Embracing the Halloween spirit shouldn’t be limited to trick-or-treating, watching horror movies, or just chilling with friends. Personally, I love gaming during this season, especially with all the horror titles out there today to set the spooky spirit! If you’re anything like me and want to experience spooky virtual adventures like no other, then you’re in for a treat with my list of the best Halloween games for iPhone and iPad!
Do you know what’s the best part about these games? They won’t restrict you to your gaming chair, sitting in front of your gaming rig or console. These games are always available at your fingertips, ready to bring you into a house of horrors or immerse you in a supernatural mystery that will have you scratching your head and virtually gunning for survival!
Table of Contents
- Why would you enjoy these Halloween games?
- How we tested and curated these Halloween games?
- What should you consider before downloading a Halloween game?
- Which Halloween games are the best for you?
- Resident Evil Village – For fans of AAA horror games
- Death Road to Canada – A Retro-Styled Action RPG
- Candies ‘n Curses – A Charming Game for Kids Aged 10 and above
- Hello Neighbor – For fans of Stealth Horror
- Granny – An excellent free horror experience
- Five Nights at Freddy's – A Cult Classic on the Mobile Screen
- Simulacra – A Unique Found Footage Experience
- Little Misfortune – Deep Storytelling and Gorgeous Art Style
- Lifeline… – An Immersive Narrative-Driven Game
- Playdead's INSIDE – Excellent 2D puzzle platformer and adventure game
- Honorable Mentions
Why would you enjoy these Halloween games?
Halloween games on your iPhone and iPad are a great way to experience the vibes of the spooky season without leaving the coziness of your blanket or the general comfort of your home. These games allow you to dive into immersive virtual worlds that imbibe the true nature of Halloween. Whether you like jump scares or some lighthearted mysteries, there’s something available for everyone to experience. Oh, and did I mention that some Halloween games also allow you to team up with friends?
For whom are these games?
While gaming, in general, is for everyone, I think Halloween games cater to specific categories of people. Let’s look at these categories in more detail.
- Horror Enthusiasts: We all know that one friend can’t get enough of horror games or movies. If YOU’RE that friend, these games feature plenty of scares, suspense, and thrills to satiate your appetite for the paranormal.
- Casual Gamers: Of course, not all Halloween games are for gamers who just want to play new games and wind down after a long and tiring day. However, some games find the perfect balance between horror and intensity to cater to this category of gamers.
- Kids: For kids, it’s pretty simple: You’d want your kid to experience Halloween games without amplified scares or complex gameplay. Some Halloween games blend puzzle elements, easy controls, and fun characters with a touch of the Halloween theme!
How we tested and curated these Halloween games?
To ensure that my Halloween game recommendations meet the diverse needs of our readers, I’ve considered some crucial factors when selecting these games. Only the games that met all these requirements have been selected for the list.
- Spookiness: What’s Halloween without the spooky factor? The games on our list feature varying levels of spookiness. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned gamer, you’ll find something that piques your interest.
- Gameplay: A game is incomplete without proper gameplay. The gameplay itself can be varied: puzzle-solving, action, or survival. I’ve made sure to cover the gameplay diversity that’s available on the Apple Store.
- Graphics and Sound: Atmosphere and ambiance are everything in Halloween games. They set the stage and keep the spooky vibes alive. This atmosphere is usually achieved through both graphics and audio. The games on this list feature an excellent mix of both to amplify the virtual Halloween spirit.
- Accessibility: It would be pointless to list a game you can’t access easily, right? I’ve ensured that all the games on this list are available on the App Store. Some games are free, while others provide paid versions with extra features. Either way, you’ll have no issue in finding them for your next gaming session.
What should you consider before downloading a Halloween game?
Halloween games aren’t meant for everyone. So, before downloading the games on this list, consider the following points:
- Fear level: If you’re someone who’s scared easily and can’t stand AAA horror games or movies, some of the games will not be for you. Consider your susceptibility to horror elements and whether you prefer less intense games or ones with jumpscares.
- In-app purchases: Developers often provide free versions of their games, with full access and features hidden behind paywalls. Depending on your choice, you may have to shell out extra for the full Halloween experience.
- Multiplayer or solo: Do you prefer having the support of a friend when facing undead zombie hordes, or would you rather go for a solo adventure? If it’s the former, choose any from the multitude of multiplayer games, or try some Halloween apps as a fun way to add extra thrills. If you’re more of a sole survivor, you can download the single-player games.
Which Halloween games are the best for you?
Now that you know about our testing process, let’s look at the best Halloween games for iPhone and iPad.
1. Resident Evil Village – For fans of AAA horror games
I’ll start with possibly the best and most horrifying game on this list. If you’ve been a gamer for the past decade or so, you must have heard about CAPCOM’s magnum opus. The game was a huge hit on major consoles, and it’s now been ported to mobile devices. So, if you’ve never experienced the game on a console, it’s high time you jump into it!
My playtime with Resident Evil Village was beyond any expectation that I had for a game of this nature. CAPCOM has kept the essence of the game alive, despite the smaller screen. Thankfully, my iPhone 15 Pro was able to handle the game without any issues. This allowed me to experience the game’s terrifying story, gory action, and eerie atmosphere to my heart’s content.
If you’re not habituated to playing first-person shooters on your iPhone or iPad, it’ll take you some time to understand the controls. For an enhanced experience, however, I’d recommend you to play the game with an MFi-certified controller. I used the DualSense controller, and it worked perfectly!
The base game is playable for free until a certain level, and you’ll have to purchase the game for full access. Unfortunately, the game’s DLCs have to be paid for separately.
Fair warning, though: download the full game only if you have at least 32GB of storage space available!
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Resident Evil Village if you’re a true horror fan who’ll stop at nothing to get their spooked-out adrenaline rush.
Price: A limited segment of the game is available for free. However, you’ll have to pay $39.99 for the full game access, $4.99 for the All Access Voucher, $19.99 for the DLC Pack, and $2.99 for the Street Wolf Outfit.
2. Death Road to Canada – A retro-styled action RPG
My next recommendation is vastly different from Resident Evil VIII. If you’re a fan of action RPGs, strategy, and zombie apocalypses, then Death Road to Canada is definitely worth checking out. The graphics give the game a retro vibe but do nothing to diminish the random hilarity.
You play as a survivor moving from Florida to Canada, which is the last surviving country in the game’s world. As you travel on the deadly roads, you come across random strangers with strange requests, fellow companions, dangerous enemies, and, you guessed it, zombies!
What really stood out for me in the game were the randomly-generated maps and events. No two playthroughs are the same, and you’re always left on your toes to strategize for what’s coming next. The game also gives you particularly tough decisions to make. In one instance, I had to choose between a seasoned survivor and the overall group comprised of new members due to the former’s betrayal.
Overall, you’re going to have loads of fun with Death Roads to Canada. The only issue I have with the game is that it has a steep learning curve owing to multiple game mechanics. While it’s not for everyone, seasoned gamers will definitely enjoy it!
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Death Road to Canada if you want a Halloween-themed action RPG adventure.
Price: $14.99
3. Candies ‘n Curses – A charming game for kids aged 10 and above
Candies ‘n Curses, despite its cute name and overall in-game aesthetic, isn’t for your typical 4-year-old. However, I’d recommend it for kids aged 10 years or older. Its charm and unique (but complicated) gameplay will provide you with hours of fun.
You play as Molli Pop, a high school girl who has to fend off ghosts in a haunted mansion and ultimately make her way to defeat the Phantom King. I was surprised by the variety that the game offers, from different kinds of weapons to 6 playing regions, each offering something different to the player.
While I didn’t find the game to be too challenging, it did have random difficulty spikes, with some levels being overly difficult while others were relatively easy. Nonetheless, you’ll be glued to your seat when playing Candies ‘n Curses, especially due to the hand-crafted pixel art aesthetic style.
Overall, this is a game that almost anybody can play. Whether you’re looking for some light casual gaming or want to indulge in some classic retro-style gaming, don’t miss out on Candies ‘n Curses this Halloween!
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Candies ‘n Curses for some light Halloween-themed gaming.
Price: The base game is available for free. In-app purchases start from $1.99 for a Teeny Soul Bag and scale up to $19.99 for the ads-free pack.
4. Hello Neighbor – For fans of stealth horror
Gamers remember the likes of Slenderman and Alien: Isolation, right? These horror games kept us on our toes, always wondering where the enemy would come from. Games of this nature also go the extra mile in making you feel helpless, as your character can’t fight back—only run and hide!
If you love these types of games, Hello Neighbor should be the game to play on Halloween. In the game, you have to sneak into your mysterious neighbor’s house to uncover the secrets that he’s hiding in his basement. Sounds relatively easy, right? Well, it isn’t.
The neighbor’s character uses advanced AI to understand your strategy and counter accordingly. For example, while playing the game, I successfully hid from the neighbor by crawling under the bed. The next time he caught on to me, I found the bedroom and crawled under it again. However, this time, the neighbor instantly caught me by coming into the room and checking under the bed.
In other words, you’ll have to constantly find new ways to escape the neighbor’s clutches while searching for the house’s secrets. It’s no walk in the park, but if you’re a fan of stealth horror games, you can’t miss this one!
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Hello Neighbor if you want to play a stealth horror game with your friends.
Price: The game is available for free on the App Store. You can purchase a full Energy Restore for $0.99 and the full game for $14.99.
5. Granny – An excellent free horror experience
If you’re not a fan of jumpscares, you should probably move onto the next game on this list. Granny is a veritable nightmare fuel of a game if you don’t like horror elements. While Hello Neighbor featured a more family-friendly and inviting art style, Granny doesn’t follow the same style.
Instead, you’ll find the levels to be dreary, bland, and almost claustrophobic. That’s because the developer intended to create a game where you feel trapped. In fact, Granny has trapped you in her house, and you need to escape within 5 days.
The reason that Granny is so difficult to evade is that she hears everything that happens in her cold, quiet, and dark house. If you drop an item or make a single noise while moving, she’ll be onto you in an instant.
While I did enjoy the game for a few hours, I noticed that some elements in the game could have been used as hiding spots but weren’t programmed for it. For example, as you move downstairs to the kitchen, there’s a kitchen cabinet that could act as a safe spot away from Granny’s sight. Instead, you’ll have to run towards wardrobes or the nearest bed to hide under.
Nonetheless, fans of genuine horror will enjoy themselves immensely in this game. This is another Slenderman-esque clone that could easily both entertain and horrify you and your friends.
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Granny for an excellent, 100% free horror gaming experience.
Price: Free
6. Five Nights at Freddy’s – A cult classic on the mobile screen
Since 2014, Five Nights at Freddy’s has been a cult classic in the horror gaming genre. With over 10 games in the franchise, it’s finally available on the Apple App Store. The idea behind the game is simple: you’re a security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza and need to monitor the parlor at night when the animatronics come to life.
Essentially, you have to keep an eye on the animatronics through the security cameras. However, the power backup is limited. Once the power runs out, you won’t be protected by the security doors or cameras. The idea is to survive for five nights, with each night becoming creepier and more challenging by the minute.
Personally, I love this franchise and have played multiple entries. The iOS version of the game has been ported from the Remastered PC version. This ensures that the game looks good and plays even better, amplifying the horror elements.
In my playthrough, the first 3 nights were relatively easy to monitor. As long as you can keep your power usage in check, you’ll be able to breeze through. The fourth and fifth nights, however, were much more challenging.
The animatronics are never in a single place for too long, and since I wasn’t able to keep up with their movements, I was caught more than a few times. Nonetheless, the game’s challenge kept me engaged, even if the movements got slightly predictable after a while.
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Five Nights at Freddy’s to relive a cult classic on mobile devices.
Price: The base game is available for $2.99 on the App Store. In-app purchases range from $0.99 for various in-game Plushies to $4.99 for a Survival Kit.
7. Simulacra – A unique found footage experience
Simulacra brings something completely different from the other games I’ve featured on this list. If you love found footage horror games, this is worth checking out. Simulacra is a spiritual successor to the wildly popular Sara is Missing and features similar gameplay elements.
The narrative thriller puts you in the shoes of a person who found the lost phone of a missing woman, Anna. You’ll have to check her phone records and talk to her friends to locate her. I loved the fact that all the characters in the game are played by real people, and the situation is simulated as if you’re genuinely talking to Anna’s friends.
You’ll be able to make choices that tailor the ending, and there are 5 different endings to explore. This provided me with some replayability, and I was able to explore 2 out of the 5 endings. I’ll definitely be playing Simulacra some more to unlock the rest, and I’d recommend this to fans of narrative thrillers!
What I didn’t like about the game, however, was that some of the puzzles seemed repetitive. I’d have preferred different types of puzzles or some extra mechanics in their place.
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Simulacra for its found footage gameplay and story.
Price: $4.99
8. Little Misfortune – deep storytelling and gorgeous art style
Little Misfortune combines beautiful hand-painted scenes with mystery, symbolism, and cute aesthetics. It features exploration elements and memorable characters, especially the titular character, Misfortune Ramirez Hernandez!
You play as Miss Misfortune, searching for Eternal Happiness for her mother. While exploring the game’s engaging world, you’ll come across puzzles, shady characters, and monsters!
Since I’m a massive fan of narrative games, Little Misfortune is an easy recommendation for me. It has a story that’s worth playing through, and I found myself lost in the game’s environments, more so due to the ambient soundtrack from Isak Martinsson. If you choose to play this game, you should do so on an iPad to fully realize the handpainted world.
What I didn’t like was the overall lack of gameplay mechanics. It mostly involved moving left or right, as the game required. If you don’t mind that, however, Little Misfortune is worth what you pay for it!
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Little Misfortune for a deep narrative gaming experience.
Price: $6.99
9. Lifeline – An immersive narrative-driven game
If you’ve ever wanted to play a game that unfolds in real-time, Lifeline is an excellent pick. It features the player in the shoes of Taylor, an astronaut stranded on an alien moon. You have no idea where the rest of your crew is, and your communicator is only able to connect with you.
The game syncs with your iPhone, iPad, and even your Apple Watch. You’ll have to be Taylor’s constant companion, with notifications popping up randomly throughout the day. Some choices you make in the game could be mundane, while others will be life-or-death situations. It has a branching storyline, and your choices will change the game’s ending.
Frankly, I loved playing this game due to the level of immersion. Even when I was working, I felt the need to check in on Taylor. However, it wasn’t an overwhelming need and didn’t hamper my day-to-day activities as such.
Mind you, some notifications can pop up at odd times if you haven’t configured the settings. Don’t be surprised if Taylor has to make a difficult decision in the middle of your weekly team meeting!
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Lifeline for its gripping story and overall immersion mechanics.
Price: $2.99
10. Playdead’s INSIDE – excellent 2D puzzle platformer and adventure game
Playdead is known for developing twisted adventures like LIMBO, and INSIDE takes it to a whole new level. The 2D puzzle platformer game puts you in a dystopian setting, trying to escape the authorities’ mind control.
You play as a young boy who has to make it through the dystopian town, evading hostile elements. I completed the game on PC, when it was released in 2016, and the iOS version is a faithful port that brings the game to life on mobile screens. The atmosphere is tense, heavy, and leaves little room for hope.
There is extensive symbolism in the game’s overall design, aesthetics, and storyline. So, if you want your game to make you think about the current structures in the world and how we might just be cogs on a wheel (yikes!), then this game is worth playing.
To be honest, there’s not much to dislike about the game. The only complaint I’d have about it is that it’s too short, and can be completed in a day!
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Choose Playdead’s INSIDE if you’re a fan of 2D puzzle platformers and adventure games.
Price: A limited section of the game is available for free, but you’ll have to shell out $6.99 for the full version.
Honorable Mentions
Due to the App Store’s massive game library, mentioning just 10 games for this list of the best Halloween games was quite a task. So, here are a few games that didn’t make it to the list but are still worth your time and money:
1. Playdead’s LIMBO
LIMBO is the spiritual predecessor to Playdead’s INSIDE, and I’d recommend you play it before checking out INSIDE. It will give you a feel of the series’ nature, and there are some Easter eggs in INSIDE that you can only understand if you’ve played LIMBO. Nonetheless, both of Playdead’s games were massive hits on consoles, and for good reason!
2. Oxenfree
Oxenfree is another narrative horror thriller that takes your game choices into account for the story’s ending. You’ll play Alex as she and her brother focus on uncovering the supernatural history surrounding the island.
The game is fun to play and features an aesthetic art style that accurately emulates a supernatural setting.
3. Dead by Daylight Mobile
Dead by Daylight features both single-player and multiplayer campaigns, but it’s especially fun to play with friends. You can choose to be either a survivor or a killer. Survivors have to work together, hide, and ultimately outsmart the killer to, well, survive!
If you play as the killer, you can play as Michael Myers from Friday the 13th, hunting down the survivors individually. There’s a lot of fun to be had, and the game provides variety in terms of gameplay elements to keep things afresh!
4. Into the Dead 2
Love first-person shooter games? Into the Dead 2 is the sequel to the critically acclaimed first game and features improvements across the board. Not only are there multiple story endings, but you also have access to new weapons to fight against the zombie horde. Oh, and there are new, tougher zombie types as well!
What I genuinely love about Into the Dead 2 is that you can approach it from a horror fan’s perspective or from an “I’m Negan, and I want to kill Walkers” POV (Hello, The Walking Dead fans!). Don’t miss out on this one if you can’t download or play Resident Evil VIII!
5. Berenstain Bears – Ghost Walk
The last game on this list is vastly different from the others, as it’s meant specifically for children. If you’ve got a little one whom you want to keep occupied without missing out on the festivities, check out Berenstain Bears—Ghost Walk.
The game helps your toddlers expand their vocabulary, literary skills, and logical thinking. It’s also really easy to play, so you won’t have to worry about your child losing interest in the gameplay!
Spooky Halloween!
This concludes my list of the best Halloween games for iPhone and iPad. I’ve included a little bit of everything to please our diverse readers. For even more seasonal fun, consider spicing up your device with some Halloween wallpapers to complete the spooky vibe!
If you’re a zombie games fan, you’ll love Death Road to Canada. Resident Evil Village will keep you on the edge of your seats with an immersive AAA experience. Lastly, don’t forget to try games like Lifeline, which provides remarkably unique gameplay elements.
For everything else on Apple, keep following iGeeksBlog!
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