Spooky Games To Play This Halloween That Aren’t Quite Horror

While Halloween is often synonymous with being scared, it doesn’t have to be. Plenty of people enjoy all things spooky, but aren’t necessarily looking to spend the whole month cowering under the covers after playing something like Silent Hill: Townfall or Resident Evil Requiem.

I’m a horror fan, but I’m also a massive scaredy-cat, so I know what it’s like to occasionally want to enjoy vampires, ghosts, and witches without the scare factor. Thankfully, game developers understand that too, which is why there are plenty of games that feel like Halloween without the horror, and we’ve taken the time to list a few out for you here that cover a range of different horror tolerances.

10

Well Dweller

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2

Though an official Castlevania game will also be found on this list, Well Dweller is an incredible indie metroidvania centered on dark fairy tales that offers a slightly different experience. Players take on the role of Glimmer, an adorable little bird with a lit matchstick as a weapon, who is on a journey to save his family.

Well Dweller honestly has a vibe that reminds me of Coraline in that it’s equally charming and unsettling, as opposed to the traditional gothic atmosphere of these types of games. Both of which make it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a spooky game that won’t leave them sleeping with the lights on.

9

Quarantine Zone

Platforms: PC, Xbox X|S

Quarantine Zone might be a game about zombies, but you’re relatively safe here. You can think of this game as more of a management-type game than anything else, as it’s essentially a zombie version of Papers, Please.

As survivors of an outbreak reach your facility, it’s up to you to determine whether they’re okay to proceed, need observation, or show signs of the illness and must be handled. It’s much more procedural than you’d expect, and though you will occasionally need to deal with more intense situations to maintain your facility, there’s nothing scary going on here.

8

Crime Scene Cleaner

Platforms: PC, Xbox X|S, PlayStation 5

Following in the shoes of games like PowerWash Simulator, Crime Scene Cleaner brings meticulous cleaning to a whole new level. As an after-murder cleanup crew, players will head into various crime scenes to bag up the bodies, clean up the blood, and put things back where they go to make it look like nothing ever happened.

Although it has an eerie premise and every location will have dead bodies lying around, most of the crime scenes are well-lit luxury places that are anything but scary. There is one location that will appear a bit haunted on the surface, but the reality is more humorous than anything, and nothing genuinely frightening happens.

7

The Blood of Dawnwalker

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

Now, I’ll be honest, The Blood of Dawnwalker does toe the line of being a genuine horror game. It has moments that are startling and creepy, but I don’t believe this game was designed to be scary, and most of it isn’t. If you’re right on the line of looking for a horror game but not sure if you’re ready for the full thing, this is the game I would recommend. If you’re extremely skittish, though, skip this one.

As Coen, a half-human, half-vampire, you’ll enjoy both the benefits of walking in the sun and the perks of vampirism on your journey to free your family from a full vampire, also known as a Vrakhiri. This RPG was developed by several members of the team that worked on The Witcher 3, so if you’re a fan of the latter, this is yet another long adventure you’ll likely want to sink your teeth into.

6

Pumpkin Jack

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

If you’re not looking for something scary and want something that might even border on cute, Pumpkin Jack might be just what you’re looking for. This 3D platformer lets you take on the role of Jack, the Pumpkin Lord with a jack-o-lantern head, as you attempt to help Evil prevail over Good.

Unlike some of the others on this list, this is a bit more of an action-packed spooky adventure than a casual cozy game to snuggle up with, so be prepared for puzzles, combat, and frightening foes that put Jack’s skills to the test.

5

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, Nintendo Switch

Being that there is an entire sub-genre based on it and Metroid, I probably don’t need to tell you what Castlevania is. However, if you don’t know, Castlevania is a franchise of gothic-horror 2D platformers that follows the Belmonts, a clan of vampire hunters.

Belmont’s Curse, in particular, takes place 23 years after Castlevania: Dracula’s Curse and has players take on the role of Rose Belmont, the daughter of the protagonist of Dracula’s Curse, Trevor Belmont. This game might be labeled horror, but rest assured that there are no major scares lurking here, unless you count Belmont’s Curse’s terrifying difficulty.

4

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

If you’re a fan of the Ace Attorney games, then perhaps you’ve heard of Capcom’s other detective game by the same creator, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. An HD remake was released in 2023, making the game more widely available, but there are still plenty of players who have yet to discover this chaotically good time.

As you might expect from the minds behind Ace Attorney, Ghost Trick is a detective game about solving a mysterious murder. The only problem is that this time the murder you’re trying to solve is your own, and you’re doing it as a ghost. Despite the dark premise, this game is full of vibrant colors and quirky humor that make it anything but scary.

3

The Witch’s Bakery

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5

The Witch’s Bakery is a 2D story-rich RPG releasing just in time for Halloween 2026, where you’ll take on the role of Lunne, a witch who has decided to open a bakery in Paris. Over the course of the game, you’ll use magic to level up your baking, build relationships with the locals, and even discover a few secrets around town.

Compared to some of the others on this list, The Witch’s Bakery is perhaps the furthest from anything scary, as it fully leans into the cozy fall atmosphere. That said, that might also be exactly what you’re looking for, in which case, I hope you enjoy creating your magical baked goods.

2

Luigi’s Mansion

Platforms: GameCube, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch 2

If you’ve ever looked for a non-scary game to play over Halloween, then you’ve probably heard of Luigi’s Mansion. That said, until recently, the only way to play the first Luigi’s Mansion was on a GameCube or 3DS. Now, however, Luigi’s Mansion can also be found in the GameCube collection on Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack.

Unfortunately, while this does make it available on modern consoles for those who haven’t played it, the GameCube library is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. So you’ll need an NSO + Expansion Pack subscription and a Nintendo Switch 2 console to play it. That said, it’s worth it and is highly regarded as the best in the series.

1

Moonlight Peaks

Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2

Moonlight Peaks is arguably one of the best indie releases of 2026. Farming simulators have become a staple in the cozy genre, and though most do contain fantasy elements, few dare to venture into full-on spooky. Moonlight Peaks, however, is a farming simulator where you take on the role of a young vampire who has moved to a town full of witches, vampires, and werewolves.

Your livestock are mysterious, your crops are strange, and though Moonlight Peaks goes through the seasons like every other simulator, it’ll feel like Halloween year-round. This is perfect for anyone looking for a twist on traditional farming sims for Halloween, and is especially recommended for those who have Grave Seasons on their wishlist.