Summary

  • The best horror games on Meta Quest 2 and 3 offer a variety of gameplay styles, catering to different preferences and amplifying fear.
  • VR is uniquely capable of expanding the horror genre, since it can provide unprecedented immersion.
  • The best horror games on Meta Quest 2 and 3 run the gamut of different experiences, from action packed recognizable titles, to brooding and obscure projects.

One of the most exciting avenues to explore in Meta Quest 2 and 3 is the perfect way to discover what the genre has to offer. Immersion is key to making fear feel tangible, and strapping on a headset and getting lost in a terrifying environment is unlike any other horror experience. Whether a newcomer to video game scares or a battle-hardened veteran unafraid of anything, the best Meta Quest 2 and 3 options can work their magic on anyone.

The horror genre is more about narrative and mood than anything else, so the best horror games on the Meta Quest 2 and 3 cover a variety of gameplay styles. Some of these are action-packed experiences, while others focus on putting players into vulnerable positions to amplify fear. There's something for every preference, and the truly standout options might be good choices even for those who aren't drawn to them at first glance.

Related
10 Best Meta Quest 2 RPGs Right Now

The Meta Quest 2 might not seem like the obvious destination for RPGs, but it's collected a diverse library of engaging titles in the genre.

10 The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Is Horror Action

Skydance Interactive, 2020

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is an action game first and foremost, but that doesn't mean that it entirely forsakes the horror possibilities of the zombie genre. Unlike Arizona Sunshine, another popular VR zombie shooter, Saints & Sinners has plenty of interest in a tense and fearful atmosphere. It's not one of the scariest VR experiences out there, but there's still plenty to appreciate throughout the course of its adventure.

9 The Exorcist: Legion VR Isn't A Cash Grab

Wolf & Wood Interactive Ltd, 2017

A religious statue next to the title card for the Exorcist Legion VR.

Dragging The Exorcist back into the limelight for franchise opportunities doesn't always ensure a quality product, as most viewers of the recent The Exorcist: Believer might attest. The Exorcist: Legion VR, however, does a respectable job building on that world to provide genuine fear. With a carefully tuned mix of creepy moments and actual jump scares, this is more than just a cash-grab tie-in on the Meta Quest 2 and 3.

Related
The 15 Best Exercise Games On Meta Quest 2

From exploring immersive worlds to receiving guided workout routines, the best fitness games on the Meta Quest 2 take exercise to the next level.

8 Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife Is Ghostly Fun

Fast Travel Games, 2021

Ghost-hunting is a fairly common feature in horror games, but Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife turns things on their head by putting the player into the undead role. This intriguing premise is served well by a few unique mechanics that take advantage of ghostly abilities, most notably phasing through walls. Uncovering the overall story is a rewarding experience, and well-balanced difficulty makes it a consistently engaging time.

7 AFFECTED: The Manor Has Haunted House Spooks

Fallen Planet Studios, 2017

A spooky child looming at the end of a row of bookcases in Affected: The Manor.

AFFECTED: The Manor has always been a cool experience, but it traditionally wasn't much more than a basic haunted house walkthrough. This was great for showing to friends, but it didn't offer much in the way of replayability. With the more recent addition of additional modes, however, the game is a more complete package than ever before, and taking on some generated arrays of spooks or challenging speedruns gives it significantly greater longevity.

6 Lies Beneath Carves Out A Strong Niche

Drifter, 2020

Holding an axe and faccing down a woman in a red dress flanked by tentacles humanoid enemies in Lies Beneath.

Unique art styles don't crop up especially often in VR, so the cel-shaded look of Lies Beneath definitely helps set it apart from other Meta Quest horror offerings. That's not the only thing it does right, however, with a strong atmosphere, compelling combat, and a healthy dose of puzzles to create a diverse gameplay experience. A college student named Mae returning to a small town might sound an awful lot like Night in the Woods, but Lies Beneath goes in a much, much scarier direction.

5 Cosmodread Is A Horror Roguelike

White Door Games, 2021

Holding a crossbow in a spaceship corrodor in Cosmodread.

Cosmodread has a very different flavor from most horror games on the Quest 2 and 3, utilizing a setting and tone more like Dead Space than classic haunted house fare. The goal is to escape a spaceship full of threats, with a healthy dose of roguelike elements that lend the game significant replayability. With immersive interactions and an emphasis on player strategy, Cosmodread is one of the strongest VR horror experiences out there.

4 Five Nights At Freddy's: Help Wanted Has Scares

Steel Wool Studios, 2019

Five Nights At Freddy's Help Wanted logo

The Five Nights at Freddy's name is sure to be an immediate draw for some, while others might be more exhausted by its constant media presence than anything. Regardless of opinions on the franchise as a whole, Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted is one of the best VR horror experiences. The jump scare focus translates exceptionally well to the Meta Quest 2 and 3, and it arguably rises above any other franchise entries as a result.

3 Dreadhalls Has A Terrifying Atmosphere

White Door Games, 2019

Dreadhalls VR game environment with two looming statues.

Developed by the same studio as Cosmodread, Dreadhalls features simpler gameplay but potentially even better scares. This dungeon-crawler achieves a similarly oppressive atmosphere to Amnesia: The Dark Descent, making fear a constant companion in a way that few titles can manage. Dreadhalls has been around for much longer than its official debut on the Quest store, originally premiering in the earlier days of Oculus, but it certainly holds up.

2 Resident Evil 4 Is A Classic In VR

Armature Studio, 2021

Resident Evil 4 is frequently mentioned as one of the best survival horror games of all time, and the VR version available on Meta Quest 2 and 3 doesn't drop the ball. This isn't just a basic VR port, with a number of features and gameplay elements being reworked to fit perfectly into new control schemes and modes of interaction. Agent Leon S. Kennedy's mission is just as compelling as it's always been, and fans and newcomers to Resident Evil 4 alike can get plenty out of the experience.

1 Propagation: Paradise Hotel Does It All

WanadevStudio, 2023

Holding a key and looking at a hotel employee in Propagation: Paradise Hotel.

Propagation: Paradise Hotel is perfect proof that the VR horror genre hasn't lost its momentum, as this 2023 title is one of the best yet. It doesn't shy away from using zombies to their full extent, with plenty of gore and surprises that avoid the more rote tendencies of the genre. Propagation: Paradise Hotel isn't especially long, but the virtual reality experience that's there is hard to beat on the Meta Quest 2 and 3.