5 Classic Horror Games to Check Out This Halloween
By Kyle Sutherland
Image: Halloween decorations on a gaming console (Kyle Sutherland)
Nothing beats a classic five-star movie, a critically acclaimed album or even grandma's Sunday roast. When it comes to gaming classics, there's always room for arguments and opinion but here are five indisputable classic horror games for you to revisit or play for the first time this Halloween.
5. Silent Hill (1999)
Image: Silent Hill Cover (Konami)
The first entry in the Silent Hill series is sure to get your hair standing up. From the visuals to the eerie soundtrack, it is widely regarded as one of the best horror games ever made. Certain aspects are sure to have you scratching your head, with unique combat mechanics and all sorts of terrifying creatures. For many, the real brain usage comes in the special and fun puzzle-solving school section. Beyond this, there are many memorable sections like the murderous nurses in the hospital and a glance at the subreddit for the series shows you the love for this game lasts even nowadays.
4. Outlast (2013)
Image: Outlast Title Cover (Red Barrels)
Another bone-chilling game is Outlast. Forcing you to walk around with no weapons, forever on edge of what lurks around the next corner, you follow freelance journalist Miles Upshur who finds himself investigating a mental asylum deep in the mountains of Colorado. Players often find that the psychological torment has you wandering around feeling hopeless and vulnerable. The entities and threats only make up a fraction of the fear, with the rest of it being the eerie vibe you get from the second you begin playing.
3. Slender: The Eight Pages (2012)
Image: Slender: The Eight Pages Title Image (Parsec Productions)
Taking the internet by storm, Slender was a short indie survival horror which was based on the pre-existing “Slenderman” creepypasta – a tall faceless man in a suit. It might not be highly rated critically but in the eyes of the online community, this very simple experience of collecting pages and running from Slenderman created a buzz which was impactful enough that it still gets talked about to this day. The game is still simple to access in many forms and makes for a good play for anyone who missed it originally.
2. Cry of Fear (2012)
Image: Cry of Fear Title Image (Team Psykskallar)
Another indie survival horror classic that can’t go amiss is Cry of Fear which sees you play as a disabled, lonely, depressed teenager who fights monsters as he gets closer to insanity. The game is simple but has an impactful story, with the character battling rejection and monsters signifying the strong emotions he feels. For an indie game, the developers truly hit the mark with the environment and soundtrack combination that is sure to make you want to hide in the corner of your room. The story is also undeniably riveting. The cherry on top is that it is still totally free to play, making it an ideal pick-up this spooky season.
1. Resident Evil (1996)
Image: Resident Evil Cover (Capcom)
Last but most certainly not least, the first instalment in the Resident Evil franchise. Developed by Capcom, this is another perfectly aged survival horror, with the entire series still going strong, including a remake. This classic is an absolute all-rounder with the soundtrack, environment and gameplay creating the perfect atmosphere for making you feel scared, uncertain and puzzled, all while getting enjoyment at the same time. For many people, despite being the oldest, this entry is always the fallback when fans are asked about their favourite from the franchise. There’s something so simplistic and yet thrilling about this humble start, especially knowing what it has become. This game is a standout to play this Halloween whether you’ve played any Resident Evil before or whether you’re just starting out.