Spooky season is on the rise, even as October comes to an end. With the tricks and treats settling down, nothing seems better than curling up and relaxing with a good video game marathon! However, with so many options ahead, how does one choose which to play? I’ve compiled a list of what I think to be the best indie horror games to try at this fightful time, and I’ve delved into them myself–figuratively, not literally. Let’s travel the scary train of jumpscare games, and see what we have in store for us tonight!
Spooky’s Jumpscare Mansion: Endure 1,000 levels of adorable terror as Spooky the ghost has you move through her mansion of jump scares—some creepy, some disturbing, and some frighteningly adorable. Please floor 654, either give me a cute jumpscare or give me my tuft of hair back, I do NOT want nightmares tonight.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Survive the night till 6:00 am while battling haunted animatronics, ones filled with revenge and a thirst for blood, ready to kill the night guard, in this case you, with one fatal spring lock. Okay, just survive the night and I should be fine! Wait..WHO IS THAT PURPLE GUY IN THE HALLS?
Bendy and the Ink Machine: Explore the confines of the abandoned Joey Drew’s Studio, finding what sinister and deep secrets are within the depths of these walls, and just what Joey has done with your fellow co-workers. This seems easy enough, just start the machine and get out of here!… Is there something behind me?
Little Misfortune: Follow Morgo, a representation of death, as he leads you through the wonders of the world to find “eternal happiness” for your mother, as you and Misfortune wander the world alone alongside your fox pal Benjamin. I feel the magic throughout this game, no literally how is there a walking fox using magic here!? Like seriously, I get following the voice in your head, I kinda get eating sparkles and being fine, BUT A FOX USING MAGIC?
Sally Face: solve the mysteries of the dead alongside your friends as you piece together the sinister history of Addison Apartments and the troubles you may face ahead. Honestly, this mask is so not my style, but I guess it’s kinda cute, hides the blood very well, I MEAN-
Omori: Battle mental illness and grief within oneself both physically and mentally, as you and your friends learn to cope and grieve with the loss of your sister, with only you knowing the truth of her death. Hey, where did all the color go, all I see is 1920’s movie aesthetic! Help, I’m seeing flappers, a rise in jazz music, and a Ford T driving by! Get me out of here, I wanna go back to 2023, kinda, sorta!
My Friendly Neighborhood: Puppets on a television set gone rogue, as they go after the intruder that broke into their home stage set, learning just how much the human world morally corrupts these once friendly and innocent puppets. Yknow, would they be happy or get mad if I started singing the Elmo’s world theme song? Only one way to find out!
Happy’s Humble Burger Farm: Take on the role of a fast food worker and work diligently to maintain a good work schedule and a work environment, just don’t mess up too bad, because Heffy is always ready to consume those who fail her business alive. So basically every high school students’ first job, just add in a horrific and unfair cow as your boss! Wait… No, nevermind that still sounds like every high school students’ first job.
Little Nightmares 1 and 2: Survive this twisted world of mutants and radio signals as a young girl named Six, and eventually meet your friend Mono, as you travel the world together. Y’know this isn’t so–ELLIE-ZO? WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY JOURNALISM ARTICLE?
Fran Bow: Take control of a psych ward patient after witnessing her horrific trauma, and use your gory illusions and near experiences with death to solve the mystery of your parents deaths, and just how these illusions may not be just illusions. This world doesn’t seem so bad, as long as I don’t take the red pill! So hand over the blue pill instead.
