Not all horror games are made for the bravest souls or those who thrive on jump scares. If you're more into the spooky atmosphere and prefer a game that leans towards eerie rather than terrifying, you're in the right place. Below are ten of the best horror games that aren't too scary. All of these games have a unique take on what horror is, giving you the spookiness you seek without keeping you up at night.
Top 10 Horror Games That Won't Scare You
These ten games could all be considered cozy or dark cozy. Honestly, they should be "spooky games" rather than being anywhere near the horror genre, but there isn't a spooky genre to put them in. They have horror elements, but nothing anywhere near the blood, gore, and just utter... Grotesqueness of modern horror games.
Like Cult of the Lamb, which is an outlier in my piece about cult-themed horror games because of its cutesy style, these ten games just touch on the theme of horror without encompassing the entire game in it. Let's count down from the spookiest to the least scary!
10. OXENFREE
This one might seem too scary or spooky on the surface, but stick with me. OXENFREE is a supernatural game about a group of teens who accidentally open a ghostly rift on an abandoned military island. The spooky vibes are there, but the game is an immersive, interactive mystery, where your choices shape the story.
With no real jumpscares and an emphasis on narrative, it's perfect for players who like eerie stories. You'll be captivated by the story and relationships at times, so it's easy to forget that you aren't safe. The atmosphere of OXENFREE is just super off-putting, and Reddit agrees with me.
9. Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods offers a deeper, more emotionally driven experience. While it has its creepy moments, this game is more about the existential horrors of life.
You play as Mae, a college dropout who returns to her small hometown to find things have changed in unsettling ways. The relatable characters, real-life struggles, and the mysterious undercurrent running through the town add to the game in a very real way. Players identify with the characters, which adds to the immersion. It's far more melancholic than scary, but the mystery will pull you in – and don't be surprised if you feel attached to these characters by the end.
8. Pumpkin Jack
If you're a fan of platformers with a dark twist, Pumpkin Jack delivers in a big way. You play as the titular Pumpkin Jack, battling through vibrant, spooky environments filled with puzzles and fast-paced combat. The visuals have a distinct cartoonish flair, and despite the premise of aiding evil, the tone is light and fun.
The challenges are more in the realm of physics puzzles and platforming, so you can enjoy the spooky setting without any real fear. Perfect for players looking for Halloween vibes without the dread.
7. Lost in Random
This gothic-fairytale-inspired game has a quirky atmosphere that might remind you of a Tim Burton film. In Lost in Random, you'll explore a strange world where the roll of a dice determines fate.
While the setting is definitely spooky and dark, the combat and exploration keep it far from scary. The game's charmingly eerie aesthetic makes it more of a whimsical adventure than anything that will unnerve you. Think of it as creepy but cute – a dark world, yes, but nothing too unnerving.
6. Don't Starve
The hand-drawn art style and unique creatures in Don't Starve give it a quirky, whimsical vibe, but there's no denying the game's dark undertones. You're dropped into a wilderness and left to fend for yourself, crafting, surviving, and exploring.
While the game's world can be unforgiving, the humor and art style keep things from getting too intense. You'll laugh as often as you'll worry about surviving, and the lack of jump scares or truly terrifying moments makes it more of a quirky survival challenge than a horror game.
5. MediEvil
If you're after something a little more action-packed, MediEvil is a hack-and-slash classic that is definitely more of a spooky adventure than anything else - despite it's themes of death, monsters, resurrection, and the like. The 2019 remake brings back Sir Daniel Fortesque's hilariously awkward return from the dead, as he battles through haunted landscapes to save his kingdom.
There are spooky skeletons, creepy ghouls, and eerie environments, but it's all very tongue-in-cheek, with more humor than horror. Plus, if you played the original a couple of decades ago like I did, this will hit you with a wave of nostalgia.
4. Hollow Knight
Despite its dark aesthetic, Hollow Knight is an action-packed Metroidvania that feels more adventurous than terrifying.
You'll explore a mysterious underground world inhabited by bizarre bugs, uncover secrets, and fight formidable bosses. Sure, the atmosphere is a little eerie, and some of the enemies might look creepy, but the focus is on the exploration, combat, and story. There's no overwhelming sense of fear – just an exciting world to explore, full of challenges and charm.
3. Luigi's Mansion 3
Who says horror can't be charming? Luigi's Mansion 3 brings you into the role of Luigi, hunting ghosts in a haunted hotel. But this is no spine-chilling terror – it's an adorable, lighthearted adventure where Luigi uses his ghost-sucking vacuum to solve puzzles and save his friends. The only thing that might scare you is how cute the ghosts are!
The game is packed with charm, humor, and puzzle-solving goodness, making it perfect for players who want to dip their toes into a haunted house without any actual fear.
2. Costume Quest 1 & 2
Two-for-one here because both games deserve your time, especially if you love Halloween but not the nightmare fuel that often comes with it. In Costume Quest, you roam around a neighborhood with friends, trick-or-treating and battling candy-loving monsters in costumes that transform you into powerful heroes. It's spooky in the most adorable way, with plenty of Double Fine's trademark humor.
Costume Quest 2 picks up where the first left off, adding quality-of-life features like maps and collectible cards to spice up the battles. Despite a few battles here and there, you're more likely to be laughing than trembling in fear.
1. Graveyard Keeper
Finally, we arrive at Graveyard Keeper, which wins the crown for being the least scary horror-esque game on the list. It's all about managing a graveyard in a quirky, medieval setting.
Sure, there are corpses to deal with, but the game's dark humor and whimsical art style turn what could be a grim premise into something entirely fun and lighthearted. You'll be more concerned with running your graveyard efficiently than being scared of any ghosts or monsters. Plus, who knew running a graveyard could be so cozy?
Want to read more about horror games at Pro Game Guides? Check out our lists of the 20 First Person Horror Games To Play and the 10 Best scary games to play this Halloween.
Published: Oct 5, 2024 05:34 pm