There is a chill in the air, the days are getting shorter and darker, the leaves are changing colour and falling. It’s that time of year when things start to get a bit creepy and scary both in real life and in gaming. This is my favorite time of year – you guessed it, Halloween. This time of year can spawn some of the best creepy, skin-crawling games to keep you entertained all season long. In the spirit of the season, I’ve compiled a list of my top 9 games to satisfy that itch for something ghoulish. Why 9? Why not?
Outlast
Being a reporter can be dangerous business, especially when trying to get the next big scoop or crack open a mystery. In Outlast, your goal is to find out the mystery behind an insane asylum which was recently reopened… and reportedly doing secret experiments. This is one of the most disturbing games I’ve played in a long time. You’ll be running for your life, armed only with your night-vision equipped camera and your wits. Can you make it out alive?
Slender: The Arrival
The boogie man has taken on many forms over the years, and this big budget game – based on the successful, smaller indie game – brings its own take on the character. You cannot reason with the Slender Man, you cannot hide from him or run. He will find you… but can you solve the mystery and lore behind him before he gets you? I dare you to try!
Silent Hill (Series)
The Silent Hill series is one of my personal favourites, spanning many games across multiple console generations. Each game revolves around the titular fog-plagued town. If you dare to venture there, prepare to have your mind twisted, your eyes assaulted with gruesome monsters, and your heart torn out with despair. You can also expect some of the best audio found in survival horror games. In particular, if you haven’t played Silent Hill 2 yet, you owe it to yourself to do so. I suspect I’ll be adding the newest installment in the series on to next year’s list as well.
Resident Evil (Series)
Another long-running series that has tons of zombie-like monsters and action. There are a huge number of Resident Evil games to choose from, with a wide number of unique and interesting characters. The storylines in all these games are rather out there, which for the most part make them that much more interesting. I recommend Resident Evil 4 as one of the best in the series, and for the more old-school gameplay, seek out Resident Evil: Codename Veronica.
Amnesia
Are you afraid of the dark, and strange noises? Then this game might not be for you. Your character has no memory of who he is, or how he got into the creepy castle he finds himself in, the denizens of which want to kill him in gruesome fashion. So grab that nearest candle and light it quickly, before it’s too late. Remember: light is your friend, and so is your sanity.
Dead Island
Vacations are normally supposed to be relaxing but you won’t be doing any of that in this tropical paradise. You will be hacking, slashing and punching your way through zombies hungry for your flesh. So remember to pack your sunscreen and your trusty zombie bashing instrument before setting sail for this destination. Keep your eye out for the sequel sometime next year.
DayZ
What is worse than being caught in the middle of a zombie apocalypse? Being caught in the middle of a zombie apocalypse with no weapons, supplies or shelter! Welcome to DayZ which originally started out as a mod for Arma II and has branched out to its own separate game. You will be running for your life, scrounging for supplies because you need all the basic human needs to survive. It’s not just the zombies that you have to worry about either because the other humans in your world could be gunning for your supplies… and your head.
Left 4 Dead (Series)
In a zombie-infested world, it is always good to have dependable people on your side. The type who can pull their weight and help you survive wave after wave of zombie hordes – zombies who want to chow down on your head. You will also need plenty of guns and ammo to make it to the next safe zone. There have already been two successful games in the series, and a third is now on its way. Side-note: I think Valve used me as a model for Francis, but I’m still waiting on royalties.
Neverending Nightmares
Just released in late September, this physiological adventure will have you exploring eerie houses, mental asylums, and creepy forests. The game has a very unique look, with its distinct colour scheme – all black and white, except for the colour red. Can you guess what is red in the game? This one is definitely worth checking out.
We hope you enjoyed my our of games that may satisfy your inner demons’ lust for something true to Halloween. There are plenty out there to choose from, but we don’t recommend playing them before bedtime. If you do, you may want to leave a light on and check under your bed. Now we know there are a lot more creepy games out there from F.E.A.R. to Dead Space and more so tell us what your favourite creepy games are in the comments! Pleasant dreams, and Happy Halloween!