Welcome to the scare zone, where you'll feel your palms sweat and your heart race. Be on high alert, as you never know what's coming next! Happy Halloween and spooky greetings, because it's that time of year again - full of horror and fright! While I personally enjoy horror content all year round, I understand that for some people it's just a seasonal itch. So, here are five horror games you can currently find on Game Pass, ready to satisfy your spooky cravings!
Dead Space
If you're familiar with Dead Space from 2008, you'll know it as one of the most terrifying sci-fi horror games ever made. However, if you haven't had the chance to play the original version, now is the perfect time to do so. The remastered version of Dead Space, along with its non-remastered sequels, are all currently available on Game Pass. Dead Space holds a special place as one of my favorite horror games due to its creatively horrifying enemies and its unique gunplay mechanics. Unlike other horror games where you can simply spray and pray, Dead Space requires you to focus and carefully aim your shots. Whether you've played it before or not, this game is always worth revisiting and is highly recommended, especially if you haven't experienced it yet.
The Evil Within & The Evil Within 2
The Evil Within and its sequel, The Evil Within 2, are exceptional horror games released in 2014 and 2017 respectively, and they continue to captivate players today. Directed by Shinji Mikami, the creator of the Resident Evil series, it's no surprise that these games exude a similar vibe. The Evil Within offers a gripping and atmospheric experience, blending elements of mystery and horror. I highly recommend giving it a try, especially if you're a fan of the Resident Evil franchise. It's a game that everyone should experience at least once.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a 2023 native, with a fairly recent release and a day 1 game pass release a lot of people are already and still playing this, for good reason. The game is an asymmetrical horror, and this type of gaming is growing in popularity, mostly because of the next game, but this game does some things to differentiate. The most obvious thing is instead of it being 4 survivors versus 1 killer, it’s actually 3 killers vs 4 survivors. Which sounds unfair but I’m really impressed on the way they balanced everything to not make it lean either side. Personally, my favorite aspect of the game is its exceptional sound design. The chilling sound of the chainsaw revving in the basement while you're desperately trying to escape adds an incredible level of immersion and excitement.
Dead By Daylight
Dead By Daylight is the game that popularized asymmetrical horror, and it continues to thrive even after 29 chapters. Clearly, they must be doing something right. Each season brings fresh content, including new killers, survivors, and maps. Whether you prefer playing as a ruthless killer like The Trapper or iconic characters like Michael Myers (aka The Shape), or if you enjoy testing your stealth skills as a survivor, Dead By Daylight offers a diverse and engaging experience. It's a game that consistently provides something new, making it enjoyable for players who join at any time. Even if you take a break and come back later, you can expect exciting additions to keep the game fresh and exciting.
Amnesia Series
The Amnesia series is truly something that words can't fully capture. Whether you're a horror enthusiast or simply seeking a spine-chilling experience, these games are a must-play. Amnesia: The Dark Descent, the first installment in the series, was one of the first horror games that genuinely shook me. If you've already played through the entire series and feel hesitant about revisiting it, I highly recommend checking out Amnesia: The Bunker, the newest addition to the series. It has a Halloween event that is currently available until November 6th, making it the perfect opportunity to dive back into the world of Amnesia.
SOMA
In 2015, Frictional Games, the same developer behind the aforementioned series, released a game called SOMA. Set in a remote underwater research facility, SOMA shares a similar game style but offers a completely different experience. In my opinion, SOMA is even scarier due to its exploration of the fear of sentience through its eerily human-like machinery. I feel that it may not have received as much word-of-mouth attention as the Amnesia series, so I believe I believe it reached a smaller audience even though it deserves much more attention. If you enjoyed Amnesia, I highly recommend checking out SOMA. It's a game that deserves your attention and is sure to provide a unique and chilling experience.
All these games are currently available on Game Pass, don’t be scared to check them out, they’re only going to scare you!
Happy Halloween!
