Summary
- Halloween 2025 horror roundup blends psychological, survival, multiplayer, and puzzle-driven jump-scare thrills.
- Standout releases: Silent Hill f, Dying Light: The Beast, Alan Wake 2, Resident Evil Village.
- Co-op and indie hits to try: Phasmophobia for friends, Poppy Playtime for episodic puzzles and jump scares.
Every once in a while, it’s always nice to bring the hobby of gaming together with an upcoming holiday. Whether it be jumping into the Winterfest festivities for Christmas in Fortnite or celebrating the new year in Animal Crossing, gamers all around the world have a wide range of ways to enjoy a special occasion in their favorite video game.
However, with Halloween rapidly approaching, there is no better way to get into the spooky spirit than to boot up one of the scariest horror games available. While players are definitely spoiled for choice when it comes to the best horror games to play this Halloween, there are certainly some great ones. Here are the best horror games to play for Halloween 2025.
8 Horror Game Franchises That Have Massively Changed Over Time
From Silent Hill to Resident Evil, these horror game franchises went through massive changes and shifts to become what they are today.
Poppy Playtime
Chilling Episodic Puzzle Horror Game
Poppy Playtime
- Released
- October 12, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Puzzle, Indie Games, Action, Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Up first is Poppy Playtime, an episodic horror game that became a craze back in 2021. Players take on the role of an employee of Playtime Co., a toy manufacturing company. In the first chapter, they return to the abandoned Playtime Co. Factory after all the other employees have mysteriously vanished, only to discover that things are not quite as they seem.
Poppy Playtime is a chilling and excellent horror experience, featuring fun yet tense puzzles and some genuinely terrifying jump scares. Fans of Five Nights at Freddy’s will likely enjoy Poppy Playtime, as it carries a similar style that some might even argue helped inspire it in the first place. There are currently four chapters available, with the fifth still in development and without a confirmed release date.
Dying Light: The Beast
Terrifying Zombie-Filled Open World Survival Game
Dying Light: The Beast
- Released
- September 19, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Techland
- Franchise
- Dying Light
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
There is some debate about whether Dying Light truly qualifies as a horror game, as it leans more toward open-world survival than pure horror. However, with the series’ signature over-the-top gore, hordes of undead, and terrifying monsters that emerge during the night cycles, it delivers an adrenaline-pumping experience that feels like a perfect fit for Halloween 2025.
The latest entry in the series is Dying Light: The Beast, which serves as the third standalone release. This game puts players back in the role of Kyle Crane from the first title, only this time following a series of experiments conducted on him after the events of Dying Light: The Following. With refined parkour, increased difficulty, awesomely unique weapons, and the return of those nightmare-fueled night sequences, Dying Light: The Beast may very well be the most frightening game of the year so far.
Phasmophobia
The Best Horror Multiplayer Game for Halloween 2025
Phasmophobia
- Released
- October 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Kinetic Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Puzzle
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Looking to celebrate Halloween 2025 with a few friends? Then Phasmophobia is the game to play. First released back in 2020, it remains widely popular today and continues to receive fresh updates that keep players engaged. For those unfamiliar, Phasmophobia is a 4-player co-op horror game where players become paranormal investigators tasked with identifying ghosts and spirits in haunted locations.
Players can venture into a variety of haunted locations, using a range of equipment to gather evidence. Once their investigation is complete, they must determine the type of spirit haunting the area to succeed. With chilling jump scares, a strong focus on teamwork, and an eerie atmosphere throughout, Phasmophobia may be the best horror game to play with friends. On top of that, with the Halloween Blood Moon Cult event set for October and a Winter’s Jest event planned for the holiday season, there has never been a better time to dive in.
Silent Hill f
Creepy Psychological Horror Set in Japan
Silent Hill f
- Released
- September 25, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Neobards Entertainment
- Franchise
- Silent Hill
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Action
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Next up is Silent Hill f, Silent Hill's next installment, which has arrived in time for Halloween 2025, just over a month prior. This eerie horror game takes a big departure from many of the other Silent Hill games, whisking players to 1960s Japan. Players take the role of Hinako, following the appearance of a strange fog in her hometown. As fans of the series may have already figured out, where there's fog, monsters soon follow.
With Silent Hill f comes a terrifying play session filled with disturbing monster designs, psychological thrills, difficult puzzles, and satisfying melee combat that will prove a challenge for those unprepared for the game's nightmarish enemies. For those looking for a new game to rack up the fear factor for Halloween 2025, Silent Hill f should definitely be on the to-play list.
Little Nightmares 3
Creepy Platform Puzzle Solving Adventure With Co-Op Play
Little Nightmares III
- Released
- October 10, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Supermassive Games
- Franchise
- Little Nightmares
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Platformer, Horror
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
From brutally creepy to downright uncanny, we now have Little Nightmares 3, the third installment in the series that launched back in 2017. Little Nightmares 3 comes from the creative minds at Supermassive Games, who are actually the sole developers of the project following Tarsier Studios' departure from the series. Luckily, the game is slated to arrive just in time for Halloween 2025, with its release date set for October 10.
Little Nightmares 3 follows suit with the previous two games, taking players through a platforming, puzzle-solving adventure where all kinds of horrors await. Players assume the roles of Low and Alone in their journey to escape the world of Nowhere. With a demo already available, along with co-op play, Little Nightmares 3 is absolutely a game that players should keep on their radar for this Halloween.
Alan Wake 2
Eerie Suspenseful Thriller
Alan Wake 2
- Released
- October 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
- Franchise
- Alan Wake
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Alan Wake 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to a horror game that fans have loved ever since its original debut back in 2010, and it absolutely delivers as an excellent horror game for fans to pick up again this upcoming Halloween. Alan Wake 2 has players assuming the role of a horror fiction writer trapped in his own story, desperately trying to escape, along with FBI Agent Saga Anderson, who is investigating a string of murders that claimed the life of former FBI Agent Robert Nightingale.
Alan Wake 2 brings back the hauntingly chilling small-town US occult/paranormal aesthetic, partnered with terrifying enemies, trippy puzzles, and combat that remains both satisfying and challenging. With a rich story and plenty of scares to uncover, Alan Wake 2 should definitely be a horror game players pick up this spooky season, even if they have not played the first game.
Five Nights at Freddy's: Secret of the Mimic
Terrifying Horror Game From the World of FNAF
Five Nights at Freddy's: Secret of the Mimic
- Released
- June 13, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Steel Wool Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Steel Wool Studios
- Franchise
- Five Nights at Freddy's
- Genre(s)
- Horror
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2, PC
Halloween wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Five Nights at Freddy’s, easily one of the most iconic horror series out there. While there are plenty of great entries to revisit, from Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location to the original game that started it all, this Halloween 2025 is the perfect time to try Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic.
Secret of the Mimic takes a big departure from the classic formula. Instead of the single-room setup of surviving five nights at Freddy Fazbear’s, this entry features a linear story where players step into the shoes of a technician investigating the disappearance of their contractor inside an abandoned factory. Expect run-ins with terrifying animatronics, including the infamous Mimic. With a deeper narrative, puzzles to solve, multiple endings, and plenty of spooky scares, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic is an excellent choice for Halloween.
Resident Evil Village
Eerie Horror with Terrifying Foes to Face
Resident Evil Village
- Released
- May 7, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Franchise
- Resident Evil
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR2, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Finalizing this list is an entry from Resident Evil. While players diving into the franchise are definitely spoiled for choice when it comes to seriously good horror games, from entries like Resident Evil 2 to Resident Evil Biohazard, those who have not already given Resident Evil Village a go will not be disappointed, especially if they pick it up in time for this year's Halloween festivities.
Resident Evil Village may not be the most terrifying of the series’ long line of installments, but it’s definitely up there. Players take on the role of Ethan Winters following the events of Biohazard, heading to a mysterious village in search of his kidnapped daughter. With creepy locations, terrifying creatures, iconic characters, and a stunning environment, those looking to take their terrors head-on with a shotgun will definitely love Resident Evil Village.