Technically speaking, the firsthorrorvideo game released all the way back in 1972 alongside the first console, the Magnavox Odyssey. Ever since then, horror has remained a staple genre in the gaming landscape, evolving from rudimentary haunted house games and text adventures to third-person survivalhorrorgames, to third-person action horror titles. Even now, some of the most well-regarded releases belong to the horror genre.
With Halloween coming at the end of the month, October is often referred to as ‘Spooky Season’, and many gamers use this period as an opportunity to play through some of the best recent horror games. But ironically, October is usually both a great and tumultuous time for the horror gaming industry, and2024’s Halloween Seasonwill likely be no different.
October Is a Double-Edged Sword for Horror Video Games
October Has Always Been a Busy Month for Horror Games
Naturally, with October being so synonymous with Halloween in the Western world, many publishers and developers try to release their horror games during the month, or just before it. In the last few years, more and more high-profile horror titles have started to drop in October. In 2022,Scorn,Signalis, andResident Evil Village’s Winters Expansionwere all released in October, and last year, bothAlan Wake 2andLethal Companywere released within mere days of one another.
On one hand, October becoming this hotbed forhorror video game releasesis a great thing for fans, as the more horror games release, the more fans have to play, which is especially exciting during Spooky Season. But on the other hand, multiple horror games releasing within the same short window can end up being detrimental to the games themselves. Even if October horror games are completely different from one another in terms of gameplay, story, and presentation, the fact they’re all horror titles does inherently make them a little less individual, which can lead to less public attention, which can lead to lower sales.
October 2024 Looks to be Another Hotbed for Horror
As things currently stand, it seems likely that October 2024 will be another double-edged period for horror video games.Silent Hill 2 Remakeis set to launch at the beginning of October, and on the same day,Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatredis also set to release. TheUntil Dawnremake is set for a Fall release date, with some rumors suggesting it could land in October, and the Supermassive-helmedDead by DaylightspinoffThe Casting of Frank Stoneis also rumored to hit store shelves around the same time. While those releases would make October 2024 an incredible month for horror game fans, it probably wouldn’t be great for the games themselves, each of which deserves its own time in the spotlight.
Even ifUntil DawnandThe Casting of Frank Stonedon’t end up releasing in October,Silent Hill 2 Remakeis still surrounded by some major horror titles. Just a month beforeSilent Hill 2’s release, the long-awaitedSTALKER 2is finally coming to PC and consoles, and in early November,Slitterheadis set to launch. Once again, 2024’s Spooky Season is going to be a busy one, though hopefully, every game gets enough time to shine.
Silent Hill 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.High-end Graphics and SoundWith ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the thick of it.Larger EnvironmentsExplore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.Over-the-shoulder CameraThe remake moves from the original’s fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.Evolved Combat GameplayFamiliar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
