halloween It's coming soon. Naturally, people love to celebrate this holiday by going trick-or-treating, watching scary movies, or even better. playing creepy video games. Over the past few decades, developers have used a variety of tools and techniques to terrify gamers around the world with their clever implementation of lighting and/or illumination. dark (lack of it) is one of the most common methods.
There are a lot of high-quality video games on the market that are already pretty good on their own, but playing them under certain circumstances makes them an unforgettable experience. In a room with all the lights off. This is true whether you're in the horror genre or not. It's just a matter of atmosphere and presentation. many The game is perfect to play in the dark. But the following examples are the best and most infamous.
limbo
Creepy 2D platformer with black and white graphics
Playdead excels at creating creepy yet creative 2D platformers with a sinister atmosphere, and the studio's debut game limbo, It perfectly showcases many talents. One look at this game, and it's immediately clear why it was such a standout upon release. First of all, the graphics are completely black and white.
Naturally, video games that use this color palette work perfectly in the dark. limbo This is no exception. It doesn't end here. Because despite its presence, it's a 2D platformer that plays similar to its old-school counterparts. mario game, limbo It is full of shocking and unexpected twists, heightened by its creepy atmosphere and gloomy expressions.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
This survival horror classic is very old.
In the late 2010s, it was impossible to browse the internet without hearing about a game called '. Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Many mainstream survival horror IPs, e.g. resident evil or silent hill) did not sell particularly well.
amnesia There is no combat system. Instead, the game focuses on just one thing. That means making the player feel like they're going crazy and scaring them in a clever but unpredictable way. The lighting and atmosphere in this game are absolutely perfect and both look incredibly dated. That said, this 15-year-old survival horror classic is still worth playing today. Needless to say, Frictional Games revolutionized an entire genre and went on to create many solid games. amnesia sequel, same rebirth and The Bunkerbut dark descent Often considered the best and creepiest entry in the series.
Freddy's Pizza Place
Clever Ideas Cleverly Executed
These days Freddy's Pizza Place The IP has been associated with absurd fan theories and numerous disappointing sequels, but the truth is that the reason these games became so incredibly popular is simple. What this means is that you come up with a unique idea that is executed brilliantly. For this reason, the original Freddy's Pizza Place Released since 2014, it is still an absolute classic worth celebrating.
Players take control of a newly hired security guard at the run-down location Freddy Fazbear's Pizza and must keep a close watch on security cameras to avoid being killed by the restaurant's creepy, bloodthirsty animatronics. Not only is this style of gameplay very simple, but also very effective, the juxtaposition between the dim lighting of the restaurant and the colorful, kid-friendly imagery is truly disturbing and helps create this game's signature atmosphere, which unfortunately the sequel was unable to replicate.
Aliens: Quarantine
Takes full advantage of legendary horror IPs.
timing Aliens: QuarantineThe launch of was absolutely perfect. It arrived nearly two years after the disaster. Aliens: Colonial MarinesFinally to the fans alien The movie franchise is the dark, intense survival horror game most of us have always dreamed of.
Unlike other places alien video games, combat isolation It's more of an afterthought as the game focuses primarily on delivering great scares and intense moments by having players hide from a large and deadly Xenomorph. Of course, this is easier said than done. The aliens use a sophisticated type of artificial intelligence that can learn the player's previous actions and adapt their hunting strategies, so you never feel safe. maximum Aliens: Quarantine Fans will attest that playing in a dark room while hoping the in-game Xenomorph doesn't find your lair was a bloody and unforgettable horror experience.
Bloodborne
Amazing action game set in the creepy Victorian era
FromSoftware typically implements elements of the survival horror genre to make Soulslike games more challenging and impactful. As a result, most of the studio's projects are surprisingly creepy, even though they're still technically action RPGs. Bloodborne is This is the best example of this remarkable (but great) practice.
In this PS4 exclusive game, players must become hunters and hunt down and defeat the many horrific monsters that threaten the city of Yarnham. The adventure begins with the usual horror-themed enemies, including werewolves and ogres, but the hunters will eventually have to face off against disturbing creatures based on Lovecraftian literature. Bloodborne is first and foremost an action game, but its atmosphere, imagery, themes, story, and setting make it the perfect video game to play in the dark during Halloween. This is especially true for those who find the survival horror genre too creepy or overwhelming.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
The scariest game in this iconic survival horror franchise
resident evil is undoubtedly the most famous and popular survival horror game series in the world. Naturally, many items could easily be included on this list. but, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard This is the best game in the franchise to play in the dark. This is because the most emphasis is placed on fear and atmosphere, with action taking a backseat. Of course, this was entirely done on purpose by Capcom. This is a 'saved' game resident evil Franchise after heavy action disappointment resident evil 6.
Every member of the Baker family, from Jack to Marguerite and even Lucas, is creepy and unpleasant in their own way, so exploring the house without knowing when and where they will jump out and suddenly attack the player is especially terrifying. resident evil 7Many of the environments look downright terrifying, which works in favor of the game's unsettling atmosphere, and the entire experience is reminiscent of another classic horror story. Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This is definitely the scariest resident evil It's a game, and every fan of this franchise should try it out at some point.
dead space
Like Resident Evil, but in space
Titles such as Aliens: Quarantine and system shock It's already been proven that combining science fiction and survival horror can create a unique and creepy experience. dead space It will always be the best example of this particular blend of genres. The original game, released in 2008, is still relevant today, but the recent 2023 remake is even better thanks to modern graphics and refined mechanics.
dead space clearly based on resident evil 4was released just three years before the original game, and perfectly replicates that game's intense third-person shooter gameplay. It is important for players to familiarize themselves with this combat system and the many unique weapons that Isaac Clarke can use. Because the Necromorph, a parasitic alien that can possess and transform human corpses, is one of the most shocking video game enemies ever created. Due to the empty future environment and unsettling SF atmosphere dead space It strikes the perfect balance between action and survival horror gameplay.
alan wake 2
It uses darkness and lighting as core gameplay mechanics.
both alan wake and alan wake 2 A perfect candidate for this list. These two survival horror games are notorious for their use of darkness and lighting as a core part of their core gameplay, and the recent 2023 sequel is widely considered to be the better of the two. This is evidenced by the numerous awards it has received since its launch.
in alan wake 2In , players control both the title character and FBI agent Saga Anderson, who use the beam of a flashlight to fight shadow enemies called the Taken by making them vulnerable to attacks. Naturally, the entire game is shrouded in darkness, and playing in a dimly lit room improves the experience. However, it is also important to point out the following: alan wake 2 It tells a unique story full of surprising and strange moments that perfectly shows how brilliant the developers at Remedy Entertainment are.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
A bone-chilling psychological horror masterpiece
silent hill It is synonymous with the psychological horror subgenre; Silent Hill 2 It's definitely the best game in the entire franchise because it delivers a more personal and emotional plot than any other entry. There's no denying that the original PS2 title is still a masterpiece, but it hasn't aged particularly well, which is why the recent 2024 remake has been such a critical and commercial success.
The iconic fog enveloping the city in the title was a technical necessity at the time, used to hide low-poly textures and eliminate the need for draw distance, but in the remake it was instead used to create an unsettling atmosphere where hideous monsters could pop out at any moment and attack James Sunderland. The only way to know when that will happen is to listen to the static radio when enemies are nearby. of course, Silent Hill 2 The remake didn't single-handedly revitalize the franchise due to its creepy creature designs and dark presentation. The game's story has many shocking twists and turns. Not to mention that it features tragic characters with devastating backstories that will never leave players' memories.
no, i am not human
An experimental indie horror game with a unique art style
The indie scene is full of excellent horror games, and one of the best (and most infamous) offerings recently released in September 2025. Developed by a small independent studio based in Russia, no, i am not human It has become the internet's latest viral sensation and certainly deserves that reputation.
In this unsettling title, the world has been invaded by creatures called Visitors, who can disguise themselves as humans. So the player must hide in the house and decide who will take refuge inside, without knowing who is an innocent person and who is a visitor trying to intrude. This premise is very creative, but no, i am not human It stands out mainly because of its strange expression. Grungy textures, unusual lighting effects, and shocking character designs succeed in making players uncomfortable and uneasy, affecting their decision-making at critical moments.
