Top 5 Spooky PS5 Halloween Games to Play in the Dark (2024)

Aug 21, 2025

Top 5 Spooky PS5 Halloween Games to Play in the Dark (2024)

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by plunging yourself into the darkest corners of your gaming setup? The PlayStation 5 offers a breathtakingly immersive experience, and when coupled with the right horror game and a darkened room, the result is spine-chilling. We've curated a list of the top 5 spooky PS5 games guaranteed to elevate your Halloween night. Prepare to jump, scream, and maybe even sleep with the lights on!

Why Play Horror Games in the Dark?

Playing horror games in the dark amplifies the sense of immersion and vulnerability. The lack of visual stimuli forces your brain to rely more heavily on auditory cues, making every creak, whisper, and distant moan feel intensely real. Your peripheral vision is reduced, creating a tunnel-vision effect that intensifies the game's atmosphere. The jump scares become far more effective, and the overall sense of dread is significantly heightened. Simply put, playing in the dark turns a standard gaming session into a truly visceral and terrifying experience.

Consider this: imagine playing a game like Resident Evil Village, navigating the menacing halls of Castle Dimitrescu in broad daylight. The experience would be considerably less impactful than exploring those same halls in the pitch black, with only the flickering candlelight on your screen to guide you. The anticipation, the vulnerability, and the sheer terror are all amplified tenfold.

Furthermore, the increased immersion can also enhance your appreciation for the game's sound design, art direction, and narrative. You'll notice subtle details you might otherwise miss, adding layers of depth to the overall experience.

Our Top 5 Spooky PS5 Games for Halloween

Here are our top picks for spooky PS5 games to play in the dark this Halloween, ranked based on scare factor, atmosphere, gameplay, and overall experience:

Resident Evil Village: A terrifying blend of action and survival horror.
Alan Wake 2: A masterclass in psychological horror and narrative.
The Callisto Protocol: Brutal, visceral sci-fi horror that will leave you breathless.
Dead Space (Remake): A stunning reimagining of a survival horror classic.
Outlast 2: First-person psychological horror at its most extreme.

1. Resident Evil Village

Resident Evil Village is a masterclass in blending action and horror, creating a truly unforgettable experience. You play as Ethan Winters, thrust into a nightmarish village teeming with monstrous creatures. The game’s stunning visuals, particularly on the PS5, bring the terrifying environments to life in gruesome detail. From the imposing Castle Dimitrescu to the eerie Beneviento House, each location is meticulously crafted to instill a sense of dread and unease.

Why it's perfect for playing in the dark:

Immersive Atmosphere: The game’s atmospheric lighting and sound design are significantly enhanced in the dark, making every creak and shadow feel incredibly real.
Jump Scares: Expect plenty of jump scares that are amplified when you're already on edge in a darkened room.
Enemy Design: The monstrous Lycans and the towering Lady Dimitrescu are even more terrifying when you can only see glimpses of them in the dark.
Resource Management: Managing your limited resources becomes even more crucial when you're constantly on edge, adding another layer of tension.

Experience: Playing Resident Evil Village in the dark is like stepping into your own personal horror movie. I recall one particularly harrowing experience in Beneviento House, where the absence of light intensified the psychological horror elements, making me question what was real and what was not. The game’s use of binaural audio added to the immersion, making every sound feel incredibly close and personal. This is an experience you won't soon forget.

Expertise: Resident Evil Village's success lies in its understanding of classic horror tropes and its ability to subvert them. The game uses a variety of psychological and physiological techniques to create a constant sense of unease, from jump scares to unsettling imagery. The adaptive triggers on the PS5 controller add another layer of immersion, allowing you to feel the tension of firing a weapon or the weight of a door slamming shut.

2. Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 is a survival horror game developed by Remedy Entertainment, and it's a significant step up in terms of pure horror compared to its predecessor. The game follows two protagonists: Alan Wake, the writer trapped in the Dark Place, and Saga Anderson, an FBI agent investigating a series of ritualistic murders. Their stories intertwine in a complex and mind-bending narrative that explores themes of reality, fiction, and the power of storytelling.

Why it's perfect for playing in the dark:

Psychological Horror: Alan Wake 2 relies heavily on psychological horror elements, which are significantly amplified in the dark. The game plays with your perception of reality, blurring the lines between what is real and what is not.
Atmospheric Lighting: The game's use of lighting is crucial to its atmosphere. The interplay of light and shadow creates a sense of unease and dread, which is maximized in a darkened room.
Sound Design: The game's sound design is equally impressive, with haunting melodies and unsettling ambient noises that will keep you on edge.
Narrative Complexity: The game's complex narrative requires focus and attention, which is easier to achieve in a dark, distraction-free environment.

Experience: My experience with Alan Wake 2 in the dark was genuinely unnerving. There was a particular scene where Saga Anderson is exploring a dimly lit forest, and the sound of rustling leaves and distant whispers created a palpable sense of dread. The game’s use of jump scares was minimal, but the constant feeling of unease and paranoia was far more effective. The way the story unfolds also begs you to play in the dark, so you can really experience what the creators wanted you to feel. This is a game that will stay with you long after you finish playing.

Expertise: Alan Wake 2 demonstrates a deep understanding of psychological horror tropes and uses them to great effect. The game masterfully blends reality and fiction, blurring the lines between what is real and what is not. The game’s use of light and shadow is also crucial to its atmosphere, creating a sense of unease and dread. Remedy Entertainment has truly mastered the art of psychological horror with this title.

3. The Callisto Protocol

The Callisto Protocol is a spiritual successor to the Dead Space franchise, offering a similarly brutal and visceral sci-fi horror experience. Set on Jupiter's moon Callisto in the year 2320, you play as Jacob Lee, a pilot who finds himself imprisoned in Black Iron Prison during a mysterious outbreak. The prison is overrun with grotesque creatures known as Biophages, and Jacob must fight for survival against overwhelming odds.

Why it's perfect for playing in the dark:

Visceral Combat: The game’s combat is brutal and unforgiving, with enemies that are relentless and terrifying. Playing in the dark amplifies the intensity of each encounter.
Gore and Violence: The Callisto Protocol is not for the faint of heart. The game is filled with graphic violence and gore, which is even more disturbing in a darkened room.
Claustrophobic Environments: The game takes place primarily in the claustrophobic corridors and tunnels of Black Iron Prison, creating a sense of unease and paranoia.
Sound Design: The game's sound design is top-notch, with chilling sound effects and a haunting score that will keep you on edge.

Experience: My experience with The Callisto Protocol in the dark was genuinely terrifying. The game’s brutal combat and graphic violence were significantly amplified, making each encounter feel like a desperate struggle for survival. There was one particular scene where I was navigating a dark, flooded corridor, and the sound of the Biophages lurking in the water sent chills down my spine. The game’s atmosphere and sound design combined to create a truly immersive and terrifying experience. I recommend it only if you are comfortable with gore.

Expertise: The Callisto Protocol draws heavily from classic sci-fi horror tropes, such as the isolated setting, the grotesque monsters, and the themes of survival and desperation. The game’s combat system is challenging but rewarding, requiring players to master a variety of weapons and techniques to survive. The game’s attention to detail in its environments and character design is also impressive, creating a truly immersive and believable world.

4. Dead Space (Remake)

The Dead Space remake is a stunning reimagining of the 2008 survival horror classic. Players once again assume the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer sent to repair the USG Ishimura, a planet-cracking starship that has gone silent. Upon arrival, Isaac discovers that the crew has been slaughtered and transformed into grotesque creatures known as Necromorphs. Stranded and alone, Isaac must fight for survival against overwhelming odds while uncovering the dark secrets of the Ishimura.

Why it's perfect for playing in the dark:

Atmospheric Horror: The Ishimura is a terrifying environment, filled with dark corridors, flickering lights, and the constant sound of Necromorphs lurking in the shadows. Playing in the dark amplifies the game's already intense atmosphere.
Dismemberment Combat: The game's unique dismemberment combat system is even more visceral and satisfying in the dark. You must strategically dismember the Necromorphs to effectively kill them, adding another layer of tension to each encounter.
Resource Management: Resources are scarce in Dead Space, and you must carefully manage your ammo, health, and Stasis energy to survive. Playing in the dark adds another layer of challenge to resource management.
Sound Design: The game's sound design is exceptional, with chilling sound effects and a haunting score that will keep you on edge.

Experience: Playing the Dead Space remake in the dark was an unforgettable experience. The game’s improved graphics and sound design made the Ishimura feel even more terrifying and immersive than before. The feeling of isolation and vulnerability was amplified, making each encounter with the Necromorphs feel like a desperate struggle for survival. One moment that stood out was navigating the medical bay where you hear the crazed doctor speaking about making us whole. Even if you've played the original, this remake brings the terror to a new level.

Expertise: The Dead Space remake stays true to the original while enhancing the gameplay, graphics, and sound design for a modern audience. The game’s dismemberment combat system is innovative and satisfying, requiring players to think strategically about how to defeat the Necromorphs. The game’s atmosphere and sound design are also exceptional, creating a truly immersive and terrifying experience.

5. Outlast 2

Outlast 2 is a first-person psychological horror game that is not for the faint of heart. You play as Blake Langermann, a cameraman who travels to rural Arizona with his wife, Lynn, to investigate the murder of a pregnant teenager. The couple soon becomes separated, and Blake must navigate a nightmarish landscape filled with religious fanatics and grotesque creatures to find his wife and uncover the truth.

Why it's perfect for playing in the dark:

Found Footage Horror: The game is presented in a found footage style, using Blake’s camera as the primary means of navigation and observation. Playing in the dark amplifies the claustrophobic and disorienting nature of this perspective.
Helpless Protagonist: Blake is a defenseless protagonist who cannot fight back against his enemies. You must rely on stealth and evasion to survive, making the game incredibly tense and terrifying.
Psychological Horror: Outlast 2 delves deep into psychological horror, exploring themes of religious fanaticism, madness, and trauma. Playing in the dark amplifies the game's disturbing imagery and unsettling atmosphere.
Limited Resources: Blake's camera requires batteries, which are scarce. Constantly being worried about your camera dying is a feeling that is intensified while playing in the dark.

Experience: Playing Outlast 2 in the dark was one of the most terrifying gaming experiences of my life. The game’s found footage perspective, helpless protagonist, and disturbing imagery created a constant sense of unease and dread. I remember hiding in a dilapidated shack, barely able to see through the darkness, as a group of religious fanatics searched for me. The feeling of vulnerability and helplessness was overwhelming. Only play if you're looking for a truly scary experience.

Expertise: Outlast 2 is a masterclass in psychological horror, using a variety of techniques to create a truly terrifying experience. The game’s found footage perspective, helpless protagonist, and disturbing imagery are all designed to disorient and unsettle the player. The game’s exploration of religious fanaticism and madness is also thought-provoking and disturbing.

Tips for Maximizing Your Spooky Gaming Experience

To truly elevate your Halloween gaming experience, consider these tips:

Invest in a good headset: Immersive audio is crucial for horror games. A good headset will allow you to hear every creak, whisper, and distant moan, amplifying the sense of dread.
Turn off the lights: This is the most obvious tip, but it's also the most important. Playing in complete darkness will significantly enhance the game's atmosphere.
Close the curtains: Prevent any external light from seeping into your room, ensuring complete darkness.
Silence your phone: Remove any distractions that could break the immersion.
Play alone: While playing with friends can be fun, playing alone will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the game.
Take breaks: Horror games can be intense, so don't be afraid to take breaks if you're feeling overwhelmed.
Adjust the brightness: Be sure your TV/monitor isn't too bright or dim. If it's too bright, it's harder to see and get lost in the scares. If it's too dark, you won't be able to see important clues to solve puzzles.

Conclusion

This Halloween, transform your PS5 into a portal to the macabre with these top 5 spooky games. Played in the dark, they offer an unparalleled level of immersion and terror. Whether you prefer the action-horror blend of Resident Evil Village, the psychological mind games of Alan Wake 2, the brutal sci-fi horror of The Callisto Protocol, the reimagined classic Dead Space, or the extreme psychological horror of Outlast 2, there's a game on this list guaranteed to give you a frightful night. So, dim the lights, grab your controller, and prepare for a Halloween gaming experience you won't soon forget. Happy haunting!

Top 5 Spooky PS5 Halloween Games to Play in the Dark (2024)