You should already be aware that we’re well into October and Halloween is coming up fast. Whether that’s a big deal for you or not is your business. But if it is then you’ve come to the right place, especially if you already own a PlayStation console and love cowering under a blanket as you clutch a controller and try to remain calm.
We’ve already covered spooky games to play from Nintendo and Xbox and the scary things to stream on Netflix, Showmax, Prime Video, and Disney+. The only platform left is PlayStation… you can see where this is going.
Until Dawn (PS4)
Until Dawn‘s remastered version launched recently but that’s not the one we’d recommend. Sure, it’s been “rebuilt from the ground up for PS5 consoles and PC” so it looks much better in Unreal Engine 5 compared to the original that launched in 2015. But that comes at the cost of frame rate. The PS5 version doesn’t have a performance mode so you’re locked to 30fps. Those 30 frames-per-second run smoother than they did at launch thanks to a recent patch but playing the original game on a PS5 runs closer to 60fps. It’s also nearly R1,000 cheaper than the remake so it depends on what you prefer.
The gameplay hasn’t really changed though, you’re still tasked with babysitting eight people and trying to keep them alive through quick-time events for as long as possible. Also, Rami Malek.
Outlast
Outlast is the closest you can get to the meaning of ‘survival horror’. You play as independent journalist Miles Upshur. For some reason, Mr Upshur didn’t think it prudent to take something to defend himself when he broke into an abandoned mental asylum. That kinda narrows your survival methods down to hiding or running away, both of which you will be doing often. You get elements of supernatural, monster, and body horror, with a bit of religious extremism thrown in. If you’re a fan of horror games and haven’t played Outlast you should fix that as soon as possible.
Dying Light – Enhanced Edition
Dying Light is what you get when you mix all the good bits of Mirror’s Edge with most of the good bits and some of the jank of Dead Island. There’s a sprawling open world to explore as undercover agent Kyle Crane and what better way to do that than by running around and doing cool parkour tricks as you dish out dismemberment to any zombies you come across? Don’t forget to look for loot so you can craft weapon upgrades, like a fire axe that sets zombies on fire.
Sure, there’s a sequel on offer as well as a slightly fuller Definitive Edition but we reckon the Enhanced Edition provides enough extra bits without causing financial ruin.
Alan Wake 2
As one of the newest titles on this list, Alan Wake 2 boasts some of the best visuals we’ve seen with the promise of them improving thanks to the ‘PS5 Pro Enhanced’ tag. Other than the stellar graphics, there’s a 100% increase in the number of protagonists over the first game.
You now play as Saga Anderson, a gifted FBI agent called to the small Pacific Northwest town of Bright Falls to investigate a series of ritualistic murders, and the titular Alan Wake, a writer who has spent years trapped in the Dark Place, a terrifying alternate reality that can be reshaped by his words. You’ll use the power of light to save the small town and everyone inside from encroaching darkness. Or you’ll try to, at least.
Dead Space
Few horror games have managed to pull off jump-scares as well as Dead Space. Step into the space boots of engineer Isaac Clarke as you arrive to repair the USG Ishimura only to find it largely abandoned. What was that noise in the vents? It can’t be the reanimated body of one of the crew members, right?
Well, let’s just say you’ll never look at another air vent the same after playing through this sci-fi survival horror, now remade to look and play better than the original without taking away from what made it great back in 2008.
Little Nightmares Complete Edition
Little Nightmares plays more on its spooky vibes and evocation of childhood fears than grotesque horror. Become ‘Six’ as you navigate and attempt to escape this dark, whimsical puzzle-platform horror adventure on The Maw, a metal vessel teeming with corrupted souls, or horrid distorted versions of adults as seen from the eyes of a child.
The Complete Edition also includes another escape story where you play as the ‘Runaway Kid’, another prisoner looking for a way out. On his journey, The Kid will explore hidden parts of The Maw offering a different perspective on Six’s adventures. At seven years old, Little Nightmares isn’t going to blow you away with its ageing visuals but its art style more than makes up for it.
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2 is another recent title (it came out this month, in fact) and another remake of the classic psychological horror game that everyone should get to play at least once. You play as James Sunderland as you venture into the mostly deserted town of Silent Hill motivated by a mysterious letter from your late wife. Like the original from 2001, the remake will pit you against twisted monsters and your own inner turmoil. Also, Pyramid Head returns, now rendered with cutting-edge graphics and ray tracing. How delightful.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!
It doesn’t look that scary. How bad could it be?
Phasmophobia
If you’ve ever watched The Conjuring and thought ‘That doesn’t look too bad, I could do that job’, then Phasmophobia should be right up your alley. You and up to three friends are paranormal investigators tasked with gathering information on haunted locations. You’ll have various ghost-hunting equipment at your disposal that you can use to help identify the type of ghost or spirit you’re facing while trying to avoid becoming its next victim. You get bonus points if you’re able to complete a mission in PlayStation VR without having to change your pants. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
While this one isn’t yet available for purchase on PlayStation, you won’t have to wait much longer. It launches on 29 October.