Some people LOVE the sensation of feeling fear. Scientists understand our love of horror in all art forms as a way to experience that rush of dopamine that comes with a true scare whilst our brains understand that we are in no real danger. If only that were true for current times. Leave your newspapers at home and let Platform take care of the scares for an evening. We’re celebrating with our Halloween 666 Special to make up for all those cancelled parties this year. In honour of this special offer we thought we’d look back at some of the most terrifying video games of all time (turn lights off now):

6. Dead by Daylight (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC, Android)

Every classic horror movie should be accompanied by an array of shouts from your sofa such as “don’t go in there”, “why are you separating??”, and “YOU’RE GOING TO DIE”. That’s because the characters being chased by a merciless, unstoppable killer are morons. But what if you were that stupid teenage, would you do it differently? This is the question Dead by Daylight asks with this asymmetrical survival horror. You and up to 4 friends play as either a Survivor trying to escape or a classic horror Killer such as Michael Myers or Freddie Kruger who is intent on murdering them all. Experiencing the visceral terror of a so-called friend methodically tracking you down with dismemberment their only goal will make you question that friendship long after you put the controller down.

5.Outlast (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC)

Running around an asylum overrun by homicidal patients sounds like a genuinely horrendous way to spend any amount of time. That’s because it IS a genuinely horrendous way to spend any amount of time. Outlast is a  first-person survival game in which must escape this awful situation with a less than reliable night-vision camcorder and the ability to hide and quietly cry (this final skill may be more reflective of my playstyle rather than any in-game ability). The core gameplay may be a little lacking but for drink spilling jump scares and underwear staining terror this game packs one hell of a punch.

4.Luigi’s Mansion 3 (Nintendo Switch)

While most horror games are about making you the player experience horror, fear, and terror, Luigi’s Mansion goes a different route. This fun action-adventure keeps things breezy for the player as you witness the dread our second favourite plumber feels as he explores this giant hotel armed only with a vacuum cleaner (think low budget Ghost Busters). Our poor protagonist is literally shaking with fear throughout the game compare that to every other horror game hero seems to take the flesh-eating zombies, unspeakable evils, and companions torn asunder without skipping a beat. Hands down the most family-friendly way to witness a man embark on his journey into some serious PTSD.

3.Resident Evil 2 (REmake) (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC)

This horror classic gets a well-deserved remastering that takes the exceptional original game and elevates it for a modern audience. Ammo is scarce but zombies are around every corner making every encounter feel like a fight to the (un)death. A claustrophobic and oppressive atmosphere permeates every second of this game and the knowledge that for some of these zombies running away is the only option will crystalise just how easily your mortal coil can be shaken off. A genuine must play for those who like their puzzles hard, corridors dark, and zombies terrifying.

2. Alien Isolation (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)

As a fan of the Ridley Scott masterpiece Alien, this game ticks a huge number of boxes. But most importantly it takes the core element of being oppressively scary. Playing as Ellen, the daughter of Ripley, you must make your way through a nearly abandoned space station whilst a single Xenopmorh stalks you. Throughout this eerie setting, you will encounter various humans and androids who are mostly happy to see you die or be responsible for your death. Revel in the 70’s lo-fi aesthetic of the original whilst carefully using an echo tracker which helps locate the alien whilst making a loud noise to which it is attracted. This game is beautifully designed and terrifyingly paced in equal measure.

1. Silent Hill 2 (Playstation 2)

Seriously; fu$k this game. Fu$k Pyramid Head. Fu$k being lost in the fog. Fu$k the unbearable tension. This game is a masterpiece that I hated playing. A 3rd person psychological horror that will leave you scratching your head through puzzles whilst dreading another burst of static which preempts another monster attack coming from the impenetrable fog. Themes of domestic violence and incest loom large and the awkward controls only add to the feeling of helplessness in this bleak game. Silent Hill 2 will stay with you for a long, long time.

Pro-Gamer Tip: These games deserve to be played with the lights out and headphones turned up LOUD for the full experience or play with friends to reduce the fear factor

Why not try: 

Platform’s Halloween: 666 Offer: £6 Multiplayer Zones, £6 cocktails + £6 pizzas.

The scares are free.

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