5 Best Psychological Horror Games for Halloween

Psychological Horror games, as their name would imply, have an impeccable ability to tap into players' psychological fears. This aspect of the genre, perhaps more than any other, is vital to making these experiences memorable. Rather than having players moving from one moment-to-moment scare, these games take their time. These games Slowly toy with the player until the players question what is unfolding. These are just some reasons why the Psychological Horror genre is so prevalent in gaming. Here are the 5 Best Psychological Horror Games for Halloween.

5. Escape the Backrooms

We are starting off today's list of the best Psychological Horror games for Halloween with a great title. Escape the Backrooms is a cooperative multiplayer game that features a simple core premise: escaping. Naturally, this is much easier said than done within this title, and players must be on their toes if they wish to make it out of these sticky situations alive. That said, where is the fun of being hunted without a hunter? In this game, players will be hounded by an assortment of entities, each with their own methods of making the player and their group tense.

The minimalistic art style of the game dramatically improves its overall atmosphere as well. The similar-looking environments begin to play mental tricks on the player, making the experience all the more unnerving. There is an excellent amount of variety within the entities as well, with twelve in total for players to cower away from. The game also makes excellent use of proximity voice chat to make the game feel even more immersive. All around, if you are looking for one of the best Psychological Horror games to play for Halloween, check this one out.

4. Omori

We are staying somewhat in the same vein for our next entry. Here, we have Omori. Despite its initially charming art style, Omori is quite disturbing as it slowly unravels around the player. Behind its pixelated visage lies a game whose messaging is profound and disturbing. This makes it a title that significantly fits into the genre of Psychological Horror, as it slowly toys with the player's mind throughout their playtime and makes them question the events around them while in the game. The game also features many dream-like sequences within it, only adding to the sense of surrealism.

There is also an acute emphasis on player choice within Omori, which ultimately makes the game's events hit that much harder. Knowing that it is the player's actions and choices that got them to their conclusion makes this title fantastic. So, while it may not have the name recognition of some of the other titles on this list due to its dark subject matter and psychological nature. We consider Omori to be one of the best Psychological Horror games to play for Halloween.

3. Signalis

We are switching things up quite a bit for our next entry. Here, we have Signalis. For players looking for a visually unique experience, this title certainly fits the bill. Signalis is a game that features heavy undertones and a striking sci-fi visual style. In addition to this, the game can be rather existential with its core questions and philosophies. The dystopian society in which players are placed not only adds to the game's overall sense of unease. But manages to do so in a way that heightens the gameplay in many ways.

For fans of more classicly-inspired survival horror titles, this game has you covered, all the while asking rather deep psychological questions. This, coupled with the unique visual style of the game, makes it stand out, even among other horror titles. This is wonderful, as it gives Signalis its own sense of identity, making it really manage to stand out. For fans of cinematic gameplay, this game also features that as well. All around, Signalis is one of the best Psychological Horror games you can play this Halloween.

2. Fran Bow

We are shifting things considerably for our next entry. Here, we have Fran Bow. One of the most visually interesting and unique Psychological Horror games to be released in some time, Fran Bow is simply stellar. In terms of narrative intrigue, this title is also an absolute gem. Players begin the game as the titular Fran Bow, a girl who has just recently witnessed the murder of her parents. What soon transpires, however, is a reality-warping journey that will manage to stick with players far after you complete the game.

The hand-drawn art in the game has a distinct style and manages to feed into the overall creepy and eerie feeling throughout. This visual style makes each and every moment feel very dream-like and soon will have players questioning the reliability of the game's narrator and main character. The core of the gameplay within Fran Bow involved puzzle mechanics, which is excellent for puzzle-loving players out there. In short, if you are looking for one of the most well-polished and best Psychological Horror games on the market, definitely check out Fran Bow.

1. The Outlast Trials

We are wrapping up today's list of the best Psychological Horror games for Halloween with The Outlast Trials. For players looking for a creepy cooperative experience, this title is no doubt up your alley. The game does a fantastic job of not only setting a grim tone. But also does so in a unique way that makes it feel immersive. The Outlast franchise is known for its ability to frighten players, but The Outlast Trials takes this formula and ratchets up the tension significantly. In addition to this, the inclusion of cooperative play means you can bring more friends along with you.

The game features a wealthy amount of content despite being in Early Access as well. This makes The Outlast Trials a worthwhile investment for any Psychological Horror fans out there. For players who wish to play solo, the game also allows for this as well, with a number of challenges to complete along the way. The cowering nature of Outlast‘s core gameplay loop returns in full force here, with players having to avoid battle at all costs. In conclusion, The Outlast Trials is one of the best Psychological Horror games you can play this Halloween.

So, what's your take on our picks for the 5 Best Psychological Horror Games for Halloween? What are some of your favorite mind-warping Psychological Horror Games? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.