Why do we do it to ourselves? Why do us gamers lap up the scares and embrace the horror over and over again? Is it for the sheer thrill? The chance to scream? The opportunity to just scare ourselves silly? Whatever the reason, you can be sure that we love horror games – especially those that are suitable for play during the Halloween period.
But what are the best horror games to have released on Xbox during 2024? What are the games you should be playing this Halloween? We’ve brought together 11 of the finest (some of which are on Game Pass), so close the curtains, turn off the lights and prepare yourself for what is to come. Yep, it’s spooky season…
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game
The circus is coming to town… but this isn’t your average Big Top. Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game brings the cult classic 80s horror film to life in a terrifying asymmetrical multiplayer experience.
Prepare to be hunted by a team of Killer Klowns, wielding outlandish weapons and supernatural abilities. Their mission? To harvest the unsuspecting citizens of Crescent Cove. As the humans, you’ll need to use your wits and teamwork to survive the night. Basically, this means exploring the sprawling town, scavenging for weapons, and evading the Klowns’ clutches. But beware, these aren’t your friendly neighbourhood clowns. They’re here to turn you into cotton candy.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game offers a unique twist on the hide-and-seek horror genre. With its dynamic objectives, customisable characters, and a healthy dose of dark humour, it’s a thrilling and terrifying experience that will have you screaming and laughing in equal measure.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy
Whilst we wait for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, our best bet is to look down the sights of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy. And that’s not just because it’ll set us up nicely for one of the biggest games of the last few years, but because this is a trilogy full of scares.
Bringing together Shadow of Chornobyl, Clear Sky and Call of Pripyiat, will you dare to venture into the eerie desolation of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone with the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy?
Do so and you’ll experience the iconic open-world survival horror that defined a generation of PC gamers, starting with Shadow of Chornobyl, the game that started it all. Journey through radioactive wastelands, encountering mutated creatures and anomalies lurking in the shadows. Unravel the mysteries of the Zone, a place where reality itself is warped and danger lurks around every corner.
Experience the prequel in Clear Sky, navigating a war between factions vying for control of the Zone. Finally, answer the Call of Pripyat and embark on the ultimate S.T.A.L.K.E.R. adventure.
Each game offers a unique story with branching paths and multiple endings, shaped by your choices. Scavenge for resources, engage in intense firefights, and confront the psychological horrors that lie within the Zone’s sinister catacombs. It’s this which you should use to immerse yourself in the atmospheric and chilling world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., where survival is paramount and the line between sanity and madness is blurred. Very blurred.
Pinball M
How can pinball be scary? Well, spend some time with Zen Studios’ Pinball M and you’ll quickly understand where it got that ‘M’ rating.
You’ll want to ditch the trick-or-treating and tilt into terror with Pinball M, the horror-themed pinball platform guaranteed to give you chills and thrills! From Zen Studios, masters of the digital pinball, it’s a game unlike any others, allowing you to unleash the horror of a sinister collection of tables inspired by iconic franchises.
Face Chucky’s Killer Pinball, where the menacing doll lurks in the shadows, ready to strike. Brave the arctic chill in The Thing Pinball, battling a shape-shifting alien in a fight for survival. Or, enter the realm of Dead by Daylight Pinball, where you’ll play as both hunter and hunted in a pulse-pounding game of cat and mouse.
With stunning visuals, addictive gameplay, and a spine-chilling atmosphere, Pinball M is the perfect way to celebrate the spooky season. So, press start and flip for your life! This is one pinball experience that will haunt your dreams…
And if you like the base game, make sure you check out some of the DLC. We’re particularly fond of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Pinball table.
Still Wakes The Deep
Brace yourself for a chilling descent into the depths of fear with Still Wakes The Deep, a first-person horror masterpiece from The Chinese Room. Awarded a 4.5/5 in our review, this game plunges you into the heart of a raging storm on a remote oil rig in the unforgiving North Sea.
As an oil rig worker cut off from the world, you must fight for survival against a terrifying, relentless entity that has infiltrated the rig. With all communication severed and escape routes gone, you’re left to confront the unimaginable horrors lurking within the claustrophobic confines of the rig.
Still Wakes The Deep masterfully crafts an immersive and terrifying experience. Explore the meticulously detailed environment of a 1970s oil rig, brought to life with stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack by Jason Graves. But be warned, this is no action-packed thrill ride. You have no weapons, no powers; only your wits and determination will help you survive.
Evade the creature, navigate treacherous corridors, and pray you live to see another day. It’s time to immerse yourself in a symphony of fear, where the crashing waves and howling winds are just a prelude to the true horror that awaits within, taking in what The Chinese Room do best.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Prepare to be captivated and terrified by Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, the sequel to the award-winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. This masterpiece, earning a resounding 5/5 in our review, takes you on a harrowing journey through the mythical landscapes of Viking Iceland.
Rejoin Senua, a warrior battling inner demons and a brutal reality, as she embarks on a quest to save those enslaved by tyrannical forces. Hellblade II delves deeper into Senua’s story, immersing you in a world of psychological horror and Norse mythology.
Experience a cinematic masterpiece with breathtaking visuals and a soundscape that will transport you to another realm. Prepare for intense combat encounters and emotional challenges as Senua confronts the darkness within and the forces that threaten to consume her.
Hellblade II is not just a game, it’s an experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. There should be absolutely no reason to not confront the myths and monsters of Viking Iceland alongside Senua, and witness a truly unforgettable journey into the depths of human resilience and the power of the human spirit.
Crow Country
Crow Country draws you into a desolate world of eerie nostalgia and chilling mystery. Set in the abandoned Crow Country theme park in 1990, you play as Mara Forest, searching for answers to the disappearance of the park’s owner, Edward Crow.
The atmosphere is thick with dread, reminiscent of classic PlayStation 1 survival horror games, as a deserted theme park becomes a haunting backdrop for a sinister story. The pre-rendered graphics, reminiscent of the late 90s, create a sense of unease, and the ability to shift the camera to reveal a 3D environment adds a layer of depth and surprise.
The scares come from the constant tension of limited resources and the lurking creatures that stalk the park’s grounds. You’ll need to conserve ammo and make every shot count as you face these terrifying beings – you know, like you did back in the day with Resident Evil.
The fear of the unknown is amplified by the eerie silence that pervades the park, punctuated only by the sounds of your own footsteps and the distant cries of crows.
Crow Country is more than just jump scares and monster encounters. The puzzles and riddles woven throughout the park challenge your intellect and add to the sense of unease. As you explore and unlock new areas, you’ll uncover a disturbing narrative of ambition, greed, and dark secrets.
Can you piece together the truth behind Edward Crow’s disappearance and confront the darkness within Crow Country?
The Casting of Frank Stone
Step into the world of The Casting of Frank Stone, where the acclaimed storytelling of Supermassive Games collides with the terrifying universe of Dead by Daylight. Previously awarded a 3.5/5 in our review, this haunting horror experience will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Explore the eerie town of Cedar Hills, forever scarred by the gruesome legacy of killer Frank Stone. As a group of friends delve into the town’s dark secrets, they uncover a cosmic mystery lurking within an abandoned steel mill. But beware, every decision you make shapes their fate, leading to heart-wrenching dilemmas and shocking consequences.
The Casting of Frank Stone delivers a truly immersive nightmare, blending emotional intensity with the chilling atmosphere of Dead by Daylight. Prepare for spine-tingling twists and grotesque encounters as you explore a world beyond the fog, where the line between reality and horror blurs. This Halloween, dare to confront the shadow of Frank Stone and uncover the truth behind the terrifying past.
Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3
We could have picked Poppy Playtime: Chapter 1, or the higher quality Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2. But in the end we have plumped for the scariest of the bunch – Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3 is one of those must-play games for any fan of horror.
Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3 plunges you into the depths of Playcare, a derelict orphanage hidden beneath the abandoned Playtime Co. toy factory. Prepare for the franchise’s most terrifying chapter yet, where blood-stained sheets and echoing screams set the stage for encounters with new and terrifying creatures.
It’s the vast, eerie expanse of Playcare that awaits, as you arm yourself with an upgraded GrabPack and new hands to navigate the challenges. A gas mask becomes essential as you venture through choking red smoke, seeking answers to the factory’s dark secrets. But beware, the toys lurking in the shadows are far from child’s play.
This Halloween, dare to enter Playcare… if you think you can survive its horrors.
Amanda the Adventurer
Amanda the Adventurer lures you in with the nostalgic charm of a children’s cartoon, then twists it into a terrifying experience – one ripe for Halloween.
You play as Riley, who discovers a collection of eerie VHS tapes featuring Amanda and her sheep companion, Wooly.
The scares stem from the unsettling feeling that something is deeply wrong with this seemingly innocent show. Amanda and Wooly interact with you through the TV, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. But you should know – their cheerful facade hides a sinister intent, and Amanda’s increasingly demanding and threatening behaviour will make you dread watching the next tape.
Amanda the Adventurer masterfully uses classic 90s-style CGI to create an unsettling atmosphere. The dated visuals and cheerful music clash with the disturbing content of the tapes, creating a deeply unsettling experience, so much so that you’ll find yourself jumping at shadows and questioning your own sanity, all as you try to unravel the mystery behind Amanda and her tapes.
Escape room-style puzzles add another layer of tension, forcing you to pay close attention to the disturbing details hidden within each episode. As you delve deeper into the mystery, the horror intensifies, leaving a lingering sense of unease long after you’ve turned off the game.
Lunacy Saint Rhodes
Delve into the chilling mysteries of Lunacy: Saint Rhodes. This first-person survival horror game thrusts you into a haunting investigation of your family’s gruesome murder within the eerie town of Saint Rhodes.
Explore the unsettling history of your ancestral home and the town itself, all while battling the terrifying creatures that stalk you. Unravel the secrets of your family’s dark past, but be warned – the deeper you delve, the further you descend into madness.
Lunacy: Saint Rhodes offers a truly terrifying experience with its richly detailed world and disturbing atmosphere. Face petrifying enemies, each requiring a unique strategy to overcome. Can you survive the horrors of Saint Rhodes and uncover the truth, or will you succumb to the lunacy that pervades the town?
Two possible endings await…
Five Nights at Freddys: Into the Pit
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit throws you into a chilling pixelated nightmare where the familiar horrors of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria take on a new dimension.
We’re used to that thanks to a number of previous FNaF games, but This time, the terror lurks within a seemingly innocent ball pit, transporting you to a twisted version of the past.
The visuals create a retro, almost nostalgic atmosphere, but don’t let that fool you. The pixelated graphics amplify the horror, with haunting environments and unsettlingly animated animatronics that will leave you feeling deeply disturbed.
But it’s the scares that this one excels in, coming from the constant threat of pursuit. You must navigate through time periods, gathering clues while evading the relentless animatronic threats that stalk you. The feeling of being hunted is palpable, and the jumpscares are expertly designed to make you jump out of your skin.
Into the Pit offers more than just jump scares. There’s a narrative that adds a layer of psychological horror, delving into the dark secrets of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria and the tragic fates of those connected to it. You’ll find yourself questioning the reality around you as you struggle to survive and save others from a grim fate.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit is a terrifying experience that will stay with you long after you’ve escaped the pizzeria’s clutches.
So there we have it – 11 scary games that have released on Xbox in 2024; 11 scary games that you should be playing this Halloween season.
But will you? Let us know in the comments below. And if we missed out your favourite, let us know about it.