Spooky games are infinitely more entertaining with a few friends who are willing to take the ride with you. Whether you’re trying to get a good scare out of your buddies or simply looking for some late-night frightful fun, these are our game choices.
Phasmophobia
If you frequently switch to ghost-hunting shows on slow, cozy nights, Phasmophobia is the game to pick up. This title requires you and a few friends to become paranormal investigators, sleuthing out what kind of ghost is haunting the chosen map with a set of purchasable equipment. You’ll experience plenty of jump scares in this immersive experience.
While the graphics could use some updating and there are some bugs to kink out, overall this indie title offers a chilling psychological thrill experience to your game nights. The game is currently in early access with plans to fully release in late 2022 or early 2023.
Left 4 Dead 2
This 2009 title still holds up today; in fact, it’s aged like fine wine. Set in a zombie apocalypse, you and three friends take to the city streets to fight against frantic hordes of the undead. With virtually unlimited levels and weapon options galore, you’re bound to have a good time.
In the end, it’s not about killing spooky zombies, it’s about saving your idiot friends after they convinced themselves the crying witch zombie just needs a hug. Even years after my first play-through, I still end up crawling back.
Dead by Daylight
Are you a classic horror fan? Have you spent many chilling hours watching masterworks like Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween? Dead by Daylight is an online asymmetrical horror game where one killer hunts down four survivors attempting to escape. The game has secured licenses to killers like Michael, Freddy and recently Sadako from Ring.
This game is challenging and may take some grinding, but after you hit the learning curve, this may become your nightly spooky ritual with your horror-fanatic friends.
Prop Night
Prop Night is developer’s FNTASTIC response to Dead by Daylight. Set in a similar 4-1 killer versus survivor situation, this game attracts the same group of gamers but with a twist; this horror survival game requires players to hide as objects around the map in an attempt to escape the killer.
So if you have an affinity to become a giant plush bunny to get away from a demon nun, consider grabbing this game on Steam.
Valheim
While not a “horror” game by most standards, this game deserves a spot on this list because of its many spooky elements. Valheim is an online exploration game where the player becomes a Viking in a generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Similar to Minecraft, you’ll be building and killing mobs as you discover new regions.
The first time you find yourself in the Black Forest, you’ll see why we named it on this list. Giant towering trolls and spooky skeletons roam this world, and you’ll find yourself needing to put a brave face on to face it all.
A journalism graduate from the University of North Texas, Allyson loves writing about games almost as much as she loves playing them.
