Looking for something scary to play this Halloween? PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members can access plenty of horror games through the Game Catalog, from infected-filled survival stories to slasher movies where every decision counts.
Here are seven games for Halloween, whether you're playing alone with the lights off or getting friends together. They're not ranked, and each has its own way of making you second-guess what's around the next corner.
Until Dawn
Imagine heading to a remote mountain lodge with friends, only to discover that someone, or something, is hunting you. That's what awaits the eight characters in Until Dawn, a horror adventure where your decisions determine who survives the night.
The 2024 remake brings the original PS4 game to PS5 with improved visuals, updated character models and additional story details. It's a great choice for anyone who enjoys slasher movies, especially when you get to decide what the characters do instead of watching them make terrible decisions.
- Your choices affect relationships, character survival and how the story unfolds. A decision that seems harmless can have consequences much later.
- The isolated mountain setting, dark forests and chase sequences make exploring Blackwood Mountain increasingly unsettling.
Platform: PS5
Read my review of Until Dawn (2024)
Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village continues Ethan Winters' story after the events of Resident Evil 7 biohazard. He's searching for his kidnapped daughter in a mysterious European village filled with dangerous creatures and some truly disturbing residents.
Resident Evil Village mixes traditional survival horror with more action-heavy encounters. You might be exploring a dark building, searching for supplies and trying to solve a puzzle one minute. The next, you're desperately fighting to stay alive.
- Exploring locations such as Castle Dimitrescu brings plenty of suspense, especially when you're unsure what's waiting in the next room.
- Combat requires you to manage ammunition, healing items and weapons when enemies threaten to overwhelm you.
Resident Evil Village is a good choice if you enjoy horror games where you can fight back but never have enough supplies to feel completely safe. It's also worth playing Resident Evil 7 first if you want the full background on Ethan's story.
Platforms: PS4, PS5
Outlast 2
Outlast 2 takes a very different approach to horror. Instead of giving you weapons and expecting you to fight your way through enemies, it puts you in situations where hiding and escaping are often your only options.
You play as Blake Langermann, a cameraman investigating a mysterious murder alongside his wife, Lynn. Their investigation takes them into a remote area of Arizona, where they encounter a violent religious cult and discover that something is terribly wrong.
- Your camcorder's night vision helps you navigate dark environments, but managing its limited battery supply adds another problem when you're trying to survive.
- Escaping dangerous encounters often means finding somewhere to hide or working out where to go before an enemy catches you.
There's something particularly frightening about knowing you can't simply pull out a weapon when things go wrong. Outlast 2 is for players who enjoy being hunted and can handle disturbing imagery and intense encounters.
Outlast 2 was developed by Montreal studio Red Barrels.
Platforms: PS4, PS5 (via backward compatibility)
The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us Part I takes place in a world devastated by a fungal infection that has transformed much of the population into dangerous creatures. You follow Joel and Ellie as they travel across the United States, trying to survive encounters with both infected enemies and hostile survivors.
What makes this game so memorable is how it combines an excellent story with survival gameplay. Even when you have weapons, ammunition can be scarce, and attracting the attention of several infected creatures at once can quickly turn into a disaster.
- Stealth plays an important part in surviving encounters. Sometimes sneaking past infected enemies is a much better option than attempting to fight them.
- The relationship between Joel and Ellie gives the journey a personal side, making the dangerous situations they encounter more meaningful.
The PS5 remake brings substantial visual improvements and updated gameplay, preserving the story that made the original so memorable. It also includes the Left Behind prequel chapter.
Platform: PS5
Read my review of The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us Part II Remastered
The Last of Us Part II Remastered takes place several years after the first game. Ellie is older, and a violent event sends her on a journey that becomes increasingly dangerous.
Part II introduces more demanding combat encounters and areas where enemies can approach from several directions. Stealth remains important, but you have more options for navigating environments and dealing with threats.
- Human enemies communicate and search for you, making encounters particularly unsettling when you're trying to remain hidden.
- The No Return mode offers a different challenge, with randomized combat encounters, unlockable characters and increasingly difficult situations.
No Return is particularly appealing for Halloween if you're looking for something you can jump into without committing to another full story playthrough. Each attempt presents different challenges, and surviving long enough to reach the next encounter isn't guaranteed.
I'd strongly recommend experiencing The Last of Us Part I before starting Part II. The characters and events of the first game provide important context for what happens next.
Platform: PS5
Days Gone
Days Gone puts you in the boots of Deacon St. John, a former outlaw biker trying to survive in Oregon after a global pandemic. The world is filled with Freakers, dangerous human groups and abandoned locations where finding supplies can mean the difference between surviving and becoming another victim.
Unlike the other single-player games on this list, Days Gone gives you a large open world to explore. Deacon's motorcycle is essential for travelling between locations, but keeping it fuelled and in working condition takes planning.
- Freaker hordes can contain enormous numbers of enemies. Taking one on requires preparation, ammunition and a good escape plan.
- Exploring abandoned towns and buildings provides valuable crafting materials, but you never know when you'll encounter infected enemies or hostile survivors.
Being low on fuel or ammunition in Freaker territory can turn an ordinary trip into a dangerous situation.
The original PS4 version of Days Gone is included with PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium. Days Gone Remastered for PS5 is a separate edition.
Platforms: PS4, PS5 (via backward compatibility)
Read my review of Days Gone Remastered
Dead by Daylight
Not everyone wants a lengthy single-player adventure on Halloween. Sometimes it's more fun to get a group of friends together and see who survives.
Dead by Daylight is an asymmetrical multiplayer horror game where four players take on the roles of survivors and a fifth controls a killer. The survivors must work together to repair generators and escape, and the killer attempts to capture and eliminate them.
It's a simple idea, but playing against another person means you can't always predict what will happen.
- Survivors need to balance repairing generators, helping teammates and staying out of the killer's sight. Working together can make a huge difference.
- Playing as the killer changes the experience completely, letting you hunt the survivors using different abilities and strategies.
Dead by Daylight also features characters from well-known horror franchises, although some additional characters and content require separate purchases.
For anyone planning a Halloween gaming night with friends, this is an easy recommendation. There's plenty of suspense when you're trying to finish a generator and suddenly realize the killer is heading straight toward you.
Platforms: PS4, PS5
Choosing Your Halloween Horror Game
Want to control a slasher movie? Start with Until Dawn. Resident Evil Village offers survival horror where you can fight back, and Outlast 2 is for anyone who'd rather hide than fight. For longer stories, try The Last of Us Part I and Part II Remastered. Days Gone offers a huge world full of Freakers, and Dead by Daylight lets you share the scares with friends.
All seven games are available through the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers. Catalog availability can change, so check the PlayStation Store before downloading. Have a great Halloween!
Jon Scarr
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