Dread
If the name wasn’t a giveaway I’d assume the bloody handprint on the cover would probably be a bit of a hint. I was in the audience at a live event where a game of Dread was played and the atmosphere was impeccable. It was set in the 1920s and all the players were costumed which added to the fun. They were bootleggers lost on a country road and something was trying to pierce the veil around them. The Jenga tower seemed like a laugh at first but then the characters started to be picked off. Slowly. One by one. And no one was laughing any more. The tower wavered distinctively as if one deep exhale could send it plummeting to the ground. Eventually only one player remained. She approached the tower and a hush fell over the audience. A piece was carefully removed. There was a brief moment where anything could happen before the tower finally teetered a little too far and crashed to the ground. And then an Eldritch being ate her and destroyed the world.
Dread can be anything you want and with the right GM there are endless infinities to be explored so go play!
Set A Watch
There’s vile Unhallowed, hordes of creatures, and an evil plot. Honestly, what could go wrong? This is definitely on the cosier side of games that I have on this list. It’s team centred and you really need to work cooperatively. I feel like this is a game you can comfortably play with your family without having to worry about needing to explain how the dice rolls work for the seven-millionth time. It’s not difficult! (I don’t have trauma nope). I also really love the art style and puzzles and I’m on the lookout for more games like it.
Nemesis
Okay so this one is less cosy family fun (or maybe it is, I’m not judging) and more shouting and fingers crossed that nobody screws you over. I enjoy the concept of mandatory silence until someone drops a literal wrench in the plans and suddenly all the totally-not-aliens zoom in on your location like they forgot it was Valentine’s Day and you’re the only florist still open. This is a game that starts with laughs and camaraderie but finishes in fury and double- crossing with someone cackling as they escape while the rest of you become creature fodder. The atmosphere and Aesthetic of the game just screams Spooky Season, just make sure you set aside plenty of time to play as this is a chonk and a time eater.
Blades In The Dark
I wouldn’t count this as horror but it’s so tense and dark it’s definitely appropriate for the season. This was the first TTRPG I played as a player and not a GM so I had all kinds of fun! I see now why players have so much fun destroying a GMs soul. I particularly liked the Vices part of the character building. It’s a small thing but it gives you an indication of the game style when you see it. I know on the surface you could say, sneaking and stealthy? You can do that in any game. But let me tell you, it’s the world that makes it different. There’s underground hideouts, crews, and a genuine fear that your clock will be filled in. You can run and hide as much as you want but if you’re seen or caught in a fight, tick tock tick tock.
Dead of Winter
Look, would it be Spooky Season without zombies making an appearance? I know some of us might still be feeling a little zombie fatigue after being inundated with the shufflers for years. But you know what, give Dead of Winter a go. Its premise is very horror, not just the zombies but the cold, the lack of food and medicine. So it would be fair to look at that and be all ah that’s the horror. But au contraire my icy zombie fighter, as with a lot of games people have the same capacity for evil if not more. Zombies don’t know any better, they’re just acting on instinct but to be a traitor in the camp, working against your fellow survivors is a special brand of twisted. Maybe it’ll even get to a situation reminiscent of the last scene of The Thing movie (which I will not spoil but you should go watch it). You watch the survivors scramble for rations and all the while you’re channelling Tim Curry in Legend in all his evilness! (Another great film to add to your list).
This is just a selection of games that are perfect for Spooky Season, but that’s just scratching the surface. I’m sure there’s plenty that didn’t make this list. Well I hope I’ve convinced you to pick one of these up and embrace your spooky side at least. Seasons Greetings!
