10. Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars
Ever played Civilisation IV and thought ‘there aren’t enough vampires’? Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars has your back. A turn based strategy title set in an alternative Europe which is ruled by feuding vampire clans, this is a really slick game with a really fun premise. It’s nice that it isn't needlessly complicated for the sake of it, making it a great title for newer players to dive into the genre. We’d recommend picking it up on the Switch above anything else, as the fast pace of combat makes it perfect for the portable console.
9. Call of Cthulhu
Based on the tabletop RPG of the same name, Call of Cthulhu is the game to play to get your hit of cosmic horror. Taking place just after WWI, you play as an army veteran tasked with investigating a mysterious fire that took place on the island of Darkwater. Like Professor Layton’s gothic cousin, this game combines satisfying deduction and puzzles with a truly oppressive, gloomy atmosphere. Fans of Lovecraftian horror cannot miss this game.
8. Vampyr
One of the more nuanced horror titles on this list, Vampyr is a hidden gem that deserves your attention. Putting you in the role of blood transfusion specialist turned vampire, you have to wrestle with your morals and new desire to consume human blood. With a great story, solid gameplay and enough player autonomy to get you truly invested, this is one game that definitely doesn’t suck!
7. Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise
Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise is a bit like the old jacket you like - completely broken but oozing with charm. The time-hopping horror crime thriller picks up the surreal plot left by its predecessor, in which you have to solve a murder mystery in a small Louisiana town. It might not be the most technically competent game, but the characters are some of the most charming found in gaming, the gameplay is campy fun and you can skateboard while wearing a suit. Now that’s the American Dream!
6. Death Mark
A point and click game for a new generation, Death Mark isn’t to be tackled lightly. This adventure combines the every day with horrific monsters that would make Junji Ito’s stomach turn. The game relies on ratcheting up an impending sense of dread, rather than bombarding you with frights, making it a test of your bravery to even continue playing. One for only the bravest!
5. Little Nightmares: Complete Edition
A platformer-puzzler in the same vein as Limbo and Inside, Little Nightmares’ dark palette feels as if it were plucked from Tim Burton’s notebook. You play as Six, a nine-year-old girl who has to escape a giant ship called The Maw. Genuinely creepy without relying too heavily on jump scares, it’s definitely one to play alone on a dark, stormy night.
4. Friday the 13th: The Game
The king of slasher movies has become the king of asymmetrical horror multiplayer! You play as either Jason Voorhees himself, or one of a gang of campmates on a mission to outwit the world’s most violent hockey fan as you attempt to escape with your life. With a ton of extra skins, weapons, signature kills and more, this complete edition couldn’t be any more stacked with DLC.
3. Luigi’s Mansion 3
If you’re looking for a horror game to play with the kids, look no further than Luigi’s Mansion 3. In the third instalment of the cult classic series, our beloved hero Luigi has found himself in another haunted manor, where he’ll have to use all his courage and cunning to save the day and his friends. The perfect balance of puzzles, action and charm, it demonstrates how Nintendo can master any genre. It also has to be in the running for the best looking game on the console, the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom have never looked better.
2. Dark Souls Remastered
The granddaddy of the ‘git gud’ style of games, Dark Souls looks stunning and plays even better on the portable console. Full disclosure, you’ll have to play in docked mode to see the infamous ‘You Died’ screen in glorious 1080p, but once you’re hacking and slashing on the go, I guarantee this won’t bother you much. There’s also an exclusive Solaire of Astora Amiibo that released alongside the game which is exciting if you’re into that stuff.
1. Doom
The best horror FPS by a country mile, consider the Switch port of Doom to satiate your sadistic streak. The frenetic, non-stop action feels right at home on the console, as you mow down wave after wave of hellspawn. If you’re looking for a deep storyline, look elsewhere, if you’re looking for some of the tightest gameplay around, rev up your chainsaw and get chopping.
