10 Best Horror Games to Play This Halloween
If you want a game that makes the dark feel a little darker this October, you have come to the right place. Halloween is the perfect excuse to pick up a controller, turn down the lights and let a game get under your skin, and the right horror game can turn an ordinary evening into something you still think about the next day.
This list gives you ten horror games, from co-op ghost hunts to survival stories set in decaying houses and empty space stations. Each entry explains the setting, the central conflict and the reason it sits where it does, so you can pick the game that suits your nerves and your schedule. The story set-ups stay light, so you know what you are playing without any spoilers for the endings.
Think of this list as a shortlist for a dark night rather than a full history of the genre. We have not tried to cover every horror game ever made. Instead, we picked ten titles that cover different styles of fear and give you a clear reason to start. Remakes sit alongside original releases, so you will see a mix of older classics and newer games.
Our ranking weighs atmosphere, tension, story, how well each game holds up and how easy it is to find on current platforms. We count down from No. 10 to No. 1, so the strongest pick arrives last, and every entry explains how it compares with the games beside it. Where a game has several versions, we describe the one most players will find first. Some games also reward a second playthrough, so replay value counts too.
Whether you play alone with the lights off or with friends on a Halloween sleepover, there is a style of fear here for you. Some games rely on quiet dread and slow exploration, while others push you into fast, panicked chases. You do not need to play them all in one night, and most of these games will still be scary in November.
If you only have one evening, pick a single-player story game and give it a full session with the lights low. If you have a group, choose the co-op pick and plan a whole night around it. In both cases, horror tends to work best when you give it your full attention, away from notifications and with the sound up.
Before we start, a quick note on where to play. Platforms and remake versions change, so the Where to play line for each game lists only the platforms we could confirm while writing. Check your preferred store before you buy, especially for older titles and remakes.
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10. Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia puts you and up to three friends in the role of paranormal investigators. Each job begins with a client who believes a property is haunted, and your team has a single night to find out what is there. You arrive with a limited set of equipment and a map to explore, and your goal is to identify the ghost before it finds you. The conflict is simple and relentless: the more evidence you gather, the more the ghost reacts, and one careless move can end the whole night.
The evidence system is what makes it work. An EMF reader, a spirit box, a thermometer and a camera all give clues, but ghosts follow rules that can mislead you, so you have to talk, listen and compare notes over voice chat. The quiet stretches are tense, and the scares land hard because the game often waits until you have stopped checking the corners of the room.
Why it ranks here: It sits at No. 10 because its horror depends on the group you play with more than on a fixed story. Outlast above it has a clearer single-player narrative and a stronger sense of being hunted, while Phasmophobia is the best pick only if your friends are ready to share the fear.
Who should play it: Friends who want co-op horror for a Halloween sleepover, or anyone who enjoys investigation and teamwork more than a long story.
Where to play: PC through Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Check your preferred store for current availability.
9. Outlast (2013)
You play Miles Upshur, an investigative journalist who receives a tip about Mount Massive Asylum, a remote psychiatric hospital in the mountains. Something about the place is wrong, and Miles goes in alone to uncover what is happening to the patients. He carries only a camcorder with night vision, so he cannot fight back. His only lead comes from a whistleblower who has since gone quiet. Every corridor is dark, every door might lock behind him, and he must hide, run and find a way out.
Red Barrels builds the game around vulnerability. You have no weapons, so the tension comes from timing, hiding spots and the constant need to check your surroundings. The camcorder is a clever twist: you need its night vision to see, but it drains its battery, so the tool that keeps you safe is also a risk. The story unfolds through documents and notes, and the horror escalates steadily from grim to disturbing.
Why it ranks here: It ranks above Phasmophobia because its story and single-player focus give a clearer sense of dread. It sits below Resident Evil 7: Biohazard because it trades that game's wider sense of place for a tighter, more claustrophobic chase.
Who should play it: Players who like stealth-based horror, a steady build of unease and a single-player experience without combat.
Where to play: PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
8. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
Ethan Winters is searching for his wife, Mia, who has been missing for three years. A message leads him to a remote plantation house in Louisiana, the home of the Baker family, and the trail seems to end there. The house is decaying and the family is deeply unsettling. Ethan must explore, solve puzzles and survive a household that is not happy to see him, with every room hiding a new risk. He has to decide quickly who and what he can trust inside the house.
The first-person camera is the reason this game stays scary. You can only see what is in front of you, and the house forces you to move slowly through dark rooms, opening doors and reading notes. The shift from exploration to survival is well paced, and the atmosphere of a rotting Southern home makes even quiet moments feel loaded. It feels like a return to the series' survival roots.
Why it ranks here: It ranks above Outlast because the house and the family give it a stronger, more memorable setting. It sits below Alien: Isolation, whose monster and station design keep the tension going for longer.
Who should play it: Fans of first-person survival horror who like a story with a personal hook and a house full of secrets.
Where to play: PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Check your preferred store for current availability.
7. Alien: Isolation (2014)
You play Amanda Ripley, the daughter of Ellen Ripley from the original Alien film. Years after Ellen disappeared, Amanda learns that a flight recorder from the Nostromo may have been found on Sevastopol, a space station in chaos. Its crew has been overrun by a Xenomorph, and the station's androids are a threat too. Amanda's goal is to find the recorder and escape, but the creature hunts her through the corridors while she has almost nothing to fight back with.
Creative Assembly builds the game around the Xenomorph's unpredictability. It moves through vents and corridors, and you cannot always see it until it is too close, so every locker and vent becomes a risk. The retro-futurist station design gives it a cold, lived-in look that suits the film's tone. The slow pacing and heavy use of sound, from motion trackers to distant noises, create a tension that many horror games try but few match.
Why it ranks here: It sits above The Quarry because its tension is more consistent: the creature is always a threat, while The Quarry spends more time on its group of characters. It ranks below Resident Evil 7: Biohazard only because that game offers a more varied mix of puzzles and set pieces.
Who should play it: Fans of the Alien films and players who like slow, stealth-based survival horror.
Where to play: PC, PlayStation 3 and 4, and Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
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6. The Quarry (2022)
The Quarry follows a group of summer camp counsellors at Hackett's Quarry, a camp in the woods. What begins as a night of fun and gossip turns into a fight for survival when creatures attack the campsite. Each character is a playable part of the story, and their choices shape who lives and who dies. The conflict is clear: get everyone through the night while working out why the creatures are there. The night is full of rivalries and secrets, so every conversation can change the outcome.
Supermassive Games returns to the choice-driven formula it used in Until Dawn, and the cast carries much of the weight. The camp setting suits a slasher-style story, and the game is strongest when small decisions change which characters you care about. Some of the dialogue leans into camp, which some players will love and others will find uneven, but the pacing keeps you involved.
Why it ranks here: It sits at No. 6 because it has a strong ensemble and a good camp setting, but its choices are less memorable than those in Until Dawn above it. Its horror is also lighter than the stalking dread of Alien: Isolation above it.
Who should play it: Players who enjoy group-driven stories, teen slasher films and games where they shape the cast's fate.
Where to play: PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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5. Until Dawn (2015)
Eight friends head to a remote lodge on Blackwood Mountain for a winter getaway. The trip is meant to be a reunion, but it takes place a year after two sisters vanished in the same area, and the friends soon realise they are not alone. A storm cuts them off from help, and something in the snow begins to pick them off one by one. Every character can live or die, and your choices decide who makes it to morning.
Supermassive Games built the game around the idea that every decision matters, from a quick button press to a choice that sends a character down a different path. The characters are archetypes, but the cast is performed well and you care about them quickly. The mountain setting, snowy paths and creeping sense of being watched give the game its atmosphere, and its quick-time events keep the tension high.
Why it ranks here: It ranks above The Quarry because its choice system is more focused and its story is tighter. It sits below Dead Space because its horror is built on drama and tension, while Dead Space offers constant, high-pressure combat in tight corridors.
Who should play it: Fans of interactive films, teen horror and group stories who like making decisions with real consequences.
Where to play: PlayStation 4 (original 2015 release). The remake, developed by Ballistic Moon, is for PlayStation 5 and PC. Check your preferred store for current availability.
4. Dead Space (2023 remake)
Isaac Clarke is an engineer who travels to the USG Ishimura, a mining ship, after a distress call from his girlfriend, Nicole. When he arrives, the crew has been overtaken by Necromorphs, creatures built from the bodies of the dead. Isaac must repair the ship's systems, find a way off and fight through decks full of nightmare creatures. The conflict is clear: survive the ship and find out what went wrong. Along the way he must keep moving, because every deck he passes through is more dangerous than the last.
Motive's remake updates the lighting, sound and visuals of the 2008 original while keeping the zero-gravity sections and the famous limb-targeting combat. The game's best trick is its interface: Isaac's health and stasis information appear on his suit and in the game world rather than on a flat screen, so your view stays immersive. The sound design and the eerie, empty corridors make even quiet moments feel dangerous.
Why it ranks here: It sits at No. 4 because its combat and in-world interface are among the best on this list, but it is less story-driven than Alan Wake 2 above it. It beats Until Dawn because its tension is constant and mechanical rather than built on choices.
Who should play it: Players who like action horror, intense combat and a sci-fi setting with a strong sense of place.
Where to play: PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
3. Alan Wake 2 (2023)
FBI agent Saga Anderson is sent to the small town of Bright Falls to investigate a series of ritualistic murders. As she digs deeper, she finds a horror story that starts describing real events in the town, and it leads her to Alan Wake, a writer who vanished almost 13 years earlier. Saga must work out whether the murders are real, what the town is hiding and how Alan is connected to the nightmare. The stakes rise with every clue.
Remedy's game is one of the most ambitious horror games in recent years. You switch between two playable characters, Saga and Alan, in separate worlds, and that switch keeps you guessing. The story plays with its own meta layers, and its dense mystery rewards careful attention to notes and locations. Some players may find the pacing slow in places, but the atmosphere is excellent.
Why it ranks here: It ranks above Dead Space because its story and characters are richer and its mystery is more layered. It sits below Silent Hill 2, whose emotional focus is tighter and more unsettling.
Who should play it: Players who enjoy mystery stories, mind-bending narratives and atmospheric horror with a strong sense of place.
Where to play: PC (Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
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2. Silent Hill 2 (2024 remake)
James Sunderland receives a letter from his wife, Mary, who died three years earlier, asking him to meet her in Silent Hill. James travels to the town, which is covered in fog and filled with monsters that seem to reflect his inner state. The conflict is personal: James wants answers about Mary's death and whether the letter can be trusted, while the town keeps testing his will to go on. The stakes are emotional as much as physical. Each step deeper into the town brings him closer to the truth about what he has come to find.
Bloober Team's remake keeps the original's psychological focus while updating the visuals and combat. The town, the fog and the sound design build a sense of dread that never fully lets go. The monsters often mirror James's guilt and grief, which makes the horror feel personal rather than random. The remake is most effective in its quiet moments, when you walk through empty rooms and feel the weight of what has happened.
Why it ranks here: It sits at No. 2 because it has the most emotional and psychological impact on this list. It beats Alan Wake 2 because its horror is more focused, but it cannot take the top spot because Resident Evil 4 offers a more complete action-horror package.
Who should play it: Players who want a story-led horror game that rewards patience and asks harder questions about grief and guilt.
Where to play: PC and PlayStation 5.
1. Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake)
Leon S. Kennedy, a government agent, is sent to a remote village in rural Spain to rescue Ashley Graham, the daughter of the President. The villagers are under the control of a cult called Los Iluminados, and they attack Leon on sight. He has to fight through the village, a castle and the surrounding areas, with supplies that are never quite enough. The conflict is simple: get Ashley out alive while the village does everything it can to stop him.
The remake rebuilds the original's combat around an over-the-shoulder camera, close-range fights and a merchant system that makes every bullet count. The villagers are relentless and unnerving, and the game moves from slow, tense exploration to frantic chases with ease. The pacing is so well judged that it rarely feels slow, and its boss fights are among the most memorable in the genre.
Why it ranks here: It is No. 1 because it is the most complete package on this list: strong combat, memorable set pieces, tense exploration and a story that keeps moving. It beats Silent Hill 2, whose atmosphere is deeper but whose action is slower, and it edges Alan Wake 2, whose mystery is clever but less consistently exciting to play.
Who should play it: Players who want an action-horror game with a strong story, great pacing and plenty of replay value, including newcomers to the series.
Where to play: PC through Steam, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
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Conclusion
The strongest picks on this list share one thing: they make you feel that something is wrong before you can say what it is. Silent Hill 2 and Alan Wake 2 do this through mystery and grief, while Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space do it through relentless pressure and sharp combat. If you want the most rounded game for a Halloween night, Resident Evil 4 is the safest pick, and it is hard to beat for both new players and series fans.
Different games suit different players. If you play with friends, Phasmophobia is the clearest choice, because its fear grows from the people in the room. If you like to feel helpless, Outlast and Alien: Isolation will keep you hiding in the dark. If you enjoy choices that change who lives, Until Dawn and The Quarry give you a cast worth caring about, even when the script goes a little over the top.
Ranking horror is never a fixed science. Your favourite may sit lower here, or a game you love may be missing entirely, and that is part of the fun. Tell us in the comments which horror games you would add, which ranking you would change, and which game scared you most. We would love to hear your picks for a dark October.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best horror game to play for Halloween?
For most players, Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake) is the best all-round pick, because it combines strong action, tense exploration and a story that keeps moving. If you want something more psychological, Silent Hill 2 (2024 remake) is the better choice. The right answer depends on whether you prefer shooting and set pieces or slow dread. Use the ranking above to match a game to your taste, then check the Where to play line before you buy.
Do I need to play the originals before the remakes?
No. Resident Evil 4 (2023), Dead Space (2023) and Silent Hill 2 (2024) are designed to stand alone, so you can start with the remake. Each remake updates the visuals, sound and gameplay of an earlier release. If you want the original experience, look for the earlier version on the platform you use. For most players, the remakes are the easiest way in.
Which horror game is best for co-op?
Phasmophobia is the clearest choice for co-op horror, because it is built for up to four players working together as paranormal investigators. Most of the other games on this list are single-player story games. Check each store page for multiplayer features before you buy for a group, especially if you plan a Halloween sleepover. If you are playing with a partner, check whether the game offers online or local play, because that can change which pick is best.
Are these games suitable for beginners?
Some are gentler than others. Silent Hill 2 and Alan Wake 2 are slow and atmospheric, so they suit players who like a puzzle more than a chase. Outlast and Alien: Isolation are harder because you have very little protection. Resident Evil 4 is a good starting point, because its combat is forgiving and it offers several difficulty settings to adjust the challenge.
Which of these games can I play on PlayStation 5?
From the games verified for this article, PlayStation 5 versions are listed for Resident Evil 4 (2023), Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Dead Space (2023), Silent Hill 2 (2024), Alan Wake 2, The Quarry, Phasmophobia and the Until Dawn remake. Check the Where to play line for each entry, and confirm the current listing on the PlayStation Store before you buy. Consoles and PC versions can differ, so check the store page first.
Which of these games are on Xbox?
Xbox versions are listed for Resident Evil 4 (2023), Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Dead Space (2023), Alan Wake 2, Alien: Isolation, Outlast, The Quarry and Phasmophobia on Xbox Series X|S. Xbox One versions are listed for Outlast, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Alien: Isolation and The Quarry. Check the Xbox Store before you buy, because listings can change. Check the store page for the current version and any updates before you buy.
Are any of these games on Nintendo Switch?
From the games verified for this article, only Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is listed for Nintendo Switch 2, which launched in February 2026. The other entries are not listed for Switch in the sources checked. If you own a Nintendo Switch, check your preferred store for current availability before you plan a purchase. Look for the platform you already own, and remember that remakes may be listed under a different title or year on each store.
Do I need a powerful PC to run these games?
System requirements vary, and the remakes are generally more demanding than the originals. Check the official requirements on the Steam store page for each game, then compare them with your graphics card, processor and memory. Lower graphics settings can help older machines run the game smoothly, so do not assume a game will not run before you have looked. If your computer is older, a console version may be the simpler option, so check which platforms are listed in the Where to play line.
Which horror game is best if I usually avoid scares?
Start with a game that leans on mystery more than jump scares, such as Alan Wake 2 or Until Dawn. Play with the lights on, take breaks between chapters and use any accessibility or content options the game offers. You can always move up to the more intense picks, such as Outlast or Phasmophobia, once you feel comfortable. If a scene is too much, put the game down and come back later, because you choose when to stop.
Is Alien: Isolation worth playing if I love the films?
Yes, if you enjoy slow tension and the look of the original film. The game follows Amanda Ripley, the daughter of Ellen Ripley, and it captures the tone of the 1979 film well. The Xenomorph is hard to escape, so expect a lot of hiding and waiting. The game came out in 2014, so it is older, but its tension and design still hold up well.
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