Halloween is this Thursday, and hopefully you already have a costume ready to go. Chances are you aren’t spending the entire day out partying or trick or treating, so why not make it memorable with some video game scares?
There have been a lot of frightening games over the years, some more than others, but we’ve put together a list of 5 scary games that are sure to make you scream. These games span from cheap scares to psychological horror, from classics to free-to-play. You’re sure to find something that fits your horror niche.
See the gallery below:
5 Scary Games for Halloween
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Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Platforms: PC
Release date: September 8, 2010
Setting: A haunted Prussian Brennenburg Castle.
Why it's scary: Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a methodical horror game. Seldom do things pop out at you with loud noises. Instead, the game uses a sanity mechanic where you need to stay in the light to avoid your character making noises and seeing things. However, darkness is your only form of safety from the game's gruesome monsters.
Many say it's the scariest game ever made. Whether or not that's true isn't certain, but there are dozens of YouTube videos of people screaming while playing it in the dark. It doesn't use many cheap tricks which makes it a particularly outstanding title, and one worth of your Halloween day.
Others in series?: Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs released in September 2013, and despite being a newer game it isn't nearly as frightening. If you love Amnesia and would love to play a similar game then try out its DLC called Justine first. If you still crave more then A Machine for Pigs isn't that bad of a choice.
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Silent Hill 2
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360
Release date: September 24, 2001
Setting: The foggy rural American town of Silent Hill.
Why it's scary: Silent Hill 2 creates an atmosphere where you never feel safe. Rather than shoot you out of your seat, it creeps you out with its nightmarish art design, dark corridors, and creepy enemies which include bubble head nurses and the legendary Pyramid Head.
The story is well-worth following making this an excellent game to play for long sessions. Also, if you aren't down with playing a PS2 game then the Silent Hill HD Collection on PS3 and 360 is a good choice.
Others in series?: The Silent Hill series has a total of 9 releases which have unfortunately gotten worse over time. The original Silent Hill is arguably the most well-received horror game of all-time and even has a movie loosely based around it.
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Outlast
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4 (Q1 2014)
Release date: September 4, 2013
Setting: An insane asylum.
Why it's scary: You play as a journalist visiting a psychiatric hospital to document what's been happening there. You come to find out that it's a very unsafe place with severely malnourished patients. Of course, these patients come after you with their messed up grills. As if their ugly mugs weren't enough, your camera's nightvision is your only way to see in the dark, and there's plenty of darkness. To make matters worse, these insane monsters are fast as hell. They must work out in their spare time.
Given this is the newest game on the list, it has the best graphics and arguably feels the most modern. In many ways that makes it the most frightening from a presentational standpoint.
Talk show host Conan O'Brien recently played Outlast among other games and found it to be by far the most frightening game he's ever played.
Others in series?: N/A
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Dead Space 3
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release date: February 5, 2013
Setting: Sci-fi on the icy planet of Tau Volantis.
Why it's scary: Dead Space 3 is a survival shooter with a heavy emphasis on shooting making it the least scary on the list. That said, its monsters are vicious and numerous. They require very delicate aim to take down since their weak points are their small limbs. If you find yourself in a rut of bad aim then you'll quickly find yourself in a situation where you're surrounded by disgusting creatures that are salivating to eat you.
The audio work is the best in any survival horror game and really brings to life the desolate sci-fi environments. If you play this game you owe it to yourself to use either headphones or a good surround sound system. It makes a big difference.
Others in series?: There are several other games in the series, most notably Dead Space 2 which has the most critical acclaim. It could be a better choice than Dead Space 3, but doesn't have quite as good of a presentation (a very important part of horror).
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Slender: The Eight Pages
Platforms: PC
Release date: June 26, 2012
Setting: A forest.
Why it's scary: Slender Man is a creepy fictitious (or is he?) character that stands tall with a featureless face and long limbs. Knowing that he's somewhere in the forest where you have to find 8 pages is enough to make just about anyone uneasy.
As simple as the game is, its dark visuals and "run from Slender if you see him" mechanic make it a guaranteed scream fest for your Halloween. Turning to see him staring at you is something you have to experience for yourself to truly understand.
Oh, and this is the only game on the list that's free to play.
Others in series?: Slender: The Arrival came out in March 2013 but didn't score as well and isn't free to play. It's worth a try, though.
