Top Spooky Indie Games to Try This Halloween (With a JRPG Twist)
The days are getting darker, the leaves are turning orange, and Halloween is fast approaching; Fall is finally here! The season of ghosts and ghouls has finally arrived, and we at Anime Atelier are witch-ing you a happy Spooky Season.
For those of you who share our passion for fall and Halloween, we have compiled a list of lesser-known games developed by indie studios to help you experience a fang-tastic Halloween. So gather the gals, the bros, and the non-binary ghosts, and trick or treat yourself to some of these fiendish games!
Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis
For any avid Vocaloid fans out there who want to start Halloween with a bang, we recommend Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis, developed by Alliance Arts and Who You, which will be released on October 30. Artistically similar to fan favorite Needy Streamer Overload, Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis is a psychological horror disguised as an energetic rhythm game, telling the story of a psychotic hikikomori girl.
Magic Inn
Would you rather have something more cozy than a skele-ton of fun? For those of you who are too cute to spook, we recommend Magic Inn, developed by Purple Door Studios. The game is a cozy tavern simulator where you play as an exiled wizard-turned-innkeeper, overseeing the inn's operations. Priced at $14.99, the demo is available for free, so go check it out and let us know if you think it's terrifying-ific!
Little Witch in the Woods
Still looking for cute, cozy fall games? Why not try the charming pixel game Little Witch in the Woods by studio Sunny Side Up? For $15.99, experience the daily life of apprentice witch Ellie, explore the mythical forest, help out the charming residents, and make some fiends for life!
Amelie
Want to celebrate the season with some eerie-sistable romance? Check out Amelie, developed by Two and a Half Studios—a sapphic visual novel telling the story of Amelie, a young girl forbidden from leaving her house. Priced at a very reasonable $3.99, the beautiful art and soothing soundtrack won't leave you disappointed!
The NOexistenceN of you AND me
If you enjoy psychological visual novels, why not pumpkin-spice it up with The NOexistenceN of you AND me by 0x0Real Studio! For $1.99, explore the world of "game" while playing as "you/girl"!
Goblin Cleanup
Now, for those of you who need a little more chaos for a "gourd" time, we recommend Goblin Cleanup by Crisalu Games. Work with friends to clean a dungeon before time runs out. If you're as excited as we are and can't wait for the game to be released on September 18, make sure to check out the demo available on Steam!
Habromania
If you're looking for more demos, don't miss the RPG Habromania developed by SydneyCollings (Symphony_Sonate), due to be released in September. Play as Alice as she attempts to escape the surreal hellscape of Wonderland in a game full of gourd-geous art!
Therapy with Dr. Albert Kreuger
If Habromania leaves you craving for more, try Therapy with Dr. Albert Kreuger by dino999zs. Allow Dr. Kreuger to tackle those pesky urges by using dream therapy, and face your fears today! Available on Itch.io, make sure you're creepin' it real with Dr. Kreuger!
Pumpkin Panic
Alternatively, try to outrun your fears in the free game Pumpkin Panic by Bilalaika. Try your hand at farming while avoiding the strange events happening in your neighborhood; just be careful, though, as the strange creatures in your area may have a bone to pick with you!
OFF
Purify the uncanny in OFF by Mortis Ghost and Fangamer. Play as Batter as she seeks to purify a hopeless and haunted world while being guided by a cryptic grinning cat named Judge!
Reveil
Next up, we have Reveil, a narrative first-person thriller developed by Pixelsplit, and priced at $19.99. Live on the fright side while delving into the dark past of Walter Thompson and his relationship with the Nelson Bros Circus.
Hollow Cocoon
If you're tired of games set in England and want to immerse yourself in 1920s Japan, try Hollow Cocoon, developed by Nayuta Studio. Follow the story of Minato Jimba and his return to his hometown following his grandmother's death.
Happy Game
Alternatively, if you prefer something more stylized, check out Happy Game by Amanita Design. Can you make the boy happy again after a bat nightmare? Why not take a bite and find out?
Distraint
If surreal horror isn't up your alley, try Distraint: Deluxe Edition, developed by Jesse Makkonen. The game serves as a spooky commentary on capitalism! Play as Price and discover the true price of humanity.
Gylt
Craving the atmospheric horror franchise Little Nightmares? Can't wait to sink your teeth into Little Nightmares 3? Check out Gylt, developed by Tequila Works and Parallel Circles, in the meantime! For only $19.99, shape your fears in this narrative adventure game and use your quick wit to solve puzzles and stealth through levels.
Among the Sleep: Enhanced Edition
If Gylt doesn't intrigue you, why not face your nightmares in Among the Sleep by Krillbite Studio? Play as a small child trapped in a surreal, Tim Burton-esque nightmare. Priced at $16.99, this emotional experience that explores the vulnerability of childhood is a must-play this spooky season.
Day Dream
The final game we recommend for fans of Little Nightmares is Day Dream: Forgotten Snow by Frozen Line. Priced at $19.99, with brew-tiful art and challenging puzzles, this game is a must-play for any fans of spooky platformers!
Paranormal Cleanup
Are you a gamer who likes a bit of humor in their spook? If you enjoy games like meme-worthy, we recommend the meme-worthy game Paranormal Cleanup by Manic Mice. With recent updates fixing a lot of the bugs, Paranormal Cleanup offers a humorous insight into cleaning a haunted house!
Pathologic Classic HD
Alternatively, for a more serious solo experience, check out Pathologic Classic HD by Ice-Pick Lodge and General Arcade, priced at $12.99. Control one of three unique characters as they try to save their town from a deadly plague.
Depersonalization
For fans of classic horror RPG Maker games like IB and Mad Father, we recommend the Lovecraftian game Depersonalization, an anthology-style game priced at $19.99.
Little Goody Two Shoes
Relive the classic RPG Maker days with a game inspired by 90s shoujo — Little Goody Two Shoes by Astral Shift. In this thrilling prequel to Pocket Mirror ~ GoldenerTraum, you will adventure into the woods in a phantasmagorical horror game where every choice matters! For $19.99, the game is a steal. Oh, did we mention that it's also a dating sim?!
Viviette
Our last recommendation for fans of RPG Maker games is Viviette, an exploration puzzle game developed by DYA Games and currently on sale for $4.99. Test your logic against a game where navigation itself becomes an obstacle in your path!
Last Light
If you're familiar with any of the previously mentioned games, then you may also be familiar with the cult classic Yomawari: Night Alone. If you want more like that, we recommend Last Light by Team Corn Field. Find your classmates' IDs and discover what really happened in this psychological horror game!
Illusion Carnival
For fans of stylized horror like Bendy and the Ink Machine, assuming you've finished all of the other games in the franchise (Boris deserves more love!), we recommend Illusion Carnival by KiZ. Although it's in a different style, the stylistic art and ongoing mystery make it a must-try for the humble price of—well, free!
Voltaire the Vegan Vampire
And for any of you who crave roguelikes, like this writer's personal favorite, Cult of the Lamb, try Voltaire: the Vegan Vampire by Digitally Games. Pairing cozy farming action with an action-filled roguelite, Voltaire: the Vegan Vampire brings you the best of both worlds, and has a free demo!
20 Minutes Till Dawn
If you prefer your roguelikes a bit more tense, try surviving 20 Minutes Till Dawn. This charming game will quickly worm its way into your heart. Although priced at $4.99 on Steam, you can check out a bit-sized version called 10 Minutes Till Dawn for free on Itch.io!
Now, before we finish with our final suggestion to end the spooky season, we have some honorable mentions to keep an eye on!
Dream Hollow
The first is Dream Hollow, a cozy horror-adventure game set in a dream-like world. Produced by Cup Dragon Games, there's no official release date as of yet. Make sure to check out their social media to follow the game's production and get sneak peeks at behind-the-scenes development!
Hell Maiden
Our second suggestion to keep an eye on is Hell Maiden by Astral Shift. Traverse the depths of hell in a roguelite inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy. With previous releases from Astral Shift being a hit, Hell Maiden will surely be a blast!
Reanimal
Our third suggestion, and our personal favorite, is REANIMAL by Tarsier Studios, due to release in 2026. From the creators of Little Nightmares 1 & 2, Tarsier Studios is crafting a new atmospheric horror for fans to enjoy. Play as a pair of siblings trying to escape what they once called home.
Hatoful Boyfriend
And now, for our final recommendation to end the spooky season, we recommend Hatoful Boyfriend. Have you ever wondered what romancing a school full of pigeons would be like? Then this game is the one for you. Just make sure to check out those content warnings, lest you be in for a nasty, spooky surprise!
And that's it for our top spooky indie games to try this fall (with a JRPG twist). We hope you have some un-fang-gettable memories this fall. Let us know your favorite Halloween games in the comments!
Feature Photos:
Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis/ ©Alliance Arts, Who You
Habromania/ © 2025, Symphony Sonata
Therapy/ ©dino999zs
