As I've likely mentioned on the site before, I'm a huge fan of the survival-horror genre and like to dedicate as much of the months of September and October as I can to playing titles from the genre. While everyone is familiar with genre staples such as the Resident Evil and Silent Hill series, there are plenty of more obscure titles that are well worth checking out. With the Halloween season upon us, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the lesser-known games from the genre that fit the mood.



Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare


Possibly the best Resident Evil clone out there, Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare sticks very close to the classic RE formula but with a supernatural twist instead of traditional zombies. There are also two different scenarios featuring two different main characters that play out quite differently from each other, so both are definitely worth playing. My recommendation would be to avoid all the other Alone in the Dark games, but definitely check this one out if you're a fan of classic survival-horror.

Corpse Party


Originally released for the PSP, Corpse Party is sort of a mixture of visual novel and adventure game, and while I have never been a big fan of either of these genres, I found Corpse Party engaging enough to hold my interest. The story centers around a group of high school students that are transported to a haunted school in another dimension. These games feature some of the most morbid and disturbing plotlines I've ever seen in a video game, so if that's the brand of horror you're into, you'll likely find something to enjoy with this series.

Costume Quest


At the opposite end of the spectrum is Costume Quest, a simple and lighthearted RPG from Double Fine. The game involves trick-or-treating and will require you to tour the neighborhood, interact with many objects in the environment, and participate in a simple turn-based battle system. In fact, many gameplay elements of Costume Quest remind me of South Park: The Stick of Truth, albeit on a much smaller and family-friendly scale. If you're looking for a fun Halloween game that can be played around the kids, Costume Quest definitely fits the bill.

Dead Nation


The best way I can describe Dead Nation is that it's basically what you would get if you converted Left 4 Dead into a top-down shooter. Fighting off hordes of zombies can be frantic and exhilarating, and making effective use of items, weapons, and upgrades can help turn the tides in your favor. This is more of an arcade-style game and is a ton of fun, especially with a friend!

Galerians


Galerians is really more of a sci-fi themed game than horror, but it plays very similarly to classic Resident Evil and is generally lumped in with the genre. It deals more in human experiments and psychic powers than with zombies or ghosts, but the overall vibe is still there. It's not the best game in the genre, but I would say that it's much better than the typical tripe that most RE clones turn out to be, and there are some unique gameplay elements that help it stand out from the rest. Definitely worth checking out for fans of classic survival-horror.

Illbleed


Illbleed follows main protagonist Eriko as she has to work her way through a homicidal theme park in an attempt to find her friends. A large part of the gameplay is being able to identify and avoid traps that will harm Eriko and serve as jumpscares for the player. If I'm being honest, Illbleed isn't a great game and is kind of a janky mess, but it has some unique gameplay elements, and if you like that brand of cheesy Dreamcast acting and dialog, then it can be a charming and interesting game.

Kuon


Kuon is an interesting game in that it is essentially a ghost story that takes place in feudal Japan. It can be a bit frustrating at times, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit despite its shortcomings. Kuon is one of those obscenely expensive PS2 horror games whose value just seems to keep climbing, and while it certainly isn't worth its asking price, it's another decent game for classic survival-horror fans.

ObsCure & ObsCure II: The Aftermath


The two ObsCure games are yet more Resident Evil clones, although these games are unique from most other survival-horror titles in that they are playable in two-player co-op. The stories revolve around a group of students who must explore their monster-infested school and solve the mysteries within. These aren't the best games in the genre, but they can be a lot of fun if you have a buddy around for some couch co-op.

Singularity


Singularity is another criminally underrated game and is far more than just your typical FPS. The game's main distinguishing gameplay element is the ability to manipulate time which plays into some of the progression and puzzle-solving in the game. Like Galerians, this may fall more into the sci-fi genre than horror, but it certainly has its scary moments, and I still remember it as being among the best and most interesting shooters I've ever played.

I hope this helps you guys discover something new to enjoy. Let me know what you guys are playing during the month of October and if you have any other recommendations for lesser-known titles. Have fun this Halloween season!

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