One of my favorite parts of October has to be our Halloween game nights. It’s the perfect chance to put on a horror movie soundtrack and turn the lights down low. In our annual list, we’ve got half a dozen frighteningly fun games for gamers of all skill types and ages.
Creature Feature
Publisher: Trick or Treat Studios
Number of Players: 2-6
Playtime: 30-45 min.
Kid-friendly? Yes
Full Review of Creature Feature
Looking for the next big monster movie? You may just have a hand in casting the next breakout star! Creature Feature is a bidding card game where players try to earn movie roles using a hand of classic movie monsters over three rounds.
This game is designed by Richard Garfield (Magic: The Gathering, King of Tokyo, RoboRally) and has stunning illustrations from Terry Wolfinger. Some of the monstrous actors have special abilities that will keep your opponents guessing. If you’re looking for a fun bidding game for your Halloween game night, Creature Feature supports up to 6 players.
Purchase Creature Feature on the Trick or Treat Studios webstore.
Oh My Brain
Publisher: 25th Century Games
Number of Players: 3-5
Playtime: 30 min.
Kid-friendly? Yes
Full Review of Oh My Brain
Our family has been on a card game kick in recent years. One of our favorites in the past 12 months has been Oh My Brain, a card shedding game with some unsettlingly cute illustrations. Players are working to shed their hand of zombie woodland creatures that are hungry for brains.
Players follow the previous player, laying a higher value card into the central pile (campfire). When you cannot play a card, you lose a brain token and pull new cards into your hand and cemetery. With some “take that” mechanics and a little luck, this game is built for fun family game nights. Turn down the lights and stay close to the fire. These animals are coming for your delicious brains.
Purchase Oh My Brain from the 25th Century webstore or through Amazon today.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Slaughterhouse
Publisher: Funko Games
Number of Players: 2 to 5
Playtime: 45-60 min.
Kid-friendly? Teenagers and above
Full Review of Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Slaughterhouse
This 1-vs-many game from Funko Games is an excellent addition to any horror game collection. In Slaughterhouse, one player takes on the role of the Sawyer family, which includes the iconic members of Leatherface’s family. The remaining players are scouring the home to complete the chosen mission. With 5 different missions, this game has some great replayability.
As players make their way around the house, they gather fear tokens which eventually turn into points that power up the Sawyer family. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Slaughterhouse is an excellent cat-and-mouse game with plenty of twists and turns. Whether playing as the Sawyer family or one of the players, both sides of this game feel unique. Funko did a great job with the production of this property and it’s a great option for your next game night.
Purchase Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Slaughterhouse from your local game store or Barnes & Noble today.
BOOoop.
Publisher: Smirk & Dagger
Number of Players: 2
Playtime: 20 min.
Kid-friendly? Yes
Watch a Full Playthrough | Full Review
I love Halloween themed versions of games! The original Boop is a really fun abstract game for 2-players. BOOoop is the not so creepy sibling that introduces ghost cats into the mix. BOOoop is super cute and really accessible for just about any age. Players work to line up 3 kittens in order to graduate into adult cats. The first to line up 3 adult cats wins!
While it sounds simple, BOOoop is really strategic. Each time a kitten or cat is placed on the bed, the kittens/cats that are around them get “booped” into another space. Finding just the right placement location and edging out your opponent is a lot of fun. This game hits that perfect spot between strategy and time commitment. If you’re looking for something to play with a friend or loved one this Halloween, BOOoop is a great purchase.
Purchase BOOoop on the Smirk & Dagger webstore or online through Amazon today.
Blood Orders
Publisher: Trick or Treat Studios
Number of Players: 2-4
Playtime: 60-90 min.
Kid-Friendly? Teenagers and above
Watch a Full Playthrough
Being a vampire is tough. You and your fellow players have moved into a new town and it’s time to gather new victims…I mean, followers. In Blood Orders, 2 to 4 players are planning out their orders in secret and collecting resources or victims during three different phases of day. With a little worker placement, hand management, and resource collection, this game has a really nice pace.
The artwork is equal parts grotesque and artistic between the victim that you’ll collect and the Bleeder and Elder cards that are prevalent at the start of the game. The iconography is easy to understand, and sometimes you’ll spend more than you want to get just the right victims for future rounds. The game takes place over 3 Acts, each one ramping up with new cards and higher costs. Blood Orders may be my favorite vampire themed board game, and it’s one that will hit the table all month long.
Purchase Blood Orders from Trick or Treat Studios webstore today.
My Fathers Work
Publisher: Renegade Games Studios
Number of Players: 2-4
Playtime: 120-160 min.
Kid-friendly? No
My Father’s Work is the Frankenstein inspired game I’ve always wanted. This physical and digital hybrid of a board game tells the story of inheriting the research of your scientist father. Over the course of the game, players will play through 3 generations as they work to complete the genius or diabolical work of their ancestor.
This game is filled with decisions that impact the game in really meaningful ways. Players place workers onto the central storybook board that changes as the game evolves. Experiments and the collecting of resources feels amazing because every component of the game is top-notch. The price is a little higher than what we usually spend on a game, but My Father’s Work is a fantastic journey into a Frankenstein inspired world that absolutely nails the time period.
Purchase My Fathers Work on Renegade Games Studios webstore or through Amazon today.
Looking for more haunting board games for this Halloween? We’ve got you covered.
- Game Pick & A Flick: More Halloween Pairings
- 7 Board Games to Get You in the Halloween Spirit (2022)
- Game Pick & A Flick: Halloween Edition
- Ghastly Games for Your Halloween Game Night (2020)
- More Creepy Cardboard for Your Halloween Game Night (2019)
- A Haunting Game Night – Our 2018 Halloween Game List (2018)
- Our 2017 Halloween Game List (2017)
- Games for Your Halloween Game Night (2016)
- Halloween Games for the Family (2016)
