Halloween really is a holiday for everyone. Whether you enjoy begging strangers for candy or wandering cemeteries in the hope of spotting ghosts, there’s something for everyone. But we all know that scary horror games are often the best way to spend the days in the build-up to Halloween.
So if you’re terrified of small children or just want a relaxing night in, here are the 12 best games to play as we edge ever closer to Halloween in the spooky year of 2022.
Limbo
Limbo is one of the best platform games for Android and is the perfect way to spend your Halloween night. Its haunting atmosphere is ideal for daytime and compelling enough to keep you absorbed all night. Limbo is the perfect game to play during Halloween for those who don’t like jump scares. But just because there’s no horror doesn’t mean there’s no horror, as the game is filled with nerve-wracking visuals as you hunt for your missing sister. So if you’re a fan of puzzle platformers, Limbo is just the ticket this Halloween season.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Why not go retro for Halloween? While not particularly scary, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a vampire-themed platformer that tasks you with hunting down Dracula, so the theme is certainly appropriate. Konami’s classic game is easily a must-play, only taking around eight or nine hours to complete, which is perfect for an extended Halloween gaming session. Plus, it supports all the best Android controllers, ensuring you can play the title exactly as you remember, with spot-on tactile controls.
Bendy and the Ink Machine
Some of us prefer to counteract the spooky Halloween with cheerful Disney movies. But what if you could have both? Bendy and the Ink Machine is inspired by retro Disney movies, ideal for nostalgic fans. Its cheerfulness is a facade, however, as these visuals only serve to heighten the horror. Play this if you want an original, casual horror game that will keep you hooked all day.
The Walking Dead: Season One
You can’t get more Halloween than a zombie game. But while there are plenty of fantastic zombie games on Android, The Walking Dead’s narrative design takes the cake. This adventure is ideal for people who are tired of the usual hack-and-slash zombie games. Season 1 of Telltale Games’ classic will keep you hooked with its engaging story, steep cliffhangers and branching narratives, which also means replayability. The game is divided into five episodes, each of which can be purchased in the app, so you can decide how much you want to spend and when.
Alien: Isolation
Of all the sequels, prequels and spin-offs, Alien: Isolation captures the essence of the classic film best, thanks to stunning sound design and graphics that really look the part. Despite a predictable story, Alien: Isolation might be the best horror game on Android right now. Ideal for anyone looking to recreate the feeling of watching Alien for the first time, Alien: Isolation’s clever AI means you’ll never have the same experience twice as you duck and dodge your way through a spooky space station. Trust us; There is no horror experience like sitting in a closet paralyzed with fear. Play this if you really want to scare yourself for Halloween.
DOOM
When it comes to classic games, why not go back to DOOM for some nostalgic, demon-chasing, campy horror? The game may not be particularly scary, but this venerable hell-filled game is perfect for some light Halloween fun while shooting down demons. That’s not to say it’s easy, but those looking for a fun rather than scary Halloween experience can’t do much better than the first DOOM game.
Ox-free
Inspired by classic 80s horror movies, Oxenfree is a perfect choice if you can’t decide between watching a Halloween movie or playing a video game. In this narrative-driven horror-fest, your decisions change how Oxenfree’s story unfolds, so it plays like a typical adventure game, but it’s the Goonies-like story that really drives this one. Despite being a Netflix exclusive game that requires a Netflix membership to play, this is a fantastic horror adventure game for those who prefer narrative over jump scares.
Hello neighbor
Hello Neighbor does away with traditional horror tropes while retaining the thrills that make this a must-play on Halloween. Although it may seem strange at first, the game slowly drags you into a scary and terrifying hunt for your neighbor. The AI learns from your every move, just like Alien: Isolation, so expect to stay up all night figuring out how to get around the devious AI to uncover your neighbor’s secrets.
Five nights at Freddy’s
Five Nights at Freddy’s has you covered if you prefer jump-scare thrills on Halloween. There are many sequels and spin-offs, including the clever AR game Special Delivery, but the original is a perfect entry point. While you’re probably aware of the general theme of surviving five nights of gruesome animatronic horror, you need to experience Five Nights at Freddy’s to truly understand how terrifying the game can be. Play this with some friends around for the best experience; it’s a stone cold killer.
Very little nightmares
The anticipated Android port of the original Little Nightmares is easily one of the best upcoming games for Android this year, but Very Little Nightmares is available now as a slick spin-off title, and it’s a great game for Halloween. It’s a puzzle adventure that acts as the precursor to Little Nightmares, where the game tasks you with exploring The Nest, a huge maze filled with dangerous traps. Puzzles and enemies abound, so be on your toes as you explore this cute but creepy world.
Distraint
Psychological horror is usually the realm of film, but Distraint captures this horror genre perfectly. It’s also short, so perfect for Halloween night. Distraint’s strength lies in its spectacular sound and visual design, combined with many tasks. Every element of the game is designed to enhance its horror, so expect to sit down and not get up again until you’ve completed this one in its entirety. It’s so poignant!
Stranger Things: 1984
Connecting the events of Season 1 of the titular Netflix show, Stranger Things: 1984 is an action-adventure inspired by retro arcade games of yesteryear. You’ll control characters from the show as you explore the town of Hawkins and beyond, each character offering their own abilities. It’s not a particularly scary game, but those who enjoyed the show’s brand of horror will be right at home here; great for playing while re-watching the show.
It’s a Halloween game for everyone
From the jump scares of Alien: Isolation to the narrative psychological horror of Distraint, we can guarantee there’s a game for you in today’s Halloween games roundup. We also have a roundup of the best zombie games if you’re looking for something more specific, but if you want to forgo horror altogether, try one of the best games on Android instead.
