5 Biggest Horror Games Releasing in October 2024

October is here and spooky month is promising to deliver the tricks and treats with some heavy hitters and remastered nostalgia. Silent Hill 2 Remake is being released into the wild, as well as the remaster of cinematic narrative adventure Until Dawn. We see the horror movie industry seeping in with A Quiet Place: The Long Road and Blumhouse Games’s debut in horror game publishing, Fear the Spotlight. And finally, the long awaited paranormal investigator simulator Phasmophobia is due to leave early access and launch on consoles. 

In case you missed it, take a peep at last month’s horror game picks. If you need even more horror themed goods to ensure a happy Halloween, we have you covered:

1. The Casting of Frank Stone Review: Dwindling Appeal (PS5) 
2. 5 Biggest Horror Movies Releasing in September 2024
3. Not For Broadcast: The Timeloop DLC Review – Multiverse Medley (PC) 

Until Dawn Remaster

Until Dawn Remastered releases on October 4th for PS5 and PC.

Branching narrative masterpiece Until Dawn is a must play for any horror fan, and the upcoming remaster releasing this October is ideal for fans old and new – in particular ahead of the movie adaptation, which is set to release in 2025. Until Dawn Remastered will follow the same events as the original, with the addition of new scenes and interactions, none of which will alter the overall narrative. An area we know to have been built upon however is the prologue, which will give more screentime to twin sisters Hannah and Beth, thus adding a little more depth to their characters. 

Until Dawn Remastered will bring graphical enhancements more in line with current gen standards. Among these are improved animations, better character models who are able to obtain more detailed injuries and a massive upgrade to lighting. Until Dawn Remastered will also experiment with new camera angles combined with the original framing, though we will have to wait and see how effective this decision is. Personally, I’m just hoping that the playable characters move with a little more urgency when running for their lives. 

Silent Hill 2 Remake

Silent Hill 2 Remake releases on 8th October for PS5 and PC.

If you missed out on the original Silent Hill games, then the upcoming Silent Hill 2 Remake is the perfect opportunity to experience the influential classic. Unanimously regarded as the best of the franchise, Silent Hill 2 has received the restoration treatment, bringing a solid example of twenty plus years difference in game development. Now utilising motion captured performances and featuring more emotive facial expressions, the original narrative will remain intact, although it has been confirmed that a few lines of dialogue and some set pieces have been changed.

Another notable change of Silent Hill 2 Remake is the significantly improved gameplay, which introduces a new over the shoulder camera perspective. While some are sceptical of the switch from fixed camera angles and how this will impact the game’s atmosphere, there’s no denying it will create more intimate and visceral combat encounters. James now has better gun control, and he is able to dodge out of harms way. This will be vital, as enemies have also received their own combat upgrades.

The original map has been recreated and expanded, with new areas and some previously inaccessible locations fleshed out for your exploration needs. I assume this enlargement of the environment is what extends the runtime of Silent Hill 2 Remake. Hardcore fans of the series can be assured that the iconic soundtrack will also remain, with Akira Yamaoka returning to remake the original score and compose a few new melodies.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead

A Quiet Place: The Ahead releases on October 17th on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Set in the same universe as the movie with which it shares its name, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead forces the player to prove they could outwit the alien monstrosities with sensitive hearing in an intense game of hide and seek.  A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead has its own narrative separate to the movies, expanding the lore of A Quiet Place while introducing Alex and her boyfriend Martin. The parents-to-be must rely on clues from other survivors and their environment to find their way to safety.

The weapon loadout is bare bones, and even though a torch may be useless as a defensive weapon, it will be extremely useful when trying to navigate the clutter of a post-apocalyptic world in silence. Your other essential aid comes in the form of a phonometer, through which you will be able to track the level of your own racket as well as that of naturally occurring sounds. With some careful planning, these can be used to muffle sounds of you interacting with the world to progress, and could be the difference between life and death.

Fear The Spotlight

Fear the Spotlight releases on October 22nd and will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Fear the Spotlight is the first game published under Blumhouse Games, and so far seems to be on brand for the Blumhouse M.O of discovering experimental horror from independent creators. Fear the Spotlight follows Vivian and Amy on their rebellious venture into their school afterhours to conduct a séance. Of course, things take a turn for the worse and Vivian ends up alone. While searching the deserted corridors for her friend, we unravel the truth behind a devasting fire which took place at the school years prior, and it soon becomes apparent that Sunnyside High’s lore ain’t so sunny.

The dark history is delivered in a PS1 inspired aesthetic and there’s some old school influence on gameplay too, requiring you to backtrack between rooms to solve puzzles and unlock new areas. However, Fear the Spotlight promises to deliver more tactile and hands-on puzzle solving than simply choosing an item from your inventory, and I’m intrigued to see how this is implemented. Beyond puzzle solving, the other main mechanics revolve around stealth, using tables avoid detection and staying in the shadows to escape the ominous walking spotlight

Phasmophobia 

Phasmophobia will celebrate its full release during the game’s Halloween event, and will be available on PS5, PS VR2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Released in early access on Steam in 2020, Phasmophobia is probably my most anticipated title on this list. Although a specific date hasn’t been announced, it has been confirmed that Phasmophobia will celebrate its full release during the in-game Halloween event, which takes place throughout October. The premise sees you employed as a paranormal investigator where you can play as a team of up to 4 players and create your own Mystery Incorporated, or face the horrors solo – either way, ghost hunting in Phasmophobia is more sophisticated than catching masked baddies with a net. 

Armed with an array of specialist equipment you go seeking the bumps in the night. Your objective is to identify the type of paranormal entity which is being a nuisance by monitoring changes in temperature, disruptions to electronic equipment or attempting to communicate with the supernatural using the spirit box. As the game progresses, you unlock more items to tackle the investigations and learn to differentiate you poltergeists from your demons, all whilst trying to retain a grip on your sanity.