Buzz
Halloween is the ideal time to explore some of the most thrilling and horror-focused video games. With countless excellent horror titles available across platforms, we’ve curated a list of the top Halloween games on Xbox/PC Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra. These subscription services offer vast libraries of games you can download and play at no extra cost, making it easy to gather a collection of spooky games to enjoy throughout the month.
Our selection includes games from various genres, gameplay styles, and themes—ranging from intense survival horror and multiplayer slashers to family-friendly Halloween adventures. Each game on this list is accessible through Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Extra, and we’ve also noted additional platforms for those who don’t subscribe to these services or own the required console.
Alien Isolation
Set 15 years after the original Alien movie, this story follows Amanda Ripley, the daughter of the franchise’s iconic protagonist, Ellen Ripley. Stranded on the Sevastopol space station, Amanda must navigate threats from hostile androids, humans, and a relentless Xenomorph. Unlike typical game enemies, the Xenomorph roams unpredictably, hunting both the player and NPCs. Praised for its intense gameplay, advanced AI, and faithful adherence to the Alien universe, Alien Isolation remains a standout title in the franchise since its 2014 release.
Free on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC via Game Pass
Also available on: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5
Blasphemous
Blasphemous is a meticulously designed 2D platformer, showcasing stunning yet macabre pixel art. Set in the grim fantasy realm of Cvstodia, the game draws inspiration from Spanish Catholicism, blending its art, architecture, and mythology into a disturbingly profane narrative. Gameplay-wise, Blasphemous incorporates elements from Dark Souls, Metroid, and Castlevania, offering intricate combat and interconnected level design. The diverse regions of Cvstodia are packed with hidden upgrades, powerful gear, and fanatical foes determined to end your journey.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Also available on: Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Bloodborne
FromSoftware’s Bloodborne is an action RPG that shares similarities with the studio’s other titles like Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Its punishing combat, horrifying creatures, and gothic horror atmosphere make it an ideal choice for players seeking a Halloween-themed challenge. As a Hunter, you’ll navigate the blood-soaked streets of Yharnam, unraveling the secrets of the mysterious Healing Church and confronting eldritch horrors. Although Bloodborne remains exclusive to PlayStation, it’s fully compatible with PS5 through backward compatibility.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, developed by the renowned Koji Igarashi, is an exploration-driven platformer that acts as a spiritual successor to the Castlevania series. Like its predecessor, Bloodstained features iconic horror foes such as zombies, werewolves, and witches, all set within a gothic aesthetic. Unlike many survival horror games, Ritual of the Night adopts a “metroidvania” style, where players navigate non-linear levels within a sprawling castle, discovering keys and abilities to advance. This design pays homage to classic Castlevania titles like Symphony of the Night and Aria of Sorrow.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Also available on: Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Call of Cthulu
In this RPG, you step into the shoes of Edward Pierce, a private investigator haunted by unsettling nightmares. Sent to Darkwater Island to probe a series of mysterious deaths, Pierce soon discovers that the situation is far more bizarre than it seems. As a Lovecraftian tale, the game delves into Pierce’s sanity, blurring the line between reality and hallucination. Managing Pierce’s mental state while uncovering the island’s secrets becomes a core gameplay mechanic, echoing the Call of Cthulu tabletop RPG that inspired it.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Also available on: Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Control: Ultimate Edition
This third-person action-adventure game immerses you in the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) headquarters, known as “The Oldest House,” a facility dedicated to investigating and containing supernatural phenomena. When a malevolent entity called The Hiss escapes and begins corrupting the minds of FBC agents, Jessie Faden, the new acting director and the only one immune to The Hiss’s influence, must stop the threat. Players will uncover bizarre artifacts, navigate the building’s surreal architecture, and gain new weapons and abilities to combat the Hiss-controlled agents. Perfect for fans of paranormal intrigue, Control offers a thrilling Halloween experience.
Free on: PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Also available on: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan and Little Hope
The Dark Pictures Anthology offers a series of cinematic adventure games where players shape the narrative and determine the final outcomes with each playthrough. PlayStation Plus Extra subscribers can access two titles from the collection for free: Man of Medan and Little Hope.
In Man of Medan, five friends are stranded on a haunted ship lost at sea, while Little Hope follows four college students trapped in a deserted town. Players take control of each character, deciding their fates through their choices. Both games support online and offline multiplayer, allowing you to enjoy these interactive horror experiences with friends.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Also available on: Xbox One/Series X, PC
Dead Space series
The Dead Space trilogy stands as a pinnacle of survival horror. In the first installment, engineer Isaac Clarke becomes entangled in a nightmare aboard the USG Ishimura, a space mining vessel overrun by Necromorphs—mutated undead creatures. The sequel expands on the Necromorph mystery and their ties to the enigmatic Unitology cult. The final chapter sees Isaac teaming up with soldier John Carver to uncover the origins of the Necromorphs on the icy planet Tau Volantis.
All three games feature third-person combat, with Isaac wielding mining and construction tools to dismember the grotesque Necromorphs. The series takes players through eerie settings like derelict space stations and abandoned facilities. The third game introduces optional co-op multiplayer. A remake of the first game is set to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on January 27, 2023.
Free on: PC and Xbox One/Xbox Series X via Game Pass or EA Play
Dead by Daylight
Dead By Daylight is a thrilling multiplayer game perfect for horror enthusiasts. Players are divided into two roles: one takes on the role of a killer in first-person view, while the others control survivors in third-person. The game offers diverse maps and modes with unique goals. Killers must hunt, capture, and sacrifice survivors by hanging them on environmental hooks, while survivors collaborate to evade the killer and repair machinery to escape. The base game includes a variety of original characters, with additional iconic figures from franchises like Resident Evil, Evil Dead, and Scream available as expansions.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra; PC and Xbox One/Series X via Game Pass
Also available on: Nintendo Switch
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
While not a traditional horror game, Death Stranding offers a uniquely eerie experience ideal for the Halloween season. Set in a post-apocalyptic U.S., the game features spirits of the dead, known as “beached things” or “BTs,” who have crossed into the living world, causing catastrophic events like time-accelerating rain and massive explosions. Directed by Hideo Kojima, the game is filled with bizarre, often overly detailed concepts.
Gameplay revolves around delivering packages across a desolate landscape, balancing cargo weight, and avoiding raiders and ghostly BTs. The combination of crafting, base-building, and asynchronous multiplayer creates a tense and engaging experience.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra; PC via Game Pass
DOOM 3
The Doom series is known for its demonic themes and intense action, but Doom 3 stands out as the perfect Halloween pick. Unlike its predecessors, Doom 3 emphasizes survival horror with darker, more confined levels and unsettling sound design. While you still face hordes of zombies, the atmosphere is far more chilling.
All six mainline Doom games are available for free to Xbox and PC Game Pass subscribers, and the 2016 reboot, DOOM, is also accessible on PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra.
Free on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC via Game Pass
Also available on: Nintendo Switch, PS4/PS5
Friday the 13th: The Game
This survival horror game adapts the events of the original Friday the 13th film into a multiplayer and single-player experience. In multiplayer, one player assumes the role of Jason Voorhees, the iconic hockey-masked killer, while others play as Crystal Lake counselors. Single-player mode allows you to control either Jason or the counselors, with AI managing the remaining characters.
Objectives differ for each side: Jason must eliminate the counselors before time runs out, while the counselors aim to survive the night. Both sides have access to various tools and upgrades to improve their chances of success.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Also available on: Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
MediEvil (2019 Remake)
The 2019 remake of the classic PS1 game MediEvil offers a whimsical Halloween-themed adventure, ideal for families and younger players seeking a less intense experience. The story follows Sir Dan, a bumbling knight mistakenly resurrected by the evil necromancer Zarok, who aims to conquer the Kingdom of Gallowmere with his undead army.
Despite his accidental heroism, Sir Dan must rise to the occasion to save the kingdom. The remake features updated graphics, a remastered soundtrack, modernized controls, and additional content, staying true to the original’s charm.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Returnal
After crash-landing on an alien planet, Selene Vossos finds herself stranded in the ruins of a long-dead civilization. To her horror, she discovers she’s trapped in a time loop, resetting to the crash every time she’s killed by the planet’s hostile creatures.
Returnal combines eerie alien ruins and a mind-bending premise with fast-paced shooter gameplay and roguelite mechanics, creating a tense sci-fi thriller. While not outright horror, it’s a fantastic choice for a spooky, atmospheric experience on PS5. Known for its difficulty, Returnal is also one of the console’s standout titles.
Free on: PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Scorn
Scorn stands out as a unique atmospheric survival horror game, focusing on puzzle-solving and navigating unsettling environments rather than combat. While there are enemies to face, the horror stems from its visuals and sound design, inspired by artists like H.R. Giger and Wayne Barlowe.
Warning: Scorn is intentionally grotesque and unsettling. Mundane objects and creatures are depicted in disturbing ways, creating a dark, oppressive atmosphere. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a must-try for fans of bizarre, dark fantasy worlds.
Free on: PC and Xbox Series X via Game Pass
Signalis
Set in a distant future where humans have colonized the solar system, Signalis follows Elster, a Replika android, as she awakens on a mysterious planet filled with monsters and secrets. The game combines “cassette-futurism” aesthetics, a dreamlike narrative, and classic survival horror gameplay reminiscent of early Resident Evil and Silent Hill titles.
Though not yet released at the time of writing, early impressions suggest Signalis could be one of the year’s best horror games. It launches on October 27.
Free on: Xbox Series X via Game Pass; PC via Game Pass and Humble Bundle (available Oct. 27)
Also available on: Nintendo Switch, PS4/PS5 (available Oct. 27)
Until Dawn
Until Dawn is an interactive cinematic adventure that feels like directing a horror movie in real time. The story follows eight friends trapped in a mountain retreat gone horribly wrong, brought to life by exceptional motion capture and voice acting. Players control each character at different points as they attempt to survive a night of terror against a flamethrower-wielding killer. The narrative changes significantly based on player choices and quick-time event responses, ensuring a unique experience with each playthrough.
Free on: PS4/5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Vampyr
Set in 1918 London, this action RPG places you in the role of Dr. Jonathan Reid, a physician who awakens as a vampire after his death. Balancing his medical expertise with newfound vampiric powers, Jonathan must protect London’s citizens from undead threats and a deadly plague. Players shape Jonathan’s combat abilities, dialogue choices, and moral decisions, influencing the branching storyline and gameplay outcomes.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Also available on: Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One/Series X
The Walking Dead
This narrative-driven adventure game is set in the universe of the iconic The Walking Dead comics but introduces a fresh storyline that unfolds alongside the graphic novels. Players take on the roles of Lee Everett, a man navigating the zombie apocalypse, and Clementine, a young girl he rescues early on. The gameplay revolves around dialogue choices and quick-time events, which significantly impact the story’s direction. Widely praised for its exceptional writing, The Walking Dead is regarded as one of the greatest and most impactful adventure games ever created.
Free on: PC and Xbox One/Series X via Game Pass
Also available on: Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4/PS5
Wytchwood
Amidst the terrifying and grotesque games on this list, Wytchwood offers a delightful crafting experience. This hand-drawn adventure game casts you as the Old Witch of The Woods, exploring a whimsical storybook world to gather ingredients for potions and crafting. Every task, whether completing quests or experimenting with new recipes, involves exploring, collecting resources, and transforming them into useful items. It’s a calming, low-pressure game perfect for unwinding on Halloween night.
Free on: PS4/PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
Also available on: Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One/Series X
