We are creeping towards my favorite holiday of the year, Halloween! We all know that Halloween triumphs over Christmas!!!
Anyway, let’s get straight to the point. If you interact with or follow me on Twitter, you’ll know by now I’m always down to play anything remotely spooky.
Some of these picks are quite popular and you may have already heard of them, or even played them yourselves, but hopefully you’ll find your next scare right here!
Of course, there’s plenty of videos and articles out there detailing the horror that awaits us in late 2022 and beyond, so I thought, seeing as it is spooky season after-all, I’d share my top picks for games you need to play this spooky season, and the best part is these are all available to play now!
Fobia: St Dinfna Hotel
Developer: Pulsatrix Studios Publisher: Maximum Games Price: £24.99
This one, funnily enough will see you exploring an abandoned hotel. You’ll play as an amateur journalist known as Roberto Leite Lopes trying to break a big story as he travels to Santa Catarina after receiving a very promising tip from a friend.
Your investigative skills will be put to the test in various ways and with the help of a camera, can reveal different timelines, all whilst avoiding the not so friendly inhabitants that still roam around the halls in this hotel. If you enjoy a good first-person horror game with a generous amount of action and puzzle solving, then move this one near the top of your list.
In Sound Mind
Developer: We Create Stuff Publisher: Modus Games Price: £29.99 (Currently on sale for £10.49)
You’ll experience anything but a “sound mind” if you decide to dive into this one. If you’re looking to scratch that every so intense Alan Wake itch, then In Sound Mind will be a good game to pick up, as it does share similar themes.
Be warned however, there’s mannequins and sometimes a LOT of them, along with ghosts and another weird entity, who doesn’t like the light… Alan Wake?
I’m currently playing this game and already finding out, that this is certainly a unique entry into the horror genre and can already recommend that you give this one a try, especially seeing as it’s currently on sale.
Tormented Souls
Developer: Abstract Digital, Dual Effect Publisher: PQube Price: £16.99
Tormented Souls is quite clearly inspired by the earlier Resident Evil games. Having only recently stumbled upon this one myself at EGX in London, I quickly threw some cash at the Xbox Store, so that I could get properly immersed in this world at home.
This game delivers, and then delivers some more. Aside from the cringe voice acting, it’s a perfect love letter to early Resident Evil games, all tied up in a gory bow. You’ll be exploring an old mansion turned D.I.Y hospital after receiving a photo of two twin girls.
If you’re a fan of the old tank controls and fixed cameras, then this one is a must this Halloween.
Visage
Developer: SadSquare Studio Publisher: SadSquare Studio Price: £29.24
I cannot express my love for Visage enough with words. The absolute ultimate experience in psychological horror games. From the minute you’re dumped into a seemingly normal house you feel uneasy and petrified. Even just the introductory cut-scene had me on the edge of my seat as I had no idea what was next.
The realistic visuals also help to make you feel as un-settled as possible, and the puzzles at times are quite hard, you’ve been warned.
I can’t stress enough how much this game is a MUST PLAY if you’re looking to get your blood pumping and your pants soiled. I, myself couldn’t even muster up the courage to finish this over a period of a week, instead, taking breaks and playing some more colorful and cheery games in-between this, as it gets overwhelming.
MADiSON
Developer: BLOODIOUS GAMES Publisher: BLOODIOUS GAMES Price: £29.99
MADiSON is one I feel is lesser known, which should be illegal, as its criminally good. You’re in a creepy house, with a camera, and a demon that’s trying to force you to continue a gory ritual started decades ago, what’s the worst that’s going to happen?
Like Visage, this game is so very unsettling. Containing some rather disturbing scenes, this one is certainly not for the fainthearted, as it certainly leaves a mark and might even keep you up at night. All revolving around making use of your trusty camera, it’s a seriously good horror experience, just make sure not to use the camera in the dark too much…
Oxide Room 104
Developer: WildSphere Publisher: WildSphere Price: £20.99
Wounded, naked and waking up in a bathtub in an abandoned motel, certainly isn’t the perfect time to start playing escape room, but something sinister here doesn’t want to give you a choice. Explore an eerie motel as you search to find clues, unlock rooms and find a way out among some disturbing creatures.
Not all is safe, as certain actions have certain consequences, there is only one safe way out of this motel, and it’s up to you to make the right choices. A great entry into the survival horror genre, just make sure not to die too many times, as this will affect your chances of survival and the ending you receive.
Martha Is Dead
Developer: LKA Publisher: Wired Productions Price: £24.99
Martha Is Dead is a dark first-person psychological thriller, set in 1944 Italy and stands out as more of a “walking sim” above all else. Nonetheless it’s one that’s most definitely worth experiencing, as it explores some rather dark themes and yes, there’s some parts that are a little over the top, if that’s up your street.
There’s folklore, a war going on and a dead sister, so it’s down to you to uncover the mystery. Let Martha Is Dead take you along for a ride to experience what horror in 1944 Italy is all about. Just be warned that this one can get rather dark and gritty, self-harm themes is one example that’s included in the game, so proceed with caution on this one.
Apsulov: End of Gods
Developer: Angry Demon Studio Publisher: Angry Demon Studio Price: £24.99
Ever stop to wonder that some things are best left buried? Well, the people of Yggdrasil didn’t and now they might be paying the price. A first-person horror game with Norse mythology twist, and a damn good one at that. You awake in a steel sanctuary built to exploit the worlds of Yggdrasil and to house a powerful artifact.
With a hide-n-seek “Outlast approach” to gameplay and some absolutely wild aesthetics, strap in for a wild ride.
Outlast 1,2 + Whistleblower DLC
Developer: The Red Barrels Publisher: The Red Barrels Price: £36 (Outlast Trinity Bundle)
Outlast, is what some will crown the definitive king of the “hide-n-seek horror” genre, and I’d have a hard time trying to argue against them. I hold the outlast series in such a high regard, it’s a perfect nightmare and the Whistleblower DlC for the first game is such an underrated gem, and a prime example of how to provide a great reason to go back to an old title.
Outlast 2 continues this perfect nightmare with a different theme set within the same world, and there’s no one more excited than me for the upcoming Outlast Trials game.
Outlast 1 is £15.99 (not including DLC), Outlast 2 is £23.99 or you can grab the “Outlast Trinity Bundle for £36, which is an absolute bargain, and I can guarantee if you end up falling in love with the original game like me, then you’ll love the DLC and sequel, so the bundle is the best way to go!
Infliction: Extended Cut
Developer: Caustic Reality Publisher: Caustic Reality Price: £15.74
Explore a humble abode, a once happy household that you are placed in whilst being stalked relentlessly by an enemy that doesn’t give you a break. You’ll be trying to piece together a series of harrowing events whilst trying to stay alive and sane enough to endure the horrors this house has to offer.
Another solid entry in the psychological horror department and one I definitely recommend you try for yourself, if you can handle a fright. Will you survive long enough to find atonement?
Alien: Isolation
Developer: Creative Assembly Interactive Publisher: SEGA Price: £34.99 (Also included with Xbox Game Pass)
Hands down, to this day this is still the best Alien game ever made and definitely up there in my top five favorite survival horror games. If you’ve seen the films, and they had you on the edge of your seat, Isolation cranks it all the way up to 11 as the Xenomorph stalks Amanda Ripley onboard the Sevastopol station.
The atmosphere has been absolutely nailed, from hiding underneath the smallest of gaps and in lockers whilst using the motion sensor, it’s all glaringly accurate to the Alien film and I will always loathe for a sequel to this stellar entry into the horror genre. It’s a MUST PLAY for horror and Alien fans alike. This game will cause heart attacks, or at the very least, some majorly soiled pants.
Alan Wake (Remastered)
Developer: Remedy Games Publisher: Epic Games Price: £24.99
Alan Wake, a game I never got around too during the Xbox 360 era, but it’s one I’m glad I dived into, this time around with the remaster. Bright Falls is a small town, stalked by a mysterious dark presence and you’ll have to fight it in order to save your love. Avoid the dark and use the light to your advantage to stay alive.
This one falls into psychological/action horror as opposed to survival. With some incredibly tense combat moments, great story and perfect atmosphere, this is one you need to have on your list to play this spooky season.
Resident Evil 7
Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Price: £15.99
Resident Evil 7, a decisive, fresh entry into the franchise that had grown somewhat stale after Resident Evil 6. A fresh perspective in the form of a change from a 3rd, to 1st person camera angle was mostly welcomed, and in my opinion helped define one of horror’s best comebacks in recent years, with help especially from the Baker family.
A grueling atmosphere with photo-realistic environments and psycho maniac family really helped set this entry apart from the rest. This one really takes the horror to the next level and is continued, albeit with a little more action focus in Resident Evil Village.
With a lengthy enough campaign, multiple difficulties and plenty of DLC that you can pick up on the cheap with an RE7 Gold Edition, there’s no reason not to visit the Baker family if you haven’t already.
And…
There we have it, my recommendations for games you need to keep your eye on this Halloween. I hope you’ve found something spooky from this list, that you’ll be able to sink your teeth into over the coming weeks, in preparation for the big night. Some popular ones, some lesser-known ones, have I missed one of your favorites?
Let me know with a comment underneath, via our @completexbox page on Twitter, or you can find me directly @BERSERKER_THiis. Happy Haunting!