October is here, with it a flourish of new and exciting games to play! While there are a ton of new releases to be excited about this month, like the much anticipated Marvel’s Spiderman 2 and Super Mario Bros Wonder, they aren’t going to scratch that scary itch that many of us get this time of the year.
With all the great games released this year, it may be a perfect time to catch up on some of the scariest games you may have missed. Here are the best scary games you can play this October for Halloween!
The Best Scary Games to Play in October for 2023:
1 – Resident Evil 4 Remake
Capcom’s Resident Evil Series has seen many entries over the years. Most recently, the Resident Evil 4 remake launched to critical and commercial success, and with good reason. The game expertly juggles the delicate balance between survival and horror, creating many tense moments that are filled with scares and suspense. While the remake does deviate in some places from the original, the creative vision is not lost whatsoever, and many agree that this new version has become the definitive way to experience this survival horror classic. Plus, if you want to immerse yourself in this world, a VR mode is also coming this winter!
2 – Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight has gained massive success since it was first released in 2016. There is a reason this is one of the few online multiplayer horror games that has had the staying power to keep people interested for so many years. This game features a unique four vs one aspect, with the four survivors working against the clock to escape the player who has taken on the killer role. The game quickly becomes an incredibly exciting game of cat and mouse where no two games are played out the same. The best part, though? The giant list of killers to choose from such as Ghost Face, Freddy Kreuger, the Demogorgon, Nemesis, and many more. With so much content that has been added since its release, now is a perfect time to hop on your own or with friends into this massively popular title. Oh, and you can play as Nicolas Cage.
3 – The Quarry and Until Dawn
Until Dawn has been the poster child for a scary B-list movie-like game everyone can get into for many years. A horror movie that is played like a movie with branching narratives, tons of gore, and terrible teenage decisions? Sign me up. While Until Dawn has long been the premiere for interactive horror experiences, The Quarry has quietly snuck beside it. It may not have the same level of hard-hitting moments as Until Dawn, but the updated visuals and brand-new story help make it a great game to get lost in this Spooktober. The game has been out for a while now, so chances are you can get it on sale for fairly cheap. It also features local and online multiplayer, making it a great game you can enjoy on your own or with friends.
4 – Choo Choo Charles
This game, which funnily enough started as a meme, is a small indie title with an unbelievably unique premise. A train with a face and likeness much like that of Thomas The Tank Engine has been terrorizing an island, and it is your job to stop it. Do not expect industry-shattering visuals or a ground-breaking story, but rather a unique experience that is guaranteed to be nothing like anything you have played before. Throughout the game, you will be upgrading your train with better guns and customization options to fight off this spider-legged monstrosity of a train. This game is also quite small, which means it can normally be picked up for less than $20 and beaten in an afternoon.
5 – Alien Isolation
The Alien franchise can be notoriously hit or miss, depending on the project. This is one title that hits its mark several times over, delivering exactly what it sets out to. The game strips away the usual arsenal of weapons and gadgets in favor of simpler tools that focus much more on survival and stealth than combat. Even for non-fans of stealth games, the incredibly tense moments this game delivers as the alien hunts you down will surely provide anyone with a good time and a genuine scare. Alien Isolation features a unique Artificial Intelligence system for the alien that gives it “real” senses, allows it to learn from pain, and makes no two playthroughs the same. This is another entry that has a VR mode (mod on PC) if you are interested in even further immersing yourself in the spookiness.
6 – Cult of the Lamb
Cult of the Lamb is an Indie game that saw massive success upon its release, and for good reason. It is not your typical survival horror game. Instead, it features light build crafting, tight combat, and a fantastic soundtrack. The game takes the familiar art style of Animal Crossing and combines it with much darker tones, like the Binding of Isaac. What you are left with is a visually striking game that tasks you with building and maintaining your very own cult community. Cult of the Lamb has also seen several content updates since its release, bringing even more ways to play. Most recently, a Don’t Starve Together crossover launched that is sure to please fans of the series as well.
7 – Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is an asymmetrical 3v4 multiplayer horror game akin to Dead by Daylight. For anyone unfamiliar, that means it will see you either taking on the role of the survivors or the killers to be able to escape with your life or make survivor stew respectively. The differentiating factor here, is that the Texas Chainsaw Massacre sees players taking on the role of three killers simultaneously during games, each with their own unique abilities. Plotting out the perfect plan to out-maneuver the killers through the many different ways to escape can make for some especially tense moments when playing with friends. On the other hand, working together to ensure that death is properly delivered means you’ll always have a good time no matter what side your on. The game also does an incredible job at being faithful to the source material and the content they already have planned for the future looks fantastic so far.
8 – Dead Space Remake
Dead Space (2008) is often considered the best in class when discussing survival horror. When the original was first announced to be getting a remake, there was genuine concern whether Electronic Arts could carry over the same passion and magic that made the original so beloved by fans. Rest assured, they were able to deliver. The Dead Space remake is genuinely terrifying and shockingly fun. This HUD-less game features best-in-class visuals and tight gunplay, making every encounter feel like a fight for your life. It combines a well-thought-out sci-fi space theme, necromorph abominations, and environmental horror that makes for a satisfying metroid-vania perfect for Halloween. This game is exactly how a remake should be done. It keeps what made the original so fresh and scary while adding enough to give old fans a new experience.
What other games do you play during Spooktober? Is there a game you come back to every year? Let us know in the comments!