Feel / Pacing
Best Tense Games
High-stakes, anxiety-inducing, suspenseful
48 games ranked by tense intensity
Ready or Not
Windows
ShootingTenseMethodicalPhotorealisticCo-op chaos
Cookie Clicker
WindowsmacOS
Pixel artTenseCollectionPick-up-and-play5-minute runs
Outer Wilds
Windows
ExplorationOpen worldTenseSci-fi technologyMystery and detective
OMORI
WindowsmacOS
TensePixel artExplorationExistential dreadLinear story
Wallpaper Engine
Windows
Anime/mangaSandboxTenseWhimsicalSolo contemplative
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Windows
ShootingTenseLinear storySci-fi technologyCo-op chaos
KovaaK's
Windows
ShootingTenseSolo contemplativeExplosiveFrantic
Half-Life: Alyx
Windows
ShootingTenseLinear storyExistential dreadSolo contemplative
Disciples: Liberation
Windows
Turn-based combatTenseMethodicalSolo contemplativeCompetitive ranked
Mortal Kombat 11
Windows
Melee combatLocal multiplayerTenseCompetitive rankedSkill mastery
People Playground
Windows
SandboxPixel artTenseDialogue choicesPhysics puzzles
Half-Life 2
WindowsLinux
ShootingTenseSci-fi technologySolo contemplativeLinear story
Dear Esther: Landmark Edition
WindowsmacOS
TenseOpen worldExplorationMeditativeSolo contemplative
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
WindowsmacOSLinux
Dialogue choicesTenseExplorationMeditativeSolo contemplative
Atomic Heart
Windows
ShootingTenseOpen worldSolo contemplativePuzzle solving
Hard Reset Redux
Windows
ShootingTenseExplorationSci-fi technologySolo contemplative
Aventura Copilului Albastru și Urât
Windows
TenseDialogue choicesAnime/mangaPixel artExploration
Dialtown: Phone Dating Sim
Windows
Dialogue choicesTenseExistential dreadLinear storySolo contemplative
Smile For Me
WindowsmacOS
TensePuzzle solvingWhimsicalExistential dreadLinear story
Purrfect Apawcalypse: Love at Furst Bite
WindowsmacOSLinux
Dialogue choicesTenseLinear storySolo contemplativeExploration
POPGOES Arcade
Windows
TensePixel artExplorationSolo contemplativeWhimsical
Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2
Windows
TenseExistential dreadSolo contemplativePuzzle solvingLinear story
Penko Park
WindowsmacOSLinux
CollectionTenseExplorationWhimsicalNature and ecology
Northern Journey
Windows
ShootingTenseExplorationSolo contemplativeLinear story
Squirrel Stapler
Windows
TenseExplorationShootingPixel artExistential dread
Firewatch
WindowsmacOSLinux
Open worldTenseExplorationLinear storyMeditative
OXENFREE II: Lost Signals
WindowsmacOS
TenseExplorationLinear storyMystery and detectiveDialogue choices
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Windows
TenseExplorationLinear storyPuzzle solvingMystery and detective
Beyond: Two Souls
Windows
Dialogue choicesTenseExplorationLinear storySolo contemplative
Crow Country
Windows
ExplorationTenseShootingExistential dreadLinear story
Prodeus
WindowsmacOS
ShootingTensePixel artExplorationSci-fi technology
DUSK
WindowsmacOSLinux
ShootingTenseCosmic horrorSolo contemplativeCompetitive ranked
ANIMAL WELL
Windows
PlatformingTenseExplorationPuzzle solvingPixel art
Lunacid
Windows
Skill masteryTenseOpen worldExplorationSolo contemplative
Path of Exile
WindowsmacOS
MMO socialTenseMelee combatCompetitive rankedExploration
Mortal Kombat 1
Windows
Melee combatLocal multiplayerTenseCompetitive rankedSkill mastery
STEINS;GATE
Windows
Dialogue choicesAnime/mangaTenseLinear storySolo contemplative
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games
Windows
Dialogue choicesMystery and detectiveTenseAnime/mangaLinear story
Black Mesa
WindowsLinux
ShootingTenseSci-fi technologySolo contemplativeLinear story
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark
Windows
TenseDialogue choicesExplorationLinear storySolo contemplative
Fallout 3
Windows
Open worldExplorationShootingSandboxTense
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Windows
Dialogue choicesTenseExplorationLinear storyFantasy mythology
SILENT HILL 2
Windows
TenseExistential dreadLinear storySolo contemplativeExploration
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Windows
Open worldTenseShootingSolo contemplativeExistential dread
BONEWORKS
Windows
SandboxShootingTensePhysics puzzlesSolo contemplative
Content Warning
Windows
TenseCo-op chaosExistential dreadWhimsicalExploration
Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut
WindowsmacOSLinux
TenseDialogue choicesLinear storySolo contemplativeExistential dread
The Quarry
Windows
TenseDialogue choicesExistential dreadLinear storyPhotorealistic