Although not every game on this list relies on jump scares and dark hallways, these indie gems are worth losing sleep over this Halloween.
Halloween is just around the corner and you might be looking for some spooky games to celebrate. And while there are really good titles from AAA devs, some of the scariest or most entertaining gems come from indie devs.
If you’re looking for unique games to keep you up at night, here are five of the best ones we’ve uncovered.
From the Darkness (2021)
Developer: N4bA
Publisher: N4bA
From the Darkness is an indie horror surprise that quickly gained a reputation as one of the decade’s most unsettling games. Set entirely within a small, unassuming apartment, this escape-room-style experience draws players into an atmosphere thick with suspense.Â
As you search for clues and essential items to find a way out, the familiar space around you constantly shifts—lights flicker, objects mysteriously rearrange, and looming figures occasionally slip into the shadows. The layout forces you to revisit every corner, never allowing a sense of safety to settle as each turn reveals new, nerve-wracking surprises.
Designed to play on our deepest fears, From the Darkness uses both nyctophobia and claustrophobia to keep players on edge, turning hallways into haunting focal points for encounters that will leave you tense and wary.
The game strategically places everyday objects, each one carrying its own dose of dread—especially the unsettling doll with its unblinking eyes that seem to follow you, ready to unsettle at any moment.Â
Though some say the first half delivers the most intense scares, the game's expert control of the atmosphere makes it a standout in indie horror, leaving you with a creeping unease that lingers long after the screen goes dark.
From the Darkness is available on Steam.
Mouthwashing (2024)
Developer: Wrong Organ
Publisher: Critical Reflex
One of the newest additions to the list is Mouthwashing.
Mouthwashing, a horror game by Wrong Organ, brings players into a chilling, unforgettable experience aboard a stranded space freighter.Â
As you follow the crew’s lives unravel through isolation, starvation, and fractured relationships, the game’s story grips you with a haunting realism. The retro PSX-style graphics and immersive sound design amplify the bleakness, making every interaction feel heavy and unsettling. The dialogue and storyline are carefully crafted, pulling you deeper into the crew’s psychological turmoil as they face survival’s harsh realities.
Only weeks after launch, Mouthwashing has earned "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews on Steam, with more than 1,500 players praising its impactful, eerie storytelling. With an impressive 9.0 user score on Metacritic, it’s already a standout horror title for 2024.Â
Just a side note that this game is more narrative than gameplay heavy, but that doesn’t take away from the sick-to-the-stomach feel that you may get after completing the game.
This is a horror game that gets under your skin, lingers in your mind, and stays with you long after you’ve left the screen.
Mouthwashing is available on Steam.
KunKunNIght (2023)
Developer EMSRoy
Publisher EMSRoy
KunKunNight is a horror game that masterfully blends scares with dark humour. Players are trapped in a shadowy, foreboding building, pursued by the relentless KunKun, whose eerie laughter echoes through every corner.Â
The tension is constant as players scramble to outwit him, solving puzzles and using quick reflexes to stay one step ahead. Hiding is often essential, with cabinets and other cleverly hidden spots offering temporary refuge—but KunKun is never far behind.
This Chinese title has won praise on Steam for its unique mix of horror and comedy, surprising players with multiple endings that hinge on their choices.Â
KunKunNight offers a memorable thrill, perfect for those seeking a chilling yet entertaining experience. KunKunNight is available on Steam.
I’m on Observation Duty 7 (2024)
Developer: Notovia, Dreamloop Games
Publisher: Notovia
The series is back with its 7th installment, I’m on Observation Duty 7.  If you’re looking for an unconventional horror game, I’m on Observation Duty offers a chilling experience without the typical movement or exploration.Â
Instead, you take on the role of a government agent monitoring surveillance cameras in eerie settings—schools, offices, and train stations—scanning for supernatural anomalies. Small changes like objects shifting, lights flickering, or ghostly figures appearing demand a sharp eye, and memorising each room’s ordinary layout is crucial for detecting these unsettling intrusions.
As anomalies escalate, the tension mounts, forcing you to race against time to report them before things spiral out of control. The black-and-white camera feeds amplify the creepiness, and each round challenges you to focus on the slightest differences.
But the game’s effect doesn’t end when you step away; it leaves you questioning even minor changes in your own surroundings, lingering in your mind in a way that makes it uniquely unsettling long after you’ve stopped playing. I’m on Observation Duty is as much a test of your nerve as it is a haunting experience.
The I'm on Observation Duty series is available on Steam.Â
Signalis (2022)
Developer: rose-engine
Publisher: Humble Games
Signalis is a love letter to classic survival horror, set in a bleak, dystopian future where humanity’s darkest secrets are unearthed within a secluded government facility.Â
As Elster, a Replika technician haunted by fragmented memories, players are drawn into a labyrinth of cosmic horror, surrounded by eerie, low-resolution visuals reminiscent of 90s gaming and Cold War-inspired design.Â
The gameplay echoes legends like Silent Hill and Resident Evil, blending traditional horror mechanics with a striking pixel-art aesthetic and a storyline laced with nods to Evangelion, Lovecraft, and Blame!
The game places a heavy emphasis on resource management, strategic combat, and exploration, creating tension in every encounter as ammunition, health, and inventory slots are constantly stretched to their limits.Â
Puzzles and lore-rich environmental clues add depth, while the minimal yet effective soundscape builds suspense that lingers long after you’ve left the screen.Â
Despite a few old-school quirks, Signalis masterfully balances survival horror and psychological terror, creating a chilling experience that invites players to confront the unknown and leaves them contemplating its mysteries.
Signalis is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, XBOX One, and PS4.
