Summary
As of 2025, horror co-ops have reached a new peak in popularity, with recent titles such asLethal CompanyandREPOrevolutionizing the genre through inspiring indie development and fresh gameplay mechanics being brought to the table. While horror co-ops have seen an uptick in players, many such horror games have started implementing VR as a feature, only enhancing the terrifying experiences groups of friends endure when traversing rundown and treacherous settings.
Whether it be through Steam or other platforms, several horror co-op VR games have been released in the last few years that offer plenty of fun and frights for players intent on having a great time with friends.
When picturing some of the most terrifying situations to be in, people often point to the mystery and allure of being stuck in a dark, grassy maze, withLabyrinthinebuilding on many a person’s greatest fears. InLabyrinthine, players are placed within a hedge maze that follows the journey of Joan, with players expected to complete puzzles and encounterthe troubling fiends that lurkin the dark, the further they descend into the depths of the maze.
AmongLabyrinthine’sstory mode and case files, the VR experience among friends is unparalleled, with the puzzle-solving and frequent frights makingLabyrinthinea must-play for VR enthusiasts.
In the ever-successful horror franchiseSCP, its VR-supported entry,SCP: Labrat, combines the strengths of previous titles, while establishing a solid foothold in the VR space, delivering one of the most terrifying games available to play in two-player co-op. Like otherSCPgames,Labratsees players play as test subjects at a research facility, where, after a breach, the goal is to escape before being devoured by the evil forces that roam freely around the facility.
Labrat’sfun concept, which sees playershaving to carefully navigate to safetywhile avoiding dangerous fiends, promises a mighty adrenaline rush, particularly through the visceral first-person perspective provided in VR.
Egyptian mythology and the allure of mummies and tombs have often been seen as a curiosity for many, withForewarnedallowing players to inhabit the role of archaeologists and explore Egyptian tombs, uncovering mysteries and encountering the unknown. As archaeologists, groups of friends can indulge in the ancient ruins of Egypt, discovering anything from loot to sinister monsters. The various options in the ruins, such as puzzles, facing off against fiends, and rituals, make playingForewarnedusing VR an experience to remember, especially with friends along for the ride.
WithForewarned’senticing PVP feature, dead players areable to return as mummies, affording players the chance to haunt friends, adding another dimension to the remarkable horror gem.
With the idea of backrooms becoming memified in recent years, it is no surprise that a game exploring the concept of dark and mysterious backrooms proved successful withEscape the Backrooms. In a strange and dream-like state, players are tasked with finding an escape from a maze that can often leave them isolated and haunted aseerie events occur while progressing.
In terms of using VR inEscape the Backrooms, feelings of isolation and claustrophobia can easily emerge if found split up from a co-op party, with the ominous setting of backrooms and its haul of surprises promising heart-pounding tension.
Survival horror has become a popular subgenre over the years, withThe Foreststanding out entirelydue to its multiplayer capabilities andYellowjacketsand Lost survival elements. After surviving a plane crash, players are left stranded on an isolated island where the survival of the fittest comes into play as the unknowns of the island trouble players, with scavenging for survival becoming a priority.
While the island’s dangers pose a threat,The Forest’s VR function gives players complete immersion when playing in groups, as teamwork when scavenging, building, and facing off with violent enemies that lurk is imperative for survival.
Since its launch,Devourhas continued to provide updates that have kept the ever-fun horror multiplayer epic thriving, particularly by implementing new, distinct maps that offer just as much terror and jumpscares as its previous output.
In the satanic co-op, players must complete several sacrifices that fit with the themes of each map, cleansing the evil, not before a disturbing enemy tries to devour players before the ritual is finished. When playingDevourthrough the eyes of VR, individuals are sure to be in for bone-shaking suspense and shocking scares as the first-person perspective grants total immersion.
Phasmophobiahas been a fan favorite for many years since its early access, and it’s easy to see why, owing to its in-depth and distinct premise that allows players to become paranormal investigators. In the horror co-op, players can use a variety of different ghost-detecting tools to try and identify mysterious ghosts lurking in houses, with the aim being to learn the type and identity of ghosts before becoming their victims.
WhilePhasmophobiahas already thrived in immersing playerson release, the addition of its VR mode only serves to enhance the experience, delivering frightening but captivating enjoyment for those seeking more nuance than cheap scares.
