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Spooky season is finally upon us, and there are few better ways to celebrate than diving head-first into a fear-inducing video game. This shouldn’t be too big of an issue if you are an
Dead Space (2023)
The 2023 remake of Dead Space is comparable to the 2024 remake of Silent Hill 2. Players take the role of Isaac Clarke as he and his ship discover a derelict ship emitting a beacon. It is entirely faithful to the original while still providing a completely new and immersive experience.
Believe me when I say the Necromorphs are far more terrifying than they ever were in the original. For diehard fans of the original, there are still many new things to discover and explore in this new version.
Resident Evil 3
Both Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 are available on Game Pass right now, but I believe the latter is the best; also, it’s only six hours long! The story follows Jill Valentine as she attempts to leave Raccoon City after literally everything that’s happened there. However, she’s stopped by the Umbrella Corporation’s latest weapon: Nemesis.
Like the other remakes of Resident Evil games, Resident Evil 3 follows the same story as the original while adding additional and updated detail against a strong and terrifying soundtrack. This version of the game also allows players to enjoy a small portion of the game as the secondary protagonist, Carlos Oliviera.
Spirittea
Spirittea is a mix of comfy and scary as you manage a bathhouse for spirits. It’s an open-world game similar to Stardew Valley, with a wide cast of characters. The game starts with you drinking the Spirittea, allowing you to see and talk to spirits. With this ability, you can talk to and help solve the paranormal problems of the townsfolk.
Much of the game involves managing an abandoned bathhouse and providing towels and general service to all the ghosts who come in. You’ll be able to allow more spirits in, upgrade your towel stock, expand the bathhouse, and collect tons of money. What’s really spooky is how much time you’ll end up sinking into this one.
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol is very similar to Dead Space in that it pits scary space monsters against a sharpshooter protagonist. It utilizes shooting and close-quarter gameplay, forcing players to strategize every battle. Players can also unlock and upgrade their weapons and gear to aid them in defending against dangerous space anomalies.
The story revolves around escaping Callisto, Jupiter’s Dead Moon. Protagonist Jacob Lee was wrongfully imprisoned on the moon, and due to a plague that’s swept across the prison, he must fight for his survival.
Zombie Army 4: Dead War
Despite this entry being the fourth in its franchise, Zombie Army 4: Dead War can be played independently, without knowledge of the previous games, especially since it takes place long after the initial trilogy. The story follows Hitler’s horde of zombies after opening the Hellmouth that you and a team of three more players must destroy.
It’s a lot of fun with the maximum amount of players as its gameplay is primarily just zombie-slashing fun. Every session and level provides endless, frenzied fun. However, I’ll admit that there isn’t much zombie-slashing gore paired with all the fighting.
Amnesia: The Bunker
Personally, I think that Amnesia: The Bunker is only an Amnesia game in terms of gameplay. It offers a story set in the early 1900s that follows French soldier Henry Clement, who is stuck in a bunker. Players can use their wits to try and escape from the Beast that roams the halls while exploring a semi-open world to complete objectives and solve puzzles.
The Beast in this game has its own AI, and you’ll never know where it is until it’s too late; that’s part of what makes this game so terrifying. The game is also completely first-person, and doesn’t have much of a soundtrack and little to no cutscenes, making it much more eerie and unsettling.
Inscryption
Don’t think of Inscryption as just a card game. It’s a roguelike deckbuilder that merges survival-horror elements and escape room-style puzzles. The story is told from the point of view of found footage that a trading card collector took of a card game he discovered named Inscription. With every discovery within the game, it comes to life as a more sentient, evil being trying to release the code unto the world.
The game is a love letter to those who enjoy tabletop card games and spooky things. Different parts of the game will play with different trading card rules as you try to ensure the card game is not published. However, deep down, you’ll wish you could actually play it.
Those Who Remain
A psychological, first-person thriller, Those Who Remains is a traditional horror game that takes place in Dormont. You’re given the power to condemn or reprieve the spirits that consume the town while also attempting to protect your own sanity. The map is a semi-open world, and allows you to explore the town and discover new things to your heart’s content.
The story isn’t very long, and the game is very much a walking simulator, but the horrors that lie in wait for protagonist Edward to discover are pretty terrifying. While the game doesn’t necessarily have many scary moments, it relies heavily on its atmosphere to convey a feeling of eerieness at all times.
State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 is one of my favorite zombie horror games of all time. It takes place in a world where the zombie invasion happened several years ago, and citizens are managing to get by. You’ll form bonds with and play as other characters to scavenge for resources and gather survivors.
The game is completely open-world, and can be traversed by abandoned vehicles you can find. Of course, you can make your own fuel to keep them going since there aren’t any gas stations anymore. You can play with an additional three players in multiplayer co-op to make the most of the world around you and build the greatest community that the post-apocalyptic world has ever seen.
The Evil Within
Although we wish the incredibly spooky Resident Evil series was on Game Pass, The Evil Within is a great alternative. Both games in the series are available for download, though they do have their differences. The first Evil Within, for instance, is noticeably darker and more gruesome than its sequel.
Nonetheless, both titles are fantastic survival horror games. They strike the perfect balance between gruesome horror and campy frights, allowing it to never feel too oppressive either way. Fingers crossed, we get a third installment at some point!
