Tricks ’n Treats: 5 Great Games To Get You Into the Halloween Spirit
With Halloween right around the corner, get in the spirit with some fantastically spooky games!
’Tis the season to be spooky and, luckily, there are more than a few games players can use to scratch the insatiable horror itch that develops around this time of year. For horror maniacs like myself, the hour has finally approached when we can talk about the games we love without fear of the odd wary look. Yes, I like being chased by a maniac with a chainsaw, and no, I will not elaborate. Ranging from horror classics to recently updated online games, here are five games that will surely get you in the mood for Halloween.
#1 - Outlast 2
Although the first Outlast is an incredible feat of horror-filled storytelling, Outlast 2 just improves on every aspect of the original game. Instead of taking the claustrophobic setting of Mount Massive asylum, Outlast 2 utilizes a fair, more open space in order to lull players into a false sense of security. The attention to detail in Outlast 2 is utterly phenomenal. If you take the time and pay attention to your surroundings, you can really see that you are not alone. There are little eyes glistening in the dark, whispers flickering up the mic-bit of your camera, and the slightest hints of movement in the thickets of trees. Outlast 2 creates a very permanent sense of paranoia and anxiety, which makes playing it a nail-biting experience.
The gorgeous visuals are coupled with a fantastic, mind-bending story that delves into the deepest recesses of the human psyche. Abuse, faith, and trauma are expertly explored through the use of flashbacks and narrative story-telling. Outlast 2 does not shy away from taboo subjects; it takes the original concept of horror (the exploration of the things you shouldn’t speak about) and shines a flashlight on it. It is a brutal story that not only makes you feel scared but will stick around with you forever. Outlast 2 is a gem of a horror game that will not only psychologically creep you out but will leave you gasping for air every two minutes.
#2 - Left 4 Dead 2
Nothing encapsulates the fun of Halloween like Left 4 Dead 2. With it being many gamers' first memories of playing with friends, this game is the essence of the joy you get while running for your life. Guns, gore, and zombies — what else could you want? I still remember screaming every time I saw a Charger getting closer and closer. Left 4 Dead 2 takes and improves on every single aspect of the first game and it makes for an amazing experience to play either solo or with friends.
The wide arsenal of weapons (melee, explosive, and a HUGE range of guns) can make you feel like the predator but Left 4 Dead 2 is able to make you feel like the prey in mere seconds. As Halloween is a time for hijinks, hanging out with friends, and shooting zombies, Left 4 Dead 2 is the reigning champ of video games that can do all that and more.
#3 - Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
The true horror lurks right next door. Taking a HUGE step back from what the franchise had become, Resident Evil 7 goes back to basics… and it’s terrifying. Instead of becoming a boulder-punching asshole, you’re a quivering house guest scared at an old woman in a wheelchair. With the events taking place largely in the bayou, the atmosphere is fantastic. This is one of the true games that make you feel terrified in a wide range of ways. Fear of bugs? Check. Fear of explosions? Check. Fear of towering men with chainsaws? Check?
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a phenomenal horror game that goes all the way back to basics. Returning to the idea of an actual ‘Evil Resident’, Resident Evil 7 was the reboot the series desperately needed and it smashed it out of the park. This game is a masterpiece of the horror media and, with a simple story and plot, horror is able to take the forefront of the game.
#4 - Dead By Daylight
As the only game that offers the choice to be their favorite serial killers, Dead By Daylight gives its players a unique experience. With killers ranging from Pinhead to Leatherface, Dead By Daylight may be the most immersive game to get you into the Halloween spirit. You’re able to play as predator or prey, the choice is yours. Survive online or with friends and try to escape the Killer’s grasp or be the one to hunt the Survivors down player by player.
As a fantastic, one-of-a-kind game, Dead By Daylight will offer players an immersive experience like no other. One second you will be looking over your shoulder for Michael Myers, and another you might be throwing a flashbang in his face. With friends, Dead By Daylight can lead to some of the most fun you will ever have in your life and, if you’re playing solo, one of the most satisfying.
#5 - Resident Evil 2 Remake
This is a rare case of a game that can satisfy fans of all stripes, Resident Evil diehards and new arrivals to the franchise. As the epitome of what a remake should be, Resident Evil 2 takes every single thing that the original did and makes it twice as good. With the immersive combat, fantastic sound design, and horrific visuals, Resident Evil 2 is a great introduction to the series and an even better stand-alone horror game.
With each second that passes, you will feel like you are being watched or chased. You have to balance your loadout and supplies in order to last and you have to solve puzzles that don’t spoon feed you the solution. Resident Evil 2 is hard to fault in any way: the game-time is fantastic, there are multiple endings, the villains are brilliant, and the gameplay systems are flawless. This game will get you in the Halloween spirit like no other.
The last several years have seen the resurgence of horror as a top-notch genre in gaming. This list is just the tip of the iceberg for the experiences available to players. Explore and enjoy, and Happy Halloween!
