This is the scariest game to play on Xbox Game Pass this Halloween – VG247

Since Alien Isolation was removed from Xbox Game Pass, here’s the next best horror-fest you ought to play.
It’s Halloween, which means two things; the first being that children will likely be knocking on your door all evening declaring “trick or treat”, and the second being horror games. Those of us enjoying the latter won’t exactly have to worry about incessant knocking as we try to wade through some of the scariest games out there as part of our festivities, headsets firmly glued on with our own blood-curdling screams drowning out the noise.
Though, with that in mind, what should you be playing this All Hallows’ Eve? While Xbox Game Pass has a small selection of horror games that are in my backlog patiently waiting to be played (mainly The Evil Within 2), there’s one truly terrifying title that sticks out to me: the Dead Space Remake, which was released earlier this year and scored 5/5 – easily – in the VG247 review.
Dead Space was one of the best survival horror games ever made, and its remake went the extra mile in securing that title. You’ll play as Isaac Clarke aboard the titular USG Ishimura, a mining ship that once explored, will never be forgotten. Arguably one of the most terrifying settings in the genre, feeling equal parts claustrophobic and threatening, it’s not the ship you have to worry about, but the horrifying Necromorphs that lurk around every corner.
Whether you’re looking for straight-up scares or gory combat to make you wince, Dead Space Remake has it all. The dismemberment system means that aiming for enemies’ heads is a thing of the past; you’ll instead be taking great pleasure in destroying these creatures limb by limb, using the array of powerful weapons given to you, or by using your Stasis and Kinesis abilities to manipulate the environment into being your weapon.
It’s arguable that being on your own in Dead Space is much scarier than being in a room filled with Necromorphs. The game’s sound design will constantly keep tension at a maximum, with Isaac’s heartbeat thumping over all the noise, reminding you that wherever you are on the USG Ishimura, you’re not safe. Jumpscares happen often, but they don’t always mean immediate danger, again leaving you constantly on edge. And on top of this, you’re at the whim of the game’s ‘Intensity Director’, which controls how audio, lighting, and hostiles function depending on your personal approach to the game so far.
There’s a riveting story to throw yourself into, one of religious fanaticism and alien creatures that’ll truly test your sanity, but the game is – by design – determined to scare the player senseless. With no loading screens, you’re on an endless, immersive journey that’ll make you feel as though you’re very much inside Isaac Clarke’s head; your patience will wear thin, and when you’re not enjoying just how badass dismembering enemies is, you’ll probably be dying for the next horde of them to appear as tensions continue to rise.
Dead Space Remake is available for free to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, alongside the original games, Dead Space 1-3. It’s also currently available on Steam with 40% off until Wednesday, 2 November.
Access hundreds of great games for Xbox and PC when you become a Game Pass member. Benefits include playing new games on day one, enjoying new game additions each month, plus you can get exclusive member discounts and other free perks. Choose from Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, or a Game Pass Ultimate subscription so that you can play all your favourite games on your console, gaming PC or on your phone, tablet or TV using cloud. Prices start from just £7.99 per month from Microsoft, or you can support our site when you buy Game Pass subscriptions from our eShop.
Buy now
Sign in and unlock a world of features
Get access to commenting, homepage personalisation, newsletters, and more!
Follow topics and we’ll email you when we publish something new about them. 
We’ll send you an email whenever we (or one of our sister sites) publish an article on this topic.
You can manage your preferences here .
Kelsey Raynor
Guides Writer
Kelsey’s passion for gaming began with Resident Evil, and it’s been rather difficult to get them to shut up about horror games since. When they’re not scoping out new scares or commiserating the cancellation of Silent Hills, they can often be found fawning over cute Pokémon and Kirby, or being very average at FPS games.
Please enable JavaScript to see comments.
DOA EA is asking fans if they'd like Dead Space 2 or 3 remakes
Dead Space Break Room Codes | How to use the Break Room and redeem codes
Dead Space Chapter 5: Lethal Devotion | How to beat The Hunter
Dead Space Chapter 3: Course Correction
Dead Space Walkthrough | Chapter 1: New Arrivals
Dead Space Guide | Tips, tricks, and guides for facing the USG Ishimura
Dead Space Marker Fragments | Where to find all 12 Marker Fragments
Dead Space endings explained | How to get the alternate ending
BETTER THAN THE WIRE Alan Wake 2’s slow opening hour is like a perfect first episode of TV
I'M BLUE Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora preview – A great game for your dad
ALL GROWN UP Why the father of Final Fantasy still plays FFXIV, even after leaving the series behind
WHEAT YOUR HEART OUT Japanese Rural Life Adventure is a must-play Stardew Valley-like on Apple Arcade
READ IT AND WEEP 10 years later, Battlefield 4 feels like the last game DICE really, truly cared about
FUHGEDDABOUDIT What's the best game set in New York, apart from Marvel's Spider-Man 2?
RELISH EVERY DRIVE Madden NFL 24 is at its best when you’ve embraced the way of being the worst
WAITING GAME Retro console maker Polymega reckons it'll ship all remaining pre-orders this year, if you’re feeling lucky
VG247 is owned by Gamer Network Limited, a ReedPop company and subsidiary of Reed Exhibitions Limited.
© 2023 Gamer Network Limited, Gateway House, 28 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1DN, United Kingdom, registered under company number 03882481.
All rights reserved. No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s permission.

source