Whether on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, or PC, there are plenty of gaming subscriptions out there that are typically worth their monthly cost. PS Plus, PS Now, Xbox Games with Gold, Xbox Game Pass, Switch Online (especially with the coming N64 games), Epic Games Store, and other launchers and their specials all create a way to access new, surprise games month after month.
There’s usually no way to tell what will or won’t be added. For example, PS Plus follows a pattern of “last Wednesday announcement before the free games’ Tuesday release,” while games can’t be pre-ordered and sometimes release on that same Tuesday. Even knowing this, it’s hard to predict the available games, but particularly for October, fans often want something like a horror title.
The reason is rather obvious: Halloween is coming up and many are celebrating the ongoing “spooky season” now. Even those who do not typically enjoy horror games may play one or two just to celebrate it the way only a gamer can. As such, for those curious, here is how three of the biggest “free games” services—PS Plus, Games with Gold, and Epic Games Store—are celebrating Halloween, if they are.
PS Plus Free Games for October 2021
Overall, many PS Plus subscribers are upset with October. There are actually a couple of reasons, but the fact that it doesn’t really embrace Halloween and seemingly teases players with that is one of the biggest ones. PS Plus free games for October 2021 include Mortal Kombat X, PGA Tour 2K21, and Hell Let Loose. As a golf game and a military shooter, the last two have no connection to the season whatsoever.
But, to make matters worse, Mortal Kombat X is given out as the base game, meaning there are no DLC characters—if people don’t already have it given how old it is. If it gave Mortal Kombat XL out, then players would have access to a roster of horror movie-based DLC characters. It still wouldn’t really be a horror title, but it seems almost intentional that the most horror-related aspect of it was left out. On top of that, many PS Plus subscribers know that Asia is getting a fourth, Halloween-appropriate game in Castlevania Requiem.
Xbox Games with Gold for October 2021
In comparison, Xbox Games with Gold has the season far more in mind. The Xbox One and Xbox Series X titles are mostly run-of-the-mill in the rhythm-based Aaero game and the parkour-based Hover. However, the backcompat games include Castlevania: Harmony of Despair and Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. The latter two are indeed classics in the horror world. There is a chance that some players already have these, but if they don’t on Xbox, then it’s a good chance to revisit old but gold horror games.
Epic Games Store Free Games for October 2021 (So Far)
The Epic Games Store’s selection of free games differs from PS Plus and Games with Gold in terms of style. Whereas the other two services release free games once a month, EGS does so once a week. As such, there’s plenty more coming to EGS as of this writing. Thus far, this month’s free games were Europa Universalis 4 (through October 7) and PC Building Simulator (available as of this writing through October 14).
From October 14 through October 21, players can snag Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse on the Epic Games Store, which while not a horror game, is about playing a zombie, eating brains, and building a horde. It’s perfect for the season, with two more games set to release this month on October 21 and October 28. There’s no telling what they are, but last October saw Layers of Fear 2, Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered, and Blair Witch release there at the tail end.
In other words, Epic Games Store is on the path for a good Halloween selection if it keeps up what it did last year. As it stands, there's no telling one way or the other if it will, but it wouldn't make sense to give out appropriate Halloween games last year and not do it this year, not with this headstart. Meanwhile, Games with Gold is good for classic horror titles, but PS Plus isn’t where fans should be looking for good Halloween-appropriate games. There are other options like horror titles on Game Pass and PS Now’s new games (which includes The Last of Us 2, which is roughly appropriate), but of the “big 3” of sorts, they are definitely approaching the spooky season differently.
PS Plus offers subscribers a handful of free games every month.