Best Games To Play In The Dark – Investment Policy

Halloween is almost here, and many people celebrate by trick-or-treating, watching horror films, or playing spooky video games. Game developers have become quite skilled at frightening players over the years, and a popular technique is using light and shadow – or the absence of light – to create a scary atmosphere.

As a gamer, I’ve played a ton of great games, but honestly, some just hit different when you play them right. And by ‘right,’ I mean with all the lights off! It doesn’t even have to be a horror game – it’s all about creating the perfect atmosphere. Loads of games are awesome in the dark, but I’ve put together a list of the ones that really stand out and give you an unforgettable experience.

Limbo

A Creepy 2D Platformer With Black And White Graphics

Playdead is known for creating atmospheric and imaginative 2D platformer games, and their first title, Limbo, perfectly showcases their skills. The game’s unique style is immediately noticeable, especially its striking black and white visuals, which helped it stand out upon release.

Video games using this dark color scheme work well in low-light settings, and Limbo is a prime example. Though it’s a 2D platformer reminiscent of classic Mario games, Limbo constantly surprises players with unexpected turns, all enhanced by its unsettling atmosphere and somber visuals.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

This Survival Horror Classic Has Aged Very Well

Around the late 2010s, the game Amnesia: The Dark Descent became a huge online sensation. It gained popularity at a time when well-known survival horror franchises like Resident Evil and Silent Hill weren’t performing as strongly in sales.

Unlike many horror games, Amnesia doesn’t involve fighting. Instead, it aims to terrify players by creating a deeply unsettling and unpredictable experience. The game’s lighting and atmosphere are incredibly effective, and remarkably, still hold up well today, making this fifteen-year-old survival horror title worth playing. Frictional Games redefined the genre with Amnesia and continued to create strong sequels like Rebirth and The Bunker. However, The Dark Descent remains the most acclaimed and frightening game in the series.

Five Nights At Freddy’s

A Clever Idea Executed Cleverly

Look, Five Nights at Freddy’s has gotten a bit crazy with all the fan theories and, honestly, some sequels that didn’t quite hit the mark. But let’s not forget why the first game was such a huge deal. It had a really clever idea, and it pulled it off perfectly. That original 2014 game is still a classic, and I think it deserves way more recognition than it gets.

In this game, you play as a security guard starting a new job at the dilapidated Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Your main task is to monitor security cameras and prevent the restaurant’s frightening, hostile animatronics from killing you. The gameplay is straightforward but surprisingly effective, and the contrast between the dark setting and the brightly colored, childish decorations creates a uniquely unsettling atmosphere that later games in the series haven’t been able to match.

Alien: Isolation

Makes Perfect Use Of The Legendary Horror IP

The release of Alien: Isolation couldn’t have been better timed. It came out almost two years after the disappointing Aliens: Colonial Marines, and it finally delivered the terrifying, suspenseful survival horror game that Alien fans had been hoping for.

Unlike most Alien games, Isolation doesn’t focus heavily on combat. Instead, it prioritizes creating truly frightening and suspenseful moments by forcing players to hide from a single, incredibly dangerous Xenomorph. This is much harder than it sounds, as the alien uses advanced AI to learn from your actions and change how it hunts, meaning you’re never truly safe. Many fans agree that playing Alien: Isolation in the dark, desperately hoping the Xenomorph doesn’t discover your hiding place, is a thrilling and unforgettable horror experience.

Bloodborne

An Incredible Action Game With A Chilling Victorian Era Setting

FromSoftware often adds elements of survival horror to its challenging action RPGs, making them feel more intense and atmospheric. This results in a surprisingly creepy tone in many of their games. Bloodborne perfectly showcases this clever design choice.

Bloodborne, a PlayStation 4 exclusive, puts you in the role of a hunter tasked with eliminating the terrifying monsters that plague the city of Yharnam. The game begins with classic horror creatures like werewolves and ogres, but soon introduces deeply unsettling beings inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. While it’s an action game at its core, Bloodborne’s immersive atmosphere, striking visuals, compelling story, and haunting setting make it ideal for a spooky Halloween playthrough—particularly for players who typically find survival horror games too intense.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

The Scariest Game In This Iconic Survival Horror Franchise

The Resident Evil series is easily the most well-known and beloved survival horror franchise globally, so many games from it could be considered scary. However, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard stands out as the most terrifying experience, prioritizing atmosphere and genuine scares over action. Capcom intentionally designed it this way, and it successfully revitalized the Resident Evil franchise after the less-well-received, action-focused Resident Evil 6.

Let me tell you, the Baker family in Resident Evil 7 is seriously messed up. Each one – Jack, Marguerite, even Lucas – is creepy in their own way, and it’s terrifying exploring their house because you never know where they’ll jump out at you. The environments are absolutely disgusting, which honestly makes the game even more unsettling. It really reminded me of watching The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Honestly, this is the scariest Resident Evil game I’ve ever played, and if you’re a fan of the series, you absolutely need to check it out.

Dead Space

Like Resident Evil, But In Space

Games like Alien: Isolation and System Shock have successfully merged sci-fi with survival horror, creating truly terrifying experiences, but Dead Space remains the gold standard. While the original 2008 game is still impressive, the 2023 remake is even better, boasting updated graphics and refined gameplay.

Released a few years after Resident Evil 4, Dead Space clearly takes inspiration from that game, especially in its exciting, over-the-shoulder shooting. Players need to become skilled with both the combat and Isaac Clarke’s arsenal of weapons, as they’ll face the terrifying Necromorphs—grotesome alien creatures that take over and transform human bodies. Dead Space expertly blends action and suspense, creating a truly unsettling and immersive sci-fi horror experience thanks to its bleak, futuristic setting.

Alan Wake 2

Uses Darkness And Lighting As Core Gameplay Mechanics

Both Alan Wake and Alan Wake 2 would be excellent choices for this list. These survival horror games famously use darkness and light as central gameplay mechanics, and most people agree that the 2023 sequel is the stronger title – a sentiment backed up by the numerous awards it’s received since launch.

In Alan Wake 2, you play as both Alan Wake and FBI agent Saga Anderson. They battle shadowy enemies called the Taken by shining light on them to make them vulnerable. The game is very dark, and playing in a low-lit room really enhances the atmosphere. Beyond the gameplay, Alan Wake 2 features a truly unique story filled with strange and memorable moments, showcasing the creative talent of the developers at Remedy Entertainment.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

A Bone-Chilling Psychological Horror Masterpiece

The name Silent Hill is practically synonymous with psychological horror, and Silent Hill 2 is widely considered the best game in the series. It stands out for its deeply personal and emotional story, something the other games don’t quite achieve. While the original game from 2001 is still highly regarded, its age has become noticeable, making the recently released 2024 remake a critical and commercial hit.

The famous fog in the town of Silent Hill originally served a practical purpose: it masked the game’s simple graphics and limited how far the game needed to render. But in the remake, the fog is now a key part of the atmosphere, creating a constant sense of dread as terrifying monsters appear unexpectedly to attack James Sunderland. Players can get a warning by listening to his radio, which emits static when enemies are close. However, the remake’s success isn’t just due to its frightening monsters and dark visuals. The game also boasts a deeply compelling story filled with shocking twists and unforgettable, tragic characters whose pasts will stay with players long after they finish playing.

No, I’m Not A Human

An Experimental Indie Horror Game With A Unique Art Style

The independent game world is full of great horror titles, and one of the most talked-about recently launched in September 2025. Created by a small studio in Russia, No, I’m Not A Human has quickly become incredibly popular online, and for good reason.

The game presents a stressful situation: the world is overrun by Visitors who can look exactly like people. You must stay hidden in your house and decide who to let in, but you can’t tell who is a harmless survivor and who is a disguised invader. While the core idea is clever, No, I’m Not A Human really stands out because of its unsettling style. The gritty visuals, strange lighting, and creepy character designs create a constant sense of discomfort and anxiety, which impacts your choices during key moments.

2025-10-29 19:07