Best Horror Games for 2024: Halloween Nightmare Fuel

Halloween is right around the corner, and we all know what that means—it’s time to turn off the lights, put on your best noise-canceling headphones, and scare yourself stupid. If you’re hunting for some terrifying games that’ll make you question your life choices, I’ve got you covered.

Here’s a list of the best horror games to play this season, each guaranteed to give you nightmares. Whether you’re hunting ghosts, surviving a cursed morgue, or trying to outsmart a killer doll, there’s something here for every horror fiend.

Let’s get spooky!

Phasmophobia

Do you like feeling utterly useless while a ghost hunts you down? Then the OG ghost hunter, Phasmophobia, is your game. It’s all about identifying ghosts with your buddies—or alone, if you’re feeling especially brave or dumb. You use equipment like EMF readers, spirit boxes, and thermometers to figure out what kind of ghost is haunting the place.

But don’t get too comfy, because once it starts hunting, you’re basically just meat running around in the dark. The scariest part? The ghost can hear you. Yeah, say “its name” or mess with a cursed item and you can pop some popcorn while watching your friends get wrecked.

The game’s atmosphere is terrifying, with creepy sounds, flickering lights, and those split seconds where you realize the ghost is right behind you. If you’re just getting into horror games or just wanting to dip your toe into one for Halloween, this is a great place to start.

Phasmophobia on Steam

The Mortuary Assistant

This one is a total creep fest. You’re an intern at a funeral home (because of course you are), but your night shifts involve way more than embalming bodies. Think jump scares mixed with psychological horror, because the dead don’t stay dead here.

You’ll find yourself possessed, hallucinating, or even getting chased by demons as you try to uncover the dark secret lurking in the mortuary. The atmosphere is bleak, the sounds will mess with your head, and the tension ramps up as you realize you’re not alone with the corpses. If you’re looking for a slow-burn horror that keeps you paranoid, this is the one.

Mortuary Assistant on Steam

The Demonologist

If Phasmophobia got a demonic upgrade and a fresh coat of polish, you’d get Demonologist. It’s the ghost-hunting experience turned up to 11, with better visuals, scarier locations, and way more horrifying encounters.

You’re investigating haunted sites filled with creepy demonic entities. One second, you’re gathering clues, and the next, you’re screaming as a demon drags you into the abyss. The environments are gorgeous and horrifying, with plenty of jump scares and intense moments that’ll keep you on edge. In a recent update for the Demonologist they’ve also added a new map, the Funeral Home, perfect for a Halloween night in the dark.

The Demonologist on Steam

Doll Imposter

Killer dolls. Need I say more? In Doll Imposter, you’re investigating a map with a creepy, murderous doll that’s out to get you along with the other dolls. 

The worst part? They only move at night and you’ll have to figure out which is the correct doll before your time runs out. You’ll need to set traps and outsmart your foe while this terrifying little thing tries to tear you apart.

The game preys on that deep-rooted fear we all have of toys coming to life in the worst way possible. It’s unique because it leans into psychological horror with it’s grainy film style and even though there is no visible movement while you’re playing, the eerie atmosphere makes you feel like you’re always being watched.

Doll Imposter on Steam

Ghost Exile

Another paranormal investigation game, but this one goes for the jugular. Ghost Exile cranks up the difficulty by adding exorcisms into the mix. You’re not just identifying ghosts; you’re trying to send them back to wherever the hell they came from.

It combines ghost-hunting with high-stakes rituals, which is already tense as hell. The game doesn’t hold your hand, and messing up means a violent, horrifying death. Plus, the ghosts are way more aggressive here, so good luck staying alive. If you love Phasmophobia but want more complexity (and more ways to die), this one’s for you.

Ghost Exile on Steam

Forewarned

Mix Indiana Jones with Phasmophobia, and you get Forewarned. You and your team are exploring ancient Egyptian ruins, except these ruins are cursed. And guess what? The creepy, undead pharaohs aren’t too thrilled about your little treasure hunt for some reason.

What sets this game apart is its focus on exploring crypts and solving puzzles while avoiding supernatural threats. The game’s tension is all about what you don’t see—hearing something shuffling in the dark or catching a glimpse of a mummy creeping through the tombs is enough to send your heart racing. Plus, the atmosphere inside the claustrophobic tombs makes this one a perfect fit for Halloween horror marathons.

Forewarned on Steam

Get in the Halloween Spirit

Whether you’re into psychological horror, multiplayer madness, or ghost-hunting sims, there’s something in this lineup to give you that perfect Halloween scare. So, dim the lights, turn the volume up, and get ready to scream like a little kid. And hey, if you end up too scared to finish, don’t worry—I won’t judge (much).

Happy Halloween, gamers. Stay spooky and stay alive… if you can.