Six horror games to play this Halloween

With Halloween around the corner, it’s a good time to revisit some horror games or discover something new.

Whether you enjoy psychological horror, survival challenges, or games that put your decisions to the test, there are plenty of options to explore. Here are six games worth checking out this October.

SOMA

If you enjoy horror that makes you think as well as scares you, SOMA is well worth playing. Developed by Frictional Games, the studio behind Amnesia: The Dark Descent, this survival horror game takes you to PATHOS-II, an isolated underwater research facility filled with unsettling discoveries and dangerous creatures.

Exploration and puzzle-solving are central to the experience, but you won’t be able to fight back against the monsters you encounter. Instead, you’ll need to hide, run, and find ways to avoid them. The eerie environments, disturbing audio logs, and questions about what it means to be human all add to the tension.

For Halloween, SOMA is a good choice if you prefer a slower, more psychological kind of horror. Its underwater setting creates a sense of isolation, while the threat of encountering something dangerous makes every new area feel unsettling.

No, I’m Not a Human

No, I’m Not a Human, developed by Trioskaz and published by Critical Reflex, is a first-person horror game built around suspicion and difficult decisions.

In a world where mysterious visitors look and talk like ordinary people, you must decide who deserves shelter and who poses a threat. Identifying the visitors is not always straightforward, and letting the wrong person inside could have serious consequences.

The game’s premise makes it a particularly unsettling choice for Halloween. Rather than relying on constant jump scares, it builds tension through paranoia, and uncertainty. Every knock at the door presents another decision, and you can never be entirely sure who you should trust.

Silent Hill 2

Few horror games capture a sense of unease quite like Silent Hill 2. Originally released in 2001 by Konami, this survival horror classic follows James Sunderland as he travels to the fog-covered town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his wife, Mary, who supposedly died three years earlier.

Rather than relying solely on jump scares, Silent Hill 2 builds dread through its oppressive atmosphere, unsettling sound design, and disturbing creatures.

For Halloween, it’s a great choice if you enjoy a slow build-up of tension. The town itself feels threatening, and the combination of eerie environments and disturbing encounters creates an atmosphere that stays with you after you stop playing.

Betrayal at House on the Hill

If you’re planning a Halloween game night with friends, Betrayal at House on the Hill is worth considering. Published by Avalon Hill, this board game centres on a group exploring a haunted mansion filled with strange items, dangerous traps, and mysterious omens.

As players discover new rooms, they build the mansion using randomly placed tiles, meaning its layout changes with each session. Eventually, the haunt begins, revealing the nature of the horror unfolding inside the house. Usually, one player becomes the traitor, turning against the others while the remaining players work together to survive.

The changing layout and unpredictable scenarios help keep each game interesting. It’s a fun choice for Halloween because it combines haunted-house horror with teamwork, betrayal, and a little friendly competition. Just be prepared for things to get tense when someone at the table suddenly becomes your enemy.

Until Dawn

For fans of horror films, Until Dawn puts you in control of a story where your decisions can have serious consequences. Developed by Supermassive Games, this interactive survival horror game follows eight young adults who return to a remote mountain lodge one year after two sisters disappeared during a prank gone wrong.

The game plays like an interactive horror film, with choices influencing relationships, events, and which characters survive. Quick-time events and split-second decisions add to the tension, and even a seemingly minor choice can change what happens next.

Until Dawn is a great Halloween pick because it embraces familiar horror tropes, including isolated locations, suspicious characters, and dangerous situations. It’s also entertaining to play with friends, as you can debate decisions together and see who manages to survive the night.

Alien: Isolation

If you prefer horror that keeps you on edge, Alien: Isolation is a strong choice. Developed by Creative Assembly, this survival horror game follows Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she becomes trapped aboard a space station where a deadly alien is on the loose.

You’re not a powerful action hero who can easily defeat the threat. Instead, you must explore the station, gather resources, and use stealth to stay alive. The alien is unpredictable, making every hiding place feel temporary and every sound a potential risk.

Alien: Isolation captures the fear of being trapped somewhere dangerous with no easy escape. Dark corridors, flickering lights, and the constant threat of the alien make it an ideal game for a tense Halloween session.

Make your own games

Playing horror games is a great way to spend Halloween, but have you ever thought about making one yourself? These games show how game developers can use atmosphere, sound, storytelling, and player choices to create memorable experiences that keep players coming back.

At MetStudios, you can explore your interest in games and develop the skills to bring your own ideas to life. Whether you want to create a psychological horror adventure, design a terrifying monster, or build a game with friends, studying games can help you develop the knowledge and practical skills to get started.

This October, as you play your favourite horror games, think about what makes them work and how you could use those ideas in your own projects. With the right skills and a bit of creativity, you could be making spooky games of your own.

Want to find out more about life at MetStudios?

Join us at one of our upcoming Open Days to explore our facilities, meet our community and get a feel for what studying games could be like for you.