5 spooky Xbox One games to play this October

Ah, October. It's the time of year where everyone embraces things that creep us out, scare us to death, and set us on edge. Horror is a fan-favorite genre across most forms of entertainment, including video games. If you're looking for some spooky titles to check out this October, make sure to check out these games.

Outlast

Outlast was regarded as one of 2015's biggest horror hits, and once you've experienced it, you'll know why. It has you fill the shoes of an investigative writer that has been informed via email of unusual activity at the asylum, and after you enter the building with nothing but a battery-operated night vision camera, what was thought to be a simple and safe job will quickly become a desperate struggle for survival against terrifyingly brutal enemies.

Suffice to say, Outlast is not for the faint of heart. I made the mistake of playing through the game in the middle of the night last year, and I didn't get much sleep afterwards.

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Alien: Isolation

2014's Alien: Isolation brought the horrifying Xenomorph from the Alien franchise to gaming in a big way. While on a vessel in space, your character is trapped with the beast, and the only way to stay alive is to hide. Hide, and hide well, because if you don't, you'll be ripped to shreds before you even know what hit you.

There aren't many gaming experiences that will make you feel as anxious and nervous as Alien: Isolation does. Whether you're silently trying to move from one area of the ship to another or staying hidden in a locker while the Xenomorph is standing inches from your position, this title is incredibly intense. Good luck trying to play without getting sweaty palms.

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Your Toy

Your Toy earns a spot on the list for its uniqueness. Where most horror titles stick to zombies or demons, Your Toy instead makes the antagonistic force something thought to be harmless — a teddy bear. This teddy bear was discarded in a very unpleasant way by the game's protagonist when they were a child, and now the bear wants revenge.

In terms of gameplay, Your Toy is mostly focused around escape-room puzzle mechanics that see you trying to find a way out of a public bathroom. It may sound dull, but the way the bear messes with you as you look for an escape opportunity is pretty creepy.

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Resident Evil 7: BioHazard

Resident Evil has always been a horror staple in the gaming community, and Resident Evil 7: BioHazard is considered by many to be one of the best games in the franchise. As you explore your (in-game) missing girlfriend's last known location — an abandoned house deep in the woods — you'll discover mysterious supernatural forces at work that explain why she never returned. You'll also realize that the abandoned house isn't really abandoned at all...

Featuring a well-written narrative, effective atmospheric horror, and enjoyable gameplay, Resident Evil 7: BioHazard is a must-have for horror gamers.

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INSIDE

Like Your Toy, INSIDE is a game that focuses on being creepy rather than being scary. Set in a dark and twisted version of our own world, INSIDE has you play as a small boy who is running from evil hunters trying to capture him. As you explore the depressing world and complete puzzles in order to stay hidden, there's a constant feeling that you're being eerily watched and that it's only a matter of time before you're contained.

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Your thoughts

What did you think of this list? What are some creepy or scary games you love? Let me know.