Published on October 25th, 2023 | by Rebecca D. Walker
2Free Multiplayer Horror Games on Steam
Steam is home to hundreds of free-to-play horror games that offer multiplayer modes, allowing you to get scared together with friends. In this article, we highlight 10 of the best free multiplayer horror games available on Steam.
List of the Best Free Multiplayer Horror Games on Steam
1. Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight is arguably one of the most popular asynchronous multiplayer horror games on Steam. 4 players take on the role of survivors who must repair generators, open exit gates, and escape from a trial while avoiding being caught by the killer controlled by the 5th player. With 25+ playable survivors and killers, procedurally generated maps, and a deep progression system, Dead by Daylight offers hundreds of hours of multiplayer horror gameplay for free.
Key Features:
- Asynchronous 4v1 multiplayer gameplay
- 25+ playable survivors and killers with unique abilities
- Procedurally generated maps and trials
- Perk unlock system and a deep progression
- Regular content updates, including new survivors, killers, and maps
“Absolutely brilliant game. So many different killers and survivors to choose from, each with their own play styles and perks. I’ve put in hundreds of hours with friends, and it’s been a blast.” – Steam Review
2. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt
Bloodhunt brings the World of Darkness vampire universe into a free-to-play battle royale game. Players take on the role of competing vampires fighting for domination in the city of Prague. With 6 unique vampire clans to choose from, each with their own skills and abilities, players must fight against up to 45 other players while avoiding the human vampire hunters. Fast-paced gunplay and melee combat combined with vampire powers and parkour movement make for intense multiplayer action.
Key Features:
- Battle royale with up to 45 players
- Play as one of 6 unique vampire clans
- Use vampire powers like invisibility and teleportation
- Fast-paced FPS gameplay with melee combat
- Parkour movement system
- Regular content updates
“This game has become my go-to battle royale. The vampiric powers put such a fun spin on the standard BR formula, and running along the rooftops of Prague never gets old.” – Steam Review
3. Secret Neighbor
In this multiplayer social horror game set in the Hello Neighbor universe, a group of kids must sneak into the creepy neighbor’s basement to rescue their missing friend. With one player randomly selected secretly as the neighbor in disguise, the kids must figure out who among them is the deceitful neighbor while unlocking the basement door. Filled with distrust and paranoia, Secret Neighbor makes for a chilling multiplayer horror experience.
Key Features:
- 6v1 multiplayer with traitor mechanic
- Set in the popular Hello Neighbor universe
- Play as kids or the creepy neighbor
- Uses voice chat for added immersion
- Unlock doors and find keys to gain access to the basement
- Regular content updates
“Such a fun concept for a multiplayer horror game. The social deduction element creates so much tension and uncertainty about who to trust.” – Steam Review
4. Deceit
Deceit is one of the best free multiplayer horror games on Steam. In Deceit, a group of 6 players wake up in unknown locations with no memory of how they got there. 2-3 of the players are infected monsters that look just like innocent humans. No one knows who is infected or not, leading to paranoid accusations and deception as the players try to survive the night. With randomized map layouts and flexible player counts, no two games are ever the same in this free multiplayer horror title.
Key Features:
- 6 players with hidden infected monsters
- Social deduction and paranoia
- Randomized maps
- Voice chat adds to immersion
- Craft weapons and items
- Play as a human or infected in a multiplayer
“The infected dynamics create so much tension – you never feel safe. The game incentivizes excellent teamwork but also betrayal, which keeps it thrilling.” – Steam Review
5. Soul at Stake
Fight against demonic monsters as a team in this 4 player co-op horror game. Set across randomly generated levels, players must battle hordes of demons using ranged and melee weapons. Defeat bosses, unlock skills and abilities, discover secrets, and work together to make it out alive. With endless character customization through the rune unlock system, Soul at Stake offers engaging free-to-play co-op action.
Key Features:
- 4 player co-op multiplayer
- Procedurally generated levels
- Hordes of demonic monsters
- Boss fights
- Loot progression system
- Rune unlocks for abilities and skills
- Tons of weapons
“Some of the most addictive co-op gameplay I’ve experienced. The progression system keeps you coming back run after run.” – Steam Review
6. Cry of Fear
Cry of Fear is a classic free Half-Life 1 mod that has been fully converted to a free standalone game. As a lone survivor trying to navigate a nightmarish world, you can bring friends along in online co-op for added horror. With limited ammo and supplies, monstrous enemies, and relentlessly grim environments, Cry of Fear captures survival horror exceptionally well even years after initial release.
Key Features:
- Classic survival horror game brought to Steam
- Online co-op mode
- Terrifying monstrous enemies
- Atmospheric environments
- Inventory management with limited supplies
- Puzzles and exploration
“The online co-op mode is a blast with friends. It really ups the horror quotient when you’re trying to survive together.” – Steam Review
7. Slender: The Arrival
The sequel to popular free indie horror game Slender: The Eight Pages, Slender: The Arrival expands the core Slender Man experience into a longer survival horror adventure. Explore the creepy abandoned locations, collect clues and pages about the supernatural Slender Man, and try not to get caught by the faceless pursuer. The multiplayer modes let you experience the horror collectively.
Key Features:
- Sequel to hit indie horror title Slender: The Eight Pages
- Multiplayer modes including Co-op and Versus Survival
- Expanded environments to explore
- First-person horror gameplay
- Based on terrifying Slender Man myths
“Having friends along makes the game’s scares that much more visceral and real. Slender Man is even creepier when others can see him too!” – Steam Review
8. Left 4 Dead 2
Valve’s hugely popular co-op zombie shooter is completely free-to-play, offering 4-player co-op through all campaigns. Fend off hordes of aggressive infected as you fight to survive in locations like city streets, swamps, and malls. With 5 campaigns, 19 maps, and top-notch FPS gameplay, Left 4 Dead 2 remains one of the best co-op horror games around.
Key Features:
- 5 full co-op campaigns with 19 maps
- 4 player online co-op
- 5 playable Survivors with own abilities
- Hordes of aggressive infected
- Arsenal of zombie-slaughtering weapons
- Physics-based gameplay creates moments of emergent horror
“The free-to-play update brought new life to this co-op classic – it’s still as thrilling and intense as ever these years later.” – Steam Review
9. Alien Swarm
Alien Swarm is a 4-player co-op sci-fi shooter that has you blasting your way through swarms of aliens. Set in a damaged space station overrun with an alien infestation, players must work together tactically securing areas, managing limited resources, and holding off waves of enemies. Unlock new Marine classes and abilities while mastering the top-down shooter action.
Key Features:
- 4 player co-op against alien swarms
- Top-down sci-fi shooter gameplay
- 7 Marine classes to unlock
- 60+ upgrades for abilities and weapons
- Swarming alien enemies
- Challenge mode for competitive team play
“A hidden co-op gem on Steam. Easy to pick up and play with friends while still offering depth through the progression system.” – Steam Review
10. No More Room in Hell
Focused on realistic survival in a zombie apocalypse, No More Room in Hell has you scavenging for weapons and supplies while holding out against the undead hordes. The 8-player co-op emphasizes teamwork and coordinated survival tactics. With objective-based maps, lethal zombies, and unforgiving gameplay, only the best zombie slayers will make it out alive.
Key Features:
- 8 player co-op zombie survival
- Realistic weapon handling and inventory
- Objective-based maps
- Slow, lethal zombies that swarm
- Emphasis on teamwork
- Stats tracking and leaderboards
“The most hardcore zombie survival experience you can get for free. Play with friends or get vote-kicked by your team!” – Steam Review.
Conclusion
The horror genre thrives on Steam, with numerous high-quality multiplayer horror experiences available completely free. These 10 games offer hundreds of hours of screams and scares together with friends across a variety of horror styles and settings. Whether you prefer surviving against zombies, escaping a creepy murderer, or slaying demons, these titles deliver free co-op and competitive multiplayer thrills. Just be sure to turn the lights on and bring friends for backup.
Any game is most fun when played with friends, especially horror games. Imagine completing a game through your teamwork and the tacit understanding between friends.
This sense of achievement is worth commemorating and celebrating. Why not customize some Enamel Pins for your friends? You can even print their names on them. Your friends must be surprised and touched by this thoughtful and considerate gift.
Header photo credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-using-a-computer-7858750/
Thank you for this insightful article! Your [topic] piece provided valuable information and a fresh perspective. I appreciate the effort you put into crafting such engaging content. Looking forward to reading more from you
You’re very welcome, John! I’m thrilled to hear that you found the article insightful and engaging. It’s always a pleasure to share valuable perspectives. Your appreciation means a lot to us, and I’m grateful for your kind words. If you have any questions or if there’s anything else you’d like to learn about, feel free to let us know!