It’s that time of the year again! Time for 2Spooky4U memes, pumpkin spice lattes, and slasher flicks. But between the latte-sipping and grotesque glory kills there’s going to be some downtime. With social distancing and Covid-19 still being a major obstacle we’re facing, this Halloween will be a bit of a downer for most.
With this list, I hope to make this spooky time of the year just a little bit better in the midst of things. Not all are going to be gory though. I’ve focused on games that revel in the spookiness and a Halloween feel. They range from family to horror and cover every current gaming platform available, including your Android phone or tablet. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Halloween Forever
Halloween Forever is a 2D platformer where you take control of the main character named Pumpkin Man. As him, you’ll venture through 3 different Halloween themed worlds in search of your destiny. You’ll face foes along the way in the form of bats, skeletons, wizards, and chainsaw maniacs. The colors in this one really pop and do a great job of capturing the feel of the holiday. The game is available for PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam.
Haunted: Halloween ‘85 and ‘86
The games take place in the town of Possum Hollow which is being harmed by dark magic. No one is safe so it’s up to Donny Johnstown to save everyone he knows from the monsters who’ve infested his town. You’ll wander through Possum Hollow and uncover the secrets of the magic and face 6 bosses across 6 different areas of the town. These games are heavily based on games that you would see on the NES back in the day. The series is available on Steam with Haunted: Halloween ‘86 being available on Xbox One.
Costume Quest 1 and 2
I’m not sure that games could indulge themselves in this holiday more than the Costume Quest series. In the games, you’ll take on the role of a child on Halloween night. You’ll traverse the town searching for new costumes, friends to team up with, and enemies to fight. These fights play out like a child’s imagination. If you’re dressed like a robot, during fights you may look like a huge mech. It plays not only on the holiday vibes but the child-like wonderment that the holiday calls for. Both games are available on Steam and Xbox One. The second one is actually available through Game Pass right now!
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Nintendo’s Luigi’s Mansion series has been around for a long time now. This time, Luigi finds himself in the Last Resort Hotel with his new Poltergust G-00 and the help of Gooigi. They’ll work together in clearing the hotel of the mischievous bosses to make it ghost-free. You’re also invited to the ScareScraper for 8 player online and local multiplayer! This game is available for Nintendo Switch exclusively.
Grabbed By The Ghoulies
Grabbed by the Ghoulies is a title that was originally available on the first Xbox back in 2003. You'll play as Cooper who’s on a mission to save his girlfriend who’s gone missing in Ghoulhaven Hall. You’ll battle against monsters and use your wit to outsmart them and escape their grasp. Through the power of backward compatibility and a very slight graphic face-life, this game is able to be played on the Xbox One. I personally suggest buying the Rare Replay collection of games as that’s the best bang for your buck.
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered
Last year we got the long-awaited remaster of the 2009 title. The game received graphical enhancements as well as other tweaks here and there in this version of the game. One of the most special aspects of this title is that it’s actually counted as canon in the original series. It’s technically Ghostbusters 3 if that’s how you want to look at it. It’s a sweet game with all of the things that made the originals so loved. The remaster is available on Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Epic Game Store. The original version is available on just about every last-gen console and PS2 as well.
MediEvil: Remastered
Another remake, MediEvil remastered is a fresh retreading of the PS1 classic tale of Sir Daniel Fortesque and his tale of redemption. You’ll venture through Gallowmere, fighting all kinds of monsters and creatures as you make your way to the evil sorcerer Zarok. The game boasts new graphics with 4K available on the PS4-Pro and new enhancements to the classic controls that fans are akin to. This is a PS4 exclusive title.
The Evil Within 1 and 2
Many readers may wonder why The Evil Within series is represented in this list and not the Resident Evil series. Personally, I feel like these are two totally different series’ with game mechanics being the only real similarity besides both being created by Shinji Mikami. Both are great in their own right but I think that this one fits best in this particular list. While the RE series focuses on infection this series focuses on the supernatural. The environments in TEW are also a little eerier to me. I appreciate the first one’s change in scenery with different locations to drop us into. You can grab these on PC via Steam, PS4, and Xbox One
Friday The 13th: The Game
Once a game with a bright future, Friday the 13th: The Game took everything great from the film franchise and brought it to the game. You can play as teenagers trying to stay alive or as Jason in his many different iterations as you try to dispatch the kids running around your camp. The game is still a joy to play but due to legal reasons, no new contact is able to be added, unfortunately. The game is routinely updated and still has a dedicated fanbase as well. It’s playable on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.
Dead By Daylight
This one is a solid choice for horror genre fanatics. It’s another cat and mouse type of game where players are pursued by a horrendous murderer. The special thing about this game is its use of its killers. Not only does it have unique original ones but it’s gotten licensing from some seriously spectacular franchises. Saw, Halloween, Scream, Evil Dead, and Silent Hill are all represented here in this game. The one downer though is the price tag for which you’ll have to pay in order to enjoy these franchises. It can get pricey for these add-ons but the base game alone is worth it. This can be played on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4, Steam, and even Android!
Honorable Mention
Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare
Although it’s technically an add-on to Red Dead Redemption, Undead Nightmare is its own thing entirely. It has its own story and takes place in an alternate timeline than that of the original. You play again as John Marston as the wild west is being taken over by the undead. The beautiful landscapes that you once knew are now mired in zombie and human blood as gloom hangs over the land. You'll learn about ancient dark magic and wild west legends in this story. You’re only able to access this one on current consoles through backward compatibility on Xbox One.
I hope that you enjoyed the list! Please comment below or Tweet at me and let me know your thoughts or if I’ve missed one of your favorite Halloween games!
