‘Tis the season to be..spooky? Well, Halloween is nearly here, and what better reason to try out some horror or spooky games you might not have heard of? Today, I’ve put together a list of some great horror and spooky-themed games across iOS, Switch, and Steam Deck. Some of the games are available on multiple systems as well, but I’ve split this up per platform. The games are featured in no particular order. The games featured here are a mix of new games, older ones, ports, and more. I’ve also selected some multi-platform games for platforms I enjoyed them on, but will mention when a specific game is available on more than just iOS, Switch, or Steam. Hopefully this helps you find something interesting to play during the spooky season.
Best iOS Games to Play on Halloween in 2023
- Year Walk – Simogo’s adventure game remains an iOS classic, and I still think about it all these years later. So every Simogo game is absolutely worth playing, but the trio of Device 6, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and Year Walk is unbeatable. Year. Walk is also on Steam and Nintendo Wii U, but not on Switch. If you own an iOS device, this is one of the best games, and Simogo even updated it for modern screens a few years ago.
- Oxenfree II: Lost Signals – Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is a superb adventure game for newcomers and fans of the first Oxenfree game. This one is a Netflix funded release and only available for Netflix subscribers on iOS and Android, but it is also available on Steam and Switch if you’re after owning it without any subscription. Night School and Netflix exceeded my expectations with this release, and it is the best original addition to Netflix of 2023.
- Limbo – Limbo is another classic indie puzzler that is perfect for the halloween season. It is likely the game from this list you’ve heard of and even played, but there’s never a bad time to remind you to check it out if you haven’t gotten around to it yet. I wasn’t sure whether I should include Corpse Party or Limbo in this slot, but the former doesn’t really look great on modern devices, while Limbo is timeless and amazing on iOS. Limbo is also available on Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.
- Paranormasight – I first played Paranormasight on Switch and eventually got it on PC. Paranormasight from Square Enix is one of the publisher’s best games in many years, and a brilliant horror mystery game set in Tokyo from the Showa era. It has memorable characters, superb moments, multiple endings, and more with an excellent soundtrack. Paranormasight is also one of my favorite games of the year overall. In addition to mobile, Paranormasight is also available on Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck.
- Alien: Isolation – Feral Interactive’s Alien: Isolation mobile conversion is easily my favorite version of the game. After they ported it to Switch with a version that was better than PS4 and Xbox One, the mobile version of this survival horror masterpiece is almost too good to be true. It remains one of the best mobile ports of all time, and you should grab it if you have even the smallest interest in the Alien franchise. Alien: Isolation is also on Switch (through Feral Interactive) and Steam Deck through SEGA.
Best Switch Games to Play on Halloween in 2023
- Luigi’s Mansion 3 – Luigi’s Mansion 3 is not only a great Nintendo game to play around Halloween, but it happens to be one of the publisher’s best looking games ever. Luigi’s Mansion 3, built for Switch from the start, is gorgeous and a lot of fun. I never got around to the DLC so I can’t comment on that, but the base game with updates is polished and amazing. It is absolutely worth your time.
- Yomawari: Lost in the Dark – NIS’ Yomawari series had its origins on PS Vita before seeing PC ports that eventually led to the new games also coming to other platforms. Both prior Yomawari games hit Switch in a bundle, but the newest entry, Yomawari: Lost in the Dark, is a great horror adventure that will surprise you. Yomawari: Lost in the Dark is also on Steam Deck.
- Signalis – Signalis is one of the best horror games in recent years. I originally thought it would just be a nice throwback to PS1 horror games, but it ended up being so much more. I love the characters, music, aesthetic, and just about everything the developers put into this experience. If you enjoyed the PS1 horror games or just want a fantastic survival horror experience that will stick with you for a long time, Signalis is worth your time.
- Inscryption – Inscryption blew me away when I first played it. The striking aesthetic, deckbuilding mechanics, roguelike elements, and blend of escape room puzzles with psychological horror made it super memorable. While it was available on PC and PS5 before, Inscryption on Switch feels like the best combination. I even tried it on Steam Deck, but Inscryption shines on Switch, and the aesthetic absolutely pops on the OLED.
- Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse – Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a game I’m glad got remastered, because I never played this series before Koei Tecmo started bringing these games to modern platforms. While I have played Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse on Steam, PS5, and Switch, I enjoyed it more in a portable setting, and also ended up buying the physical release from Asia for it. Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is a very interesting and flawed horror game.
Best Steam Deck Games to Play on Halloween in 2023
- Resident Evil 4 Remake + Separate Ways – If you haven’t read my 5/5 reviews for Resident Evil 4 Remake and the Separate Ways DLC, this remake with expansion is one of the best releases Capcom has put out in many years. I’ve always been more of a Monster Hunter fan for Capcom’s properties, but this remake is a horror action masterpiece. Well worth your time, and I’m looking forward to trying out the iOS and M1 version in the future. Resident Evil 4 Remake + Separate Ways is Steam Deck Verified. Resident Evil 4 Remake and Separate Ways are coming to select iOS devices later this year as well.
- Dead Space – When EA announced Dead Space (2023) as a full remake of the original classic, it got me to try out the original. Dead Space (2023) is a brilliant sci-fi survival-horror experience that looks stunning even on Steam Deck. This one is Steam Deck Verified, and it really might be one of my favorite games on the handheld when it comes to visual showcases. Hopefully EA announces a remake of Dead Space 2 soon. Dead Space (2023) is a next-gen experience that shines on Steam Deck, and it is worth your time.
- DUSK – DUSK is a game I feel like I’ve written about more this year, than anything else across it being a great boomer shooter for Switch, Steam Deck, its Realms Deep 2023 HD trailer, and more. Well, DUSK is worth reminding you about constantly. It is superb and worth playing if you just want a damn fine and fun shooter. DUSK is Steam Deck Verified, and I cannot wait for DUSK HD later this year. DUSK is also available on Nintendo Switch.
- FAITH: The Unholy Trinity – FAITH: The Unholy Trinity from Airdorf Games and New Blood is a pixel art horror game that is surprisingly great. Well it isn’t surprisingly great since New Blood published it, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected, and it is getting a big update later this month. FAITH is Steam Deck Verified. That just sounds funny, but this really is a great horror experience. Buy the soundtrack as well.
- Little Nightmares II – Despite a few design decisions I wasn’t a fan of, Little Nightmares II is a better game than the first one, and a more ambitious one in most ways. Little Nightmares II excels in its atmosphere and art, and I’m cautiously optimistic for the next entry. Little Nightmares II has a demo on Steam, and I’d recommend trying it out to see if you enjoy the gameplay. The full game is Steam Deck Verified as well. Little Nightmares II is also available on Switch. The first Little Nightmares is coming to mobile through Playdigious.
Bonus Halloween Games to Play in 2023
- Resident Evil Village on iOS – Resident Evil Village is the eighth mainline entry in the beloved franchise, and it was the first to launch on current generation consoles. Capcom already brought it to macOS last year, but it will be coming to iPhone 15 Pro (and Pro Max) and iPad (M1 and later) later this month. I’m looking forward to seeing how Resident Evil Village scales on iPhone 15 Pro, iPads, and more when it launches. I’ve already played it on PS5, Xbox Series X, and Steam Deck, but will still be checking it out on iOS when it launches later this month.
As you can see, I’m missing some big games like Phasmophobia and Amnesia: The Bunker. I’m still working on playing more horror games, and hopefully will have played these by the time I write this feature next year. If you think I missed a specific game you enjoy playing this season, please let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading!
