Free Multiplayer Horror Games on Steam

Steam is home to hundreds of great horror games, with many available completely free. For those looking to get spooked with friends, here are 10 of the best free multiplayer horror games on Steam. Each offers a unique take on cooperative and competitive scares.

1. Dead by Daylight

Release Date: 2016
Developer: Behaviour Interactive
Gameplay: 4v1 multiplayer

Dead by Daylight has become one of the most popular asymmetric horror games in recent years. Four players take on the role of survivors trying to escape a trial, while a killer hunts them down to sacrifice them to an evil entity.

With 25 unique killers and over 100 playable survivors, each match offers new strategies and tactics. Survivors must sneak around and work together to power generators, open exit gates, and avoid the killer. The killer must use their powers and abilities to track, catch, and hook survivors before they escape.

Reviews praise Dead by Daylight for its replayability, the variety of skills between killers, and the coordination required among survivors. While it has a learning curve, it's a great multiplayer game for horror fans looking for cooperative and competitive thrills.

2. Secret Neighbor

Release Date: 2019
Developer: Hologryph
Gameplay: 6v1 multiplayer

In this spin-off of the popular Hello Neighbor game, a group of kids seeks to rescue their friend from the creepy neighbor's basement. One player is randomly assigned the role of the Neighbor, who must set traps and stop the kids.

As the Neighbor player builds barricades and uses sound cues to stalk the kids, the others must sneak around and find keys to open the basement door. With its sandbox elements, no two matches play exactly the same.

Reviews note Secret Neighbor creates a thick atmosphere of tension and dread. The social deduction gameplay keeps players second guessing each other in fun and frantic matches. It's an accessible introduction to the growing subgenre of multiplayer horror games.

3. Resident Evil Resistance

Release Date: 2020
Developer: Capcom
Gameplay: 4v1 multiplayer

Included with Resident Evil 3 is the 4v1 multiplayer spin-off Resident Evil Resistance. Four survivor players take on the role of either a civilian trying to escape an experiment, or familiar heroes from the series like Jill Valentine.

They must overcome maps riddled with traps, enemies, and puzzles. All the while, a fifth player commands the sinister Mastermind role. As the Mastermind, they can spawn enemies, set traps, and even directly control powerful creatures to stop the survivors.

Fans praise how Resistance emulates the tense, strategic pace of the main Resident Evil games. The asymmetrical format creates an engrossing cat-and-mouse experience, requiring coordination and cunning from both sides to win.

4. Soul at Stake

Release Date: 2019
Developer: Feardemic
Gameplay: 8 players

This indie multiplayer horror game draws inspiration from classics like The Thing and the Alien franchise. Up to 8 players are trapped together and must determine who among them is the dangerous alien impersonating a human.

Over the course of a match spanning several in-game days, the creature can sabotage resources, spread distrust through chat, and stealthily pick off survivors. The innocent players must stay alert and analyze their crewmates' behavior to discover and eliminate the threat.

With its emphasis on deception and paranoia, Soul at Stake has earned praise for recreating classic horror movie tension in video game form. The free price point also makes it easy to recommend for larger groups of friends looking for a fun night of suspenseful gameplay.

5. SCP: Secret Laboratory

Release Date: 2020
Developer: Northwood Studios
Gameplay: Multiplayer survival

Based on the popular online mythos of the SCP Foundation, this free indie game throws players into a facility overrun with horrific monsters and paranormal oddities. Up to 32 players choose from roles like scientists, security guards, or members of an elite task force to survive the chaos.

Many matches quickly descend into a desperate fight for survival as powerful SCP creatures pick off the human players one by one. Players can band together to mount a defense, but with traitors likely hidden in their ranks, trust comes at a premium.

Fans praise the game's faithfulness to SCP lore and its ability to generate emergent storytelling moments through unpredictable multiplayer clashes. With continued updates and a strong community, it's a great introduction to the expansive fan-created universe.

6. Cry of Fear

Release Date: 2012
Developer: Team Psykskallar
Gameplay: Singleplayer/Co-op (up to 4 players)

A classic free horror mod for Half-Life, Cry of Fear has been updated to run as a standalone title. Players take the role of Simon, a young man plagued by nightmares and delusions as he wanders through his twisted hometown.

With limited ammo and health, Simon must avoid gruesome monsters and solve puzzles to progress through the city and forest environments. The game can be played singleplayer or cooperatively with up to 4 players taking on the campaign together.

While definitely showing its age, Cry of Fear still delivers a creepy, challenging FPS horror experience. The co-op multiplayer and amount of content offered for free continue to make it a standout community choice.

7. Vanish

Release Date: 2021
Developer: Apeiranth Games
Gameplay: Co-op FPS (up to 4 players)

In this indie co-op horror game, a team is sent to investigate a mysterious distress signal from an abandoned space station. Players choose from four characters with unique abilities, then explore the eerie halls while battling space zombies and other terrors.

Vanish focuses on cooperation, as players will need to constantly communicate to solve puzzles and triumph over the various monsters. With limited ammo and healing, strategic teamwork is required to successfully traverse the sci-fi setting.

Reviews describe Vanish as a faithful throwback to old-school survival horror games. The creepy atmosphere, challenging enemies, and focus on coordination make for a great multiplayer horror option for smaller groups.

8. The Hidden: Source

Release Date: 2005
Developer: Hidden-Source Development Team
Gameplay: Multiplayer FPS

This Source engine multiplayer mod has players divide into two teams: the Hidden, a single player with special abilities, versus a SWAT-like force of gunmen. The Hidden has predator-like powers including invisibility and wall-climbing to stealthily take down the SWAT members.

For the SWAT team, careful observation and communication are key. Matches tend to play out tensely as the human players listen for audio cues to track the Hidden's movements and bring coordinated firepower.

For such a vintage mod, The Hidden offers a unique asymmetrical experience still unmatched today. It remains an engrossing and well-designed take on multiplayer horror.

9. Slendytubbies

Release Date: 2019
Developer: ZeoWorks
Gameplay: Multiplayer survival

In this free fangame, the adorably cute Teletubbies have become murderous creatures hunting down players in lush, rolling fields. Up to 4 players must cooperate to unlock safe houses, gather resources, and avoid or combat the Slendytubbies.

During the day, players can scavenge and craft weapons while keeping watch for the tubbies. At night, stealth and evasion become critical as the titular monsters actively search for players. With permadeath enabled, staying alive means sticking together and keeping alert.

While more comical than outright terrifying, Slendytubbies offers an approachable take on survival multiplayer horror for younger or more casual players. The day/night cycles create fun risk-reward decisions during scavenging runs.

10. Left 4 Dead 2

Release Date: 2009
Developer: Valve
Gameplay: Co-op FPS (up to 4 players)

Valve's classic zombie FPS received a standalone expansion with Left 4 Dead 2, bringing new enemies, weapons, and most importantly: campaigns. Up to four players can team up and battle their way through five memorable regions infested with the ravenous undead.

Teamwork remains critical as players cover chokepoints, share health packs, and coordinate their skills to counter special infected like the Tank or Spitter. AI companions step in for solo players or missing teammates. With adjustable difficulties, it can provide anything from chill zombie blasting to desperate, edge-of-your-seat struggles.

Left 4 Dead 2 remains unmatched in the co-op zombie horror genre nearly 15 years later. The free price tag makes it an easy recommendation for just about any horror fan. Grab some friends and enjoy one of Valve's all-time multiplayer greats.

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Conclusion

This selection highlights the diversity of experiences available among free multiplayer horror games on Steam. Major releases like Dead by Daylight offer polished asynchronous multiplayer, while classic mods like The Hidden provide unique concepts. For groups of friends, tense co-op titles like Left 4 Dead 2 and Vanish make for thrilling game nights.

With so many quality options available at zero cost, it's easy to build a library of horror games to swap between year-round. Just be sure to turn the lights on after those late night sessions.