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\n 1 <\/span> Where to Play: <\/strong>Nintendo Switch <\/strong><\/p>\nLuigi\u2019s Mansion 3<\/em> is practically the platonic ideal of a spooky-not-scary game. You guide Luigi through the seventeen floors of The Last Resort, as he tries to rescue Mario and Princess Peach from the clutches King Boo. Luigi explores every corner of the hotel, from its gift shop to its fitness center. Each floor has its own unique layout, music, and puzzles.<\/p>\nEasily the best Luigi\u2019s Mansion game, Luigi\u2019s Mansion 3 <\/em>perfects the goofy haunted house aesthetic that defines the series. It has everything you\u2019d expect in a Luigi\u2019s Mansion game: Luigi\u2019s Ghostbusters-style Poltergust, his ghostly dog Polterpup, and his never-ending fear of anything that moves. Luigi\u2019s Mansion 3 <\/em>is also one of two games in history to feature Gooigi, an aptly-named Luigi clone made of green goo. That has to count for something.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n 2 <\/span> Where to Play: <\/strong>Nintendo Switch, Windows PC <\/strong><\/p>\nPenko Park<\/em> is a cute-yet-spooky photography game, reminiscent of Pok\u00e9mon Snap<\/em> but with even weirder little guys. You ride a tram through a mysterious forest, spotting and photographing the strange creatures hidden around you. Emphasis on strange \u2014 Penko Park\u2019s<\/em> cast of creatures includes a sea monster, a bewinged lemon, and a spider-looking thing named Doug. Each creature has several poses and emotional states, and is lovingly rendered in a style reminiscent of children\u2019s book illustrations.<\/p>\nAt the end of each tram ride, you organize the photos you took into a scrapbook, which rewards XP. That XP allows you to unlock more tools, which in turn allow you to see more creatures and take more photos. There are over 100 creatures to spot in Penko Park<\/em>, so there\u2019s plenty to enjoy even after a few run-throughs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n 3 <\/span>Where to Play: <\/strong>Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One<\/p>\nIf you still haven\u2019t played Hollow Knight,<\/em> now is a great time to get into it. Hollow Knight<\/em> takes challenging Metroidvania gameplay and places it within an eerie, painstakingly crafted atmosphere. You play as an unnamed Knight, who platforms and fights their way through the derelict underground kingdom of Hallownest. It\u2019s a particularly great choice for players who want a spooky, sometimes dread-inducing experience, but don\u2019t want to veer into true horror. You won\u2019t find gore or any true jumpscares, but there are plenty of moments that will leave you startled and speechless.<\/p>\nWithout veering into spoilers, some kind of scary stuff happens in Hollow Knight<\/em>. But its beautiful, hand-drawn 2D aesthetic keeps it from being truly frightening. Unless your debilitating fear of bugs extends to cartoon ones. If that\u2019s the case, you may want to sit Hollow Knight<\/em> out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n 4 <\/span> Where to Play: <\/strong>Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One<\/p>\nIf you\u2019re looking for all the drama of a teen slasher \u2014 without any of the slashing \u2014 Monster Prom is for you. You play as a Spooky High student, who has mere weeks to secure a date to prom. Your romantic prospects include gorgon Vera, werewolf Scott, and demon Damien. Playthroughs last 60-90 minutes, depending on how you chose to spend your time.<\/p>\n
Developer Beautiful Glitch focused on making the game as funny as possible, packing it with clever jokes and references. Monster Prom is also unique among dating sims for its competitive mode, which allows you to compete with your friends for the affections of the game\u2019s six romanceable monsters.<\/p>\n
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\n 5 <\/span> Where to play: <\/strong>iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One <\/strong><\/p>\nNight in the Woods <\/em>is a quiet, thoughtful story, full of anthropomorphic animals that are nonetheless unmistakably human. You play as Mae, a college dropout who moves back to her small hometown, where she investigates a horrifying secret.<\/p>\nNight in the Woods<\/em> is stunning, setting its cute, quirky character designs against eerie-yet-beautiful backdrops. Its story draws on themes of depression, disassociation, economic strife, and isolation. You\u2019ll find fantastical, campfire-story elements alongside everyday struggles that feel all too real. While it features platforming and minigames, it’s largely character and dialogue focused. Mae\u2019s choices, especially which of her friends she spends more time with, inform the game\u2019s overall emotional arc \u2014 though the ending is satisfying either way.<\/p>\n\n
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