Choose by the kind of horror night you want. Start with Until Dawn for a focused, single-player teen slasher. Pick The Quarry for a cinematic teen-horror group game with nine counselors, couch co-op, online audience voting, adjustable difficulty, and Movie Mode. Choose The Dark Pictures Anthology when you want separate, self-contained scenarios and flexible two-player online or up-to-five-player local sessions. Choose Directive 8020 when science-fiction survival horror, current-generation hardware, replayable decisions, and permanent-death options matter most.
Quick answer: which Supermassive horror game fits you?
| If you want… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A classic teen-slasher story for one player | Until Dawn | It is Supermassive’s defining, critically acclaimed PS4 horror hit and is built around a focused solo narrative. |
| A teen-horror group night with voting and spectators | The Quarry | Nine counselors, online play with up to seven invited friends, couch co-op, adjustable difficulty, and Movie Mode make it the most presentation-friendly choice. |
| Shorter, stand-alone scenarios with online co-op | The Dark Pictures Anthology | Each entry is a separate premise, while Shared Story supports two online players and Movie Night supports up to five people locally. |
| Science-fiction horror on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC | Directive 8020 | It is the latest release, dated May 12, 2026, and adds Turning Points plus an optional Survivor Mode with permanent deaths. |
| A game that lets you revisit major decisions | Directive 8020 | Turning Points provides a built-in way to rewind and replay key choices instead of restarting an entire campaign. |
There is no universal “best” entry. These games differ more in tone, social format, and consequences than in basic controls. The right purchase depends on whether your priority is a solo movie, a room full of voters, a two-player online session, or a harsher survival system.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Quarry - PlayStation 5 | $23.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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2K GAMES The Quarry | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Forspoken - PlayStation 5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
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The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me - PlayStation 5 | $24.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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INDIKA PS5 | $21.70 | Buy on Amazon |
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How the settings and subgenres differ
Until Dawn: the concentrated teen-slasher template
Until Dawn is the clearest choice if you want the familiar structure of a group of young people trapped in a dangerous night, with your decisions determining who survives. Supermassive identifies it as its critically acclaimed PS4 hit and a defining horror title. Its appeal is focus: you direct one continuing story rather than selecting among unrelated episodes.
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The game works best when one person wants to own the controller and make the moral calls. Friends can still sit around and debate choices, but the design is fundamentally a solo campaign rather than a dedicated online or couch-co-op product.
#1 Best Overall
- When the sun goes down on the last night of summer camp, nine teenage counselors are plunged into an unpredictable night of horror.
- The only thing worse than the blood-drenched locals and creatures hunting them are the unimaginable choices you must make to help them survive.
- Play as each of the nine camp counselors in a thrilling cinematic tale, where every decision shapes your unique story from a tangled web of possibilities. Any character can be the star of the show—or die before daylight comes.
The Quarry: a larger, more social teen-horror ensemble
The Quarry uses a summer-camp teen-horror setup and gives you nine counselors to manage. Its official game description emphasizes that every choice, large or small, shapes the story and determines who lives. The larger cast creates more opportunities for disagreement: one player may want to investigate while another wants to run, and the consequences can split the group’s preferred outcome.
It is also the most accommodating entry for a mixed audience. Adjustable difficulty can reduce the pressure on inexperienced players, and Movie Mode lets people watch a curated version of the story rather than actively controlling every scene. In online play, invited friends watch and vote on key decisions, making it suitable for a hosted horror night even when everyone is not in the same room.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: separate scenarios instead of one long continuity
The anthology format is the main reason to choose these games. The official franchise catalog lists Man of Medan, Little Hope, House of Ashes, The Devil in Me, Directive 8020, and the virtual-reality title Switchback VR. The individual stories use different premises, including maritime danger, folk-horror mystery, wartime survival, and a serial-killer scenario.
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Because entries are self-contained, you can select a mood without committing to one continuing storyline. That also makes the anthology useful for occasional players: finish one scenario, discuss the ending, and return to another later.
Rank #2
- YOUR STORY, THEIR FATE
- A STUNNING CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE
- ENJOY THE FRIGHT WITH FRIENDS
- CUSTOMISE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Directive 8020: science-fiction survival horror
Directive 8020 is the current-generation science-fiction option. Supermassive lists it as its latest release, dated May 12, 2026. It launched for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in physical and digital formats.
Its systems are more explicitly survival-oriented than a straightforward cinematic viewing experience. Turning Points lets you rewind and revisit key decisions, while Survivor Mode removes that safety net by enforcing permanent deaths. That combination suits players who want to experiment on one run and then attempt a higher-stakes run afterward.
How multiplayer and group play actually work
| Game or mode | Players and format | What other people do |
|---|---|---|
| Until Dawn | Primarily single-player | Friends can discuss choices in the room, but the game is not built around a documented online or local multiplayer mode. |
| The Quarry online | Host plus up to seven invited friends | Invited players watch and vote on key decisions; the host’s game remains the active session. |
| The Quarry local | Couch co-op | Players share control during a local session, making it suitable for a pass-the-controller night. |
| The Quarry Movie Mode | Viewer-oriented mode | You can present the story more like an interactive film, with less moment-to-moment control required from the audience. |
| The Dark Pictures Shared Story | Two players online | Each player makes decisions in their portion of the scenario, and those choices affect character fate. |
| The Dark Pictures Movie Night | Up to five players locally | Players take turns controlling characters in the same room. |
| Directive 8020 at launch | Single-player and up to five-player couch co-op | Local players share the campaign; online multiplayer was announced as a free post-launch update. |
The distinction between audience voting and co-op control matters. The Quarry is the natural fit when several remote friends want to vote together without each owning a separate playable role. The Dark Pictures Shared Story is better when two people want simultaneous, consequential control over different parts of the scenario. Local groups of five should look first at Movie Night or Directive 8020’s couch mode, depending on whether they prefer anthology horror or science fiction.
What to check before an online session
- Confirm that every participant is using a supported platform and the same game edition or required update.
- Decide whether one person will host and make the final call when votes are tied or when a choice must be selected quickly.
- Use voice chat outside the game if your group wants to debate clues; the documented modes describe how decisions are shared, not a guaranteed in-game chat service.
- For Directive 8020, check the current platform listing for the status of the announced online update rather than assuming it was available on launch day.
Control, cinema, and difficulty
Choose a viewing-first experience
The Quarry is the strongest fit when some participants want to watch rather than master game mechanics. Movie Mode reduces the need for constant input, and adjustable difficulty can make quick-time or survival sections less intimidating. This is useful for a mixed group that includes horror fans who are comfortable with failure and viewers who mainly want the story.
Rank #3
- The Odyssey of a Reluctant Hero – Lead Frey on an unforgettable journey in her search for a way home after being mysteriously transported to an ancient, fantastical land.
- A Beautiful and Cruel Open-World – Explore the sprawling realms of Athia, a striking land of remarkable vistas as Frey ventures deep into corrupted territories where a mysterious darkness defiles everything it touches
- Intuitive, Magic-Enhanced Parkour – Scale walls, vault across canyons, leap from dizzying heights, and dash through vast landscapes; Frey's unique abilities allow her to fluidly traverse the open world with ease
- Customizable Arsenal of Spells – Take on twisted monsters in magical combat with a wide range of powerful abilities catering to a variety of playstyles – from fast-paced and exhilarating to strategic and methodical
Choose decision-first play
Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures place the weight on examining situations, selecting dialogue, and accepting the consequences. The anthology’s multiplayer design was planned around both single-player and multiplayer from the beginning, according to executive producer and series director Pete Samuels. In Shared Story, the two players’ decisions can change who survives, so communication is part of the challenge.
Choose survival pressure
Directive 8020 gives you the widest documented range between experimentation and high stakes. Turning Points supports a more forgiving approach by allowing key choices to be revisited. Survivor Mode is the opposite: deaths are permanent, so a careless decision can permanently remove a character from that run.
Failure, deaths, and replay strategy
Supermassive’s branching design means “winning” is not simply reaching a fixed ending. Your practical question is how much control you want after a mistake.
- If you want a single definitive first run: Play Until Dawn or a Dark Pictures entry without looking up outcomes. The uncertainty is the point, and a death becomes part of your version of the story.
- If your group argues over a decision: The Quarry’s voting format turns disagreement into the event itself. Accepting the majority choice keeps the session moving.
- If you want to test alternatives: Use Directive 8020’s Turning Points to revisit important decisions rather than replaying every earlier scene.
- If you want no safety net: Enable Survivor Mode in Directive 8020. Permanent deaths make preparation and cautious choices more important.
Do not treat adjustable difficulty, Movie Mode, or Turning Points as interchangeable features. The first two change how demanding or hands-off a session feels; Turning Points changes how you recover from a consequential decision.
Rank #4
- A series of stand-alone branching cinematic horror games from the studio behind Until Dawn - Easy to pick-up and play in short sessions, alone or with friends - The Devil in Me is the fourth game in the series and the Season One finale
- Nothing is as it seems here, & the amenities are to die for - Explore every nook of the World’s Fair hotel using all-new season finale features including character inventory, tool-based puzzles, & expanded movement actions like run, jump, and climb
- Escape the torturous creations of an evil monster who is hellbent on becoming America’s deadliest serial killer - Survive elaborate ‘killing rooms’ where your own death is by the killer’s design
- The two critically acclaimed multiplayer modes are back - share your story online with a friend or aim for safety in numbers through the offline 5-player pass-the-pad mode
Game-by-game buying advice
Buy Until Dawn first if you are new to Supermassive
Choose it when you want the most concentrated introduction to the studio’s teen-slasher identity and expect to play alone. It is also the cleanest answer to “Which Supermassive horror game should I play first?” when your priority is a defining example rather than multiplayer features.
Buy The Quarry first for a hosted horror night
Select it for a group that will watch, vote, and react together. Nine counselors give the ensemble enough room for different players to care about different characters, while online voting with up to seven invited friends scales beyond a typical living-room session. Couch co-op is the better choice when everyone is physically present, and Movie Mode is useful when the host wants the evening to feel closer to a film screening.
Buy The Dark Pictures Anthology when you want variety
Choose an anthology entry when you prefer a contained premise and want to change settings between sessions. Movie Night supports up to five local players, while Shared Story is designed for two online players. The format is especially practical for friends who cannot commit to one large campaign: each scenario stands on its own, so finishing one does not require carrying a continuing cast into the next game.
Buy Directive 8020 for current hardware and science fiction
Choose it if your console or PC is current-generation and your ideal horror setting is science fiction rather than a summer camp, haunted town, battlefield, or maritime mystery. Its physical and digital launch formats cover PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The five-player couch mode is a documented launch feature; online play was announced as a free post-launch update, so verify its current availability on your platform before planning a remote session.
Best Value
- Play a TPP adventure game that combines an imaginative story with a dark sense of humor
- Join a young nun Indika on her journey of self-discovery
- Meet the devil himself as Indika’s unlikely travel companion
- Explore the hidden depths of Indika’s soul while tackling unique puzzle elements
- Travel through surreal landscapes of Russia seen in a distorted mirror
Which one is best for couch co-op?
For a local group of up to five, The Dark Pictures Movie Night has the clearest documented capacity and is the safest recommendation when you want everyone to take turns in a self-contained story. Directive 8020 also launched with up to five-player couch co-op, but its science-fiction setting and newer hardware requirement make it a different proposition. The Quarry supports couch co-op and adds adjustable difficulty and Movie Mode, making it the better local choice when the group includes viewers or less experienced players rather than a fixed number of participants.
Which one has online multiplayer?
There are three different answers:
- The Quarry: online audience play in which invited friends watch and vote on key decisions; up to seven friends can be invited.
- The Dark Pictures Anthology: two-player online Shared Story, with each player making decisions that affect character fate.
- Directive 8020: online multiplayer was announced as a free post-launch update, while single-player and up to five-player couch co-op were available at launch.
If your friends want to control characters simultaneously, select Shared Story. If they mainly want to influence one host’s campaign through votes, select The Quarry.
Is Directive 8020 worth it if you liked Until Dawn?
Yes, if what you liked was consequence-driven horror and you are willing to trade the teen-slasher setting for science-fiction survival horror. Both center the experience on decisions that can determine who remains alive, but Directive 8020 adds explicit replay and difficulty options: Turning Points for revisiting key choices and Survivor Mode for permanent deaths.
It is not the direct substitute if your favorite part of Until Dawn was its specific teen-camp atmosphere. In that case, The Quarry is the closer thematic match, while Directive 8020 is the better mechanical and hardware-forward follow-up.
Platform and edition checklist
- The Quarry: an official physical PS5 Standard Edition is documented, and physical Xbox editions are also documented. Confirm the exact regional package before buying.
- Directive 8020: physical PS5 and Xbox Series X|S editions, plus PC availability in physical and digital formats, are documented. It is not presented as a last-generation console release.
- Until Dawn and earlier anthology entries: check the storefront for the specific platform and edition you intend to use, especially if your group plans online or local play.
- Multiplayer compatibility: verify platform matching, account requirements, and current updates before scheduling a session; feature availability can depend on the edition and post-launch support.
A simple decision path
- Decide whether you are playing alone. If yes, start with Until Dawn for teen slasher or Directive 8020 for science fiction.
- Count the active players. Two online players points to The Dark Pictures Shared Story; a larger remote audience points to The Quarry’s voting format; up to five people in one room points to Movie Night or Directive 8020 couch co-op.
- Choose your preferred failure model. For a forgiving replay tool, choose Directive 8020 and use Turning Points. For permanent-death pressure, enable Survivor Mode.
- Choose the tone. Teen slasher means Until Dawn or The Quarry; maritime, folk, wartime, or serial-killer scenarios mean The Dark Pictures; science-fiction survival means Directive 8020.
- Confirm hardware and edition. Especially for Directive 8020, make sure every participant has a supported PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC setup and the current multiplayer update if playing online.
Final recommendation
For one player, begin with Until Dawn unless science fiction and current-generation systems are your priority; then choose Directive 8020. For a group, choose The Quarry when voting, spectators, and a cinematic teen-horror mood matter most. Choose The Dark Pictures Anthology for self-contained stories, two-player online Shared Story, or up-to-five-player Movie Night. Choose Directive 8020 when you want the newest sci-fi setting, local co-op for up to five, replayable key decisions, and the option of permanent deaths.
Quick Recap
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