One of my favorite ways to get into the Halloween spirit is playing some very spooky video games. And for 2025, there’s a trio of new horror games that have definitely got my heart racing and had me almost dropping my controller in fright on more than one occasion.
Whether you’re playing on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X, or one of the best gaming PCs, there’s a horrifically enjoyable pick for you below. And even better, the slate of new horror games released in 2025 includes the return of some legendary franchises, as well as some much-needed new blood. Unfortunately, there’s no new Resident Evil title here, but at least we don’t have to wait much longer for one, as Resi 9 drops in February 2026.
If you’re eager to play something that will test your resolve, and maybe even your gaming skills (after all, horror games can be pretty challenging, particularly if you select one of the higher difficulties), these are the three new games released in 2025 that you need to play this Halloween.
Cronos: The New Dawn
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Bloober Team proved that 2024’s excellent Silent Hill 2 remake was no fluke with Cronos: The New Dawn, a new sci-fi survival horror that heavily tips its cap towards Dead Space. The game might lack many original ideas — beyond mutated foes being able to absorb fallen comrades to become stronger — but it’s such a confident blend of genre staples that I really didn’t mind that it wasn’t giving me anything that felt unique. It’s been reported EA has put the Dead Space series on ice, so I’m totally onboard with Cronos picking up the torch.
In Cronos: The New Dawn, you play a hulking explorer known as the Traveler. Your mission is to survive the post-apocalyptic ruins of a Polish city as you leap between the past and present to gain enough knowledge to prevent a cataclysmic event known as the “Calamity.”
All the survival horror fundamentals are here, from resource management to intense combat with limited ammunition, and the hellish city you explore has more than a few dark secrets to uncover. It’s sci-fi survival horror distilled down to its best components, and I very much hope a sequel is in the cards.
Silent Hill f
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Silent Hill f marks the first fully fleshed new Silent Hill game in 13 years, and it certainly doesn’t rest on its laurels. For starters, despite the name, Silent Hill f isn’t actually set in the eponymous fog-blanketed town; instead, it takes place in 1960s Japan. It also makes significant gameplay changes. Firearms are out, with your arsenal comprised exclusively of melee weapons like baseball bats and metal pipes. Managing your stamina and sanity meters is also key to surviving against a horde of mutated and repulsive enemies.
Taking inspiration from psychological horror, Silent Hill f offers a mind-altering narrative, and with five separate endings, there’s a lot of reason to replay this one after rolling credits the first time. While the combat felt a little too clunky for my tastes, it’s the thoughtful puzzles that really stand out. To progress further, you’re often tasked with engaging your brain as much as your brawn, and a memorable sequence involving twisted scarecrows is a highlight.
Even if dedicated fans weren’t thrilled about the switch in location, one thing that Silent Hill f definitely retains is the franchise’s trademark somber and oppressive atmosphere. Every step you take further into the darkness enveloping the town will have your palms sweating.
Alien Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition
Platforms: Meta Quest 3, PC, PS5, PSVR 2, Xbox Series X/S
I’m an “Alien” superfan, so when Alien Rogue Incursion released last year for VR platforms, it was a dream come true to be able to step into a sci-fi universe I’ve been obsessed with for so long. However, there’s no denying that the VR requirement is a barrier to entry that some players simply won’t scale, and that’s where the new Alien Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition comes into play. This is the same great Alien game, now playable outside of a VR headset.
The gameplay fundamentals of Alien Rogue Incursion are pretty basic, but it’s the “Alien” universe trappings that make this horror-shooter such a blast. Its short runtime of around 5-6 hours also makes it a great experience that you can consume across a single weekend.
The Xenomorph remains as terrifying as ever, and I love that you play as former marine Zula Hendricks, who has appeared in various “Alien” expanded media. Granted, Rogue Incursion doesn’t meet the (very high) quality bar set by Alien Isolation, but trust me, this is no Aliens: Colonial Marines.
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