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LakeLady foggy mysteries to divine disaster in Decay of Opulence Indie Horror Game RPGs have an alluring future
Key Takeaways
- Diverse Horror Styles: From pixel art to gothic suspense, these games cover all horror vibes and have free demos.
- Strategic Gameplay Elements: Expect resource management, tactical combat, and story-driven choices.
- Intense Atmosphere: Each game brings chilling soundtracks and immersive environments.
- Unpredictable Narratives: Twists and turns keep you questioning reality and your next move.
Introduction

Don’t get me wrong, I love RPGs and fondly remember Grandia or the Tales series, but did you ever get tired of the whimsical and want something darker. I can’t express how much I enjoy horror game RPGs. From the unique designs to engaging worlds.
So, you can imagine when I saw a game like Bloodborne, Darkwood, and OMORI, I craved the chance to play them.
I always saw horror game RPGs as a playground for fascination. Whether it’s the spine-chilling stories, heart-pounding apprehension, or the eerie ambiance that haunts you as you play, these games always knew how to crawl under your skin, much like the games in my 10 Great Indie Horror RPGs for 2024.
So, today, I want to dive into 6 Upcoming Indie Horror Game RPGs, with free demos, which promise to keep your adrenaline pumping and give you chills.
1. 16BitSurvivors

Game Details
Developer: JIN
Price: Free (Demo)
Release Date: Dec 11, 2024
Platform: PC
Description:
Nostalgia and terror collide in 16BitSurvivors. Among creepy RPG games, this game takes inspiration from the classic 16-bit era, delivering a retro look with modern horror gameplay mechanics. The world is unforgiving, filled with pixelated monstrosities that lurk around every corner.
It’s like being thrown into an old-school RPG, but with way more blood and way fewer save points.
Gameplay:
Resource management is key here—every bullet, every health potion, every decision can mean the difference between life and death. The game’s difficulty curve is steep, so prepare to strategize if you want to survive.
It’s survival horror at its best, where nostalgia doesn’t mean a free ride—it’s a death trap.
2. Pipkin

Game Details
Developer: Gregdude
Price: Free (Demo)
Release Date: October 2025
Platform: PC
Description:
Pipkin is an indie horror game RPG you don’t want to miss. Imagine a world where every shadow seems to hold a mystery or danger waiting to pounce.
The game masterfully blends a suspenseful atmosphere with an emotionally driven story that keeps you questioning what’s real. Plus, the pumpkin head boy in overall reminds me of Eddie from Angels of Death.
As the protagonist, you must navigate a surreal landscape filled with cryptic clues and unsettling encounters that threaten to unravel you perception of reality as you capture Pipkin.
Gameplay:
Atmosphere is everything in Pipkin. You must solve puzzles and mysteries, interact with characters, and make choices that drastically alter the storyline. You can also navigate unique, creepy areas, customize your character, and experiment with a vast move set that suits your battling tactics.
The battling reminds me of playing Pokemon and the folksy aesthetic helps to create a believable world.
The nice yet haunting art style and sound design work in perfect harmony to create an experience that’s fun and mysterious.
3. LakeLady

Game Details
Developer: HungerWhale Games
Price: Free (Demo)
Release Date: Coming soon
Platform: PC
Description:
LakeLady is like stepping into a gothic horror novel. The story centers around a haunting legend of a mysterious, ghost woman that takes children. The game is heavy on atmosphere, with the enigmatic “Ward No. 9” and the haunting art style.
It explores themes of loss, trauma, and the supernatural, keeping you hooked with its slow-burn suspense.
Gameplay:
Expect to rely on exploration and piecing together clues to uncover the chilling story behind the disappearances. It’s all about storytelling here—no cheap jump scares, just pure psychological, atmospheric horror.
The visuals are designed to mess with your head, making you feel unsettled while questioning what’s real and what or who’s just the playing tricks on you.
4. Decay of Opulence

Game Details
Developer: Manic Games
Price: Free (Demo)
Release Date: To be announced
Platform: PC
Description:
My personal favorite out of the list is Decay of Opulence. This game thrusts you into a bleak, post-apocalyptic world where something devastating destroyed society beyond recognition. The game’s 1-bit pixel art reminds me of old-school horror but feels fresh and unnerving.
Imagine living on the outskirts in forest, roaming a desolate rural town, only to realize it’s infested with dangerous or knife wielding people. Every aspect is a stark reminder of what’s been lost, with hints of something sinister behind the apocalyptic state.
The story doesn’t spoon-feed you. Instead, horror game RPG pulls you in through environmental context – like a creepy altar – and through written dialogue from the character you play. This lets you piece together the chilling history of this ruined world.
Gameplay:
The demo starts by you choosing between two protagonists, a male or a female. As you explore, gathering health restoring mushrooms or items, you learn more about the state of the world and its cult alluding story.
The game’s turn-based combat system is as strategic as it is brutal. Forget mindless button-mashing—targeting specific body parts of enemies can mean the difference between a quick escape or a messy death. This to me, added a great survival horror mechanic to the battle system.
The weapons also add layers to your playstyle, whether you prefer the finesse of dual-wielding or just using a knife or big stick. And let’s not forget the hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack by DignifiedDonut, which lingers like a ghost long after you close the game.
The music is very calming but leaves you feeling a bit uneasy as you play, especially when an enemy suddenly pursues you. The only feedback I had for the demo was you could slightly hear the overworld music in the background behind the battle music at times.
Aside from that, this demo was an impressive promise to the full game I look forward to playing.
5. Axe Slasher: Roguelike Dungeon Crawler

Game Details
Developer: Hard Shark Games
Price: Free (Demo)
Release Date: Coming soon
Platform: PC
Description:
Axe Slasher delivers a 3D horror game RPG with an old-school roguelike thrill, wrapped in the embrace of a dungeon crawler. Armed with your trusty axe or gun, you must plunge through ever-changing dungeons filled with enemies. The style reminds me of Minecraft.
The game leans into its chaotic combat with wild abandon, giving you no time to catch your breath. The thrill of slicing through enemies to conquer dungeons, combined with the tension of knowing one wrong move means defeat, makes this game an absolute nail-biter.
Now, I don’t cover AI made things often, (rarely actually), but I strive for unbiased information sharing and honesty. This game’s cover art was made by AI. However, if that doesn’t bother you, know that this game delivers a challenge with proceeding dungeons packed more threats and enemies.
Gameplay:
Quick moving and fast thinking dominate this game. As you progress, the dungeons will appear different is some way, so it is best to stay on your toes and pay attention, By honing you skill and leveling up your weapon, you will be well equipped to face the relentless obstacles.
Being an action horror game RPG, it is different from the usual horror game RPGs I mention. However, if you’re into hack-and-slash with your role playing fun, this might be for you.
6. Bio Goddess: Doomsday Begins

Game Details
Developer: Z School Studio
Price: Free (Demo)
Release Date: Coming soon
Platform: PC
Description:
In Bio Goddess: Doomsday Begins, you’re not just playing a game—you’re surviving a nightmare. As a high school student trapped during a biochemical outbreak, you need to survive the residual effects of a biohazard.
The story is personal, as you will unravel the protagonist’s hidden connection to her father, along with his connection to the incident.
As a heads up, this game also has some AI generated aspects such as text and a 3D model modified by AI. If this doesn’t bother you then try the game out.
Gameplay:
From what I can tell, resource management and puzzle-solving take center stage as you navigate the blood-soaked halls of your school. From finding keys to deciphering cryptic passwords, every action matters.
The fun twist for some might be the clothing upgrades. I’m not big on clothing features, but if you can upgrade your character’s outfit, and it adds relevant aspects to the gameplay, then its a feature worth mentioning in a horror game RPG.
Closing Thoughts

From psychological mind-benders like LakeLady to adrenaline-pumping 16BitSurvivors, these upcoming horror game RPGs are set to give gamers fun and unsettling nights.
Whether you’re into the old-school pixel art of Decay of Opulence or the haunting narrative of Pipkin, there’s something here for every kind of horror lover.
Get ready for the nightmares—2024 to 2025’s horror game lineup is shaping up to be a wild ride for indie horror RPGs.
So, which indie horror RPGs are you looking forward to? Are there any not covered in this list? Share your thoughts and comments below.

Nero lives in the United States, delving into indie horror to mainstream games. Armed with a psych degree and a passion for storytelling, he wrote stories and essays published online and in museum catalogs. Besides writing, he also likes sketching and tuning into rock music. Catch his latest posts or follow him across social media.