Halloween is just around the corner, which makes now a great time to delve into some of the best horror games that Xbox Game Pass has to offer. While horror fans should take their time exploring Xbox’s library of horror games, including exclusives, such as the zombie horror titles like State of Decay: Year One and State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition among others, this guide will focus on the top five games available for immediate download by Xbox Game Pass subscribers, including their release years, and ranked by Metacritic scores.
The Evil Within 2 (2017)
Developer: Tango Gameworks (Published by Bethesda Softworks)
Premise: According to Tango Gameworks, “Detective Sebastian Castellanos has lost it all. But when given a chance to save his daughter, he must descend once more into the nightmarish world of STEM. Horrifying threats emerge from every corner as the world twists and warps around him. Will Sebastian face adversity head-on with weapons and traps, or sneak through the shadows to survive?”
Metacritic Score: 82
Dead Space (2010)
Developer: Electronic Arts
Premise: According to Electronic Arts, “When an immense mining ship, the USG Ishimura, comes into contact with a mysterious alien artifact in a remote star system, its communications with Earth are mysteriously cut off. Engineer Isaac Clarke is sent to repair the Ishimura’s communications array, but he arrives to find a living nightmare-the ship is a floating bloodbath, the crew unspeakably mutilated and infected by an ancient alien scourge.”
Metacritic Score: 89
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Dead Space 2 (2011)
Developer: Visceral Games (Published by Electronic Arts)
Premise: According to the Xbox game description, “Engineer Isaac Clarke returns for another blood-curdling adventure in the sequel to the critically acclaimed Dead Space. After waking from a coma on a massive space city known as ‘The Sprawl’, the lone survivor of a horrific alien infection finds himself confronting a catastrophic new nightmare.”
Metacritic Score: 90
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The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season (2014)
Developer: Telltale Games (Published by Skybound Games)
Premise: According to Telltale Games, “A five-part game series set in the same universe as Robert Kirkman’s award-winning series. Play as Lee Everett, a convicted criminal, who has been given a second chance at life in a world devastated by the undead. Experience events, meet people, and visit locations that foreshadow the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes. A tailored game experience – actions, choices and decisions affect how your story plays out across the entire series.”
Metacritic Score: 92
INSIDE (2016)
Developer: Playdead
Premise: According to Playdead, “Discover Playdead’s unique indie adventure game Inside, a dark, narrative-driven platformer combining intense action with challenging puzzles. It has received critical acclaim for its moody art style, ambient soundtrack and unsettling atmosphere.”
Metacritic Score: 93
Published: Sep 30, 2022 08:10 pm