The ocean, which covers over 70% of our planet, is a source of fear for many people. This fear, known as thalassophobia, is understandable – after all, we’ve only explored a small fraction of what lies beneath the surface.
Considering the creatures we do find down there – like the Big Fin Squid, which is wonderfully terrifying – sometimes it’s better to remain in the dark. It’s no surprise, then, that horror game developers have embraced this fear and set their scariest games in the vast, open ocean.
These horror games cleverly use the ocean and everything in it to create fear, tapping into the common phobia of the sea, thalassophobia. Whether you’re on a ship, an oil platform, or underwater, the ocean isn’t just a backdrop – it’s a central part of the experience, as important as the character you control.
From there, players just have to hold their breath, and dive right in.
10. Bioshock
No Debate It’s Freaky
Ever since the first BioShock came out in the late 2000s, players have argued about whether it should really be considered a survival horror game. Both sides of the debate have good arguments, but considering its overall feel – particularly compared to later installments like BioShock Infinite – I’d say it’s a good introduction to the genre. It’s a game that can easily draw players into survival horror.
BioShock is set in Rapture, a city built underwater. This place is gloomy, run-down, and dangerous, so players need to be careful as they explore.
I was really thrown into the deep end with some tough moral choices right away, and honestly, what you decide really changes how the whole game plays out. If you’re like me and haven’t heard about the big twist, your decisions could seriously leave you feeling awful – in a good way, though! It’s a wild ride.
It’s a subtle beginning to a terrifying ocean nightmare, like testing the water with your toe before being completely submerged.
9. Subnautica
Swim Faster!
While Subnautica isn’t officially a horror game, many players quickly find it terrifying, especially those with a fear of the ocean (thalassophobia). The game triggers that fear so strongly that it can linger even after you return to the surface.
Okay, so the basic idea behind Subnautica is that you crash land on this amazing alien planet that’s almost entirely ocean. You’re totally on your own, and your goal is to figure out everything you can about this new world – the plants, the animals, everything! – while also trying to find a way to get back home. But seriously, the creatures down there? They’re not like anything you’ve ever imagined, and they behave exactly how you’d expect deep sea creatures to – it’s super realistic and a little scary!
The good news is, this game doesn’t have traditional fighting, so you won’t need to defend yourself. If you feel threatened, your best bet is to swim away quickly. However, sometimes it feels like you’re not fast enough to escape certain creatures.
The underwater world is incredibly beautiful and definitely worth experiencing, even if you’re a little afraid of the water.
8. Little Nightmares
Worst Cruise Ever, 0 Stars
The strange and unsettling world of Little Nightmares is so immersive that it’s easy to lose track of the fact the game is set on a massive ship, The Maw, adrift at sea and only accessible by another vessel.
Sometimes, you suddenly realize you’re in danger – maybe you notice things shaking or moving – and that’s when it hits you: you’re trapped, and there’s nowhere to go.
Though brief, this game is packed with terrifying moments. The enemies are truly monstrous, tapping into the primal fears of childhood and leaving you feeling completely vulnerable.
The game is disturbing and unsettling from every perspective, amplified by its dark and gruesome visuals. While you spend time on the ocean, it’s a small part of an overall experience that’s genuinely uncomfortable – but in a strangely compelling way.
It’s a shame this game didn’t get the attention it deserved, as it was overshadowed by later installments and is now considered the most underrated in the series.
7. Resident Evil Revelations
Don’t Go Overboard
The Resident Evil series is known for its globetrotting adventures, much like the musician Pitbull, but instead of performing in different countries, the games constantly throw you into one crisis after another. In the first Resident Evil Revelations, that crisis unfolds on the open sea.
The game is set aboard the Queen Zenobia, a luxurious cruise ship that intentionally evokes the feel of the classic Spencer Mansion as you explore its corridors. Fittingly, it came out during a period when the Resident Evil series was leaning heavily into nostalgia. However, what’s truly unexpected is the wealth of new story details and background information this installment provides – it’s surprisingly full of content, much more than the trailer suggests.
As a huge Resident Evil fan, I wasn’t surprised to find out this ship had a hidden lab – Umbrella always has something up its sleeve! Of course, that means everything goes crazy, and it’s up to me to figure out what happened and uncover the truth behind their experiments.
This installment offers a fresh take on the series, but still delivers the classic Resident Evil experience – this time with a chilling underwater atmosphere.
6. Narcosis
A Whole Shipload of Nope
Being on the surface of the ocean is different than being deep underwater. In the game Narcosis, you’re stranded at the bottom of the ocean, facing dwindling oxygen and a race against time in the vast, dark depths.
Of course, you’d need to stay calm to conserve oxygen – just like deep-sea divers are trained to do – and keep track of your health to have any hope of returning to the surface. Assuming, that is, the immense pressure and the strain on your mind don’t overwhelm you first.
Wow, this game genuinely gives me the creeps! It reminds me of this incredible story I read about a saturation diver, Chris Lemons, who was stranded deep underwater. The feeling of being trapped and utterly alone that he must have felt? This game nails that same terrifying tension. Even though there are monsters and fantastical elements, it feels so real and grounded that it hits you with a much deeper, more primal fear. It’s not just jump scares; it’s a real sense of dread.
One of the biggest highlights is the soundtrack, which features Akira Yamaoka, the celebrated composer behind the Silent Hill games. As a huge fan of his work, I can say the atmosphere he creates is incredible, particularly with his signature, evocative melodies.
5. The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan
Ever Seen The Lighthouse?
Horror often blends well with other genres, and The Dark Pictures Anthology is a prime example. It’s a game that combines the thrills of horror with the freedom of a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ story, meaning every decision you make has real consequences and shapes how the story unfolds.
I was so hooked by Man of Medan! The story centers around this creepy ghost ship from World War II, and follows a group of college students who decide to find it today. Of course, like any good ghost story, things quickly go wrong when a storm shows up!
This game kicks off The Dark Pictures Anthology and establishes the series’ atmosphere, brilliantly capturing the many superstitions traditionally held by sailors. What’s unique is that these aren’t just atmospheric details – they’re genuine dangers, like the old saying about a red sky at dawn.
Okay, so these games all start you off with something really creative and creepy, and they each do horror in their own way. I gotta say, Man of Medan nails the whole scary-at-sea vibe. It really knows how to make you feel trapped and terrified on the water.
4. SOMA
Humanity in the Depths
SOMA is a chilling horror game where you explore a terrifying underwater world and grapple with deep questions about what it means to be human. It’s so thought-provoking, you might not even realize you’re at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean!
SOMA is a mind-bending sci-fi horror game that starts powerfully and builds to an even more intense climax. It’s not just scary – it delves into deep, unsettling themes about existence and what it means to be human. If you often grapple with big questions about life, this game might be a bit too much.
I don’t want to give away any surprises, but this game is truly worth experiencing – it’s more than just scary. The important ideas and messages will stay with you long after you finish playing, almost like a feeling you can’t shake.
3. Iron Lung
Eagerly Anticipating the Movie
Iron Lung is a standout indie horror game that gained popularity thanks to YouTubers discovering it. And for good reason – it takes a basic concept and delivers it exceptionally well. My only complaint is that it’s a bit short!
You’re a prisoner sent to explore a strange new planet covered in a blood-red ocean, piloting a deteriorating submarine. Your mission is to photograph the environment and collect data, but as the images you receive become increasingly unsettling, you discover your mission isn’t about returning home – and a desperate struggle for survival begins.
The story doesn’t have a complicated plot, but what makes it work is its focus on everyday details and long, quiet moments, broken only by the sound of water. This simple approach creates a truly unique and unsettling horror experience.
I’m not familiar with the movie-making process, but I’m starting to get concerned about whether Markiplier’s Iron Lung movie will ever come out. However, the game’s creator seemed happy with what they’ve seen, so there’s still a chance it will be released.
2. Dredge
Cosy AND Cosmically Horrifying
I went into Dredge thinking it might be a pretty but ultimately slow game – it looks so cute and relaxing! But wow, was I wrong. I actually got totally hooked, and before I knew it, I’d earned the platinum trophy! It’s easily one of the most surprisingly fun maritime horror games I’ve ever played.
Dredge is a unique game that combines fishing with horror elements, including creepy creatures inspired by Lovecraftian stories and a system that tracks your character’s mental state. While it’s safer for your sanity to fish during the day, you’ll miss out on discovering certain fish that only appear at night – and completing your in-game fish collection!
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this game as much as I did – it’s surprisingly addictive! Many players find themselves starting a new game after finishing it, just to upgrade their boat and complete the in-game encyclopedia. If you have the downloadable content, there’s even more to discover, making it a really worthwhile experience.
Dredge strongly emphasizes the eerie, unsettling atmosphere associated with Lovecraftian horror, which often features elements of terror at sea.
1. Still Wakes the Deep
A Tragedy in Roaring Waters
Still Wakes the Deep is a truly haunting horror game, and surprisingly, a very sad one. You play as Caz Mcleary, a Scottish engineer on the Beira D. Oil Rig, and from the beginning, you feel a sense of despair and impending doom as he tries to solve a critical problem. What he doesn’t realize is that he and the entire crew are already facing an inescapable fate.
A terrifying, otherworldly creature has taken over the oil rig, and you need to find a way to escape and prevent it from harming others. Even if you fail, you must try.
Life can feel overwhelming, but for Caz, his daughters are his main focus, and that makes things a little easier as long as he can protect them. The story is both deeply sad and beautifully told, and the new ‘Siren’s Rest’ downloadable content for the game adds even more to it, focusing on a diver who discovers the remains of an oil rig.
It’s a horror story that’s clung with me like salt to seawater, and I can’t recommend it enough.
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2025-10-28 23:13