There was a time when action horror not only dominated the genre but had become overexposed to the point of exhaustion. In the last few years, the gaming industry seems to have found a better balance between traditional survival horror and combat-oriented alternatives, and you should be able to find a few modern releases that fulfill your desire for either category (or both at the same time). Consequently, nowadays, “action horror” no longer carries a negative stigma, and we can simply look forward to a few pending nightmares that feature guns, satisfying melee attacks, and maybe even some allies.
There are always new horror games on the horizon, especially if your main platform is PC (and Steam, to be exact). The genre is largely kept alive by smaller, indie projects, which is not a bad thing; however, we also get the occasional big release that just seems destined for greatness or, at the very least, notoriety. Therefore, if you are craving a few scares along with an explosion or two, you should keep an eye on these upcoming action horror games.
A few criteria and notes:
- We are primarily focusing on games with release dates between December 2025 and February 2026. That said, one title that is tentatively targeting an early 2026 debut will be highlighted.
- For the most part, the picks seem to at least emphasize the horror element, so they should not be just action games with zombies.
- Trailers are included for each game.
Routine
A Single-Player Sci-Fi Horror FPS Game Dripping In Atmosphere
OK, there are a lot of descriptors, but the subheading accurately describes Routine. As high-quality sci-fi horror games are rare, any project that seems to be backed by top-notch production tends to get quite a bit of attention, for better or worse. Going by the available footage, Routine looks set to be an intense first-person game that prioritizes exploration over non-stop gunplay, although you will not be defenseless either. As so many stories go, the protagonist finds themselves in an abandoned lunar base, forcing them to go out into the haunting emptiness in search of answers and help. Also, naturally, they are not alone, and they are far from safe.
Your main source of defense will be the C.A.T., aka the Cosmonaut Assitance Tool, which is primarily designed to access terminals and scan environments. However, it can also be employed as a weapon in do-or-die situations, even if other methods should be explored first. Out of all the upcoming games discussed in this article, Routine is the most likely to be more horror than action, with the latter presumably coming in spurts.
Code Violet
An Upcoming PS5 Action Horror Game With Dinosaurs
Code Violet is, to be honest, somewhat shrouded in mystery, and it might end up being surprisingly great or entirely forgettable. The game’s announcement came out of nowhere, and its PS5 exclusivity does not necessarily reflect its quality. TeamKill Media is a relatively small studio that works primarily on PlayStation games, and the team previously explored action horror with 2020’s Quantum Error. While not devoid of positives, that release was quite rough around the edges, but it might have served as a valuable experience for the devs’ newest outing.
So, let’s get the most important thing out of the way: Code Violet is a dinosaur action horror game. Obviously, that is all anybody needs to know to make up their mind, but let’s expand a bit more on what it should offer. The story is high-concept and envisions a future where humanity’s remnants have moved to a new world and are sterile. To solve the latter issue, they created a time machine that lets them abduct women from the past, which is an impressively dark premise. You are cast as one of these victims, and you will be armed with plenty of guns as you try to survive against dinosaurs (and other threats, but mostly dinosaurs).
The Midnight Walkers (Early Access)
The horror genre loves a good multiplayer game, and The Midnight Walkers should get 2026 started on a positive and bloody note. The game has been quickly accumulating hype since Steam Next Fest, and it is not difficult at all to understand why it is attracting so much attention. An extraction first-person horror game that revolves around visceral melee combat, The Midnight Walkers prides itself on being “hardcore,” and it does seem to genuinely aim to provide a challenging battle for survival while also being fully committed to scares. If done right, this could be a game-changer, as there are very few genuinely scary multiplayer horror games with satisfying combat.
The Midnight Walkers will be entering Steam early access on January 29, 2026, so be warned that it will likely come with bugs and incomplete content. That does not mean it will not be worth checking out, but you might want to wait to see this version’s launch state.
Basically, the gameplay loop revolves around entering a mega complex filled with zombies, loot, and other players. You can go solo, but The Midnight Walkers will also support co-op through a trios mode. Once you have got your riches, you will need to get out of dodge quickly, as death leaves you with nothing. The game features four classes that should play quite differently, along with a craft system so you can make the most of your wares.
Resident Evil Requiem
The Biggest Horror Game Of 2026 Should Support Action-Oriented Playthrough
“Action” and Resident Evil have a long and troubled history, and combining the two tends to fill many fans with dread. Yes, the series has historically struggled to balance horror and action, but we are far removed from the days when Chris could punch boulders and Leon would karate kick zombies. Recent mainline entries were fantastic, and Resident Evil Requiem seems primed and ready to write a new chapter in the franchise’s legacy. Gameplay-wise, the most intriguing element is that players will be free to choose between first- and third-person perspectives, with the former presumably accentuating the horror and the latter being a touch more action-oriented.
Resident Evil Requiem takes place in Racoon City, decades after it was annihilated by a nuclear blast. So far, the only confirmed playable character is Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst who prefers to work alone and decides to take on a case that might be a bit more terrifying than she expected. Capcom seems to know what it is doing with the IP’s core releases nowadays, and there is nothing to suggest the upcoming game will halt that momentum.
The Bornless
Become The Demon Or Die Trying To Escape From It
Another PvPvE extraction horror game, The Bornless has yet to confirm a release date, but it is targeting a Q1 2026 drop. In early November, the game completed a playtest weekend, so a debut within the next few months is very much on the cards. While falling within the same genre as The Midnight Walkers, The Bornless sets itself apart by emphasizing progression through base expansion, as you start with an ordinary cabin that can be expanded through the resources you acquire. Besides teaming up with other players (and fighting them), the game will also let you join factions.
That’s all well and good, but The Bornless‘ defining feature is that your goal during a run is to complete a ritual and summon a demon, at which point you become the latter. Then, you need to kill the other players before they escape. This adds an asymmetric horror element to the extraction shooter base, hopefully creating a marriage that exemplifies both popular genres.
