Feature: 10 Spooky PS4 Games to Play on Hallowe'en

Another Hallowe'en is upon us, and with it comes a particular atmosphere that always seems to amplify the spookiness when the sun sets. As such, there's no better time to get stuck into one of the PlayStation 4's many horror games, subsequently ignoring all those pesky kids who are out looking for teeth-destroying treats. Whether you're alone this evening or with friends, the titles that we've listed in this article should suit your needs - just remember to pause and take a breather if things get a touch too scary.

Alien: Isolation

Alien: Isolation's campaign may get a little long in the tooth, but attempting to outwit the Xenomporph is undeniably tense. Large chunks of this game rely on your ability to slink carefully and slowly beyond the lumbering extraterrestrial that's patrolling the Sevastopol, and with no means of keeping the homicidal headcase at bay, you'll need to hold your breath and bide your time if you have any hopes of escaping with your life.

Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

Bloodborne

There are few video game settings more atmospheric and unsettling than Yharnam, the incredibly well designed city in which Bloodborne takes place. Not just a fantastic action role-playing game, this PS4 exclusive is perfect for a Hallowe'en gaming session thanks to its myriad creepy creatures and nightmarish scenarios. It's very easy to embrace your inner beast and get lost in this engrossing, oppressive adventure.

Dying Light

Despite being the most overused enemy in gaming, zombies can still be fun to slaughter, as evidenced by Dying Light. A sandbox action title with plenty of RPG elements, crafting your own set of devastating melee weapons and swinging for a few undead skulls is good gory fun - especially if you're playing with friends. Just remember, though, that even when you're surrounded by zombie hordes and hope seems lost, the real horror come in the form of the game's awful story.

Here They Lie

Virtual reality is the perfect venue for horror, and Here They Lie is the best that PlayStation VR has to offer until Resident Evil 7 rolls around in the New Year. This walking simulator may promote nausea as much as it does anxiety, but there are some nice ideas in this mysterious game – and some decent jump scares to boot. Would it be as effective on a 2D screen? The answer's no, but that just speaks to the power of VR.

Layers of Fear

What happens when the pursuit for perfectionism ruins your life? Layers of Fear, with its Picture of Dorian Gray-inspired narrative, places you inside the fractured psyche of an artist driven wild in his search for success. The sloppy writing and voice acting detracts from the grandeur of the Victorian setting, but the way that the title uses perspective to toy with your expectations makes for a dark and twisted tour of a broken home.

Outlast

Found footage films may be out of fashion, but Outlast's video camera mechanic is inspired. Using your camcorder's infrared setting enables you to navigate a shuttered mental institute – but you'll need to be sparing with the accessory, as its batteries drain quick. This makes for an intense dynamic where your vision is perpetually impaired, and the run-and-hide gameplay only helps to elevate the tension to stomach churning degrees.

P.T.

Arguably the greatest slice of survival horror ever created, and the benchmark by which the genre will forever be judged. Hideo Kojima's twisted Playable Teaser managed to transform a single corridor into the video game embodiment of Hell; by changing with each turn of the corner, this small section of Silent Hills remains the most disturbing demo ever created. Brilliant visuals and sound design mean that this frightening freebie will go down in the history books.

Resident Evil

A classic that's been brought up to speed for the current generation, Resident Evil remains one of the best horror games ever made. Stuck in a mansion with a growing sense of dread, this perfectly paced nightmare is packed with atmosphere and increasingly monstrous enemies. Simply put, you don't know true fear until you're backed into a corner trying to put your last bullet into the head of a zombie from a fixed camera angle.

The Last of Us Remastered

Not just one of the very best games on PS4, The Last of Us Remastered is also one of the system's best horror titles. Lead duo Joel and Ellie must survive through countless hellish situations as they make their way across post-apocalyptic America, whether they're up against desperate bandits or the terrifying infected. And let's face it: clickers are easily one of the most fear-inducing foes that gaming has seen in a long, long time.

Until Dawn

Stuck in a log cabin on the side of a mountain with a rowdy group of teens who are practically begging to be murdered - what could possibly go wrong? Drawing clear inspiration from any number of movies, Until Dawn as a concept is nothing new, but as a game, it's a thoroughly enjoyable take on a tried and tested horror formula. Boasting a branching story that puts Telltale's attempts to shame, blasting through Until Dawn with a few fidgety friends comes as a highly recommended Hallowe'en activity.

What are your plans this Hallowe'en? Are any of the games that we've mentioned on the menu? Do you have any recommendations of your own? Scream bloody murder in the comments section below.