30 Spooky Games That Won’t Make You Shit Yourself

21. Graveyard Keeper – Melty

Keep our rivers clean, bury the dead instead

Stardew Valley opened up the floodgates for farm-management games. Graveyard Keeper was one of the games inspired by the indie dynamo, and it’s clear to see the influences. However, this game isn’t all about farming. As the name suggests, in this game, you are the keeper of a medieval cemetery. And here’s where it differs from the inspiration: this game is about capitalism. Yes, your goal is to make as much money, cut costs of managing your graveyard, and scare people into attending church, all for the sake of that sweet, sweet dough. And what’s scarier than that? I’d argue: nothing. 

Alongside the spooky, scary private enterprise, the game allows you to attend ritualistic witch burnings. This is creepy, as we know, people were burned throughout history for accusations of witchcraft, and living in Wales means witchery was a large part of our culture. I don’t know, it just kind of hits close to home for me. I played the game on our laptop. Anyone who knows me knows that I can’t play PC games properly, as my hands don’t really like navigating a plethora of keys and buttons. If I were to play Graveyard Keeper again, I’d definitely invest in the Switch version.

This game is available on Steam here.

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22. Sea of Stars – Dave

Nothing is scarier than trying to find all the shells for the secret ending

Sea of Stars is an RPG set in the same universe as The Messenger. While that game also has its fair share of spooky moments, SoS really lets you soak in it. One moment you’re chilling in a SpongeBob-adjacent pirate port, the next you’re spending hours in a necromancer’s swamp, followed by a trip to a haunted mansion containing eldritch entities from the depths of space. Spirits, space wizards, action commands. Even a level set in a beautiful autumnal forest.

It gets weirder and wilder from there, but no matter where you are in the game, you’re never too far from someone or something that would liven up a Halloween party. You can even listen to the spooky songs you hear on your journey in any tavern you find yourself in!

This game is available on Steam here.

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23. Scooby Doo: Night of 100 Frights – Kane

“Jinkies!“

Scooby Doo is one of those franchises that lends itself perfectly to the licensed platformer game. Much like Battle for Bikini Bottom from the same studio, 100 Frights puts together the perfect mix of zany collectathon platforming and recognisable references to the show.

You play as the titular Scoobert Doo himself as you attempt to rescue the rest of the gang from The Mastermind, who has taken over Mystic Manor, owned by a genius inventor, Professor Alexander Graham. The Professor, also missing, has left behind a collection of fantastical inventions, which Scoob will need to use to make his way through the mansion to save the gang from the numerous copies of their foes from the show that have appeared.

Jumping around as Scooby in this haunted mansion is as close to feeling like you’re playing through an episode as you can get, complete with the canned laughter and stock sound effects. For a fan of the series or just a fan of platformers in general, this is a real trick… I mean treat.

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24. Death and Taxes – Melty

You can’t escape your Fate: Taxes

What’s the scariest thing in this day and age? That’s right: Taxes. In this short narrative-based game, you play as the Grim Reaper. Death and Taxes takes place in an office where your objective is to make the difficult decisions, determining who is able to be saved from death, and who is destined for eternal doom. Who you save will determine the future of the human world, thus affecting the outcome of the game.

Making decisions, although difficult at times, is instructed by Fate, the overseer. Even though you have instructions on this, you can decide whether to comply with them or disobey, and make up your own mind. You’re also able to decorate your workspace, which is always a positive in these types of games. On top of this, you can also customise your Grim Reaper. The game is filled with witty humour, and there are very lovable characters whom you can interact with at the end of each workday. I haven’t played the game in a while, but I will definitely be returning to it soon.

This game is available on Steam here.

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25. Plants vs. Zombies – Melty

They’re grass-type.

Picture this: you’re in your garden. You’ve just come home from the garden centre with a whole bunch of potted flowers for your flower beds, when all of a sudden, something wet—and probably smelly—drips on your head. You look up, and a tooth bounces off your cheek… a zombie! But what are you to do?! You’re a pacifist! 

*Pop! PopPop!* Small green balls are flying past you, colliding with the undead above you, and the horde heading towards you. A saviour! But, who..? You look around, but you can’t see anyone. That’s when you see it. Your newly purchased peashooter. It’s grown two beady eyes, and then… *Pop!* You realise the peashooter is your hero.

Well, that’s the premise of Plants vs. Zombies… more or less. I totally made the scenario up; however, planting defensive and offensive plants to destroy the congress of creeping corpses is exactly what you do in this game. It’s a fun little game, and the designs of the characters have become absolutely iconic. The game series has had multiple incarnations, with the latest, Replanted, a remake of the first game, scheduled for release on October 23rd, 2025.

This game is available on Steam here.

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26. 40 Winks – Kane

Kidnapping isn’t a healthy coping mechanism, my guy

To me, one of the key ingredients of the concept of “spooky” is the idea of what might scare children. It’s not about scaring those with rational and complex thought, but what the imagination of a child with no context might make the world as a whole. A subject that exemplifies this is nightmares and dreams.

In 40 Winks, you explore Dreamland as siblings, Ruff & Tumble. The villain NiteKap can’t sleep and has lashed out, kidnapping all the Winks who deliver good dreams to the people of the world. If he can’t sleep peacefully, then no one will. Ruff and Tumble take it upon themselves to save the Winks and put an end to NiteKap’s plot.

As either sibling, you explore the six worlds of Dreamland armed with only a candlestick and a teddy bear — along with some costume-based power-ups — punching, kicking, and in some cases butt slamming your way to the collectables you need to progress. It’s solid platforming fare with a dreamy twist.

This game is available on Steam here.

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27. Cult of the Lamb – Melty

The only cult worth joining

This entry was a bit controversial amongst the Underlevelled staff due to the eldritch horror-esque characters that show up. However, there is no need to worry, followers! I advocated for you.

Now, I’ve always been fascinated by true crime, and yes, that includes cults. Not in an admiring way, but just out of curiosity. Whilst probably not accurate to the formation and recruitment of real-life cults, Cult of the Lamb offers a tiny bit of insight into the workings of one. This is similar to Honey, I Joined a Cult, which I could’ve also added to this list; however, COTL is a roguelike, whereas Honey is a builder like Prison Architect. The fact that it’s a roguelike gives it a bit more Halloween, with blood, guts, and creepy monsters. 

A Fairly Adorable Faith

In what is the cutest cult you’ll ever see, you play as The Lamb, or in more recent updates, The Goat. So, who is the Lamb? Well, the Lamb is… a lamb, who was rescued from death’s door by a god-like stranger. This stranger’s title is “The One Who Waits”. To repay their gratitude to The One Who Waits, The Lamb must amass a following in the name of the creature. To do this, The Lamb ventures through the game’s four regions, rescuing animals and indoctrinating them into the cult.

COTL is a favourite amongst cosy gamers. This is likely due to the management aspect of the game. Whilst you’re not on crusades, you get to interact with your followers, making them love you, helping them cultivate the land, or sacrificing them… I mean, marrying them. 😀

If you like this game, luckily, fans were treated to an announcement earlier this year that a new DLC, Woolhaven, will be released in 2026. I, for one, will be looking forward to diving into the wintry mountainscape that we’re expecting.

This game is available on Steam here.

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28. Hades 2 – Dave

Cthonic Cottagecore

Hades 2 is the critically acclaimed sequel to the critically acclaimed Hades. Both games predominantly take place in the underworld and feature the obligatory restless spirits and reanimated skeletons. The second instalment takes it up a notch by having you play as a witch who can cast spells and interact with other members of her coven. You can also recruit adorable animal familiars and do battle with what are, essentially, freakier and fishier versions of The Hex Girls from that one Scooby Doo movie.

Without saying too much, towards the end of the game, you will also end up fighting horrors beyond divine comprehension. Bloated masses of meat and bone, pulsating eyes everywhere. That kind of thing. Expect this to be accompanied by the usual rasping prose of the narrator, for added spooky vibes.

This game is available on Steam here.

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29. Minecraft (Halloween Texture Pack) – Riley

It’s like LEGO, but spooky and digital.

I’m sure that you’re no stranger to Minecraft. It’s the best-selling game of all time, after all. While it does have its own spooky elements like the creaking and the deep dark, it’s incredible what a small change of textures can do. In 2015, 4J Studios released the Halloween Mashup Pack for Minecraft: Console Edition that completely transformed the look of the game. From orange skies to green lava and ominous lighting, this mash-up pack takes what is usually a quaint and colourful survival experience into the ultimate Halloween playground.

All of the mobs get a facelift with new, creepier textures and playful touches. I especially enjoy the way they retextured some of the flowers to have blinking eyes. Ominous indeed. If you have a copy of Minecraft Console or Bedrock editions and access to the marketplace, give this texture pack a try; it might just spice up your next 2-week Minecraft phase.

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30. Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator – Melty

*Says nothing* — Mysterious Visitor

If you’re looking for a truly cosy game that’s not frightening, Potion Craft is for you. In this game, you get what it says on the tin. Potion crafting. Not only this, but you can grow your own plants, herbs, mushrooms, and even crystals to use in your potions. Once you’ve created your potions, you can sell them to the customers and travelling vendors who enter your shop. These vendors can sell you a multitude of merchandise, from seeds for your garden to a whole alchemist setup. Your customers are interesting, too. From well-meaning, genuine folk to dodgy, murderous sorts, who you sell to will affect your store’s reputation. 

Potion Craft has a bit of customisation within it, too. You can purchase furniture and decorate your apartment above the store, and you can customise how your potions look. But, here’s the best part: the art style. This game looks like it was ripped directly from a medieval grimoire. It’s beautiful! Honestly, I’ll be using the game for art study at some point, I’m sure of it.

This game is available on Steam here.

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Though we might have missed classic options such as Castlevania, Undertale, or Hollow Knight, we hope that you enjoyed this list and found something new (or old) to try this Halloween season. Share your favourite games to play in October in the comments below, and more importantly, have a very Happy Halloween!

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