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Ghosts and ghouls go bump in the night, but sometimes there’s something more sinister. Hell’s legions are endless in gaming. Worse, these demons have a nasty habit of inhabiting the homes and bodies of the living. You’ll face everything from possession and reanimation to disturbing parlor tricks Diablo himself would applaud. These evil spirits are up to no good, and someone needs to send them back to the inferno (or wherever). That unlucky someone is you. Here are 5 exorcism games to purge the unholy with this Halloween.
Kamla
An old mansion, a priest, and a woman possessed by an evil entity: all the ingredients for a great exorcism tale are here. Set in 1980s India, Kamla introduces enough new scenery and ideas to freshen up the formula. That said, it’s a survival horror game, and you’ll find the traditional mix of puzzles, exploration, jumpscares, and unsettling imagery here. It’s worth a look for the setting alone, but Kamla delivers some excellent scares, despite being more than a little rough around the edges.
The Exorcist: Legion VR
William Peter Blatty’s Exorcist remains the definitive tale of demon yeeting, and not just because he got to the title first. There are direct ties to the original franchise for fans, and with five chapters to dig into, you’ll meet your scare quota in no time. Though VR is still getting its feet under it in many ways, it’s the ideal environment for this kind of unsettling immersion. Do you really want to be closer to and more hands-on with demons? The Exorcist: Legion VR will help you discover how deep your courage runs.
Demonologist
A co-op horror game for 1-4 players, Demonologist tasks you with identifying and removing spirits. Between voice interaction, safehouse customization, and random events, however, Demonologist does a great job of separating itself from most other co-op horror games. Solid graphics and SFX further infuse it with creep factor. Whether you’re playing solo or with a full ghost-busting squad, Demonologist is one of the best exorcism games around. Just don’t listen to the voices. They don’t want what’s best for you.
Ikai
Taking place in feudal Japan and focusing on Japanese folklore, Ikai isn’t your generic western horror. Perhaps its biggest selling point is the sheer assortment of supernatural monsters you’ll confront. As a shrine priestess, you’ll confront all manner of yokai, but combat isn’t an option.
Neither, interestingly, is fleeing. You’ll need to find unique ways to confront the threats before you if you have any hope of escaping. Ikai is spooky in tone and deliberate in gameplay, making it the perfect Hallow’s Eve treat.
Faith: The Unholy Trinity
If you don’t think 8-bit games are scary, Faith is the franchise that may change your mind. Each of the three chapters twists the story in new and frightening ways. This retro horror gem uses every graphical and audio trick in the book to terrorize and disturb. If you’re a horror fan who hasn’t already experienced Faith, you owe it to yourself. If you take the dive, you’re in for rotoscope animations, multiple endings, and some serious scares. It’s one of the best exorcism games for good reason, so don’t forget your holy water.
