Games with a strong psychological focus:
* Betrayal at House on the Hill: This cooperative game takes a dark turn when one player inevitably becomes the traitor, forcing the others to fight for survival. The betrayal and uncertainty can be very unsettling.
* The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31: Based on the classic horror movie, this game is about identifying the alien imposter among your group, leading to paranoia and suspicion.
* Dread: This game uses dice to determine the severity of horrific events, and players must confront these events in imaginative ways, leading to potentially disturbing scenarios.
* Mansions of Madness: This cooperative game features Lovecraftian horror and cosmic dread, with players facing terrifying monsters and the unimaginable.
Games with dark or disturbing themes:
* Blood Rage: This game involves Norse mythology and violent battles with a focus on bloodshed and conquest, which can be unsettling for some.
* Shadows of Brimstone: This game features a western horror setting with players battling monsters and facing their own inner demons.
* Arkham Horror: This game uses a Lovecraftian setting with players battling cosmic horrors and facing the inevitable end of the world.
* Cthulhu: Death May Die: Another Lovecraftian horror game, this one focuses on cooperative survival against the forces of madness and destruction.
Games with unsettling gameplay:
* One Night Ultimate Werewolf: This social deduction game features players trying to figure out who the werewolves are in a group, leading to tension and suspicion.
* The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow: Another social deduction game similar to One Night Ultimate Werewolf, where players must use logic and deduction to identify the werewolves.
* Dead of Winter: This cooperative survival game involves difficult choices and the potential for player betrayal, leading to a tense and uncertain gameplay experience.
* Ghost Stories: This cooperative game involves players trying to exorcise ghosts from a village, with a high level of difficulty and a constant threat of losing the game.
Ultimately, what makes a board game scary depends on your individual sensibilities and what aspects of a game you find unsettling. Many other games could be considered scary depending on your personal experience. If you're looking for a thrilling, spine-tingling experience, consider exploring some of these titles!