Alan Wake II
Though it doesn’t come out until October, it seems like a safe bet Alan Wake II will be one of the finest horror games released in 2023. A sequel 13 years in the making, Alan Wake II takes more of a survival horror approach compared to its predecessor, limiting resources to ratchet up the tension for players. The game offers a level of customization with two stories that can be played in whatever order you please, letting you take control of the title character and FBI agent Saga Anderson. If you’d like to brush up on the story of novelist Alan Wake or experience the original for the first time, developer Remedy recently remastered the 2010 game and released it on all major platforms.
Dead Space
The original Dead Space, released in 2008, is hailed as one of the scariest video games ever made. But the new remake from Motive Studio manages to build on that already terrifying template to an impressive degree. Whether you’ve played the original game or it’s your first time boarding the USG Ishimura, you’ll find horror lurking in every shadow and around every corner — or, oftentimes, right above you in a vent. Stunning graphics and immersive sound design make the ship feel alive, which makes the threat to protagonist Isaac Clarke feel ever more present. Dead Space is a perfect mix of unrelenting tension, well-crafted atmosphere, and satisfying combat.
Dredge
The concept of a game that’s scary yet relaxing may sound oxymoronic, but Dredge manages to create magic within a paradox. Dredge, developed by Black Salt Games, is a fishing game that puts you at the wheel of a trawler and sets you out on the waters of an open world. Along the way, you’ll encounter strange folks and stranger creatures, many of which you’ll be able to haul in for a tidy profit as you upgrade and improve your vessel. Staying out after sundown can be rewarding in terms of unique catches, but it also puts you at a greater risk of danger — especially if you venture out into uncharted territory. Dredge is equal parts chill and chilling, and it’s worth checking out if you have a love and healthy fear of the open seas.
Stay Out of the House
2023 sees the release of an asymmetrical multiplayer game based on “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” But Puppet Combo’s Stay Out of the House manages to capture the dingy, dangerous atmosphere of that classic film in its own way. With a retro style resembling pixelated games of generations past, Stay Out of the House throws you headlong into a nightmare, forcing you to escape from a sack-headed slasher and the various other residents of his homestead. Puppet Combo games may seem fairly harmless because of the classic aesthetic, but rest assured that they are not for the faint of heart.
If you love horror video games, 2023 has been an excellent year, offering titles like the above, the widely acclaimed Resident Evil 4 remake, and the long-awaited revival of Alone in the Dark. That means you’ll have your hands full this October — and you may want to consider playing with the lights on.