10 video games to play for Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching and with it comes the time to celebrate all things scary. A great way to do this is to play a video game with a spooky atmosphere which can include horror games or light games with scary content and images.

Here are 10 perfect games to celebrate Halloween.

Dead by Daylight (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Android/IOS, Microsoft Windows)

Dead by Daylight is a 4V1 multiplayer game released in 2016. Four survivors must work together by fixing generators scattered across a medium-sized map in order to earn their escape. Meanwhile, the fifth player controls a killer who hunts survivors and sabotages their attempts. The game features many original characters, such as The Trapper, The Huntress, and The Wraith, with recent updates adding iconic horror villains like Freddy Krueger and Ghostface. If you are looking for something to play with your friends, this game is a great choice for you.

Resident Evil 4, 7, Village (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows)

The Resident Evil series dates back to 1996. Since then, the series has expanded to 13 different games. Some have been more action-packed than others, but both recent games have a greater emphasis on horror. With narrow hallways to explore and moments filled with suspense, these games provide a spooky atmosphere to chew on.

Outlast (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch)

Outlast is filled with tense and downright terrifying moments. The game takes place in an asylum and is filled with all sorts of monsters stalking you. The game has limited supplies that you need to make the most of and the only way to defend yourself is to run or hide. This game comes with intense visuals and is not recommended for everyone.

Until Dawn/The Dark Pictures Anthology/The Quarry (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows)

Closer to interactive horror movies than traditional video games, this collection from Supermassive Games is perfect for the season. Complete with all the typical horror movie tropes and elements, the stories in these games will unfold differently depending on the player’s decisions. While Until Dawn was a single-player experience, The Dark Pictures Anthology and The Quarry can be played with more people online and in person. This is a great game if you plan to invite friends over and want to see their reactions.

Metroid Dread (Nintendo Switch)

The latest title in the Metroid series. Released last year, it remains in the franchise’s unsettling atmosphere of isolation. Unique to Metroid Dread are the extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifiers, primarily referred to as EMMIs, which are robots that dwell inside areas known as EMMI Zones, and will hunt Samus leading to immediate play if contact is made. EMMI Zones transform play from spooky to spooky in an instant with terrifying atmosphere as EMMI sounds permeate the entire ambience. To make things more terrifying, the music gets louder and louder once they start chasing Samus after detecting her. Horror fans will really enjoy these segments, but the isolated atmosphere of the game as a whole justifies this game’s place on the list.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (Nintendo 64, Gamecube, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch)

From a rather unsettling-faced moon to an apocalyptic three-day timer, this is one of the darkest entries in The Legend of Zelda series. In Majora’s Mask, Link must travel back in time on a three-day cycle to free four giants who can help prevent the moon’s descent and the subsequent destruction of the world. Although it takes a while to get to the spooky zone, complete with ghosts, skeletons, and other typical Halloween characters, there’s enough dark and spooky content throughout the game to enjoy.

Luigi’s Mansion (Gamecube, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch)

If you’re less into the dark and spooky and just want to engage in a spooky atmosphere, then the Luigi’s Mansion series is a perfect choice. As the title suggests, you play as Mario’s brother, Luigi, as you explore a haunted mansion. While the sequel Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is set in multiple mansions and the more recent title Luigi’s Mansion 3 is set in a haunted hotel, all three games let you solve puzzles and capture ghosts with a vacuum cleaner. Along with the single-player campaigns, the second and third titles feature distinct multiplayer modes that can be played locally or online, making them great titles for a Halloween party as well.

Terrordrome: Reign of Legends (Microsoft Windows)

Terrordrome: Reign of Legends takes the mechanics of fighting games such as Mortal Kombat and revisits them by replacing the characters with horror icons. Live out your fantasy of seeing who would win a fight between Leatherface and Jason Vorhees. While this game doesn’t offer the traditional scares of a horror game, it does offer a more combat-focused form of entertainment.

Pumpkin Jack (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows)

Pumpkin Jack is a hack and slack action platformer. The levels all offer a variety of enemies and the art style is amazing. The locations all have a spooky atmosphere and learning combat is rewarding. If you like old school hack and slash games like MediEvil, then this scary game is for you.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows)

Similar to Dead By Daylight, this game is more geared towards all ages. Players can choose to play either as a member of the Ghostbuster team or as the ghost himself. Personalization is offered on both sides, so for a personal touch. The Ghostbusters team comes with a wide variety of items and more can be unlocked as players progress. The ghost also has abilities that can allow it to possess items around the map or even defend against the other team. The game is a great option for movie fans and new gamers who want to play with friends and family.