Today is Halloween and not everyone enjoys going out in costume or attending some party. There are also those who prefer to stay home and spend the evening with a horror video game. If you’re one of them, I’m here to recommend some titles that might suit you!
Before we begin, I want to clarify that this is not a proper ranking and the games are not ordered by preference. It’s simply a selection of horror titles released this year that, in my view, deserve to be played.
Before the five main titles, I wanted to include a couple of honorable mentions. Said that, I hope I can recommend something interesting to you. Enjoy reading, and above all, Happy Halloween!
Honorable Mentions
Let’s start with a couple of games that, although not among the five main titles, still deserve a mention.
Tenebris Somnia
The first mention goes to Tenebris Somnia, an independent survival horror that leans into a decidedly unique style. The gameplay features a retro aesthetic in 2D, inspired by 8 and 16-bit games and major classics such as Clock Tower, Resident Evil and Silent Hill.
What struck me most, however, is the alternation between playable sections and films entirely shot in live action. A fairly unusual choice, blending the classic style of old-school pixel-art horror with live-action sequences. In short, if you’re a fan of the genre and want to try something different from the usual, it could be a nice surprise.
Available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.
Silver Pines
Another honourable mention goes to Silver Pines, an independent survival horror with a Metroidvania structure and a 2.5D view.
The game draws inspiration from the dreamlike and unsettling atmospheres of David Lynch, particularly from Twin Peaks, without forgetting classics of horror such as Silent Hill. You will assume the role of the private investigator Red Walker, arriving in the town of Silver Pines to investigate the disappearance of a musician named Eddie Velvet.
What initially appears to be a simple investigation gradually becomes something decidedly more unsettling, with a community full of secrets and increasingly ambiguous situations. If you enjoy horror games where atmosphere and mystery play a fundamental role, I recommend you keep an eye on it.
Available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.
The 5 horror games not to miss
5. Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival
At fifth place we find Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, a title that fans of the famous cinematic saga will certainly recognise. It is a first-person action survival horror developed by Saber Interactive in collaboration with Clive Barker himself.
The interesting thing is precisely the possibility of entering directly into the Hellraiser universe, a saga known for its extremely dark atmospheres, disturbing creatures, and its decidedly unique way of telling horror. So don't expect a simple stroll among some monsters, because the world created by Barker is by no means reassuring.
If you love the most graphic horror games and especially the universe of the series, this could be one of the most interesting titles to pick up during Halloween.
Available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
4. Silent Hill: Townfall
Certainly, it couldn’t have been missing Silent Hill: Townfall, the new chapter of one of the most well-known horror franchises ever.
This time the series attempts to shift the deck, abandoning the traditional third-person perspective to offer a fully first-person experience. A choice that alters the way the adventure is lived and that could make encounters and exploration of the environments even more unsettling.
The project is being handled by the Scottish studio Screenburn, in collaboration with Annapurna Interactive. Personally, I believe it is precisely this new perspective that makes Townfall interesting, especially for those who want to experience a more immersive horror and return to breathing those unsettling atmospheres that have made the saga famous.
If you’re fans of psychological horror and Silent Hill, I’d say you’ve got another title to add to your list.
Available on PC and PlayStation 5.
3. The Sinking City 2
Do you remember the first chapter? Well, with The Sinking City 2 Frogwares has decided to change the formula considerably, focusing much more on the survival horror aspect.
While the first episode was primarily an open-world investigative adventure, this sequel leans more heavily into the traditional survival horror characteristics, featuring a third-person perspective, combat, and exploration. All of this is accompanied by a setting inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, filled with monstrous creatures and decidedly unsettling situations.
And it’s precisely this reason why I wanted to include it in the top. If you enjoyed the world of the first chapter but would have preferred an experience more focused on horror and survival, this sequel might be just for you. The idea of finding yourself in a Lovecraftian universe, where not everything can be understood or directly confronted, is certainly one of the most interesting aspects of the production.
So, a bit like a Resident Evil meeting Lovecraft’s cosmic horror.
Available on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
2. REANIMAL
We’re nearing the end of our selection, and second place is taken by REANIMAL. Do you remember the first two Little Nightmares? Well, behind this new project lies Tarsier Studios — the same team that gave us those unsettling adventures.
This time too, we find ourselves in a decidedly unwelcoming world, taking on the roles of two brothers who must undertake a perilous journey to reclaim their friends and escape from a nightmare-like location.
The gameplay alternates exploration, environmental puzzles and escape sequences, in which confronting the monsters directly is not always an option. We’ll therefore have to try to figure out how to proceed, make use of the surrounding environment, and above all avoid ending up in the hands of the creatures that populate this world.
One of the most interesting aspects is also the ability to play together, making REANIMAL a great choice for those who want to share some scares with a friend. If you’ve loved Little Nightmares and are looking for a similar experience, but with an even more unsettling atmosphere, I recommend giving it a try.
Available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.
1. Resident Evil Requiem
And first place could only be Resident Evil Requiem, the new chapter of the famous survival horror saga by Capcom.
This time we find two protagonists, Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy, who offer rather different approaches to the experience. On one side we have Grace, with sections more focused on tension, exploration, and survival. On the other, Leon returns with an approach decidedly more action-oriented.
And it’s precisely this alternation that makes the game interesting. You switch between moments where you must pay attention to every sound and manage resources carefully, to others where you can face enemies more directly. Two different ways of experiencing horror that add variety to the adventure.
Leon's return is certainly one of the most anticipated elements for fans, but Grace also manages to carve out an important role, offering a perspective different from what we're used to.
In short, Resident Evil Requiem is practically a must-have for anyone who loves the genre. With survival, action, unsettling environments, and creatures to face, it’s one of those games that simply can’t be missing from a 2026 horror selection.
Available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.
A night to shiver!
These were my suggestions for spending a Halloween night focused on horror. I hope you found at least one title worth trying and that you enjoyed a great evening… perhaps with a bit too much fright!
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