October is here, and for many, that means spooky season is in full swing. The chill of autumn brings a balance after the scorching heat of summer, but for horror fans, this month is all about terrifying thrills, eerie atmospheres, and spine-tingling fun. Whether you’re into binge-watching scary movies or diving into creepy books, October is the perfect time to scare yourself senseless. But why limit yourself to just watching or reading horror when you can fully immerse yourself in it through gaming?
With Game Pass, you have access to a treasure trove of horror games that are perfect for Halloween and beyond. Whether you’re going solo or planning a co-op fright night with friends, these titles will deliver all the scares and chills you need. We at DazePuzzle have compiled a list of the best horror games to play on Game Pass during this spooky season. So grab your controller, turn off the lights, and dive into some of the best horror experiences gaming has to offer.
Resident Evil 2 & 3 Remakes – Surviving Raccoon City
The Resident Evil series is synonymous with survival horror, and Capcom’s recent remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 are the perfect way to revisit (or experience for the first time) the horrors of Raccoon City. The Resident Evil 2 remake was a game-changer, delivering a perfect balance of nostalgia and modernized gameplay that kept both veteran and new players hooked. The tension of exploring the Raccoon City Police Department, with its dark corridors and lurking zombies, is palpable throughout the game, keeping you on edge from start to finish.
Switching between protagonists Leon and Claire gives players a dual perspective on the horrifying events unfolding in the city. The updated visuals, revamped mechanics, and expanded story make Resident Evil 2 remake not only a faithful homage to the original but also a fresh experience that feels right at home on modern consoles.
Following the success of RE2, Capcom released the Resident Evil 3 remake. Although not quite as impactful as its predecessor due to its shorter length and more linear design, it still does justice to the survival horror genre. The story of Jill Valentine’s escape from a city overrun by the T-virus offers intense, heart-pounding action, even if it leans more heavily on action than horror. The Nemesis, the towering bio-weapon relentlessly pursuing Jill, remains one of the scariest enemies in gaming. The remakes of RE2 and RE3 are must-plays for any horror fan and are easily two of the best games to play this Spooktober.
The Evil Within 1 & 2 – A Dive into Psychological Horror
For those looking for a horror experience that messes with their mind as much as their reflexes, The Evil Within series is the perfect choice. Created by Shinji Mikami, the legendary director of the original Resident Evil, The Evil Within takes you deep into a twisted, nightmarish world filled with grotesque creatures and horrifying visuals. In the first game, players step into the shoes of detective Sebastian Castellanos, who is drawn into a disturbing alternate reality while investigating a gruesome crime scene at a mental hospital.
The atmosphere in The Evil Within is unnerving, to say the least, with its disturbing imagery, unpredictable enemies, and tense, heart-pounding gameplay. Mikami expertly modernizes the survival horror genre he helped create, blending psychological horror with classic survival elements like resource management and exploration.
The sequel, The Evil Within 2, builds on the solid foundation of the first game, expanding the world and refining the mechanics to create a more immersive experience. This time, the game introduces open-world elements, allowing players more freedom to explore and uncover the dark secrets of the nightmarish world. The psychological horror in both games is relentless, with plot twists and terrifying enemies lurking around every corner. If you’re a fan of mind-bending horror, this series is sure to keep you on edge throughout October.
Dead Island 2 – Welcome to HelL-A
If you’re a fan of classic zombie horror with a bit of humor and chaos thrown in, Dead Island 2 is the perfect game to sink your teeth into this Halloween. After years of development and anticipation, Dead Island 2 finally hit shelves, delivering the gory, open-world zombie-slaying fun that fans had been craving. Set in a quarantined, zombie-infested Los Angeles (aka HelL-A), the game lets you take control of one of several immune survivors as you battle your way through hordes of the undead.
Dead Island 2 embraces the over-the-top, sandbox-style gameplay that made the original a cult hit, giving players a wide variety of weapons to craft and use in creative ways to dispatch zombies. Whether you prefer to hack away at zombies with a machete, bash their heads in with a sledgehammer, or electrocute them with an improvised electric trap, the game gives you endless ways to raise hell. The game also features a co-op mode, allowing you to team up with friends to take on the apocalypse together, making it an excellent choice for group play during spooky season.
The Quarry – A New Age of Interactive Horror
If you’re a fan of choice-driven horror games, look no further than The Quarry. Developed by Supermassive Games, the creators of Until Dawn, The Quarry delivers a narrative-driven experience that will have you and your friends glued to the screen. The game follows a group of summer camp counselors who are forced to stay one extra night at Hackett’s Quarry, only to find themselves being hunted by something sinister.
Like Until Dawn and the Dark Pictures Anthology series, The Quarry allows players to take control of multiple characters, making choices that will determine who lives and who dies. The branching storylines and tense decision-making moments make for a heart-pounding experience, especially when played with a group. It’s perfect for a spooky night in with friends, where the thrill of making life-or-death decisions together will keep you entertained for hours.
Scorn – A Grotesque, Atmospheric Nightmare
For fans of body horror and unsettling atmosphere, Scorn offers an experience unlike any other. The game takes place in a surreal, nightmarish world filled with grotesque creatures and disturbing, biomechanical environments. Players take control of a mysterious entity lost in this horrifying world, tasked with surviving its many dangers while solving intricate puzzles and exploring interconnected regions.
Scorn’s unique visual design, inspired by the works of artists like H.R. Giger, creates an unsettling atmosphere that will keep players on edge from start to finish. The game is less about combat and more focused on puzzle-solving and exploration, forcing players to pay close attention to their surroundings as they unravel the mysteries of the world. If you’re looking for a horror game that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is a test of your nerves, Scorn is the perfect choice for Spooktober.
Whether you’re into psychological horror, action-packed zombie slaying, or mind-bending nightmares, Game Pass has a horror game for every type of player this Halloween season. With a rich selection of terrifying titles, you’re sure to find something that will keep you up at night. So grab your controller, dim the lights, and get ready for the ultimate Spooktober experience with these must-play horror games.