Halloween Video Games With Jump Scares 2023

Jump scares are a staple of the horror genre, and video games are no exception. For gamers looking to get spooked this Halloween season, there are plenty of great horror games that utilize jump scares and other frightening elements. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the best and scariest Halloween video games with jump scares that you can play in 2023.

Key Takeaways:

• Horror video games rely heavily on jump scares to frighten players and build tension.
• Popular franchises like Resident Evil, Dead Space, and Five Nights at Freddy’s are known for their frequent jump scares.
• Independent horror titles like Layers of Fear, Amnesia: Rebirth, and Maid of Sker also provide lots of jump scares.
• VR horror games take jump scares to the next level with their immersive environments.
• Anticipated 2023 releases like Scorn and The Callisto Protocol promise plenty of scares.
• Horror fans looking for a fright this Halloween have lots of scary video game options to choose from.

Popular Horror Franchises With Jump Scares

Resident Evil

The Resident Evil franchise is synonymous with the survival horror genre. These games are loaded with zombies, monsters, and bio-weapon scares galore. The jump scares come frequently, especially when a Licker or other mutant creature drops down from the ceiling when you least expect it.

With atmospheric settings like the Spencer Mansion or Raccoon City Police Station, the classic Resident Evil games expertly built tension before unleashing a jump scare. Recent entries like Resident Evil 7 and the Resident Evil 2 remake continued this trend with photorealistic graphics that make the scares even more terrifying.

With the next major installment in the franchise, Resident Evil 4, due out in 2023, fans can expect plenty more frightening moments in one of gaming’s most iconic horror series.

Dead Space

Taking place aboard a deserted spaceship overrun by nightmarish Necromorphs, Dead Space is dripping with dread. The chilling atmosphere and disturbing creature design make every room tense with apprehension. You never know when a Necromorph might burst out of the shadows for a jump scare.

These constant frights punctuate the lonely, claustrophobic exploration of the USG Ishimura. Whether you’re turning a corner to find a hideous beast inches from your face or walking down a hallway as the lights flicker, Dead Space is a nonstop parade of terror.

The original Dead Space from 2008 set the tone for the series, while the sequels continued to find new ways to make players leap out of their seats. This beloved franchise has lain dormant for a decade now, leaving fans clamoring for more zero-g terror.

Five Nights at Freddy’s

The Five Nights at Freddy’s series has built a reputation around tension and jump scares. As a security guard trapped inside Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza for five nights, you have to rely on security cameras and motion sensors to protect yourself from murderous animatronic mascots, including Freddy Fazbear himself.

With limited power and nowhere to run, you’re constantly vulnerable as these creepy robots seem to move on their own, drawing nearer and nearer. When you least expect it, you’ll lower your camera only for one of them to jump out with their shrieking mechanical screams.

Creator Scott Cawthon has crafted one jump scare after another across the numerous mainline FNAF games and spin-offs. It’s simple yet incredibly effective horror design centered purely around suspense and scares.

Other Horror Games With Great Jump Scares

Layers of Fear

As an artist trying to complete your magnum opus, you explore a surreal, constantly shifting haunted mansion in Layers of Fear. The disturbing psychedelic visuals and intimating atmosphere make you feel like you’re losing your grip on reality.

There’s a constant sense of unease as you explore the ever-changing layout of the house. When paired with the horrific scenes of gore and unsettling audio cues, Layers of Fear provides some seriously skin-crawling scares.

Amnesia: Rebirth

Set in the same universe as Amnesia: The Dark Descent, this 2020 survival horror title retains the tense, oppressive atmosphere of its predecessor. Exploring the treacherous caves and sand-covered ruins, you face unimaginable horrors that defy explanation.

With no combat to defend yourself, running and hiding are your only options when the monsters appear. The feeling of helplessness amplifies every chase and jump scare. Amnesia: Rebirth captures the same magic that made The Dark Descent such a seminal horror experience.

Maid of Sker

Set in a creepy Welsh hotel with a bloody history, Maid of Sker has you trying to survive the night while avoiding the haunting residents within. With limited abilities to distract and evade the enemies, you truly feel powerless against the forces of evil lurking in this macabre setting.

Maid of Sker creates a thick, suffocating atmosphere of dread. The Victorian setting looks gorgeous yet unsettling at the same time. When the game’s opponents do make their presence known, the jump scares hit hard.

Immersive VR Horror

Virtual reality has opened the door for truly immersive horror game experiences. Several fantastic VR horror titles have perfected the art of making players feel present in an unsettling environment where threats can come from any direction.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted

The FNAF franchise made a successful transition to VR with Help Wanted. Checking the camera feeds and holding doors shut to block killer animatronics is even more panic-inducing in first person. When those robots do sneak into your office, they feel like they are right on top of you for some terrifyingly realistic jump scares.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Capcom took a bold leap bringing the Resident Evil series into first-person VR with Resident Evil 7. Wandering through the rotting hallways of an old plantation house in virtual reality amplifies the creepy atmosphere. When monsters charge out of the darkness, your heart will skip a beat as the scares hit way too close to home.

Phantom: Covert Ops

Rowing a tactical kayak through the shadows on a mission gone awry, you find yourself totally exposed in this unique stealth horror game. The creepy enemies can come from any direction across the murky waters. Phantom: Covert Ops also uses VR controls ingeniously, forcing you to physically peek around and aim your weapons, ratcheting up the tension astronomically.

Most Anticipated Horror Games of 2023

With a new year comes new opportunities for horror video games to keep fans screaming. 2023 has some hotly anticipated releases in the works.

Scorn

This gruesome first-person horror game looks like a living nightmare dredged up from the deepest depths of H.R. Giger’s subconscious. The bodily horror and biomechanical art direction give Scorn an instantly unsettling vibe.

Wandering through the interconnected regions of this nightmarish world, you’ll have to use your wits to overcome existential dangers. Scorn promises to be surreal, gross, and downright terrifying when it crawls onto Xbox Series X/S and PC in 2023.

The Callisto Protocol

From the mind of Dead Space creator Glen Schofield comes a spiritual successor called The Callisto Protocol. Set on Jupiter’s moon, this new sci-fi survival horror game focuses on a horrific outbreak across a maximum security prison.

Callisto Protocol aims to blend visceral combat with next-gen visuals to scare the pants off players. With the Dead Space pedigree behind it, expect some serious jump scares out of this one. It’s headed to PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms in 2023.

Conclusion

If you’re a horror fan looking for a good scare this Halloween, there are plenty of frightening video game options available. From tense psychological horror like Layers of Fear to action-packed survival terror in Resident Evil and Dead Space, scary games continue to find new ways to spook audiences. And with virtual reality becoming more accessible, these experiences are getting even more immersive and terrifying.

So gather some friends, turn off the lights, and enjoy some of the best and scariest Halloween video games out there this season. Just make sure you’ve got a spare controller on hand in case someone accidentally throws theirs halfway across the room!

FAQ

What makes a good jump scare in video games?

• A good jump scare is all about the build-up of tension – the best ones emerge organically from an already creepy scene. Slowly building suspense before unleashing the scare at just the right moment creates the biggest jolt.

Are jump scares the only way to create horror in games?

• No, jump scares are just one technique developers can use. Creating an unsettling atmosphere through disturbing visuals, creepy audio, and a sense of powerlessness is equally important for horror games.

Do jump scares work differently in VR compared to traditional games?

• Yes, VR allows for much more immersive and realistic jump scares since the player feels physically present in the environment. This amplifies the terrifying feeling of threats coming from any direction.

What will be the next big horror trend after jump scares?

• Psychological horror and disturbing themes will continue to be huge. Additionally, we may see more advanced AI and machine learning used to create intelligent, dynamic scares tailored specifically to each player.

Why do people enjoy being scared by horror games?

• Overcoming the adrenaline rush of fright and terror in a controlled environment provides excitement. Horror fans also enjoy the immersive stories and creepy settings unique to the genre.