From the dawn of man until the end of time, there will be people like you and me who enjoy getting scared. People who yearn to be flung from the peace of their residence amongst their neighbors into a world of evil. Filled with the isolating sensation deep in the pit of your stomach that hazards ready to wreak havoc lay around every corner. Waiting for you to pull back their innocent visage simulating kindness and expose the waking nightmare.
That desire will outlast us all. Fortunately, there are clubs of individuals who love to scare people as well. And that’s no more apparent than in the month of October. Because one day out of 31 is dedicated to scaring people, it’s now the whole month’s identity. And horror games have become a huge part of that identity. With developers eager to exploit the added dread of making people do all the things they yell at horror movie characters for doing.
The horror genre is as ingrained in the world of video games as it is in the world of film and novels. And I’m sure more than a few of you are looking for a proper interactive spookfest to celebrate Halloween. So I present to you 10 games guaranteed to do just that to varying degrees of success. Some you’ve definitely heard of before, and some you may not even know exist.
Honorable Mention
My honorable mention goes to the 2023 survival horror game Alan Wake II. Remedy Entertainment released one of the greatest all-round gaming experiences in recent memory in their long-awaited sequel to 2010’s Alan Wake. However, the barrier of entry may be a little high for only one month. Hence its placement here.
Alan in The Dark Place
There are quite a few steps to fully understanding Alan Wake II and its two DLCs. The second of which comes out later this month. Play Alan Wake, Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, Quantum Break, and Control. Bonus points if you play the Max Payne series as well. While both games in the Alan Wake series are easy October recommendations, the others aren’t so much. Control has some horror elements, but it’s way more sci-fi.
If you’re ready to take the leap, you’ll find few more exciting universes in the world of gaming. However, it’s a lot of information to process in a short amount of time. Especially if you have a life outside of video games.
Until Dawn
Until Dawn comes up pretty much every time I make a list about great games or great horror games. But that’s because Until Dawn still stands as one of the greatest interactive horror experiences ever made. So much so that it’s allowed Supermassive Games to coast on its success for nearly 10 years . And is in the process of receiving a full motion picture adaptation.
It was just a prank, Han
For the five people reading this that don’t know, Until Dawn is a love letter to horror films. Combining elements of slashers, psychological horrors, and creature features to deliver a truly terrifying and unforgettable experience. Boosted by the knowledge that every decision you make determines the fate of the unfortunate cast.
A remake of Until Dawn just released on PlayStation 5 and Steam for the lofty price of $59.99. Or you can instead drop $19.99 on the original PS4 version. It’s also free if you have a PlayStation Plus account. If you enjoyed any of the Dark Pictures Anthology, The Quarry, or most recently, The Casting of Frank Stone; you should definitely add this modern classic to your catalogue.
That’s Not My Neighbor
If you engage with a certain section of the YouTube gaming community, odds are you have seen this game many times. However, it’s equally likely that you’ve never heard of it until now. It’s a rather small indie game with a simple but effective premise and gameplay loop that leads to a lot of fun.
Real head scratcher, this one
You work the reception desk at an apartment building. And it’s your job to make sure that everyone entering the building is actually one of the residents. And not a monstrous doppelganger posing as them to sneak inside. It’s sort of like a horror version of Papers, Please. Some of the differences are very obvious, but some are more subtle and require a more thorough analysis.
There are also a variety of modes, with more on the way. An arcade mode that you can play over and over again, a campaign mode, and a hard mode that really tests your attention to detail. It’s a quick game that’s easy to understand. And can be lots of fun on your own or with a group of friends by your side. And all it takes is a minimum of $2.99 to enjoy on Itch.io.
Visage
There’s nothing scarier than puzzles. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. Why else would almost every horror game under the sun involve puzzles as a core mechanic? Visage is no exception. If the terrifying scares don’t bring your end, the mind melting puzzles will.
I’m sure he’s fine
Visage follows Dwayne “The Regular Man” Anderson as he explores an abandoned house. He soon becomes haunted by the past residents as he explores their twisted stories. The gameplay can be tedious at times. However, it’s almost worth it for what is probably the best love letter to P.T.: Silent Hills that we’ll ever get.
I see Visage as the video game version of the 2012 horror film Sinister. Where its reputation for scares precedes it, and leads a lot of people to write it off. Believing it can’t possibly be that scary. But I highly recommend you try it out and see if you can stomach the more annoying elements of the gameplay to enjoy the experience. And it’s currently available on Steam for $34.99.
Simulacra
Remember that period of time when desktop-screen-based horror movies were all the rage? Things like Unfriended, Searching, and Host? Well, Simulacra is that for video games. As the entire game takes place on a virtual smartphone screen. It’s a unique form of immersion that you don’t see done very much, and the game takes advantage of it in many clever ways that subtly ramp up the tension.
Should I be doing this?
In Simulacra, you find an abandoned phone belonging to someone named Anna. And because you decided to be nosy and sneak through her phone, it becomes your responsibility to solve the mystery of what happened to Anna and attempt to save her life. All while stepping closer and closer to the dark center of this tangled (inter)web.
It’s essentially a point and click horror game. However, there are 4 different endings based on the choices you make. So it’s not a game to rush through. There are also two sequels and a spinoff to check out. As well as the spiritual predecessor Emily is Missing. So, if you enjoy the format, there’s plenty of content available for you. All for only $4.99 on Steam, $12.99 on PlayStation, and $11.99 on Xbox. It’s also available on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
Outlast
Red Barrels may have shot themselves in the foot so hard with Outlast II that they had to pivot to something completely different in The Outlast Trials. But don’t let that distract you from how good the original Outlast still is today. There’s a reason it’s up there with Amnesia as one of the greatest indie horror games of all time.
Is there a doctor in the house?
Outlast puts you in the shoes of Miles Upshur. Who is in the process of writing an exposé on the shady operations going on at Mount Massive Asylum, and the Murkoff Corporation that owns it. As you can imagine, sneaking into an insane asylum isn’t exactly a fun time. While the Whistleblower DLC instead follows Waylon Park, the man who put Miles on Murkoff’s trail.
Outlast and its DLC Whistleblower came out at the perfect time. When mainstream horror games were leaning more into action and losing the scares people loved. Even now, with the rebirth of horror games as third-person survival horror games with hyper-realistic graphics, Outlast lasts as one of the greatest horror games of the 21st century. And it’s available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam for $19.99.
Alien: Isolation
Maybe you saw the new Alien: Romulus film and now find yourself a fan of Ridley Scott’s iconic sci-fi horror series. Or maybe you just think the vast infinite dark void of space and all it may contain is as terrifying as I do. Either way, you should definitely check out Alien: Isolation.
Only it can hear you scream
15 years after the events of Alien, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda, finds herself trapped on the spaceship “Sevastopol” with little to protect her from the super-predator Xenomorph. Having to rely on stealth and intellect instead of weaponry to survive and find a way out.
Even the biggest Alien fan will tell you that Alien: Isolation is one of the best things to come out of the franchise. And everyone who has played it will sing its praises. Few games convey terror and the constant stress of being hunted quite like this one. You will never stop thinking about how there’s a giant murderous alien monster somewhere on the ship, and it’s constantly looking for you. You can experience that fun all for yourself on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Resident Evil: Biohazard
Fun Fact: The Resident Evil series is called Biohazard in Japan. So while this game is Resident Evil: Biohazard for us. It’s called Biohazard: Resident Evil in Japan. Anyway, Resident Evil: Biohazard singlehandedly revived one of the biggest pillars of horror gaming. And that’s no hyperbole. The Resident Evil series was on life support thanks to games like Resident Evil 6 and Umbrella Corps.
I’d rather be punching a boulder right now
Biohazard mostly abandons the complicated over-Weskered plot of the other games. Instead focusing on Ethan Winters’ trek down to the swamps of Louisiana to save his wife. Who he finds in the hands of the psychotic Baker family. And Capcom spared no expense at drawing all the horror they could think of out of the first mainline first-person Resident Evil.
All I really need to say about Biohazard to convince you to play it is that it was so scary that Capcom chose to drastically pull back on the horror for the following game, Resident Evil: Village, so it would appeal to a wider audience. So instead of playing the newest one, take one step back. You can buy Resident Evil: Biohazard on PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam for $19.99.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into The Pit
The Five Nights at Freddy’s series has come a long way since the first game burst onto the indie game scene in 2014. Several games, novels, anthologies, and even a feature film have all contributed to one of the most needlessly convoluted plotlines this side of the SAW series. But I’ve got just the game for those who want to enjoy a frantic furry frenzy without a PhD in Game Theory videos.
He’s peeking
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit is an adaptation of the short story of the same name. And follows Oswald as he discovers a time-travelling ball pit, throwing him and his family right in the middle of a robotic retro rampage. It’s a 2.5D horror game with a pixel art style that you’ve no doubt seen on at least 20 games that desperately want to be EarthBound.
You don’t need to read the short story or know the deeper lore of the series to enjoy Into the Pit. It’s a short and sweet game packed with some pretty good scares and exceptional sound design. The game does have some of the shortcomings featured in many installments. Though there is plenty to get out of it for all fans of horror. It’s available on Steam, Xbox, & PlayStation for $19.99.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
Just hear me out on this one. Especially if you have never heard of it before. Because you’re probably very confused why this anime waifu dating sim is on a list of great horror games. But just you wait. Or just download the game and take my word for it. It’s a much better experience when you don’t know.
Really, trust me on this
Doki Doki Literature Club starts off like any other generic visual novel. With our nameless and aimless protagonist finding himself surrounded by anime girls all just waiting for the chance to throw themselves at him for little to no reason. But this gravy train soon starts sliding off the rails in a major way. Pulling you toward one seemingly inescapable outcome.
The game is a much more intense experience when you know as little as possible going in. It has the potential to shock you in ways few other games can. And not many other games have so flawlessly executed on an idea like Dan Salvato’s Doki Doki Literature Club. You can play the original for free, or buy the expanded version on Steam, Epic Games, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. As a bonus, you can buy physical copies of the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation editions.
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Danganronpa probably isn’t one of the first titles to pop into someone’s head when they’re in the mood for a spooktacular spectacular. In fact, many of you may not have even heard of it before. Danganronpa may not have the in-your-face scares or an emphasis on terror like the other games on this list, but it has plenty going for it. Mainly psychological torment, and an incredibly immersive and oppressive setting.
Sometimes you just gotta grin and bear it
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc essentially puts you in a group of 15 unique and lovable characters, and then tells you that almost all of them are going to die. You’re trapped in one building with all of them, unable to escape or see the outside world. So you have to bond with the others. Not knowing who or when someone will end up dead, and who is going to kill them. It messes with you in ways that few other games do.
There are two sequels you can play as well with much the same premise. However, they don’t capture the same tense and claustrophobic setting of the first one. Though I do recommend the second game, Goodbye Despair, in general. You’re spoiled for ways to play Danganronpa. Though I recommend playing the game on Steam, buying the HD bundle of the first two games on PlayStation, or buying Danganronpa Trilogy if you’re a physical media enthusiast. If you’re on Nintendo Switch or Xbox, you have to make do with the Anniversary Editions.
