Halloween is right around the corner, folks. Sure, it falls on a pretty weird day to go trick or treating. But it still marks one of the more lively holidays of the year.
Now if you’re going to have a few buddies over for some horror-filled activities (or you’re looking to engage in them on your own), video games can get you there. 2016 saw the release of a bulk of survival horror titles and other game of its ilk. A huge teaser demo for the next entry in the Resident Evil series also freaked gamers out and gave them something spine-chilling to look forward to. Scaring yourself into a frenzy can easily be done with the titles we’ll present you with here.
We’re here to provide you with a list of the games that are the perfect experiences for Halloween 2016.
Resident Evil 7 Teaser Demo: Beginning Hour
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC
E3 2016 was a show full of amazing conferences for gaming’s most well-respected luminaries. During Sony’s presentation, Capcom blew the lid off of a lot of fans’ heads when they unveiled the next entry in their survival horror series. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a sharp departure from the gun totting, explosions filled entries in the past and more of a homage to 1st-person genre spinoffs. The demo that’s still available (and updated to include more things to discover) is a horrifying delight for those who haven’t experienced it. Trekking through a dilapidated house and dealing with its seen (and unseen) frights is the type of stuff ripe with holiday scares. If you want to take the scares up a notch, get yourself a PS VR headset and hop into the equally as scary “Kitchen” demo.
Buy Resident Evil 7: Biohazard here.
Resident Evil 0 (HD Remaster)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS4, PC, GameCube, Wii
The events that transpired before the very 1st Resident Evil needed to be told. And luckily, those terrifying trials that Rebecca and Billy went through are playable within Resident Evil 0. The HD Remaster of this once GameCube exclusive features updated visuals, a bevy of assorted character costumes and the full survival-horror adventure experience. Everything the older RE games are known for are present and accounted for here: tank controls (plus analog stick movement, which is a godsend), vicious bio-terror created monsters, intricate puzzles and the like. Navigating the trains and creepy training facilities within this game is perfect Resident Evil fare.
Buy the Resident Evil Origins Collection here.
Corpse Party
Developer: MAGES./5pb.
Publisher: XSEED Games
Platform: 3DS
Avoiding unexpected tragedies seems to be the main goal of teenagers in slasher flicks. Instead of screaming at the big screen every time the killer is right behind ’em, Corpse Party places you right into the bloodcurdling affair. The whole premise of this game puts you in control of the fates of 12 high school students who’re trapped within a school where gristly murders occurred. All types of horrific dangers and disturbing events can take any of those teens to their final “wrong end”. The adventure you’ll embark upon is intriguing and full of shocking plot twists. Do your best to keep those students alive, try to find all the true endings and escape Heavenly Host Elementary at all costs.
Severed
Developer: DrinkBox Studios
Publisher: DrinkBox Studios
Platforms: Wii U, PS Vita, 3DS, iOS
Dismembering hordes of demons sounds fun, right? Especially when it entails some touchscreen-based hacking and slashing. You’re not some psychotic serial killer acting out these fantasies, though; you’re actually a one-armed heroine who’s out to save her family. Severed (which is a quite fitting name for this game) is a unique action RPG. All the puzzles you’ll solve and unnerving monstrosities you come across are done through plenty of swipes. Those crow beasts and skull wizards need to be cut down in a vicious fashion if you’re gonna save Sasha’s loved ones.
Slain: Back From Hell
Developer: Andrew Gilmour
Publisher: Digerati Distribution
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Heavy Metal Castlevania, anyone? Step right up to the side-scrolling demon killer title known as Slain: Back From Hell. Fans who always gravitated towards 80’s/90’s hack ‘n slashers will find a lot to love here. The soundtrack fits quite nicely with the action, which consists of eradicating werewolves, vampires, skeletons and other assorted demons. Your main hero can wield one of three melee weapons and also tear through his foes with magical attacks. This pick on our list provides a nice, medium length campaign for those who want to crush through something quick on Halloween.
Pick up a Steam gift card here if you’re looking to start playing Slain: Back From Hell on PC.
Buy a PSN Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Slain: Back From Hell.
Buy an Xbox Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Slain: Back From Hell.
Layers of Fear
Developer: Bloober Team
Publisher: Aspyr Media Europe
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC
There’s always something quite chilling about Victorian-era style mansions. They may look amazing, but chances are high that they hide some pretty dark secrets within their walls. Layers of Fear lets you navigate one of these houses and makes you confront a painter’s inner-most fears. The mansion changes accordingly as your insane avatar tries to finish his magnum opus while dealing with ghastly visions. The things you’ll see will push you to the edge of insanity and break you down. But remain strong and carefully navigate the painter’s mansion of horrors. Now here’s a title that’s great for a solo Halloween playthrough.
Buy Layers of Fear (PS4) here.
Buy an Xbox Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Layers of Fear.
Pick up a Steam gift card here if you’re looking to start playing Layers of Fear on PC.