From investigating a haunted house with friends to surviving a night shift at a mortuary, these well-known indie horror games are perfect for a frightening Halloween.
Halloween is the perfect time to turn off the lights, put on a pair of headphones and load up a game you might regret playing alone.
Some of the most memorable scares in gaming have come from independent developers. Their games have found audiences through word of mouth, streaming and YouTube, where viewers have watched creators investigate haunted buildings, encounter mysterious strangers and panic their way through terrifying situations.
1. The Mortuary Assistant
Best for: Supernatural scares and a terrifying night shift
How to play: Single-player
Working alone at a mortuary is unsettling enough. In The Mortuary Assistant, the bodies are not the only things you need to worry about.
You play as Rebecca Owens, an assistant called in to work a late shift at River Fields Mortuary. What begins as a night of preparing bodies becomes a struggle against a demonic presence.
As Rebecca carries out her work, players must look for clues, identify the demon and perform the steps needed to banish it. The story can also unfold across multiple playthroughs, giving players more to uncover.
The game is especially effective because it asks you to concentrate on ordinary tasks while waiting for something frightening to happen. A quiet room can feel just as uncomfortable as a sudden encounter.
Why play it this Halloween? If you want jump scares, supernatural horror and the feeling that something is standing behind you, this is a strong place to start.
2. Phasmophobia
Best for: Ghost hunting with friends
How to play: Solo or online co-op
If you have ever watched a ghost-hunting show and thought you could do a better job, Phasmophobia gives you the opportunity to find out.
Developed by Kinetic Games, the game sends players into haunted locations to collect evidence and identify the type of ghost inside. You can investigate alone or work with up to three other players, using equipment to piece together what is happening.
The fun comes from balancing curiosity with self-preservation. Someone needs to enter the dark room and gather evidence—but nobody wants to be the person left behind when the activity increases.
Playing with friends can make the experience funny and frightening in equal measure. A confident investigation can quickly turn into a scramble for the exit.
Why play it this Halloween? Gather a few friends, choose a haunted location and see who is brave enough to investigate first.
3. Fears to Fathom
Best for: Realistic situations and short horror stories
How to play: Single-player
Some of the scariest stories begin with something ordinary: a teenager home alone, a late-night drive or a job in an isolated location.
Fears to Fathom is an episodic psychological horror series, with each instalment telling a separate story from the perspective of someone who survived it. Its settings feel familiar enough to make players imagine themselves in the same situation.
A good place to start is Home Alone, the first episode, in which you play as a teenager whose parents are away. If you enjoy that, Ironbark Lookout takes the series into a more isolated setting.
The series is well suited to a Halloween evening because you can choose an episode and settle in for a contained story. Its scares often come from the uncomfortable sense that something is wrong before the danger becomes clear.
Why play it this Halloween? If you prefer horror that feels close to real life, these stories can make an ordinary house or quiet road feel deeply unsettling.
4. Outlast
Best for: Chases, hiding and intense survival horror
How to play: Single-player
Few indie horror games have made as lasting an impression as Outlast.
Developed by Red Barrels, it follows investigative journalist Miles Upshur as he enters Mount Massive Asylum looking for answers. Once inside, he discovers that getting out may be far more difficult than getting in.
Miles is a journalist rather than an action hero. Players must navigate the asylum, avoid its dangers and rely on a camera to see in the dark.
That camera creates some of the game’s most memorable moments. Looking through its night vision might help you find your way, but it can also reveal something you would rather not see.
Although Outlast has been around for years, its setting and relentless tension make it an easy recommendation for anyone who has never experienced it.
Why play it this Halloween? If you want a classic horror experience built around running, hiding and hoping you have chosen the right direction, enter Mount Massive.
5. Poppy Playtime
Best for: Creepy toys, puzzles and exploring an abandoned factory
How to play: Single-player
A deserted toy factory should be the sort of place that brings back childhood memories. In Poppy Playtime, those memories come with a much darker side.
The horror series takes players through the abandoned Playtime Co. factory, where colourful toys and cheerful surroundings hide something much more sinister. Players explore the facility, solve puzzles and encounter characters that are far less friendly than they first appear.
The game’s distinctive creatures, particularly Huggy Wuggy, have helped make it recognisable well beyond the horror community. Its chapter-based structure also gives players a place to begin before deciding whether to explore more of the story.
The first chapter is available on Steam, with later chapters offered separately.
Why play it this Halloween? If you enjoy eerie locations, puzzles and horror built around familiar childhood objects, the Playtime Co. factory is worth a visit.
Which game should you play first?
For a frightening solo experience, The Mortuary Assistant and Outlast are strong choices. If you would rather share the scares, gather some friends for Phasmophobia.
For a more grounded horror story, try Fears to Fathom, or explore Poppy Playtime if you like puzzles and creepy characters.
Which indie horror game will you be playing this Halloween?