Fighting aliens in a horror shooter is often a memorable experience. It’s no surprise that players who finish Prey will want more once they’re done with the game.
Luckily, there are more titles that combine ideas from first-person shooters and horror games to create the sort of experience you are looking for.
If you enjoyed being constantly trigger-ready and waiting for an ambush, then you’re in for a treat. These games will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire playthrough.
Check out our top picks for some of the 10 best horror shooter games like Prey.
Bioshock
| Genre: | First-Person Shooter, Survival Horror, Retrofuturism |
| Developers: | 2K |
| Release Date: | August 21, 2007 |
| Find at: | PlayStation Store, My Nintendo Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough: | 12 hours |
Bioshock is an iconic first-person shooter that provides an immersive experience in the wicked, retro-futuristic city of Rapture. In this underwater, claustrophobic city, various monsters and enemies will hunt players as they look for a way out.
Rapture’s ominous atmosphere will keep you on high alert throughout the whole game.
In Bioshock, players take the role of a silent protagonist called Jack. Although Jack’s plot is revealed as players reach forbidden areas of the city, the game also has a large amount of environmental storytelling.
By paying attention to each area and listening to creepy audio recordings, you can piece together what happened to Rapture and its residents.
Bioshock is a horror game and a first-person shooter, but it’s also a power fantasy. On top of using guns, players are introduced to plasmids, which are genetic modifications that grant special abilities to ordinary people. They’re useful, but enemies can access them too.
If you like horror games, first-person shooters, or memorable retro-futuristic settings, make sure to give Bioshock a shot. It’s one of the most memorable first-person shooters on Steam, and it’s ideal for Prey fans to take a look at.
Alien Isolation
| Genre: | First-Person, Survival Horror, Sci-Fi |
| Developers: | Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive |
| Release Date: | October 6, 2014 |
| Find at: | PlayStation Store, My Nintendo Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough | 34 Hours |
Alien: Isolation and Prey share a few similarities. They both occur in space stations where players must fight against deadly aliens and stay alive.
That being said, the main difference is in how the Xenomorph is used in Alien: Isolation. This creature is more like a monster from a horror movie than a boss you must take down.
The Xenomorph’s relentless pursuit of the player is a central aspect of the game, providing a constant sense of tension and danger throughout the player’s entire journey. It’s incredibly smart and hard to contend with.
Players will spend a significant amount of time crouching and hiding since being found by the Xenomorph almost always means certain death.
You can sometimes fend it off, but ultimately, it remains a constant threat throughout the game.
There are other enemies to keep an eye on in this game. Malfunctioning synthetics are another threat that you’ll have to battle with as you explore.
Although you get to use guns and fight, Alien: Isolation is much more about replicating the experience of the moves.
The game’s space station, the Sevastopol, masterfully replicates the aesthetic style of the old Alien movies. This game is sure to please both fans of horror and retrofuturism.
Resident Evil 7
| Genre: | First-Person, Survival Horror |
| Developers: | Capcom |
| Release Date: | January 24, 2017 |
| Find at: | PlayStation Store, My Nintendo Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough: | 10 hours |
When Resident Evil 7 first came out, a lot of franchise fans were confused and upset by the switch to a first-person perspective.
Fortunately, this did not cause the game to fail. It in fact is often mentioned as one of the best horror games on Steam and it has paved the way for its sequel, Resident Evil Village, which is just as good and possibly better
There is plenty of shooting, exploring, and jump scares in Resident Evil 7. At first, it may feel disconnected from the original series, but things change as the game progresses.
With time, the game reveals information that nicely ties the story with the original games.
Although Resident Evil 7 may not be as action-packed as some other horror shooters, it is an excellent first-person horror game with plenty of enemies and epic bosses.
If you’re looking for a fun game like Prey that offers a blend of horror and action, make sure to give Resident Evil 7 a try.
Metroid Prime
| Genre: | First-person Shooter, Sci-Fi |
| Developers: | Retro Studios |
| Release Date: | November 18, 2002 |
| Find at: | My Nintendo Store and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough: |
This iconic action-adventure immerses players in a unique blend of exploration, puzzles and first-person shooting. Metroid Prime takes place on the mysterious planet Zebes.
Players take on the role of intergalactic bounty hunter, Samus Aran, as she uncovers secrets and battles against a variety of deadly alien enemies.
It may seem like an odd addition to this list, but Metroid Prime is a fitting choice. The game has a creepy atmosphere and claustrophobic setting, with the well-known hint of sci-fi horror consistently seen in the franchise. In fact, this aspect of the game is elevated due to the first-person perspective of Metroid Prime.
As players progress through the game, they must use Samus’ arm cannon and suit abilities, such as the Morph Ball, to solve puzzles and access new areas.
If you like classics, puzzles, and badass bounty hunters in sci-fi power suits, I’m sure you’ll have a great time with Metroid Prime.
Metro 2033
| Genre: | First-Person Shooter, Survival Horror, Post-Apocalyptic |
| Developers: | 4A Games |
| Release Date: | 16 March 2010 |
| Find at: | PlayStation Store, My Nintendo Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough: | 14 hours |
Metro is a post-apocalyptic series of first-person shooter games that take place in Moscow. After a nuclear catastrophe, players have taken refuge in the city’s metro system, hence the name of the game.
In Metro, players take the role of Ayrom, a young ranger of the Spartan Order. After the death of the former leader, he takes on this role to bring his people to a better land.
Metro’s devs have put extra care into keeping players immersed in its universe, blending the UI with the game elements and ensuring that transitions are as seamless as possible.
This aspect of the games significantly helps players to stay engaged in this post-nuclear broken world.
Although the game has many mechanics and ideas borrowed from survival horror games, its essence is the one of a first-person shooter. Therefore, players are expected to solve issues with their guns every now and then.
In the Metro series, enemies vary from mutants to human factions, each with their own unique behavior and tactics.
If you like survival horror games, post-apocalyptic settings, and first-person shooters, Metro has all that in a single, fantastic package that is definitely worth trying. It’s one of the best games like Prey with a post-apocalyptic vibe.
F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault Recon)
| Genre: | First-Person Shooter, Horror |
| Developers: | Monolith Productions, Day 1 Studios, Timegate |
| Release Date: | October 17, 2005 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store, Steam, and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough: | 8 hours |
F.E.A.R. was one of the first games to combine the intense action of FPS games with a supernatural horror theme. It’s a unique title.
In this game, you are Point Man. He is a member of the First Encounter Assault Recon, an elite military unit in charge of investigating a mysterious and powerful psychic named Alma Wade.
The game’s setting is a dark and atmospheric urban environment that often feels like the near future seen in old movies.
Although it has a supernatural team, besides psychics, most enemies in the first F.E.A.R. game are humans. However, it doesn’t mean this game isn’t scary. You can expect some good jumpscares in a game with ghosts and evil psychics.
If you are looking for a horror shooter game with intense action and supernatural elements, F.E.A.R. is a must-play.
This game is considered a classic for a reason. Besides, not many other FPS titles have such an eerie atmosphere that will keep you scared and engaged throughout the entire playthrough.
Doom 3
| Genre: | First-Person Shooter, Horror, Sci-Fi |
| Developers: | id Software |
| Release Date: | August 3, 2004 |
| Find at: | PlayStation Store, My Nintendo Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough: | 11 hours |
Doom 3 is a first-person shooter game that will give players an adrenaline rush. The game is a reboot of the classic Doom franchise, bringing the series into the 21st century with updated graphics and gameplay mechanics.
Players take on the role of a marine, generally known as “the Doom guy,” as he is sent to investigate a research facility on Mars.
Since things have to go wrong for us to have a game to play, the place has been overrun by demons from Hell.
The facility is dark and its corridors are narrow. You will often feel trapped and paranoid since demons can use the lack of light to hide and ambush you.
Although you have access to a flashlight, you can’t use it and shoot at the same time. This adds a level of tension to the game that elevates its horror aspects.
This is still a Doom game, though. You won’t be running away. Demons will sneak on you, but you will have to gun them down. This is why Doom 3 gives players access to many different weapons, including the classic BFG 9000.
This game is perfect for players who want to experience a horror game that lets them fight back and destroy hordes of monsters.
System Shock 2
| Genre: | First-Person Shooter, Sci-Fi, Survival Horror, RPG, Classic |
| Developers: | Nightdive Studios, Irrational Games, Looking Glass Studios |
| Release Date: | August 11, 1999 |
| Find at: | Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough: | 14 hours |
In System Shock 2, you start off as a soldier who awakens from a cryo-tube just to find out that everyone else on your ship has been murdered.
Over time, you find out that the AI known as SHODAN seems to have gone mad. It will ridicule your every move as you try to figure out what happened and how to survive.
Players can choose from 3 specialized military branches, each with unique skills, weapons, and psionic powers to upgrade and enhance as they progress through the game.
System Shock 2 is set on a spaceship overrun by chaos and destruction. Players must manage their character’s inventory and use multiple weapons and cybernetic enhancements to fight against enemies.
The game’s story is revealed through audio logs, emails, and other in-game documents. It might not seem like much now, but System Shock’s immersive and atmospheric environment was a genre-defining experience.
It established innovative gameplay mechanics that are now staples of first-person and RPG genres.
The Persistence
| Genre: | First-Person, Horror, Roguelike |
| Developers: | Firesprite |
| Release Date: | July 24, 2018 |
| Find at: | PlayStation Store, My Nintendo Store, Microsoft Store, Steam |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough: | 11 hours |
In The Persistence, you take on the role of a clone of security officer Zimri Eder, who must survive on a doomed deep space colony starship overrun with horrific and murderous aberrations.
As the last survivor, you must restore functionality to the ship and find a way back to Earth.
One of the most notable features of The Persistence is its ever-changing labyrinth of a ship. A malfunction in the ship’s macrostructure causes the layout of the decks to shift and change configuration periodically, making each expedition unique and disorienting.
Players must use darkness and covers to avoid being overwhelmed by the deadly inhabitants, moving stealthily and striking from the shadows. The game also includes a variety of upgrades and customizations that can be unlocked through exploration and D.N.A. harvesting.
In The Persistence, death is not the end. If Zimri dies, her consciousness is uploaded into a new cloned body.
Players then get to try again with the upgrades and customizations they have unlocked. This is the game for you if you want a claustrophobic and terrifying experience in space, and it’s an exceptional alternative to Prey.
Dead Space
| Genre: | Third-Person, Survival Horror |
| Developers: | Visceral Games, Motive |
| Release Date: | October 14, 2008 |
| Find at: | PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playthrough: | 12 hours |
The first Dead Space is by far one of my favorite horror games. This beloved, memorable franchise is an acclaimed over-the-shoulder third-person survival horror.
This game quickly became popular due to its sci-fi setting, which was unusual among survival horror games back then.
On top of that, Dead Space has a unique take on the traditional zombie, presenting alien and Lovecraftian creatures known as the Necromorphs.
The series follows engineer Isaac Clarke, a repair engineer stranded in a dead ship he was supposed to rescue with his team. Alone and untrained for battle, Isaac must do what he can to survive.
In many ways, this is a game like Resident Evil. This is especially true regarding gameplay. In many ways, the first Dead Space game feels very similar to Resident Evil 4. That said, the tone is far more serious. Isaac doesn’t have many goofy moments.
Adding this game to the list is a bit of a stretch. After all, Dead Space games are not FPS. That said, these games do play like third-person shooters, so I couldn’t leave them out.
The Dead Space series offers one of my favorite blends of cosmic horror, sci-fi, and a thrilling plot that kept me playing until the game was over.
