The 12 Best Horror and Dark Fantasy MMOs in 2025

Any MMO can quickly turn into a horror story if you step into a dungeon with a newbie tank, a lazy healer, and underperforming damage dealers. The mobs will do unspeakable things to your little party and you’ll never want to see that place again.

But if you are looking for another kind of terrifying experience, check out the titles below. Since this is a quite limited genre of games, we have included some games that might not technically be MMOs in the true sense, but will still deliver some great multiplayer horror action.

12. Requiem: Rise of the Reaver

• Developer: Gravity Interactive
• Released: 2008
• Platform: PC
• For fans of Old-School MMOs

Requiem: Rise of the Reaver has blood and gore, a spine-chilling atmosphere, creepy monsters, and everything you could want from a horror MMORPG.

This game came out in 2008 and it never was a big hit. However, that is not really an issue as the developers seem to be happy with keeping the game going for their loyal player base.

Frequent updates and events are a good indicator that Requiem: Rise of the Reaver is doing well. It’s free so you can give it a go anytime you want.

11. Dead Frontier 2

• Developer: Creaky Corpse Limited
• Released: 2018
• Platform: PC
• For fans of Zombie Games

You can play it alone or you can play with others. No matter how you choose to experience Dead Frontier 2, it won’t be easy. Zombies are out to get you and they come in hordes. If you think that you can rely on guns and ammo, think again. This is a horror survival game in which consumables are scarce.

The economy is player-driven so, in true MMO fashion, players depend on each other. When you’re tired of hunting zombies, give your fellow players hell in PvP fights. Dead Frontier 2 is free to play so you can try it right now.

10. Stay Out

• Developer: Mobile Technologies, LLC.
• Released: 2019
• Platform: PC
• For fans of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

This is a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. inspired free-to-play MMORPG. Stay Out comes with a warning for mature content, violence, and blood.

The game is set in a desolate urban environment. As Stalkers, players will adventure into forgotten places, uncover mysteries, and investigate anomalies.

They will also face the dangers of the Alienation Zone in an attempt to retrieve powerful artifacts and treasures.

Survival elements make each consumable count. And to make things even more challenging, PvP is part of the gameplay.

9. Hellgate: London

• Developer: Flagship Studios, T3Entertainment
• Released: 2007
• Platform: PC
• For fans of Diablo

Hellgate: London is a classic in mulitplayer horror action, but the official servers were turned off a long time ago. Thankfully the game is available as a singleplayer experience on Steam.

A fan-made private server named London 2038 is also available for those of you who want to experience the multiplayer version of the game as it was back in 2007.

In Hellgate: London you play as a survivor of the apocalypse, tasked with fighting back the demons that have taken over the world.

8. Diablo 4

• Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
• Released: 2023
• Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
• For fans of ARPGs

Diablo 4 continues the tradition of the Diablo series, delving into its dark fantasy roots with a new installment. Diablo 4 is filled with the horror elements that the series is known for, presenting a grim, open world that players can explore.

The game’s world is vast and interconnected, allowing players to traverse five distinct regions, each brimming with demonic enemies, hidden dungeons, and unspeakable horrors.

7. Age of Conan

• Developer: Funcom
• Released: 2008
• Platform: PC
• For fans of Classic Fantasy

Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, developed by Funcom, is a dark fantasy MMO that plunges players into the brutal and savage world of Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian.

Set in the Hyborian Age, a time of war, sorcery, and ancient gods, the game captures the raw, visceral essence of Howard’s stories. From the moment players create their character—a survivor of a shipwreck stranded on the shores of Tortage—they are thrust into a world where survival depends on strength, cunning, and a willingness to embrace the darkness.

6. Once Human

• Developer: Starry Studio, NetEase Inc
• Released: 2024
• Platform: PC
• For fans of Shooter MMOs

This game plunges players into a post-apocalyptic world where humanity faces extinction from monstrous creatures and environmental catastrophes. Strange, alien entities now roam the land, and the remnants of humanity are forced to adapt or perish.

The gameplay in “Once Human” emphasizes survival mechanics, with players needing to gather resources, build shelters, and defend against increasingly terrifying creatures that roam the landscape.

5. Broken Ranks

• Developer: Whitemoon Games
• Released: 2022
• Platform: PC
• For fans of Baldur’s Gate and Heroe’s of Might and Magic

Broken Ranks entered onto the MMO scene in 2022 with its unique turn-based combat and isometric graphics inspired by old-school RPG titles such as Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale. The combat on the other hand has been inspired by the turn-based combat of games like Heroes of Might and Magic.

Broken Ranks puts you in the middle of a dark and dangerous world, where you’ll have to face off against all sorts of horrifying creatures. From vampires and werewolves to ghosts and ghouls, there is no shortage of things that go bump in the night in Broken Ranks.

4. Mortal Online 2

• Developer: Star Vault
• Released: 2021
• Platform: PC
• For fans of PvP MMOs

Mortal Online 2 is not for the faint of heart. The world of Nave truly is grim, but the scariest part is not the monsters, it’s the other players. Mortal Online 2 is a full loot sandbox MMO with an emphasis on PvP.

The game features a unique, player-driven economy. In the game, players can harvest resources and craft items to sell to other players. The game also features an in-depth combat system that rewards strategic thinking.

If you’re looking for a dark and brutal MMO with a lot of player interaction, then Mortal Online 2 is definitely worth checking out.

3. Path of Exile / Path of Exile 2

• Developer: Grinding Gear Games
• Released: 2013
• Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
• For fans of ARPGs

Taking inspiration from Diablo 2, Path of Exile, developed by Grinding Gear Games, is a free-to-play action RPG that has become a cornerstone of the dark fantasy genre. Set in the grim and forsaken world of Wraeclast, the game immerses players in a land of exile, ancient curses, and eldritch horrors. With its deep customization systems, complex lore, and atmospheric design, Path of Exile has earned a reputation as one of the most hardcore and rewarding games in the genre.

Path of Exile 2, the highly anticipated sequel, builds on the foundation of the original while introducing new mechanics, storylines, and improvements. The sequel will also introduce a revamped skill system, updated graphics, and new character classes while maintaining the dark, gritty tone that fans love.

2. The Secret World Legends

• Developer: Funcom
• Released: 2012
• Platform: PC
• For fans of H.P. Lovecraft

Start with H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King, add some Edgar Allen Poe, throw vampires and zombies into the mix, creepy urban legends are a must, sprinkle ancient mythology all over, and that’s The Secret World for you.

This game has a dark and twisted plot, and it’s sure to keep you on your toes. The game is set in the modern day, but it’s full of conspiracy theories and monsters.

All things horror come together in this MMORPG by Funcom. The result is a catchy story that will take at least 100 hours to complete.

1. New World

• Developer: Amazon Games
• Released: 2021
• Platform: PC
• For fans of Survival Elements and a mix of PvE and PvP

Set in a dark and dangerous world of monsters, magic, and mayhem, New World is an MMO that is sure to please horror fans and traditional MMO fans alike.

An open-world MMO with a medieval flavor, New World transports players to a fictional location in the 17th century.

The game features a dark atmosphere and supernatural elements. The classless system gives players the chance to create unique builds by mixing weapons, attributes, and trade skill talents.

Defeat the monsters that inhabit the Eternal Isle and go against other players in massive guild wars. Either way, the fight never stops. New World has a one-time purchase business model with microtransactions.

So, there you have it – a few of the best horror and dark fantasy MMOs available online. If you’re looking for a good scare, then these are the games for you. And, who knows, maybe you’ll be the one who ends up staying up all night. after all, that’s half the fun!

Do you have a favorite horror or dark fantasy MMO? Let us know in the comments below!