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It’s the time of year to celebrate all things spooky! And if you’re a gamer, that means it’s time to bust out those games that make you want to screeeaaam with delight (or horror). That said, I’ve made a list of six hair-raising suggestions for games you should pop in this Halloween. Here we go…
Silent Hill 2 (2001)
With a remake recently announced, what better time to go back and revisit what makes Silent Hill 2 so great. Often considered the best of Konami’s classic survival horror series, this title focuses on a protagonist who is summoned to the town of Silent Hill by a letter from his deceased wife. Praised for its atmosphere and visuals, the game explores heavy themes including mental illness, coping with loss, and suicide. And of course, it’s got some great gameplay to boot as you solve environmental puzzles and battle terrifying monsters!
MADiSON (2022)
I’m currently playing through MADiSON as of this writing, a chilling new release by developer, Bloodious Games. It’s a first-person psychological horror game in which the player begins to fall under the possession of demonic forces while a dark mystery unfolds. Eerie sounds and frighteningly detailed environments set the stage for gameplay that hearkens back to classic adventure games, complete with cryptic puzzles. In a scientific study that examined the effects of over 45 horror games on 200 participants, MADiSON was found to be the scariest one based on heart rate increase – you’ve been warned.
Splatterhouse (1988)
A clear nod to ’80s slasher films such as Friday the 13th, Splatterhouse is a 16-bit side-scrolling beat ’em up that follows a parapsychology major, attempting to rescue his girlfriend in a monster-filled mansion. With the help of an ancient Mayan mask, the player is given superhuman strength, which makes for some satisfying combat! Developed by Namco, it’s all the thrills you’d expect from a beat ’em up – only amplified by blood and gore that shocked audiences of the time.
Luigi’s Mansion (2001)
Why not celebrate Halloween Nintendo-style with a classic starring everyone’s favorite sidekick, Luigi? Armed with a flashlight, a Game Boy Horror (a reference to Game Boy Color), and a vacuum capable of sucking up spirits, he moves room by room through a creepy haunted house in search of his brother Mario. A unique take on the Mario universe, it went on to spawn two more sequels that are also highly recommended!
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
It was tough to choose just one game from Resident Evil franchise, but I think many will agree that Resident Evil 2 has a lot to offer in terms of scares. Whether you opt for the 1998 version or the 2019 remake, you’re in for a good fright. Taking place two months after the events of the first Resident Evil, the game follows rookie officer Leon S. Kennedy and college student Clair Redfield as they try to escape the zombie-infested Raccoon City. With its compelling use of environmental suspense and in-game cinematics, this is a classic that every gamer should make time for.
Ghosts ‘n Goblins (1985)
Admittedly one of the less scary on the list, but iconic nonetheless – Ghosts ‘n Goblins is a Capcom arcade classic that I find time for each Halloween. A tough as nails run-and-gun platform adventure, its events takes place after knight Sir Arthur’s girlfriend is kidnapped by a demon. He must fight hist way through endless waves of grotesque monsters and ominous bosses. I personally suggest the arcade version if you have the means, but a number of ports were also made available of this spooky classic.
Did we mention your favorite creepy game? Are you planning on playing something else? Let us know in the comments.
