As we step into a brand-new year (happy new year by the way!), horror game fans have plenty to look forward to. With an exciting lineup of indie titles hitting storefronts this month, January 2025 is shaping up to be a stellar month for the horror genre. Let’s explore the biggest horror games releasing in January 2025.
Cruel – January 9
Platforms: PC
Developers: James Dornan
Kicking off January’s lineup is Cruel, a fast-paced first-person shooter created by solo developer James Dornan. This action-horror game takes you through 10 procedurally generated levels inside a crumbling, abandoned hotel taken over by a cult. Whilst the retro arcade-style aesthetics and immersive electronic soundtrack are impressive, personally, I’m most excited about this game’s rogue-like elements, which let you upgrade your stats and hopefully let you progress further with each run.
Cursed Digicam – January 10
Platforms: PC
Developers: Chilla’s Art
If I had to pick my most anticipated game this month, it would have to be Cursed Digicam. Created by the legendary Chilla’s Art, a Japanese indie studio made up of two brothers, this game is their first to use Unreal Engine 5. While I loved the slightly janky visuals in their past titles (like The Convenience Store and The Kidnap), the polished look here feels like a big leap forward.
In Cursed Digicam, you receive a haunted camera that reveals the spirits of your loved ones. You’ll upload these photos to a mysterious website in hopes of freeing their souls. You play as a father trying to take a picture of his missing daughter’s spirit in the park, the last place she was seen. As is typical for Chilla’s Art games, Cursed Digicam will likely take you on a short yet emotional journey.
Terror Diversion – January 10
Platforms: PC
Developers: FatCoke
Moving from Unreal Engine 5 all the way back to text-based horror games leads us to Terror Diversion. You play as a girl haunted by spirits who arrives in a strange town filled with unsettling urban legends. With random events popping up and multiple playable characters boasting unique stats and backstories, the game feels dynamic and personal. It’s perfect for fans of interactive storytelling and supernatural mysteries.
Things Too Ugly – January 16
Platforms: PC
Developers: Professor Space Games
If you’ve read my articles before, you’ll know how much I adore “computer simulator” horror games like Welcome to the Game and Home Safety Hotline. That’s why I’m so excited for Things Too Ugly. Set in 1986, you play as a Risk Assessment Data Processor at TEREBRO INC., sifting through archives full of recordings and documents. As you uncover the company’s buried secrets, you’ll face a haunting dilemma: protect their reputation or expose the terrifying truth. I’m excited to put on my investigative gear and hop into this blend of psychological and “corporate horror” (a sub genre I only discovered whilst writing).
Realtor – January 17
Platforms: PC
Developers: Colarpill
Switching gears from corporate offices to creepy mansions, Realtor puts you in the shoes of—you guessed it—a realtor tasked with photographing a property before it hits the market. But as you snap pictures, you’ll notice some strange appearances in the photos that hint at the house’s dark past. With its nostalgic PS2-era visuals and plenty of hidden secrets, this game promises a satisfying mix of exploration and creepy atmosphere.
Dreamcore – January 23
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X, PS5
Developers: Montraluz
In Dreamcore, you’ll explore surreal environments like the Dreampools and the Eternal Suburbia, piecing together secrets and searching for an exit. The non-linear gameplay lets you take your time with each eerie world, and the developer plans to add even more locations post-launch. This one looks tailor-made for fans of the Backrooms and liminal spaces in general.
NOROI KAGO: The Grudged Domain – January 23
Platforms: PC (Early Access)
Developers: Toydium
Entering Early Access this month is NOROI KAGO, a four-player cooperative horror game inspired by Japanese folklore. You and your friends navigate a cursed domain, avoiding dangerous Yokai while collecting ritual items to escape. From initial impressions, the game feels very remiscient of Devour, with randomised spawn points for important items.
What excites me most about NOROI KAGO is the game’s striking black-and-white art style, which feels like a manga brought to life. In fact, the developers have mentioned that they were inspired by the artwork of Shigeru Mizuki, the creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, a manga from the 1960s.
Poppy Playtime Chapter 4 – January 30
Platforms: PC
Developers: Mob Entertainment
The month wraps up with the highly anticipated Poppy Playtime: Chapter 4. Continuing your exploration of the Playtime Co. factory, this chapter introduces three new toy enemies: Yarnaby, Baba Chops, and Pianosaurus, and you can also expect familiar Grab Pack puzzles and traversal mechanics.
Hopefully , we discover more lore behind the Prototype, the overarching antagonist of the series. In one of the VHS tapes in a previous chapter, we learnt that the Prototype orchestrated the initial breakout of the toys and the massacre of the Playtime staff, so I’m very excited to find out more about the one behind it all.
Final Thoughts
January 2025 is packed with must-play horror games that cater to every kind of fan. Which horror titles are you going to pick up? Keep updated on new releases, guides, and news at Horror Game News. Thank you for reading!
