Looking For A Horror Game This Halloween? Don't Make The Obvious Choice

October's always the perfect time to dive into horror games, and it looks like horror fans will be spoiled for choice this year. From the already-divisive remake to the less thoroughly transformed return of , there are a lot of obvious options to leap for. Even the DLC is getting into the spirit, adding a touch of cosmic horror to a game that otherwise focuses more on the joy of exploration than the fear of the unknown.

Despite these opportunities at hand, there's a better way to celebrate the Halloween season than grabbing the newest blockbuster games. Major production values can sometimes heighten the fear factor, but the more interesting and immersive scares tend to be found in smaller titles that never over-play their hands. If a costume party or slasher film isn't set to occupy Halloween night, slotting in a creative indie horror game with a short runtime virtually guarantees a great time, and there are some fantastic options to choose from.

One look at shows just how different it is from any AAA horror experience on the market. A black-and-white style that crams the screen with text and pixelated drawings is as enticing as it is overwhelming, wearing the influence taken from horror manga artist Junji Ito on its sleeve. Learning the ropes can definitely be a challenge, especially considering the heavy influence of random chance, but success feels all the more rewarding for it.

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employs a roguelite structure that encourages repeated playthroughs, so seeing the majority of what the game has to show can take a while. A single successful run is only likely to last an hour or so, however, making it a good choice for quick entertainment. Either way, it's worth keeping in mind that the desire to venture once more into the breach could end up lasting deep into the night.

is just about as high-profile as short indie horror