It makes me happy to know that there are spaces celebrating the birth of new horror video game titles, both big and indie. Cue in the monster of gaming conventions, PAX East, a creature that simply won’t die. Hardcore gamers know that PAX East takes place in Boston, MA, and has stood the test of time since its creation on March 26th, 2010.
This year, PAX created a Horror Edition of the Expo Hall Demo, showcasing all titles in the horror genre. Fans explored various laboratories that featured creatures created by mad scientists (also known as video game developers and designers).
DREADMOOR
The first stop was the Digital Vortex Entertainment Booth to take a peek at DREADMOOR. A first-person game where you fish in cold, dark waters filled with lurking creatures, accompanied by dramatic music and sounds that emphasize the looming danger. Featuring rich, painterly textures and earthy colors, the art direction is sure to make a lasting impression.
Not going to lie, I don’t think I am cut out to be much of an angler. Upgrading your boat to survive the unforgiving waters, ensuring you have the right tools for the tasks at hand, and preparing to face deep-sea creatures all seem quite daunting. I believe that being a land dweller is the better option for me.
Halloween
Allow me to be theatrical about my second stop. Picture it: the air is chilly, the leaves are rustling, and there is a familiar house in this suburban setting. What used to be white siding panels is now a sickly gray, with yellow, dried stains spreading out like veins from the porch to the grass.
Illfonic really stood out with their immersive booth. If you’re a fan of movie-to-game adaptations, then you know exactly what Illfonic is about. Their latest creation, Halloween, really left an imprint on this horror head’s heart. I’ve always dreamed of being Michael Myers, walking around Haddonfield to slay. However, another part of me also wanted to experience the rush of facing off against Mike as a civilian.
When Illfonic offered me the chance to demo their experiment, I eagerly accepted. Playing as Mr. Myers means carrying a heavy crown, or in this case, a heavy knife. There are certain conditions to be aware of.
While you can teleport invisibly from place to place at rapid speed (also known as Shade Jump) to track down victims faster, you’re limited to only moving and not attacking. You will remain trapped in that state until you are away from any light source. This also means that cutting off light by disabling power sources is part of the game.
When not in that invisible state, the Boogeyman walks slow as hell, making it easier for civilians to know where the killer is and potentially attack with weapons. Killing the boogeyman doesn’t stop him from returning, but that doesn’t make it any less nerve-racking. Honestly, I was afraid of being spotted by civilians and NPC cops. The NPC cops were incredibly frustrating, as they often appeared and quickly drew their guns. My hands were sweaty, gripping the controller the whole time.
There is strength in numbers, and it is important to remember when playing as a civilian. Communication is essential for alerting other players, finding weapons, and turning switches back on to restore power. Opening doors, flipping switches, and grabbing items can be tricky (unsure if by design or technical limitation), which causes frustration and increases vulnerability to that large knife.
Fortunately, the controls are straightforward to understand. I’m keeping it real, being with a group didn’t make it less scary. While exploring Haddonfield alone can lead to a quick demise, traveling as a group is like presenting a buffet to a shark.
The creative team captured the essence of the 1978 movie perfectly. Visiting Haddonfield and realizing the world is very analog for its time (there isn’t much technology to aid you) while a killer is on the loose is quite thrilling.
With Halloween’s flexibility in allowing players to play as either the iconic Michael or a random victim, this cat-and-mouse narrative is sure to satisfy many fans. If you’re curious, the game’s soundtrack includes the iconic movie theme. You can check it out for yourself just in time for Halloween (the holiday) when Halloween (the game) drops in September 2026.
Paranormal Activity: Threshold
I tried to catch my breath between laboratory visits, but there was just so much to play with! The DreadXP and DarkStone Digital crew called me in to play their most anticipated single-player 3D first-person title, Paranormal Activity: Threshold. Yes, based on the franchise. Yes, it is just as unnerving.
Additionally, the creative team behind The Mortuary Assistant suggests we can expect some truly shocking moments. Amidst the jump scares, eerie sounds, and your heavy breathing from fear, I believe there will be great appreciation for this title if you’re interested in communicating with dark forces and conducting rituals, of course.
Grave Seasons
If I said I wasn’t looking forward to my next stop, I would be lying. Blumhouse Games made an appearance and welcomed me to play Grave Seasons. This sim-style, narrative-driven game feels cozy until you realize you’re not just farming; you’re also confronting a serial killer with supernatural abilities.
Grave Seasons is Stardew Valley meets a murder mystery. Taking the role of a farmer already sounds involved, but dealing with supernatural evil? Every choice you make as a player has consequences. This is perfect for those who enjoy choose-your-own-adventure style games.
Horripilant
There were so many titles I wasn’t able to fully play-test, but I was glad to stop by the other labs briefly. That said, Black Lantern Collective presented Horripilant. This indie game forces you to explore a cave’s not-so-pleasant secrets. There are puzzles to solve, skills to master, and tools to acquire to face things that humans could not possibly comprehend. The old school pixel art style adds a touch more creepiness.
PAX East did not disappoint, offering a variety of options to build my own Steam wishlist of the best frightfully fresh games. Whether you’re interested in horror franchises, indie works, or both, there are plenty of options available. Feel free to experiment, as this is a great year for horror.
For more PAX East coverage, check out more of the best indie horror games we saw at PAX East.