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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. If you are an Xbox owner, this shouldn’t be too big of an issue. Game Pass has dozens of spine-chilling games for you to take a crack at! Plus, even if horror games aren’t your thing, there are still plenty of less frightening options. Here are the 7 best spooky game pass titles that you need to play this October.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of the most recent spooky additions to the Game Pass platform. This terrifying asymmetrical horror game is very reminiscent of Dead By Daylight, where 4 survivors must work together to endure an encounter with a ruthless killer. In this case, the enemy is, of course, Leatherface and his family.
The killer is also controlled by a player, which makes for some extremely tense gameplay. Unlike many other horror games where fear is slowly built up, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is adrenaline-fueled. Expect some sweaty palms and elevated heart rates!
Amnesia: Collection
Amnesia: Collection is not merely a spooky Game Pass title; it is downright terrifying! Keep that in mind before you jump into the game, hoping for a good time. The collection includes The Dark Descent, A Machine for Pigs, and Justine — certainly, enough horror to last you quite a while!
Each of the three games in the collection is a meticulously crafted work of art. They are master classes in how to create an environment that both horrifies and enthralls the player. Thus, no matter how hard you want to run away screaming, you simply have to keep trudging forward.
SOMA
If you’ve already played the wildly popular Amnesia: Collection, give SOMA a try. This spectacularly spooky game is one of the best on Game Pass! It has a deeply similar feel to Amnesia, but that is certainly not a bad thing. It is, after all, developed by the same team.
Set in an underwater research facility, SOMA is a bit more survival horror-esque than many other titles on this list. Many of the creatures you will come across are deeply disturbing, but there is hope. If the game proves to be too shocking for you, there is an optional “Safe Mode” to reduce the overall fear factor. This option prevents enemies from being able to kill you completely.
Vampire Survivors
Here’s a spooky Game Pass entry that the whole family can enjoy. Vampire Survivors took the world by storm when it first launched due to its simplistic yet addicting gameplay. Now, after a recent update has added local multiplayer, the game feels fresher than ever!
Vampire Survivors is all about surviving an endless onslaught of enemies. There is nowhere to hide, and the rounds can last upwards of 30 minutes if you know what you’re doing, so believe us when we say that things can get very intense. Despite the game’s basic appearance, there is an abundance of content to unlock and discover. Even still, if that’s not enough, there is a fantastic DLC available for just a few bucks.
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!
Inside
Inside has almost become something of a cult classic. Rather than attempting to scare the player into submission, Inside masterfully executes a slow build-up of dread. As you slowly make your way across the colorless landscape, it becomes harder to shake that feeling. Thus, the shocking reveal at the end is made incredibly potent and painful.
This Game Pass veteran is nearly as sad as it is spooky. If you are prone to sensitivity at such depressing tales, maybe hold off on this one. Still, it’s hard to deny just how powerful the message is here.
Back 4 Blood
If you’ve been craving something with a bit more action, be sure to give Back 4 Blood a chance. The game is blatantly a spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead, and while we aren’t saying it is as good as its predecessor, Back 4 Blood is still a darn good time.
The Game Pass launch title isn’t spooky in the way many others on this list are, but it is still unnerving. The movement and sounds of Back 4 Blood’s zombies will send chills down the spines of even the most stoic players. Be sure to grab a few friends as well for maximum enjoyment.