If you’re a coward like me, you’ll have a love/ hate relationship with Halloween. On the one hand, I love the vibes – pumpkins, candy, spooky decorations, etc. I think that witchy content is so much fun. But I hate horror! I’m simply not brave enough to even watch it, let alone experience it in a game. But I still want to get involved with the Halloween experience so I’m not missing out. That’s why I’ve created this list of the best cosy Halloween games!
These are games that are family friendly, and won’t have you cowering behind the sofa. However, they’re still totally on theme, and there’s even a few light horror options here. Whilst most dark cosy games would fit the vibe, these ones are especially fun to play around Halloween. Whatever your genre preferences, there should be something here to get you into the spooky spirit without having to scare yourself witless. In no particular order, here are the 8 best cosy Halloween games that won’t have you hiding behind the sofa!
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Costume Quest 2
This is probably my all-time favourite Halloween game. It focuses on the best part of Halloween… The candy! Play as children who are trying to save the world from a maniacal dentist who wants to destroy the joy of Halloween forever. Travel through time to stop him in his tracks before it’s too late.
This rpg uses turn-based combat, and you can play as an array of different classes by dressing up in various outfits. Find the components out in the real world, and use them to create new costumes with new powers. You can even find trading cards that give you special abilities.
I can’t overstate how fun this game is, and if you want something light and cheerful to get you into the Halloween spirit, you cannot go wrong with Costume Quest 2.
GYLT
I played this shortly after it came out, and was pleasantly surprised at how not-scary it was. Survival horror is pretty much my least favourite possible genre, yet GYLT manages to embrace the genre in a way that keeps it cutesy. You still have to sneak around avoiding monsters, but the vibe is more spoopy than scary.
The gameplay is immersive and engaging, you really feel like part of the story. Speaking of, the premise is that you play as a young girl searching for her missing cousin. You uncover clues as you continue navigating a dystopian mirror of the town you live in.
As well as being an exciting gaming experience, GYLT has a powerful message about bullying, and the story is very touching. If you like strong narratives in your horror games, this is perfect.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s Mansion 3 is the perfect blend of spooky charm and playful adventure, making it a must-play for anyone looking to get in the Halloween spirit. The Luigi’s Mansion games allow Mario’s often overlooked brother to finally take centre stage. In this delightful sequel, Luigi finds himself trapped in the haunted Last Resort hotel, where, armed with his trusty Poltergust G-00, he must capture spirits, solve clever puzzles, and rescue his friends from the clutches of the mischievous King Boo.
The game boasts stunning visuals with an art style that perfectly captures the quirky vibe. Each encounter with the hotel’s ghostly inhabitants is filled with light-hearted humour, ensuring that you’re entertained amidst all the spooky (mild) jump scares. You can even grab a friend and play in co-op should you fancy it.
Whether you’re exploring the hotel’s secret nooks and crannies, or engaging in amusing ghost battles, Luigi’s Mansion 3 strikes an ideal balance between cosy exploration and Halloween fun. So, grab your vacuum, and prepare for a charming adventure that’ll leave you laughing and perhaps a little spooked… ideal for a cosy October night in!
Cozy Grove
If you’re in the mood for a heart-warming gaming experience that embodies the essence of Halloween, Cozy Grove is the perfect choice. Play as a Spirit Scout, where you find yourself on a mysterious island inhabited by ghostly bears, each with their own unfinished business. Your mission? Help these charming spirits find peace while exploring the beautifully crafted landscapes of the island.
With delightful gameplay that blends crafting, exploration, and storytelling, Cozy Grove encourages you to play at your own pace. The game unfolds in real time, offering a relaxing experience that makes a perfect escape from reality. The adorable art style and soothing soundtrack create an inviting atmosphere, making it perfect for a cosy Halloween play session.
Each interaction with the bears unveils heartfelt stories, reminding players of the importance of connection and kindness. The touching emotional aspects of the game are what make it really stand out. With seasonal events and a variety of fun activities to suit any gamer, Cozy Grove undoubtedly deserves a spot amongst the best cosy Halloween games.
Penko Park
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to play Pokémon Snap, but with monsters instead, Penko Park has you covered! You can tell from just a few seconds of the trailer that this game is bound to be a wild ride. The art style is charming in the best way possible. It’s a little rough around the edges, but that just adds to its quirky nature.
The premise is simple, you go around taking pictures of all the monsters you discover, trying to fill your journal with all the wonderful creatures that this place has to offer. You can even interact with the world around you, figuring out clues to find the more sneakily hidden creatures.
The monster designs range from cute to creepy, but it definitely steers towards the cosy side, rather than being too scary. This is perfect for some family-friendly fun to get even the little ones into the Halloween spirit.
Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery
It pains me to include this one on the list since I found it just too ridiculous, but it would seem I’m in a minority, so I’m including it as you may well feel differently to me. I would say that you definitely need to approach this one from the right mindset. Don’t expect a high quality game, because you won’t get one. Instead, expect a goofy experience that doesn’t take itself at all seriously.
There are 3 mysterious stories included for you to solve, and the first two are the ones that bring the Halloween vibes. The first, called ‘The Haunted Island’ takes you to a spooky spot where the locals insist they’ve been hearing ghosts. Put your detective skills to the test to find the culprit!
Then, you can play the second chapter, called ‘The Case of the Invisible Wizard’. Even though it’s not about ghosts, this one definitely has the spookier feels. The decorations are very Halloween-y in my opinion, with lots of purples and oranges, plus the whole chapter takes place at night. If you want spooky vibes that will not leave you feeling even a little bit scared, this is the way to go.
Cult of the Lamb
As the title suggests, Cult of the Lamb is all about leading a cult… as a lamb. You are the lamb, you lead the cult. Pretty sefl-explanatory, really! Your aim is to appease a deity known only as ‘The One Who Waits’, and to amass followers who are willing to serve him.
The gameplay offers a mixture of roguelite quests to find followers, and management mechanics as you build and sustain your village. The world outside your village is procedurally generated, meaning every run feels different. You can discover a range of weapons and items, and use them to grow your flock.
This game is exceedingly popular with players, and offers hours of fun. If you’re looking for something unique and exciting to play this Halloween that won’t leave you curled up in fear, this could very well scratch that itch!
Little Nightmares 2
I suppose the ‘not scary’ promise of the title depends on how easily scared you are, but it’s certainly not as bad as most horror games. It’s mostly jump scares rather than any form of psychological horror. Well, maybe a little bit of the latter… I’m making a bit of an exception here, okay? It’s good, and sure, it’s probably the scariest on this list, but it’s worth it!
This puzzle platformer will test both your thinking skills and your reflexes, as well as how calm you can under pressure. If you like games that get your heart racing but without being all-out scary like more intense horror games, Little Nightmares 2 could be a good compromise. It’s still a survival-horror game at its core, but with more of a family friendly vibe. It’s certainly not for small kids, but older kids and teenagers should be fine with it.
The visual design is 2.5D, so although you’re only moving along a 2D plane, the foreground and background interests help keep it feeling dynamic.
Conclusion
So, that concludes this list of the best cosy Halloween games. Hopefully you’ve found one or two that appeal to you! October always seems to centre so heavily on horror, so for those of us who can’t handle being scared, these spooky titles should offer a decent alternative.
What are your favourite cosy games with a spooky vibe? Join the discussion over in our Facebook community, or tweet to us on Twitter! Otherwise, you can just drop a comment down below!