With the arrival of October, the Halloween spirit starts to take over, bringing a unique vibe of this time of year. Decorations pop up, spooky movies gain popularity, and it’s natural for manygamers to seek experiencesthat match the season, with games wrapped in supernatural and spooky themes.
However, not everyone is a fan of the horror usually associated with this time, as many available games focus on scaring players or creating tense moments. Fortunately, many other options on the market also embrace the spirit of the season in a lighter way. These games offer a sense of mystery and adventure without diving into intense fears, perfectly capturing the Halloween vibe.
Exploring a mysterious and deserted island is enough to create a somber atmosphere, but what elevates the experience isthe engaging supernatural suspense plotthatOxenfreeoffers. This thriller focuses on paranormal phenomena, where characters find themselves in tense and puzzling situations without relying on jump scares to keep the player immersed.
With dynamic dialogues and a narrative that unfolds based on player choices,Oxenfreemaintains a spooky vibe that holds attention from start to finish. The game explores the supernatural in a captivating way, mixing mystery, tension, and a dark aesthetic that makes it ideal for the Halloween season without falling into traditional horror.
Night in the Woodsstands out for its engaging and atmospheric narrative, set in a small town full of mysteries. The game captures the spooky vibe lightly, exploring themes like nostalgia and anxiety without resorting to explicit horror. With charismatic characters and a somber aesthetic, it creates a unique and introspective atmosphere.
Throughout the journey,players follow Mae, a young girl returning to her hometown only to discover strange secrets as she explores. The growing tension mixes with moments of lightness and humor, creating an immersive experience perfect for the Halloween season without relying on scares.
Among the best non-scary games to play on Halloween,Costume Questand its sequel,Costume Quest 2, are ideal choices. Both titles are set on Halloween night, with a story about two siblings going trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. Depending on whom the player chooses to control, the other one is kidnapped by a monster.
The protagonist then embarks on a quest to rescue the sibling, facing a horde of monsters and forming a group of characters for this mission. With turn-based combat and thematic missions like collecting candies used as currency,Costume Questperfectlycaptures the spooky vibe of Halloween,offering a light and fun experience without scares.
Released in 2023,Dredgepresents players with a unique idea where they must command a boat, exploring waters in search of the best fish in the region to sell at the market. However, it’s essential to watch the time, because as night falls, the game’s events tend to get eerie.
This is the great point ofDredge, which has a perfect atmosphere for players who want to experience something similar during the Halloween month. It’s tense at times but without focusing on horror or scares. Additionally, the story and the mysteries involving the game’s main narrative are well-planned, making the experience even better.
Cozy Groveis a perfectchoice to capture the Halloweenvibe without the weight of horror. The game offers an engaging atmosphere with an island haunted by friendly spirits that the player helps find peace. The colorful and charming aesthetic, along with soothing music, creates a relaxing experience ideal for those who want a touch of mystery without scares.
Interacting with ghosts in a peaceful and comforting way is one of the great attractions ofCozy Grove, making it an excellent option for Halloween. Instead of focusing on inducing fear, the game explores themes like emotional healing and connection, all set in a scenario that balances the dark with the cozy.
5Graveyard Keeper
Management Simulator With Halloween Vibes
Graveyard Keeperis a simulation gamewhere player manage a medieval cemeterywith a gothic aesthetic and dark humor. During Halloween, the gloomy environment and macabre elements make the experience perfect for those seeking a spooky atmosphere without intense horror.
Besides managing graves and performing rituals, player explore a world full of mysteries and peculiar characters. The building and crafting mechanics, combined with engaging missions, makeGraveyard Keeperan excellent choice to celebrate Halloween in a creative and fun way.
For players who never imagined that cute creatures could be part of spooky games,Cult of the Lambchallenges expectations by mixing adorable creatures with dark and occult themes, creating a unique experience. The game’s spooky vibe manifests through the combination of rituals and macabre settings, all wrapped in a cute and charismatic visual. The contrast between the charming aesthetic and the dark theme makes the game perfect for those seeking something different on Halloween.
Players take on the role of a lamb who, after being saved by a dark entity, istasked with forming their own cult. The gameplay involves building and managing a community of followers, performing rituals, and exploring dungeons that, when mixed with comedic elements, create a perfect spooky atmosphere for Halloween.
Tim Burton is one of the directors most associated with Halloween, known for his unique visual style in both animations and live-action films.Don’t Starvecaptures that same essence with a dark aesthetic and inspired design that evokes the director’s work. The game offers a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere, perfect for the Halloween season without relying on scares.
Players assume the roles of characters trapped in a hostile world full of bizarre creatures.Survival is the main focusas they explore a strange environment and try to maintain their sanity. Inspired by Tim Burton’s unique style,Don’t Starvebalances the spooky Halloween vibe with survival, providing a great experience.
Being a relatively short game thatcan be completed in under three hours,What Remains of Edith Finchincludes a gameplay session dedicated to classic horror films without being as scary as they are. This moment occurs when the main character reads a comic book about Barbara Finch, an actress in the family.
This part of the game is told as a comic book, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of iconic horror movies of this time of year. Additionally, the soundtrack stands out, with the Halloween theme composed by John Carpenter, enhancing the immersion in this unique experience.
One of the main franchises featuring Luigi, Mario’s brother, as the protagonist is also one of the games that best capture the spooky vibe of Halloween without using horror to build the setting. The game balances the character’s good humor with well-crafted and fun gameplay, where the protagonist needs to survive and capture ghosts.
InLuigi’s Mansion 3, players find themselves in a mansion called The Last Resort, where not only Luigi but other iconic characters from the franchise have gone on vacation but mysteriously disappeared. Now, it’s up to Luigi to attempt to save his friends while facing his own fears in a place full of ghosts.
