Scary Games (But Not TOO Scary!)

Picture this: It's late at night. The lights are out, and the flickering light of the TV screen is the only thing casting looming shadows in your living room. Just when you least expect it -- click! -- the lights come on, and you're scared out of your wits because you were so caught up in what was happening on-screen! OK, so that might not be completely nerve-wracking, but games don't have to terrify you to raise the hair on your arms or give you goosebumps. Below, we've gathered a list of scary (but not too scary!) games that will add just the right amount of spooky flair to your play sessions. If empathy is more your thing, check out our Best Empathy Games, Apps, and Websites list.

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Luigi's Mansion 3 Poster Image
GAME

Luigi's Mansion 3

age 8+

Cartoonish haunted house game has a smart, brave hero.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch (2019)
Survival Z Poster Image
GAME

Survival Z

age 8+

Blend of zombies, tower defense play is a generic adventure.

Platforms: Apple Arcade (2021)
Black Book Poster Image
GAME

Black Book

age 10+

Deck-building adventure celebrates Slavic folklore.

Platforms: Mac , Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One (2021)
Cozy Grove Poster Image
GAME

Cozy Grove

age 10+

Relaxing, engaging life sim with a supernatural twist.

Death's Door Poster Image
GAME

Death's Door

age 10+

Darkly comic adventure has some death and blood.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch , Windows , Xbox Series X/S (2021)
The Pathless Poster Image
GAME

The Pathless

age 10+

Stunning adventure stars female hero and scary monsters.

Platforms: Apple Arcade , Mac , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Windows (2020)
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Complete Edition Poster Image
GAME

Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Complete Edition

age 10+

Cartoon shooter is loaded with fast-paced, bloodless combat.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One (2021)
Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 Poster Image
GAME

Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

age 10+

Weird cartoonish multiplayer shooter grows fun for all ages.

Platforms: PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One (2016)
Shooty Fruity Poster Image
GAME

Shooty Fruity

age 10+

Amusing, super-fun VR shooter juices, pulps its targets.

Platforms: HTC Vive , Oculus Rift , PlayStation VR (2017)
Subnautica: Below Zero Poster Image
GAME

Subnautica: Below Zero

age 10+

Stellar adventure sequel has fantastic hero in aquatic tale.

Subnautica Poster Image
GAME

Subnautica

age 11+

Gorgeous, challenging, atmospheric underwater thriller.

Platforms: Windows , Xbox One (2018)
Among the Sleep Poster Image
GAME

Among the Sleep

age 12+

Eerie toddler adventure has mature themes, charged emotions.

Platforms: Linux , Mac , Windows (2014)
Castlevania Advance Collection Poster Image
GAME

Castlevania Advance Collection

age 12+

Sink your teeth into this legacy set of horror action games.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One (2021)
Conarium Poster Image
GAME

Conarium

age 12+

Spooky adventure based on fear nails scary tone perfectly.

Platforms: PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One (2017)
Five Nights at Freddy's 4 Poster Image
GAME

Five Nights at Freddy's 4

age 12+

Jump-scare-packed finale hits home.

Platforms: Windows (2015)
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection Poster Image
GAME

Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection

age 12+

Knightly reboot tests the mettle of even hard-core gamers.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch , PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One (2021)
Hide and Shriek Poster Image
GAME

Hide and Shriek

age 12+

Mischievous, scary fun leaves players wanting more.

Platforms: Windows (2016)
Poppy Playtime Poster Image
GAME

Poppy Playtime

age 12+

Horror puzzler plays kids' toys for creeps and scares.

Platforms: Windows (2021)
Ashwalkers Poster Image
GAME

Ashwalkers

age 13+

Survival tale with some violence targets critical thinking.

Platforms: Linux , Mac , Windows (2021)
Cult of the Lamb box shot.
GAME

Cult of the Lamb

age 13+

Cult simulation includes mild combat, ritual sacrifice.

Platforms: Windows (2022)