Halloween is the perfect excuse to try something different. Maybe you want a horror game that keeps you nervous from start to finish, a multiplayer game to play with friends, or something spooky that doesn't leave you afraid to turn off the lights.
Luckily, there are plenty of games worth checking out this October. Some let you investigate haunted locations, while others throw you into dangerous survival situations or offer special Halloween activities for a limited time.
Here are 15 games to consider playing this Halloween, including a few alternatives you might have missed.
1. Phasmophobia
Best for: Playing ghost hunters with friends
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to investigate a haunted house, Phasmophobia is a good place to start. You and your team enter haunted locations, collect evidence, and try to identify the ghost before it becomes aggressive.
You have tools such as EMF readers and Spirit Boxes to help with your investigation. The difficult part is that you cannot simply fight every ghost you encounter. You need to understand what you are dealing with and know when to hide.
Phasmophobia is especially fun with friends because one small mistake can turn a quiet investigation into complete chaos.
The game is also running its Crimson Eye Halloween event from October 8 to November 1, 2026, giving players another reason to return this season.
2. Dead by Daylight
Best for: Multiplayer horror and intense chases
Dead by Daylight puts four Survivors against one Killer in an online match. The Survivors must work together to repair generators and escape, while the Killer tries to stop them.
What makes the game interesting is how quickly a match can change. You might be helping a teammate one moment and running for your life the next. Playing as the Killer offers a completely different experience, letting you hunt down the other players instead.
It is a good choice if you prefer competitive horror over a traditional single-player story.
The annual Haunted by Daylight event is another reason to keep an eye on the game during October.
3. Resident Evil Requiem
Best for: Fans of survival horror
Resident Evil Requiem is worth considering if you want a more traditional horror adventure with a proper story.
The game follows Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy, whose sections offer different styles of gameplay. Grace's encounters focus more on survival and managing limited supplies, while Leon's sections provide more opportunities for direct combat.
That difference keeps the experience from feeling the same throughout. You need to think carefully about whether to fight, escape, or save your resources for a more dangerous encounter.
Choose this one if you want a horror game that combines exploration, puzzles, combat, and a story you can follow over several evenings.
4. Silent Hill f
Best for: Psychological horror and disturbing atmosphere
Not every horror game needs constant jump scares. Sometimes, an unsettling location and a story that leaves you with questions can be much more effective.
Silent Hill f follows Hinako Shimizu in a Japanese town that becomes increasingly disturbing as the story progresses. Fog, strange transformations, and unsettling imagery help create an atmosphere where even ordinary exploration can feel uncomfortable.
The game combines combat and puzzles with psychological horror, making it a good option for players who enjoy trying to understand what is happening rather than simply escaping from monsters.
If you prefer a slower, story-focused horror experience, this is one to consider.
5. Little Nightmares III
Best for: Creepy adventures with a friend
Little Nightmares III takes a different approach to horror. Instead of giving you weapons to fight every threat, it places you in the shoes of two small characters trying to escape dangerous environments.
You play as Low and Alone, who must work together to overcome obstacles and avoid the strange Residents they encounter. Low carries a bow, while Alone uses a wrench to help solve environmental puzzles.
The contrast between the small characters and their enormous surroundings makes even simple situations feel threatening.
You can play alone with an AI companion or team up with another player through online co-op. It is a good choice if you want something spooky without the intensity of a realistic survival horror game.
6. Alien: Isolation
Best for: Players who enjoy being hunted
Alien: Isolation is built around a simple but terrifying idea: you are being hunted by a creature that you cannot reliably defeat.
You play as Amanda Ripley aboard the Sevastopol space station, where an Alien is searching for you. Your job is to explore the station, gather supplies, and find ways to avoid detection.
The creature is what makes the experience so stressful. Running around with a weapon is not always the answer, and making too much noise can put you in serious danger.
You may find yourself hiding inside a locker, waiting for the footsteps outside to disappear before moving again.
If you want a Halloween game that makes you nervous about opening the next door, Alien: Isolation is a strong pick.
7. Cult of the Lamb
Best for: A mix of dark humor and action
If you enjoy spooky themes but don't want to spend the entire evening feeling scared, Cult of the Lamb offers something different.
You play as a lamb saved from death by a mysterious entity. In return, you must build a cult, recruit followers, and explore dangerous areas to expand your influence.
The gameplay switches between action-packed dungeon runs and managing your growing settlement. You gather resources, build structures, and make decisions about how to keep your followers happy and loyal.
Its cute visual style makes the darker themes and strange rituals even more unusual.
Cult of the Lamb is a good Halloween pick for players who prefer a mix of action, strategy, and dark comedy.
8. Guild Wars 2
Best for: Halloween activities in a shared online world
Guild Wars 2 is worth checking out if you prefer exploring a large online world rather than playing a dedicated horror game.
Its annual Shadow of the Mad King festival brings Halloween activities to the game's fantasy setting. Players can explore the Mad King's Labyrinth, attempt the Clock Tower jumping puzzle, and take part in other seasonal challenges.
The festival offers a nice change of pace from the game's regular activities, particularly if you enjoy collecting rewards and exploring with other players.
The 2026 festival is scheduled to run from October 13 to November 3.
The base game is free to start, although some expansions require a purchase.
9. The Outlast Trials
Best for: Cooperative horror that gets intense
If you want something scarier to play with friends, The Outlast Trials deserves a place on your list.
The game puts you through disturbing experiments run by the Murkoff Corporation. You must complete dangerous trials, solve objectives, and survive encounters with enemies while trying to escape.
You can attempt the trials alone or work with a group of up to four players. Teamwork helps, but it doesn't make the experience safe. You still need to watch your surroundings, manage resources, and decide when it is better to hide than take a risk.
The Outlast Trials is a particularly good option for groups who enjoy horror games where communication and quick decisions matter.
Just be prepared for some disturbing scenes and intense encounters.
10. Lethal Company
Best for: Scary moments and funny multiplayer chaos
Lethal Company is proof that horror games can be hilarious without losing their ability to scare you.
You and your teammates are sent to abandoned moons to collect scrap and meet the Company's profit quota. The buildings you explore are filled with dangerous creatures, dark corridors, and other threats that can quickly turn a routine mission into a disaster.
The fun comes from trying to work together while everything goes wrong. One player might run back to the ship, another might get lost, and someone else might discover a monster the hard way.
Playing with friends makes the experience even better because unexpected mistakes often become the funniest moments of the session.
If you enjoy games that mix genuine tension with unpredictable comedy, Lethal Company is a great Halloween choice.
You don't have to play the newest release to enjoy Halloween. An older horror game can still deliver a memorable experience, especially when you play it with the lights off or bring a few friends along.
Pick the game that matches your mood, grab something to eat, and make the most of the spooky season.
