The Scariest Games Markiplier Has Ever Played

YouTuber and gamer Markiplier creates a variety of content ranging from comedy bits to animated shorts, but he's probably best known for his horror-focused Let's Play segments. Fans on Reddit have debated which of the games he has featured qualify as the scariest for years, creating rankings in the process. You can also find some great YouTube playlists of Markiplier's best hits.

Viewers love watching the tension build and Markiplier's reactions to the terror and the jump scares that come with the genre. These videos also present a great opportunity to discover quality horror titles fans may not have heard of before. While he's played plenty of classics and triple-A offerings, he also likes to delve into lesser known installments and try out low budget projects. If you're not too frightened (or maybe not frightened enough), consider checking out some of the scariest games Markiplier has ever played.

A game that regularly tops fan lists, "Dungeon Nightmares" is a simple but terrifying experience. Markiplier's video of his playthrough features the subtitle "Warning: Extremely Scary," and it certainly looks that way based on his reactions.

Markiplier starts off making his usual jokes and quips but he's reduced to incoherent screaming for much of the time by the halfway point of the second part of his playthrough. As he wanders the hallways of the mysterious dungeon dodging skeletons that only move when his back is turned and looking for artifacts and escape routes, you can sense the tension in Markiplier's mind and you may get a little unnerved yourself.

"Dungeon Nightmares" is an indie offering that didn't receive much attention outside of a small group of committed horror gamers. Still, developer K Monkey seems devoted to building on its formula and has released a sequel on Steam with a third entry in the series currently in early access.

If you want a game that features creepy corridors and monster dodging with better graphics and a triple-A budget, Markiplier's playthrough of "Alien: Isolation" may be for you. "Isolation" released in 2014 to rave reviews from the likes of PC Gamer, receiving praise for its atmosphere, devotion to the source material, and ability to capture the 1970s sci-fi aesthetic of the original movie.

What truly makes "Isolation" special (and got it ranked as one of the creepiest games of the last decade) is the innovative AI behind its xenomorph. Players explore a ruined space station as original protagonist Ellen Ripley's daughter Amanda while the titular alien stalks them at every turn. To make the experience as terrifying as possible, Creative Assembly developed a double AI for the xenomorph that keeps track of where it is in relation to the player, as well as what it sees and hears when near the player. This dual AI allows the alien to behave believably while also managing the suspense, alternating between scary moments and periods of quiet that only enhance the tension later.

Markiplier spent hours facing off against the xenomorph and died more than a few times to the cunning foe. While this Let's Play takes a while to get going, the action ramps up after the first chapter and is full of sci-fi terror. "Alien: Isolation" continues to stand out as a smart and challenging horror game that relies on more than just jump scares to get under the player's skin.

For more horror from the sci-fi genre, "Soma" is worth a look. Created by Frictional Games, the developer of the surprise hit "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" and its sequel "Amnesia: Rebirth," "Soma" centers on exploring a ruined underwater facility after some sort of catastrophe. You don't get to wield destructive weapons and psychic powers like in "Bioshock," however. This title is all about feeling alone and powerless.

Like "Alien: Isolation," "Soma" relies less on jump scares and more on creating a feeling of dread through atmosphere and environmental storytelling. Perhaps most terrifying are the philosophical and psychological questions raised by the narrative. As you work to explore and escape the underwater lab, you find yourself questioning the nature of existence, identity, and memory, often with horrifying implications. Anyone who's ever argued about whether the "Stark Trek" transporter is actually a cloning machine/murder device will likely find this game interesting.

"Soma" is another release Markiplier praised and that often gets ranked high by his fans. This isn't surprising, as "Soma" is considered one of the greatest horror games of all time along with its predecessor "Amnesia: The Dark Descent." Check out Markiplier's Let's Play or work through this one yourself — just don't play it alone.

It just wouldn't be a horror games list without an entry from the "Five Nights at Freddy's" franchise. For Markiplier supporters, it's the "Joy of Creation" Let's Plays that make the cut. "Joy of Creation" began as a fan project by developer Nicholas Simpson, better known as Nickson. It went through several iterations and releases before officially being endorsed and supported by "FNAF" creator Scott Cawthon through his Fazbear Fanverse Initiative. This will bring together and remake the entire "Joy of Creation" series in "Joy of Creation: Ignited Collection." While this remake's future may be in question as things kept getting worse for Cawthorn in 2021 and he apparently retired from game development, you can still check out the original entries in the series and watch Markiplier's experience with them.

"Joy of Creation" broke with tradition and revitalized the franchise by allowing the player to freely roam around their environment. The creepy animatronics remain the threat and chief source of scares, but the player must dodge them while exploring dark corridors and ominous rooms. Clomping steps warn of approaching danger and ratchet up the tension, making the jump scares all the more effective when they eventually happen.

If you're tired of running from aliens and robots, you can also dodge monsters of the human variety in "Outlast." This truly terrifying game is all the more scary when you know it was inspired by a real-life event involving unethical research.

"Outlast" casts the player as an investigative reporter exploring a suspicious mental asylum with a dark history. What begins as a search for answers quickly devolves into a mission to escape and then simply survive. Armed only with a camcorder with a nigh vision mode, this game is all about stealth and evasion. There's no defeating your attackers, just finding a way to avoid being killed (or worse).

The survival horror entry got solid reviews, including a glowing recommendation from Rock Paper Shotgun praising its unnerving environments and stealth gameplay. Markiplier certainly enjoyed his playthrough, including the twist ending. If you want to experience all the gore, sneaking, and chases for yourself, check this one out. But maybe don't play it around your kids.

Last but certainly not least, we come to the entry Markiplier dubbed the "best horror game ever." Exploring the creepy, dilapidated mansion in "Kraven Manor" elicited some great screams from the YouTuber and, in the video's description, he urged viewers to check it out for themselves.

While the title received mixed to negative reviews, it's still worth giving it a shot. GameSpot praised some of its horror mechanics even while criticizing its simple puzzles, lack of depth, and short run-time. It may not entertain you for long but it will still deliver some excellent scares if you give it an hour of your time. As it's now free to play on Steam, there's no reason not to dive into "Kraven Manor."

If you're a fan of Markiplier and trust his taste in horror, definitely pick this one up. It may be the shortest on the list but, for some, it could also be the best.

If you're tired of being chased and eaten by horrible monsters, maybe you'd like to do some chasing and eating yourself. If so, check out "Carrion," the side-scroller which has been called a reverse-horror game.

In "Carrion," the player controls a strange, unexplained blob of a monster that escapes from a research facility. In a standard horror plot, the monster wreaks havoc, eating scientists and soldiers as it grows in size and power. Markiplier enjoyed a break from being scared with this one and perhaps had a little too much fun devouring unsuspecting victims.

"Carrion” got good buzz when a free demo launched on Steam as part of The Game Awards' Game Festival in 2019. Since releasing, it's been a hit with players and critics. Screen Rant gave it a perfect score, calling it a "tour-de-force," and the DorkWeb applauded its unique concept and satisfying puzzles.