Indie Horror Games to Play this Halloween – Culture of Gaming

We’re rapidly approaching Halloween, aka the spookiest time of year. People everywhere want to give themselves a bit of fright, and what better way to do so than with some video games? Games are quite possibly the scariest medium out there, since you’re the one driving the action. Nevertheless, here are some indie horror games that will surely get your blood racing. And for those who are horror-adverse, try some of these games perfect for the fall season.

World of Horror

A self-described “1-bit horror” game, World of Horror is unlike anything out there. Technically this game isn’t out quite yet, although you can try a demo on itch.io. As the game is still in development, you can also throw a dollar or two at it, if you’d like to see it progress. It is set to be released on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2019.

Despite its low-grade visuals, World of Horror is sure to send a shiver down your spine. Featuring creatures inspired by the works of famed horror artist Junji Ito, World of Horror has some of the most disturbing designs seen in a game. The gameplay is fairly limited and based on menus, similar to early PC and Macintosh titles. If you want something that’s more retro-inspired, yet still sure to give you the creeps, be sure to try this game out.

Slender: The Eight Pages

Just don’t look.

The game that caused the phenomenon. Sure, the Slender Man has existed in the dark corners of the internet for some time now, but this game is when he (it?) really catapulted into the mainstream. The thing that has made the Slender Man such an enduring pop culture figure is the sense of mystery surrounding it. Where did it come from? What does it want? None of those questions are explicitly answered, and it’s part of the reason why Slender: The Eight Pages works so well.

Gameplay in Slender: The Eight Pages is simple and straightforward. For a reason unknown to use, you’re in the middle of the woods and are tasked with finding eight pages relating to the myth of the Slender Man. Why? Well, that’s not explained at all, nor does it need to be. However, none of that matters once it sets its sights on you.

Slender: The Eight Pages really plays on your sense of terror. Even before you find the first page, and the Slender Man starts its hunt. The terror intensifies the longer you keep up your chase, as the more pages you find, the more intense the sound effects become. The static camera effect that happens when the Slender Man is close by is a great effect to get a jump out of you, as well as a great symbol of the loss of sanity associated with the Slender Man. The jump scares are few, but they are effective.

Doki Doki Literature Club!

Don’t let its cutesy appearance fool you.

Ah, Doki Doki Literature Club!. The expression “don’t judge a book by its cover” was made for this game. At first presenting itself as an anime-inspired dating sim, things quickly take a turn for the sinister. Right from the jump, there’s the sense that something isn’t right, but when the game makes its true face known, you’ll know.

In truth, it’s hard to talk too much about Doki Doki Literature Club! without fear of spoiling it. The twist comes out of nowhere and hits hard. Although, it should be warned, that it becomes very graphic, and those who are easily triggered maybe should steer clear of this game (or at least check up on it). Doki Doki Literature Club! is one of the most disturbing games out there with, imagery that haunts you well after playing.

There’s even a second twist in the late stages of the games that turns everything on its head even more. It’s hard to convey what Doki Doki Literature Club! so special without giving away its best secrets, but just now it’s a thought-provoking, uncomfortable experience. Just make sure you can handle it.

Yume Nikki

What exactly is Yume Nikki? Well, that’s a bit of a tricky question. You play as a woman whose daily life is mundane, with very little to do in terms of enjoyment. Once nightfall hits, however, is when things start taking a turn. Finally able to step outside of her apartment, you find yourself in a surrealist, disturbing world.

Yumme Nikki is purely atmospheric, offering very little in terms of gameplay. You do have your goals, being tasked to collect various items found throughout the world. Made entirely in RPG Maker by an unknown developer, Yumme Nikki’s development is just as mysterious as the game itself. Originally released in 2004 as a free download, it was released on Steam in 2018.

Playing Yumme Nikki instills a sense of paranoia. You never know what’s going to happen when you enter the next room, and how disturbing it will be. You’re constantly faced with nightmarish scenarios and creatures. A 3D reboot, Yumme Nikki: Dream Diary, was released in February 2018, and while still unsettling and uncomfortable, it can’t reach what the original’s pixel art design accomplishes.

Five Nights at Freddy’s

Yep, we all know it.

The grandaddy of them all. Five Nights at Freddy’s may be a full-blown media franchise at this point, but this is where it all started. A game that offers you little control, but a whole lot of scares.

Playing as a night employee at a popular pizza restaurant, you’re tasked with monitoring the security cameras. Naturally (and unfortunately), things go wrong quick. You quickly realize the restaurant’s famous animatronics are alive, and if they run into you, well, sorry. The worst part is, you’re stuck where you are.

The lack of control is what truly makes Five Nights at Freddy’s terrifying. All you can do is defend yourself by blocking the entrance to your office. You can use the security cameras to keep track of the robots, but they can only do so much when killer animatronics are on the loose. Honestly, there’s not much that needs to be said about this game. You’ve heard of it, but if you haven’t played it, you’re in for a treat (and quite a few tricks).

What about you? What kind of games do you like to play to get your fright on? Let us know!