You know what time of the year it is! Pumpkin spice is in everything, leaves are on the ground, and spooky silly skeletons are sending shivers down your spine at every moment. It’s a time when it’s not just encouraged to get scared whenever you get the chance but expected. Last year, I compiled a list of 13 titles that you can check out to satisfy that feeling.
This year though has given us so many notable titles, that I figured I’d shine a light on those as opposed to the regular ones that everyone knows about. The goal is, to broaden your Halloween horizons and introduce you to some titles that may fly past your radar. I’ve also included titles that go beyond just the scary stuff. There are also some titles that focus on odd themes that fit perfectly within the Halloween spirit.
Kids and Teens
Pumpkin Jack
If ever there was a video game that truly captures the look and feel of Halloween, it’d be Pumpkin Jack. It’s a beautiful title from sight to sound to gameplay and just does everything right. It’s a platformer that offers a bunch of different weapons to use and game mechanics to check out. It’s also not an extremely long game so it won’t consume all of your time, but I guarantee you’ll want it to.
Lost in Random
This title is one that I’m recently coming off of and it too offers some truly unique visuals and sound. It really takes inspiration from Burton films and Laika productions, so you know that it hits the Halloween feels just right. There are some dark themes, scary-looking townsfolk, and a magical misery that flows throughout the world of Random. Its gameplay is also a really unique experience in its own right as well.
FNAF Core Collection
A favorite among jump-scare fanatics, Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Core Collection brings the first 5 titles together in a complete package. These games are fun because while they have jumpscares and some pretty creepy moments, they aren’t too scary and never gory either. It’s fun for the little horror fans in the house.
Psychonauts 2
While some may scoff at the inclusion of Psychonauts 2 on this list, it’s hard to ignore the connections that this title shares to Halloween. There are uniquely designed characters, monsters, teeth, and even candies that you can use to heal yourself. The color palette as well exudes a feeling of fall which just drives that Halloween theme home.
Little Nightmares II
Everything that made the original game so awesome is enhanced in Little Nightmares II. It’s still gorgeously grim but adds some new gameplay enhancements that improve it overall. Its camera positions manage to make its gameplay seem different from other titles allowing for a fresh sense of gameplay throughout. The abstract creature designs set this game apart in a category all its own. They aren’t inherently scary in a gory sense but always manage to make the skin crawl.
Adults
In Sound Mind
This title offers some really intriguing gameplay mechanics that make it feel innovative to the survival-horror genre. You’ll also immerse yourself in some pretty solid environments that are sure to give you a scare or two along the way due to the unique creatures lurking throughout. Who doesn’t enjoy a good first-person horror game these days?
Alan Wake Remastered
At this point, Alan Wake is a classic in the survival-horror genre and it’s so cool to see it not only being remastered but being made available on even more gaming platforms. The blend of horror and psychological-thriller story elements go hand in hand with its rural mountainous setting. Not to mention the impressive game mechanics that pushed to change the way the genre can play.
Lamentum
Survival horror games aren’t too hard to come by but Lamentum offers some very enticing elements that not many games do. Its pixel art style is actually pretty exciting as well as its gothic time period that just had me begging for more. I couldn’t stop playing this game because of its style and Lovecraftian themes.
Resident Evil: Village
One of the more popular horror-based games of the year has been the latest Resident Evil title, and for good reason. There are some pretty impressive creatures throughout as well as yet another evolution in gameplay for the series. It too offers a pretty gothic setting and mysterious locations that may pique curiosity but hide some pretty deadly secrets.
Tormented Souls
Tormented Souls takes everything we love about the retro survival-horror titles of the 90s and enhances their mechanics at every turn. It’s also a game that brought out the child-like wonderment that we had with those original titles. Its solid gameplay, locations, and monsters are the perfect storm of Halloween goodness.
Multiplayer
Dead by Daylight
While this title may not be brand-new, you really can’t turn away from the horror triumph that is Dead by Daylight. Iconic enemies, easy-to-pick-up gameplay, and quick matches are some of this game’s best elements. Let’s not forget that you can now play this game on mobile as well which makes it even more desirable in my opinion.
Phasmophobia
If there was any one game that you were to pick up from this list, let it be this one. This title manages to not only be extremely scary but just as addictive. Hunting the spirits within its maps is a job in and of itself that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Its mechanics are so fun to play with that you’ll sit down for a match and end up being mia for hours. It’s just such a well-made and growing game.
Back 4 Blood
While it may not be out quite yet, Back 4 Blood seems to offer some really promising gameplay. It’s a spiritual successor to the Left 4 Dead series, so it already has eyebrows raised there. And even if this isn’t your specific cup of tea, there are others like it such as Aliens Fireteam Elite and Zombie Elite 4: Dead War that offer fun team-based gameplay as well.
Extra Offerings - Free Games
SCP: Recontainment
SCP: Secret Laboratory
Simulacrum: Chapter 1
Hopefully, you came out of this list with at least a couple of titles that you’re excited to play. If we missed any that you’re playing, let us know in the comments below! The spooky season continues to grow with new games releasing so next year’s list is sure to be fresh and new as well.
