One of 2020’s best indie horror games is reborn in co-op FPS sequel

One of 2023's most notable sleeper hits is the action-puzzle game Cocoon. It's a type of puzzle game that showcases dense and detailed environments and a particularly clever take on traversing multiple worlds, blending exploration with puzzle-solving. As more attention has been given to the game post-launch, the developer behind Cocoon recently shared on social media a never-before-seen look at an early prototype, showcasing what the game looked like in its early stages and how it got to where it is today.

First there was JASON!, a martyred child whose name cracked a thousand lips, rawed a thousand throats, blistered a thousand fingers. Then came FENTON!, a hunter-trickster spirit forsaken by Christ. Perhaps next will be ROY! The upcoming first-person survival horror game Rotten Flesh will invite you to shout the name of your lost dog into your microphone, hoping that Roy will bark back to let you know where he is. Fun fact: other, nondog things will hear you shouting too. Have a peek in the announcement trailer below.

More than 21 years after it was originally released, one of the true holy grails of Japanese-only games has been translated into English. Fan translator Hilltop Works, who previously translated cult favorite Square Enix carPG Racing Lagoon, released an English patch for life sim Boku no Natsuyasumi 2 on Thursday. The trailer above celebrates the release, showing off a two minute slice of the game with English subtitles, UI, and in-game artwork.

manages to expand and improve upon its predecessor in almost every way, and despite a few bugs and small qualms, it stands as one of the best life simulation games in years. Just like, this new entry comes from developer Pathea Games and publisher Focus Entertainment, the latter of which has also helped release titles like and. While there will be players who simply don't care for the game's fundamentally task-centric nature or wish for more complex combat, for fans of the genre does almost everything right.

Players that devour games like Resident Evil and Control alike, not to mention the just-released Alan Wake 2, should keep their eyes on an indie that popped up on Steam recently: Crow Country. It's an indie horror game with that vague aesthetic of the PSX era that channels the likes of not just the early survival horror like Resident Evil, but the more esoterically strange and scientific scares of games like Parasite Eve.

Alan Wake 2 is the horror game of the moment, and it's the right moment, with Halloween just around the corner. This weekend is the perfect time to bundle up with something pumpkin spiced, take a cautious glance left and right for black cats, and then dive into a spooky game. 

If you’re looking to add a little magic to your Halloween night, why not try putting together a game night with your closest friends?

Nightdive’s Star Wars: Dark Forces remaster has been given a February 28, 2024 release date.

A24's Talk to Me is headed to Netflix just in time to stream over Halloween weekend.

Horror lovers love the constant dread provided by horror games, but we all know nothing beats an expertly crafted jumpscare.

Spooky season is in full swing, and it’s time to revel in the scary atmosphere as best as you can. From jump scares to unsettling mysteries, the co-op horror genre of video games has made an effort to evolve in the past few years. Right now, we’ve got some genuinely amazing titles that you can enjoy with your friends. A few of these are even free to play, making the deal even sweeter. So, if you’ve got a buddy who refuses to embrace the fright of Halloween, try out any of the games listed here! After all, these are the best co-op horror games that you can play with your friends.

By Darryn Bonthuys on