5 Scary Games to Keep the Halloween Spirit Alive
Written by Jacob Butler
Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash
Halloween has come and gone, and with it goes the intoxicating element of fear from many people's lives. The exhilarating thrill of haunted houses, scary movies, and trick-or-treating dies, leaving many, including myself, desperately waiting for next year to celebrate all over again. Fortunately, just because Halloween is over doesn't mean the fun has to be! There are plenty of great games that you can play anytime to reawaken your spooky side. Here are five of my favourite horror games that help keep the Halloween spirit alive throughout the year.
Photo by Daniel Mullins Games: Inscryption
Inscryption
Inscryption is an extremely gripping Horror Roguelike game that pairs addictive deckbuilding-style gameplay with a gripping and layered story. The visuals and character design are disconcerting enough on their own, but paired with the drip-fed mystery of the story, Inscryption creates a sinister and tense experience that doesn't let up until the bitter end. Even disregarding the excellent horror aspects, Inscryption is an extremely fun and engaging game. The game's multiple parts and unique, card game-based gameplay make it endlessly replayable, and I've often found myself playing through the entire game again just to remind myself of how much fun it is. Inscryption is not just a great horror game, but a great game in general, and definitely worth playing, even for those who aren't specifically looking for a horror experience.
Perfect for: Fans of roguelikes, deckbuilders, those who love complex stories and a sinister atmosphere.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
Price: 22.75$
Photo by Randumb Studios: The Test
The Test Trilogy
The Test Trilogy is a series of extremely simple games that function more as a twisted personality test than anything. The gameplay is super straightforward, as it consists of the player being asked a series of strange questions by a mysterious character in a bloody room. The Test Trilogy is very good at building dread through the nature of its questions, which slowly become more and more sinister and leave the player feeling more vulnerable with every answer. The Test Trilogy is a very accessible, fairly creepy game that is definitely worth the 15-40 minutes it takes to complete each entry. It is also very replayable, has a positive message at the end, and can be lots of fun to play with friends, making it a worthwhile game to try.
Perfect for: Those looking for a quick and simple horror experience.
Platforms: PC
Price: The Test- 2.59$, The Test: Hypothesis Rising- 2.59$, The Test: Final Revelation- 2.59$
Photo by Sirhaian: When the Darkness Comes
When the Darkness Comes
When the Darkness Comes is an indie horror game with striking visuals, interesting gameplay, and an engaging story. The game is, for the most part, a walking simulator, meaning that all you have to do to complete the main storyline is to walk wherever the narrator tells you and occasionally push a button or two. There is a hidden ending, however, that is a bit more difficult, requiring players to manipulate the game's code to proceed. This makes it so that while anyone can play through the story, only those willing to put in the extra effort will get the complete picture. The story of When the Darkness Comes is really where it shines. The game explores themes of mental health and the effect depression and anxiety can have on a person. Not only is its use of visuals and darker themes scary, but it also conveys a very personal and important message and does so remarkably well.
Perfect for: Those looking for a game with an interesting story and who are comfortable exploring themes of mental health.
Platforms: PC
Price: Free!
Photo by Playdead: Inside
Inside
Inside is a puzzle game filled with tense moments and an excellent atmosphere. The art style and sound design are both phenomenal and create an intense sense of dread. The puzzles in the game are simple enough to be accessible for all players while also requiring plenty of thought and problem-solving, making their resolution all the more satisfying. The story of this game is very mysterious, leaving so much up to the players' interpretation throughout, and that, coupled with the dark and creepy enemy and world design, will put you on the edge of your seat. Inside is a brilliant example of atmospheric storytelling in games and would be worthwhile for its story alone. It's just a nice little bonus that it has the gameplay to match.
Perfect for: Those looking for atmospheric horror and an engaging mystery.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Price: 25.99$
Website: https://playdead.com/games/inside/
Photo by Frictional Games: SOMA
SOMA
SOMA is a dystopian survival horror that stands out from the many other games in its genre thanks to its incredibly effective and well-integrated themes. Don't get me wrong, all the standard marks of a strong horror game are still there, with terrifying enemy design and excellent use of sound to make every second a thrill. However, SOMA's real scares come from the existential horror present in its story and themes. SOMA tackles themes about what it means to be human, our place in the world, and what makes life meaningful, all in a very raw and honest way, leading to the most existential dread I've ever had playing a game. The game takes its themes and fully unpacks them, forcing players to engage with some terrifying ideas about reality that will stick with them long past closing the game. Pair that with a dreadful atmosphere, and SOMA creates a thoroughly terrifying experience. The only thing scarier than SOMA is the fact that few others have played it.
Perfect for: Those who want a more existential horror experience and want scares that will stick with them.
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Price: 38.99$
Website: https://somagame.com/
Each of these games are incredible in its own right, and all offer very different experiences. I hope you found at least one game that fits what you're looking for, and overall, I hope you continue to play games, face fear, and have fun!