With Halloween around the block, the search for spooky games begins! After all, what better way to get in the Halloween spirit than fully immersing yourself in an eerie world and its thrills by stepping into the shoes of the main character? Lucky for you, I’ll be providing you a list of 5 spooky video games you should definitely play this season. As we dive into the list, you’ll find that most of these games can be found across popular platforms like Steam, PS 5, PS 4 and Xbox.
Until Dawn
After a prank gone wrong leads to the disappearance of the twins, the friend group comes together to the place where it all went wrong, Blackwood Mountain. You interchange control of eight individuals as their remote retreat slowly becomes an inescapable nightmare. The kick? Your actions and choices throughout the game will determine who survives until dawn, so play wisely. I consider it perfect for lovers of the teen horror genre- with romance, pranks gone wrong, and creepy woods- definitely a game worth playing at least once.
Cult of the Lamb
Nothing says ‘creepy’ more than being a cult leader. As mentioned, in this game, you play as a lamb who must build a cult, gather followers, fight off rival cult leaders, perform seances, and embark on a journey to become the mighty lamb god. The adorable, cozy graphics mask the dark undertones perfectly, making this a great pick for those who enjoy games with a lighter tone. Bonus points: it’s also available on Switch for those who love hand-held consoles.
Silent Hill 2
A classic, and for good reason. This game follows James Sunderland, a widower, who receives a letter written by his dead wife. This causes him to return to the town of Silent Hill, where the town feasts on the visitor’s psyche. Be careful; things are not what they seem. It’s a slow-burn horror experience, perfect for those who enjoy psychological horror.
That’s Not My Neighbor
You’ve probably seen all the viral Milkman edits that have come from this game, but there’s so much more to the game than that. The world is crawling with doppelgangers, and your job as a doorman is to make sure that no doppelganger enters the building. Verify their identities by checking IDs, verifying apartment numbers, and making phone calls to determine if they’re really who they say they are. Best part? It’s currently still in early access, and there’s a free web version for those who want to check it out.
The Quarry
Similar dynamic to Until Dawn, it’s an interactive horror game with over 100+ different endings depending on the choices you make. In this one, we follow nine teenage camp counselors celebrating the last night of camp, and like in every horror game, things go very wrong. With a supernatural twist and a creature stalking them in the woods, you’ll be filled with thrills. I will say though that The Quarry is more fun/trashy scary and not meant to be taken as seriously.
Whether you enjoy dark horror or prefer your spooky games to be cozier, there’s a game for everyone that promises to get you in the Halloween mood. So clear your schedule, grab your controller, and get ready to play!