There was a time then action horror not only dominated the genre but had been overexposed to exhaustion. In recent years, the gaming industry seems to have found a better balance between traditional survival horror and combat-oriented options, and you should be able to find some modern releases that satisfy your desire for either category (or both at the same time). Consequently, these days, “action horror” no longer carries a negative stigma, and we can simply look forward to some waiting nightmares that feature weapons, satisfying melee attacks, and maybe even some allies.
There is 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 isn't a bad thing; but we also get the occasional big release that just seems destined for greatness or at least notoriety. Therefore, if you're up for some scares along with an explosion or two, you should keep an eye on these upcoming action horror game.
Some criteria and notes:
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We're primarily focusing on games with release dates between December 2025 and February 2026. That said, a title tentatively targeting an early 2026 debut will be highlighted.
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For the most part, the choices seem to at least emphasize the horror element, so they shouldn't just be action games with zombies.
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Trailers are included for each game.
Routine
A Sci-Fi horror FPS game for one player that drops in the atmosphere
OK, there are a lot of descriptions, but the subtitle describes exactly Routine. Since high-quality sci-fi horror games are rare, any project that seems to be backed by top-notch production tends to get a lot of attention, for better or for worse. Going by available images, Routine looks to be an intense first-person game that prioritizes exploration over non-stop gunplay, though you won't be defenseless either. As so many stories go, the main character finds themselves in an abandoned moon base, forcing them to venture into the eerie void in search of answers and help. Besides, of course, they are not alone, and they are far from safe.
Your main source of defense will be the CAT, aka the Cosmonaut Assistance Tool, which is primarily designed to access terminals and scan environments. But it can also be used as a weapon in do-or-die situations, although other methods should be explored first. Of all the upcoming games discussed in this article, Routine is most likely more horror than action, with the latter probably 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 can end up being surprisingly good or completely forgettable. The game's announcement came out of nowhere, and its PS5 exclusivity doesn't necessarily reflect its quality. TeamKill Media is a relatively small studio that primarily works on PlayStation games, and the team has previously explored action horror with the 2020s Quantum error. While not lacking in positives, that release was quite rough around the edges, but it may have served as a worthwhile experience for the developers' latest outing.
So, let's get the most important thing out of the way: Code violet is one dinosaur action horror game. That's obviously all anyone needs to know to make up their mind, but let's expand a bit more on what it has to offer. The story is high concept and imagines a future where the remnants of humanity have moved to a new world and are sterile. To solve the latter problem, they created a time machine that allows them to abduct women from the past, which is an impressively dark premise. You're cast as one of these victims, and you'll be armed with tons of weapons 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 off on a positive and bloody note. The game has quickly gathered hype since the Steam Next Fest, and it's not at all hard to see why it's 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 certainly seems to aim to provide a challenging fight for survival while 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 enter Steam Early Access on January 29, 2026, so be warned that it's likely to come with bugs and incomplete content. That doesn't mean it won't be worth checking out, but you might want to wait to see this version's launch state.
Basically, the game loop revolves around entering a mega-complex filled with zombies, loot, and other players. You can go solo, though The Midnight Walkers will also support co-op through a trios mode. Once you get your riches, you need to get out of dodge quickly, because death leaves you with nothing. The game features four classes that should play quite differently, along with a crafting system so you can get the most out of your items.
Resident Evil Requiem
The biggest horror game of 2026 should support action-oriented gameplay
“Action” and Resident Evil has 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're a long way from the days when Chris could punch boulders and Leon would karate-kick zombies. The latest additions to the main line were fantastic, and Resident Evil Requiem seems primed and ready to write a new chapter in the franchise's legacy. Gameplay-wise, the most exciting feature is that players will be free to choose between first- and third-person perspectives, with the former probably accentuating the horror and the latter being a bit more action-oriented.
Resident Evil Requiem takes place in Racoon City, decades after it was destroyed by a nuclear explosion. 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 little more terrifying than she expected. Capcom seems to know what it's doing with core IP releases these days, and there's no indication that the upcoming game will stop that momentum.
The born
Become the demon or die trying to escape from it
Another horror game for PvPvE extraction, The born has yet to confirm a release date, but it's aiming for 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 it falls within the same genre as The Midnight Walkers, The born stands out by emphasizing progression through base expansion, starting with a standard cabin that can be expanded through the resources you acquire. In addition to fighting with other players (and fighting against them), the game also allows you to join factions.
That's all well and good, but The Footless' The defining feature is that your goal during a run is to complete a ritual and summon a demon, becoming the latter. Then you have to kill the other players before they escape. This adds an asymmetrical horror element to the extraction shooter base, hopefully creating a marriage that exemplifies both popular genres.
