This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Asa Conroy. Find them on Instagram at @asakayconroy. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Playing scary co-op games is one of my favorite ways to get into the mood for spooky season. As much as I love playing scary games solo, but they are way more fun when you play them with your friends. There are plenty of different kinds out there for everyone to enjoy. You could hunt supernatural forces, dodge monsters, or find out the hidden killer. Halloween is better spent with others and these games can connect friends near and far. So, find some friends, some candy, maybe a PSL, and try out some frighteningly fun co-op games!
Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia, literally named after the fear of ghosts, is one of the greatest ghost hunting games of all time. Although this game is still in early access, it was originally released in 2020 by Kinetic Games. So, gather up to 3 of your friends to assemble your ghost hunting team. Every game begins when the team accepts a ghost hunting contract to classic haunted destinations like old houses, campsites, prisons, high schools, mental institution, and, recently, a light house. From there you buy whatever equipment you want (that you have unlocked), and the game loads it into a van and sends you off.
The goal onsite is to find whatever ghost is haunting the place and then to get out before it gets you. Each ghost comes with a randomly selected name, age, gender, shyness, appearance, and ghost type. There are 24 ghost types with individual strengths, weaknesses, and three pieces of evidence. You gather evidence with your equipment and your own voice. Phasmophobia does require a microphone to speak with the ghosts and your friends. This is useful for gathering evidence or anyone wanting to see a ghost hunt you back. Yes, the ghost can go into a hunting mode and kill off any unlucky players. So, be careful about what you say. Or don’t, it’s a really easy way to mess with your friends. Happy hunting!
Demonologist
Demonologist by Clock Wizard Games is a game similar to Phasmophobia, that allows you to study demons up close and personal. Once again, you assemble a team of up to 4 players (including yourself) with the equipment you buy. Although, there are a few key differences that make this game stand out. If just finding ghosts aren’t enough to get your blood pumping, this might be the game for you!
The voice interactions do more than just attract the spirits, it can unlock special interactions around the cursed environment. This includes random jump-scare encounters or secret rooms. But the best part of the gameplay is the exorcisms. Unlike Phasmophobia you get to banish the ghost yourself. Each map has its own ritual that you need to complete. Usually this requires finding randomly spawned items (such as missing puzzle pieces, disembodied fingers, or gun parts). From there you either bring them all together, fix them, or attack the ghost. You return to your safehouse where you can hopefully turn in your daily/weekly task and customize to your hearts’ desires.
Lethal Company
Another appropriately named game, Lethal Company by Zeekerssis a scary scavenging space adventure. In this game you and your friends are contracted workers for the Company. With up to four players (even more with mods), you’ll set out to abandoned moons to find random scrap for the company to collect. This includes anything from metal sheets to unknown artifacts. You’ll wander through outdoor landscapes, abandoned mines, and surprisingly still running factories. However, even if you go on this interstellar scavenger hunt with friends, you won’t be alone. Read our tips and tricks here.
Once you set off onto a moon, you are put on a timer. You begin in the morning as many normal workdays do, but you’ll need to get out before dark because that’s when things get even more dangerous. Every planet is full of monsters and beasts that don’t like it when you spend too long in their habitat. Each one you’ll have to collect data to understand. Getting this data can be deadly. Trapped by contractual obligation, you either must tussle with terrifying beasts or learn what happens when you don’t meet quota. Make sure to hit the Company store to protect yourself and others!
Sketchy’s Contract
In Sketchy’s Contract by Dimensionless Games, you’ve been recruited by Sketchy to loot an abandoned asteroid belt. An obviously trustworthy figure with an honest job offer. This game is like Lethal Company, but with an expanded crew, tasks, and environments. Sketchy’s Contract allows up to 8 players to set out on these space adventures.
On each asteroid you will be able to kill, loot, and farm exotic locations. These exotic locations included a volcanic planet with monsters to match, a semi-aquatic diving adventure, a new haunted attraction, and more! Each day begins with a slightly dangerous morning that progressively gets worse as you hunt. You and your friends can team up to fight terrifying monsters or dig up some buried treasure. Don’t forget to keep your oxygen and battery levels high so you don’t find out what happens when you can’t keep your promise with Sketchy. Also stick around for an all-nighter where you get the chance to find rare and valuable loot with just as rare and valuable monsters.
Content Warning
If you’re willing to do anything to become famous (from the safety of your desk chair) try Content Warning by Landfall. Here you and your friends can go viral or die trying by creating your own found footage horror SpöökTube channel. If you’re ready for your 15 minutes of fame, let’s descend into the Old World.
Every 3 days, you are tasked with obtaining a certain amount of view (which increases every three days). You and the other players find the horrors you need in the Old World, a monochromatic monster-infested planet. When you find them, you film them. Hopefully the fact that they’re camera-aggressive (rather than shy) helps you get the views you need. The goal is to act as silly as possible while you record from a hand-held camera. If you survive, you’ll reap the rewards of fame, sponsorships, brand deals, and cursed artifacts.
Among Us
While not usually as scary, social deduction games are great for Halloween. Among Us by Innersloth is one of the most popular for local and online co-op. This game is available on multiple platforms so you can play with up to 15 friends anywhere.
When you play, you and your friends are divided into two teams, Crewmates and Imposter(s). The Crewmates need to complete a series of tasks before the Imposter(s) kills them. Up to three players can be the imposters. Their job is to fake it until they make it. Imposters hide their murderous natures and the bodies. There’s also a hide-and-seek mode where the crewmates are the ones hiding. Either way, it’s a great game for you and your friends to play!
Clue/Cluedo
I know this one seems strange, but Clue/Cluedo by Marmalade Game Studio or Hasbro is a good game for those who don’t handle scares that well. Murder mysteries are always a fun way to get people of all ages and bravery into the mood. Clue/Cluedo is one many people know well and it’s always a fun time.
So, either break out the board or try the digital version. You can play with your friends from all over with special gameplay settings that only work on a computer. There’s plenty of boards, cosmetics, and even lore about the characters!
Everyone knows that scary games are more fun when you get to share them with others. Sometimes things seem less terrifying when you’re not alone. Video games aren’t any different. They also allow you to mess with your friends and potentially get them grabbed by a horrific monster. Terrible in real life, but super funny during a late-night gaming session. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re hunting for ghosts, evading monsters, scavenging in space, or solving a murder, think about spending Halloween scared with your friends in a video game.
Have you played any of these scary co-op games? If not, what other scary co-op games do you play? Let us know in the comment section below!
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