluxe Edition comes bundled with the Bloody Ties DLC plus special weapons and upgrades.

The scenes are set 20 years after the original game when the deadly virus is wiping out humanity from Dying Light. You play as Aiden Caldwell, a nomad who delivers news and goods to the survivor settlements as you hunt for your kid sister Mia.

There’s no two ways about it: Dying Light 2 is gory, and combat is creative, with plenty of skills to help you defeat hordes of ravenous zombies. Traverse the vast city and map by free-running over rooftops and buildings, collect loot, and ask yourself this: Are you courageous enough to go out after dark?

7. Amnesia: The Bunker

The final entry on our list, psychological first-person horror Amnesia: The Bunker, is the latest in the Amnesia franchise. Whether you’ve played the other titles, such as The Dark Descent, or are new to the series, this experience is terrifying. Amnesia: The Bunker is available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

What could be creepier than being alone in an abandoned WW1 bunker with one bullet in your gun? But wait… there are terrors lurking in the dark. You play as Henri Clement, a French soldier armed with only a revolver and a flashlight, and you’re being hunted by a light-sensitive monster known only as The Beast. With supplies scarce, you’ll need to scavenge and craft to survive. Every play-through is different, providing plenty of replay value — if you’re brave enough.

These survival horror games for Xbox will surely give you sleepless nights, whether you’re brave enough to play alone or get your creepy fix during daylight hours when friends visit. Prefer playing on your PC? Check out how to play Xbox Game Pass games on your PC, and don’t forget to look at the 6 best Xbox PC Game Pass games around.