Six classic horror-iffic games for Halloween

by Lee Mathews on October 31, 2008 at 11:00 AM

Turn out the lights and turn up the volume, it's time to scare yourself silly with some good, old Halloween-y games. Enjoy!

Escape from Hell via Abandonware Dos

Think of Diablo, in reverse, with really, really low-fi graphics. That might still not be an accurate description of Escape from Hell, but it's as close as I can get to a modern comparison. It's an RPG, and you'll have to fight your way out of Hell, meeting up with all kinds of evil nasties along the way.

Watch out, there's even a (very) little CG nudity (!) in this one.

The Lurking Horror via House of Games
I can't remember how much time I spent playing Infocom's excellent interactive fiction games when I was young. I'd almost forgotten about this one, though.

In The Lurking Horror, you're a university student trying to complete a term paper following a massive snowstorm. As if term papers weren't horrifying enough, you witness sacrificial rites and encounter terrifying creatures on your way to the lab. The kicker: the computer have turned on you, and destroyed all your hard work! Aaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

Elvira 2: The Jaws of Cerberus via C:\dos
What would Halloween be without an Elvira reference? Our favorite horror hottie is in trouble, and it's up to you to save her! Watch out, though - the movie studio is overrun with monsters and evil magic. You'll need to keep your wits about you if you're going to be the hero.

Splatterhouse / Splatterhouse 2 via RomNation
I still remember when this one came out for the awesome Turbografx 16. West Mansion was once home to deranged doctor, who performed gruesome experiments in his secret lab. Hideous creatures roam it halls, and you're going to have to fight your way out using the power of the Dr. West's terrible Horror Mask. Grab your chainsaw!

You'll need emulators for these two, but RomNation's got you covered.

Heretic via XTC Abandonware
Doom with a crossbow? Oh, hell yes. I wasted a lot of time as a university freshman playing this one. Heretic is classic FPS action set in the Dark Ages, and it's a lot of fun.

Happy Halloween, DS readers - and have fun!

Tags: abandonware, classic, freeware, games, gaming, halloween, horror, timewasters