Top 10 Halloween Games for the Spooky Season

It's that time of year again! Time to bring out the plastic skeletons, pumpkins that rot within a couple of days, and those purple lights that you just can't seem to keep hanging. Well, during this time of pumpkin spice and candy galore, I figured I would share with you my top 10 picks for some Halloween-themed games to play to get you in the spirit.

10. Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach

Five Nights at Freddy's is just a given at this point. Whenever it comes to people's favorite indie horror game, you'll hear plenty of people mention Freddy's, and rightfully so. With the second film coming out soon, it's the perfect time to go back and enjoy Freddy's first big foray into the big first-person exploration game format.

Though some might not find it particularly terrifying, I guarantee a few good jump scares might change your mind a bit (that Moondrop section? Ugh...). Nothing like a few haunted animatronics to get you in the Halloween mood.

9. The Quarry

The amount of time I spent in The Quarry was actually ridiculous. I think it goes without saying that Supermassive Games is synonymous with narrative-driven horror games. Honestly, any of their games would make a wonderful addition to this list, like Until Dawn or any of the Dark Pictures games. Though I personally would recommend The Quarry more than the others, simply due to the atmosphere alone.

Set in a campground with a group of teen counselors trying to survive their final night at camp, it's sort of the perfect vibe for Halloween. A big bonus for this game in particular is how friendly it is for someone new to games in general, since it's focused on the choices you make and not necessarily on your skills with a controller. The many different paths and choices you can make are actually astonishing at times, and if you haven't touched one of their games before, personally, I would start here.

8. Alan Wake 2

Do I even really need to explain how good Alan Wake 2 is? Winner of Best Game Direction, Narrative, and Art Direction at the Game Awards, Alan Wake 2 is a horror masterpiece on all levels. When I first played Alan Wake 2, I thought it was going to be more of a mystery game with a hint of horror. Man, was I proved wrong.

Some of the scares in this game shocked me more than most horror games in recent memory. Not to mention the quirky dialogue, music, and bizarre events that happen throughout, it genuinely is a unique experience from start to finish. If you're new to the horror genre, I would suggest one of the previous games first, but if you're someone who loves horror or just an intriguing mystery and somehow haven't played it, then look no further.

7. Resident Evil 4 Remake

Currently, the game I'm replaying, Resident Evil 4 Remake, is a horror icon at this point. The original was considered a classic, and the remake only enhances the scare factor. Perfect for spooky season, Resident Evil 4 Remake is full of terrifying creatures, mad villagers, disgusting bosses (In classic Resident Evil fashion), and a host of other horror staples.

Even though Resident Evil 4 Remake is the latest in the series in terms of release, I would recommend any of the recent Resident Evil games during Halloween. Whether it's 2 Remake, 3 Remake, 7, Village, or even the older titles, you can't go wrong with Resident Evil. Plus, it's a good time to hop back into the series before the long-awaited Resident Evil Requiem comes out in February.

6. Medievil Remake

Medievil is almost too perfect for Halloween. You play as Sir Daniel Fortesque, a resurrected skeleton whose goal is to defeat Zarok, the evil sorcerer. The cartoon-like visuals and whimsical soundtrack, mixed with the good humor, make it an unforgettable adventure.

I personally grew up playing Medievil, and seeing this remake surprised me because it looked exactly how I remembered it. I think that is the sign of a great remake when it doesn't even seem any different when, in fact, everything has changed. Seriously, go back and check out the original; it's night and day. So if you're looking for a more family-friendly title or just want something with a goofier vibe, definitely play Medievil this season.

5. Silent Hill 2 Remake

Now, I have to be honest, I haven't completed Silent Hill 2 remake as of yet, but I have played about half of the game, and I must say I'm thoroughly impressed. I always knew that Silent Hill 2 was considered a classic, but after playing the game for a while, I can easily see why. The creeping fog, disturbing creatures, and just general eerie vibe, atmosphere, and environments really give you that unnerving feeling.

From someone who has never played a Silent Hill game before, I will just say that I get why it's a beloved title, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Resident Evil or Alan Wake 2, as the gameplay is very similar to those two titles. If you want a genuinely unsettling game for the holiday, then you need to play Silent Hill 2.

4. Little Nightmares I, II, III

So the reason I put all three titles here is that I genuinely couldn't pick between the three. I honestly believe you'll be happy with any of the three. All three games are creepy, such a vibe, and are a blast to play. Since they are all shorter games, it isn't much of a commitment to play each one.

With the recent release of Little Nightmares 3 and the enhanced edition of the original, it couldn't be a better time to hop into the series. Perfect for Halloween, I would recommend it more so than most on this list, as it's just so easy to pick up and play without having to explain anything. Eerie, fun, captivating art style—do I need to say more?

3. Bendy and the Ink Machine

Another indie darling, Bendy, is such an icon in the indie horror space. His easily recognizable silhouette has captivated players for years now. Though the game may be a tad simple at times, again, I think that is a benefit. It makes the experience easy to recommend for anyone looking for a good horror game without too much of a commitment or expectation to learn countless systems to enjoy it.

The paint-like art style and 1920s-1930s cartoon design create a really unique and fun game to explore. Some occasional puzzles, frantic chase moments, and light combat make it a fun, spooky game to play around this time of year.

2. Fear the Spotlight

From the get-go go you can instantly tell that Fear the Spotlight is a perfect game for this list. The unsettling PS1 era visuals mixed with a creepy school environment make this a great tribute to those 90s games.

A fun mix of puzzles, terrifying encounters, and eerie story makes Fear the Spotlight a great title for spooky season. Luckily, the game doesn't have the super clunky controls of that era, so don't worry about having to fight the game itself just to move around. Another bonus is that Fear the Spotlight is on pretty much any platform, so you get to choose exactly where you want to play.

1. Bye Sweet Carole

Admittedly, I haven't played Bye Sweet Carole even though I really want to. However, from the looks of it, Bye Sweet Carole is undoubtedly a game to enjoy during Halloween. The hand-drawn classic animated film style really makes this title stand out amongst the rest. Being able to explore the intriguing environments like Bunny Hall or Corolla sounds super fun.

The horror elements with puzzles and exploration make Bye Sweet Carole fit in nicely with the rest of the titles on this list. I, for one, can't wait to play this game, and when I do, be sure to look out for the review!

Time for some Scares!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little Halloween list. I know there are more recent titles that would be great additions, but I tried to keep mostly the games I've played. If there are any games you'd love to mention, feel free to put them in the comments below! I'd love to hear about your favorite Halloween-time games. See you next time!