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.
