The horror and survival horror genres are packed with games that can make you jump out of your seat or leave you melting into a puddle of suspense. Now with Halloween 2024 here, what better time to recommend a selection of spine-chilling horror video games to immerse yourself in? Whether you’re not handing out candy or simply want to unwind with a terrifying game, this list has you covered.
So, grab a controller or keyboard, pick up a title or two, and prepare for a thrilling Halloween night!
And remember, it’s just a game—it’s not real… or is it?
Crow Country
Ah, the 90s; a simpler time for games and horror storytelling. Crow Country, a short 2024 horror game paying homage to 90s titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, aims to recreate the vibes of that era of survival horror. And with its polygonal figures, lo-fi soundtrack, and old-school puzzles, it takes some steps forward, with only a few shambles back.
Crow Country is the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC
Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 takes its action-horror predecessor and dregs it out of the water with a fresh survival horror overhaul. Though certain mechanics seem like they’re still stuck in 2010, the vast majority of the sequel feels ahead of its time. The story is stylish, suspenseful, and scary, yet isn’t afraid to get a little silly. Alan Wake 2 is one of Remedy’s best games yet, and certainly its most artistic. And when you’re finished with Alan Wake 2, don’t forget to try the two expansions; Night Springs and The Lake House.
Alan Wake 2 and its expansions are available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Epic Games Store)
Silent Hill 2 (remake)
Silent Hill 2 is a cult classic that any fan of the series should play. This goes to say that Team Bloober had a hell of a challenge in not only remaking the Konami classic but also ensuring that nothing was lost in the process. Needless to say, Bloober Team nailed it and proved yet again that the developer knows its survival horror. Silent Hill 2 Remake takes a great game, along with a number of quality-of-life upgrades. Where there aren’t any sweeping changes, the game didn’t need any – Silent Hill 2 Remake is a horror remake done right.
Silent Hill 2 remake is available for the PlayStation 5 and PC.
Dead Space (remake)
A once-thought-dead game (series), EA surprised the gaming world by not only announcing a Dead Space remake, but also doing a bang-up job of recreating one of the best Sci-fi survival horror games that has ever existed, with enough changes to give enough of a challenge for returning players but also improves the scares enough that the new generation of gamers who are more used to gore will be shaking when something goes bump in the night. However, don’t go into the Dead Space remake thinking that it is going to be a completely new experience, because it is not. But if you haven’t played Dead Space before, give it a shot and you’ll be leaving the light on at night for good reason.
Dead Space is available on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Alien Isolation
Alien: Isolation is a masterfully crafted survival horror game by Creative Assembly that immerses players in the tension and helplessness of being stranded on a derelict space station. The game’s intense atmosphere brilliantly captures the essence of the original Alien film, making it a standout title in the franchise. Sure, the game has some slow spacing at times, but for everything the game does, including making you look around every corner in your home once the lights go out, Alien: Isolation may be the best game ever to recreate the suspense of the classic film. Not to mention, after all these years of waiting, Sega has finally greenlit a follow-up to the game. So, go play this, enjoy the BEST Alien game ever made, and then wonder just how much the next game is going to make you jump; Because it will.
Alien: Isolation is available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
The Evil Within 2
The Evil Within 2 is a fantastic follow-up to the original game, improving on nearly every aspect. It introduces new ways to combat enemies, features a wildly insane villain who is manipulated by an even smarter antagonist, and offers fleshed-out combat mechanics. The game also boasts a fully functional crafting system and significantly better pacing. However, there are a few downsides. The horror that kept players on edge in the first game has taken a backseat, though it remains present. Additionally, the story doesn’t fully resolve the cliffhangers left by the original installment. Despite these issues, The Evil Within 2 stands as a solid entry point for those new to the survival horror genre.
The Evil Within 2 is playable on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is a co-op game about finding ghosts using some of the greatest state-of-the-art ghost-hunting equipment, to track down those things that go bump in the night, across several locations. You can either try it solo or join up to three friends to help you solve where these ghosts are hiding. Be careful as they can be around any corner and will listen to whatever you are saying or experiencing. Be cautious and don’t give yourself away. It’s sort of sounds like Luigi’s Mansion, but Phasmophobia is way more scarier.
Phasmophobia is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
SOMA
Frictional Games, known for its passion for creating some of the more disturbing survival horror games, delivers a compelling story in SOMA, a game that makes you question the essence of humanity. Layered with moral undertones, SOMA takes you on an intense journey that doesn’t let up, even at the very end. It stands out as one of the better-crafted survival horror games despite the underwater setting being well-worn territory. The game is as deep as it is the way it manages to make you think in ways you probably haven’t about a game before.
SOMA is playable on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Slay the Princess: Pristine Cut
Slay the Princess: Pristine Cut is a horror-infused narrative adventure game where players are tasked with a simple but morally ambiguous goal: slay a mysterious princess imprisoned in a remote cabin. However, as you interact with her, the story takes unexpected turns, revealing layers of complexity that lead you to question her identity, your role, and the nature of the task itself. Dark humor and suspense are plentiful, not to mention featuring branching paths and player choices that drastically alter your journey and interaction with the princess. Each choice brings new outcomes, from unsettling revelations to eerie encounters that drive the game’s psychological horror elements. It’s the perfect type of game for players who appreciate suspenseful, psychological horror without the usual conventional scares found in similar games.
Slay the Princess: Pristine Cut is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Resident Evil 2 (remake)
Resident Evil 2 takes all the good from the original and makes it better while removing all the old and outdated things that were put in due to system limitations to create one of the most immersive and best Resident Evil titles ever created. This is hard to do but Capcom R&D Division 1 did what many considered to be impossible. Not only have they recreated a game that so many people call the best Resident Evil game ever, or even the best PlayStation game ever, but also improved it to such a degree that it mirrors perfection and brings the franchise back to its roots and reminds everyone what this game series was about… Survival Horror. If you haven’t played this gem and enjoy the survival horror genre, you’re making a drastic mistake that needs to be corrected.
Resident Evil 2 is available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
