October is here which means Halloween is around the corner. During this season, fans can come out to play as many scary games and watch movies. To celebrate, we will go over plenty of spooky games and movies in the month. To start off, let’s look at some video games that will give you nightmares.
To note, I did cheat the list by adding games with their sequels to clump them together, so let’s get over that while we are here.
#13/12: Metro: 2033 and Metro: Last Light (4A Games)
While the first game, 2033 feels a bit dated, Last Light holds up wonderfully. The world has ended in a nuclear apocalypse and creatures roam the around. Set in Russia, survivors have set inside of the subway system to avoid monsters and radiation. The games have compelling stories along with a variety of gameplay from stealth to big shootouts. Not only are they a ton of fun, but the atmosphere and survival aspects make for one intense experience. While this is not the scariest game on the list, the sense of constant danger and needing supplies to survive will give you the emotions you want to feel during Halloween.
#11/10: The Evil Within 1/2 (Tango Gameworks/Bethesda)
Bethesda published Tango Gameworks’ The Evil Within and The Evil Within 2. A psychological horror game created by the mind who brought the world Resident Evil, Shinji Mikami. The story stands are the game’s strongest point with a well thought out world with rich lore that will keep you compelled through the series. Exploring trauma and psychology in a way that many games tend to shy away from, The Evil Within is not afraid to tell its story. While the game’s lean more towards action, the horror remains strong through every minute. With elements of psychological manipulation, extreme violence, and disturbing themes, this game utilizes everything creepy to make your skin crawl.
#9: Doki Doki Literature Club! (Team Salvato)
That is right, I am recommending a dating simulator visual novel. If you know of Doki Doki then you know exactly why this game is on the list. For those of you who have never heard of the game then you should go in completely blind. That is the only way to experience Team Salvato’s bizarre visual novel.
Warning: Do not play this game if you have struggled with mental health issues now or in the past. The game can be triggering for those who suffer from depression, anxiety, suicide, and self-harm.
#8: Amnesia: The Dark Descent (Frictional Games)
To the standards of modern gaming, Amnesia: The Dark Descent might feel dated by its graphics and clunky gameplay. For its time, Amnesia was the kind of horror. By many standards for years, gamers would find it difficult to find something more horrific than Frictional Games’ masterpiece. Not putting the game on a list of horror games would be disrespectful to one of the most influential horror games of all time.
#7/6: Dead Space 1/2 (Visceral Games/EA)
The first two Dead Space games are some of the greatest games across any genre. A universe with brilliant lore and storytelling along with excellent combat and genuinely terrifying elements to give you nightmares. The use of violence and atmosphere is to the point of perfection. With the bad taste of the third entry and Visceral Games being shut down, we may never get another adventure with Isaac Clarke.
#5: Bioshock (Irrational Games/2K Games)
A thought-provoking video game is rare, but Bioshock manages to be more than just your average game. A horror game with all of the typical elements with combat, dark atmosphere, and terrifying enemies goes above and beyond to completely shake-up the industry. Some of the most gripping stories are right in Rapture with its main story and the many audiotapes that can be found to make the deceased city seem like it once had a life. Usually, silent protagonists seem out of date to me, but Bioshock managed to be the one exception for me by its execution of having a mute hero.
A message to 2K, please make another entry to this series, even if it is like the less horror-oriented Bioshock: Infinite.
#4: Dead by Daylight (Behaviour Interactive)
The horror multiplayer game delivers a unique experience. You and a few other survivors must start up five generators then escape. Meanwhile, one player is playing as a killer who is hunting you down. From original psychopaths with unique abilities to classic horror film murders such as Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers, there is a wide variety to choose from that will change play styles for both sides. The game is fun and manages to deliver unique experiences each time despite the seemingly repetitive concept. Playing the game with friends makes the game that much better. Grab some friends to survive with, or you can decide to murder them.
The game is getting constant updates such as new survivors, maps, killers, and rewards to keep players going. Go support the developers and give this game a try.
#3: Outlast (Red Barrels)
Yes, I have listed only the first game, not its sequel. Outlast 2 is one of the most disappointing games I have ever played. Let’s focus on the brilliant first game.
Outlast takes many elements from other horror games where you just run away and hide because you can’t defend yourself. What separates Red Barrels’ outstanding game from others is its story and use of lighting. 90 percent of the game is pitch black, so you have a camera with night vision to see what is hiding in the darkness. While the running and using stealth to survive is fun along with its terrifying atmosphere and use of night vision, the story about a secret experiment that explores the human psyche is the strongest element here. The influences and typical tropes are present, but the game manages to make itself as an individual in a crowded genre.
#2: Resident Evil 7 (Capcom)
Who would have thought Resident Evil would make such a comeback into the horror genre? The first-person take on the long-running franchise ended up being the refresher critics and fans needed. Taking inspiration from classic horror movies such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Evil Dead along with the well-established world of Resident Evil, you get to experience one of the most disturbing and disgusting video games made in years.
#1: Alien: Isolation (Creative Assembly/Sega)
If I had to make a list of the greatest horror games ever made, Alien: Isolation will be within the top three. Taking place after the first movie, you play as Ripley’s daughter who has to go through dangerous androids, hostile humans, and one big Xenomorph. The balance of stealth and combat is as close as you will find in the genre. Whether you are hiding around from the alien or fighting off people willing to kill anyone in their path to survive, every mechanic works with grace. The quirk that sets Alien apart from many others in the genre is that there is little safety. Of course, there are going to be scripted parts in the story, but for the most part, the Xenomorph is a living creature that will explore the ship, slaughtering everything in the way. Better grab a friend to help you endure a relentless journey full of death and terror.
Now you are set to go into the rest of the month with a nice stack of new/old video games to play for the sake of getting nightmares. Good luck sleeping after playing some of these terrifying games.
What are some of your favorite horror games? Be sure to comment your thoughts.
Buying any game linked will benefit the developers and me, you can just click a link then browse through Amazon to buy anything you want.
Header image via Capcom
Tristan Zelden 