It’s the time of year when spooks and scares are the focus, and few things can get people in the scary mood like a good horror game — especially when it’s right there in the palm of your hand. You can find some great horror games to play on the best phones, and many of them won’t cost you a thing.
I’ve been working my way through Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store to find some of the best horror games that you can play this Halloween and beyond.
If you want the best overall experience, make sure to grab one of the best mobile gaming controllers. There’s nothing that quite takes away from the fear factor like your thumb covering up the zombie’s face, and a mobile controller can make you less reliant on those on-screen buttons.
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So let’s dim the lights and jump into the scares with the seven best horror games you can play on your phone right now.
Alien: Isolation
(Image credit: Sega)
If there’s a franchise that screams horror, it has to be Alien, but I don’t think the games have always had that in mind. For years, we didn’t have access to any really good Alien-based horror games, but that all changed back in 2014 with the release of Alien: Isolation. With a genuinely tense atmosphere and an Xenomorph that’s smart enough to hunt you, you’ll be on the edge of your seat throughout the 18- to 20-hour campaign.
You can play the two missions of the game for free on both iPhone and Android, with the option to purchase the full game later for $15.
Download Alien: Isolation: App Store; Play Store
Baby In Yellow
(Image credit: Future)
From Xenomorphs to demon babies, this horror train doesn’t stop rolling. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve not heard of Baby in Yellow, but let’s remedy that now.
What starts as a very simple babysitting job soon devolves into a Lovecraftian nightmare as you are hunted by one very possessed baby. With a mix of some genuinely unpleasant level design and a relatively simple premise, this one will have you both scared and laughing at once.
Baby in Yellow is free to play on both the App Store and Google Play Store, but there are a fair few ads.
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Download Baby in Yellow: App Store; Play Store
Granny
(Image credit: Future)
Granny is a very strange game initially. While not the most graphically appealing game in the world, that ultimately works in its favor to create a suspenseful and unsettling experience.
It’s up to you to escape from a house within five days, while avoiding the antagonistic granny. The game manages to build tension through stealth and sound, and I honestly found myself holding my breath at times.
Granny is free to play, with several difficulty options depending on how careful you want to be.
Download Granny: App Store; Play Store
Limbo
(Image credit: Playdead)
If you want a game that’s both unsettling and incredibly depressing, then Limbo is the one for you. This 2D sidescroller has you controlling a child running through a world of shadows while hunting for an escape. At a glance, the gameplay isn’t all that complicated, but Limbo creates a sense of immersion and ambience that makes it a must play for horror fans.
Limbo is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store for $3.99
Download Limbo: App Store; Play Store
Resident Evil 2
(Image credit: Capcom)
When it comes to shooting zombies, there are few titles as well known as Resident Evil. One of my favorites in the series has to be the Resident Evil 2 remake, which plays much better than you would expect on phones. The mobile game takes the tension of the original and reinvents it with updated graphics and a more streamlined control scheme. If you want to relive the horror of Racoon City, then this is one for you.
Unfortunately for Android users, Resident Evil 2 is only available on the App Store. But it is there for free, with some in-app purchases.
Download Resident Evil 2: App Store
Little Nightmares
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Much like Limbo, Little Nightmares plays like an adventure set in a nightmare, where your only option is to avoid the monsters hunting you. The name isn’t just a catchy title either, as the world you’ll be exploring really is filled with the kind of horrifying creatures that only come out at night. It’s not so much scary as it is unsettling, with some interesting puzzles and tense chase sequences thrown in.
Little Nightmares is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store for $7.99.
Download Little Nightmares: App Store; Play Store
Five Nights at Freddy’s
(Image credit: Scott Cawthon)
One of the core tropes when it comes to horror games is the classic jump scare, and few titles do that quite as well as the original Five Nights at Freddy’s. The series is a household name these days, with a second movie on the way.
Still, if you’re looking for a great game to get some scares on your phone, the first Five Nights remains worth a look. It might be a bit dated graphically, but the sense of tension and the jump scares still work really well.
Five Nights at Freddy’s is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store for $2.99.
Download Five Nights at Freddy’s: App Store; Play Store
What are your favorite horror games?
Those seven apps would be my picks for the best horror games available for mobile, but even I don’t have time to play everything that’s out there. While I might like more action orientated games, I know that many people prefer different kinds of horror.
With that in mind, let us know in the comments what some of your favorite horror games on mobile are.
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