Halloween: The Game is a new asymmetrical horror game from Predator: Hunting Grounds developer Illfonic. And the good news is that it is finally out in the wild.
Based on John Carpenter's 1978 masterpiece, Halloween, the new game gives you the chance to play as a slasher survivor or as the famed masked killer Michael Myers himself. If you are a fan of the best horror movies like me, you've probably been buzzing for the chance to swing an oversized kitchen knife at some unsuspecting virtual teens. Similarly, you've likely dreamed of living your best Laurie Strode life as you try to escape Michael's deadly stalking. However, despite all the Halloween hype, thanks to rights issues that have plagued Illfonic in the past, it is always good to be 100% sure that this is the right title for you before you grab your wallets.
That is where I come in. Below is a complete guide on everything that you need to know about Halloween: The Game. From reviews, gameplay details, and more, I've got the slasher lowdown for you right here.
Halloween: The Game reviews and release date
Halloween The Game released on September 8, 2026 and (at the time of writing) has mixed reviews on Metacritic.
Many reviewers have praised the game for understanding the DNA of the original movie and also being accurate to the kills and the story. However, others have also pointed out the similarities with Friday the 13th: The Game's mechanics, as well as how the game in its current state is pretty buggy.
I am interested to see how the larger community responds to this one, though, as more people get their hands on it and fixes are made. But for now, with its current price tag of $39.99/£35.75 for the standard edition, and $59.99/£53.49 for the deluxe, I recommend really looking into whether the game's issues are ones you can look past before you invest.
What are the Halloween: The Game platforms?
Once it releases, Halloween: The Game will land on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. PC players can access the game either via Steam or Epic Games, depending on their preference.
Unfortunately for Nintendo horror fans, it doesn't look like the game will be added to our list of upcoming Switch 2 games anytime soon. The game isn't confirmed for any Ninty consoles, and out of IllFonic's catalog only a few titles, such as Friday the 13th: The Game and Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, have ever been released on Switch. We'll keep you updated if there is any news.
What did Halloween: The Game's first trailer show?
The first Halloween: The Game trailer came our way during the Future Games Show as part of the Gamescom 2025 schedule, and gave us our very first look at the slasher killer and the game's setting.
As you can see in the teaser above, we hear a voice-over of Dr Loomis from the original movie as he describes Michael Myers's backstory about killing his sister years prior to the events of the game. The eerie story is told as the camera hovers over suburban houses at night, all decorated for the spooky season with jack-o'-lanterns and cute ghost cut-outs swaying from the windows.
As John Carpenter's iconic score swells, we then see a survivor being followed by Michael himself in the trailer. It's very atmospheric, and the visuals are very much in line with the '70s flick. Honestly, we may just have one of the best horror games of 2026 on our hands here.
What is Halloween: The Game's gameplay?
Halloween: The Game is an asymmetrical horror sandbox that lets you play as either a Haddonfield hero or as Michael Myers.
According to footage seen during the State of Play Showcase (which you can watch for yourself above), if you take on the role of Michael Myers, your goal is to find, stalk, and kill Haddonfield folks before Halloween night ends. Michael apparently has a ton of skills in his arsenal to help him out. However, in the gameplay reveal trailer, the one we got to see in action was "The Shape Jump," which saw Michael turn into a speedy shadow that makes him invisible to the naked eye.
Now, for years, Michael's supernatural status has been a touchy subject for fans. Let's be honest, when he is portrayed as supernatural, the movies tend to go downhill (cough, The Cult of Thorn, cough), versus the fear you get from just a very strong human devoid of empathy. While The Shape Jump isn't a human skill at all, the team clarified that it's simply their interpretation of how Michael can pop out of the shadows so suddenly. So, no matter what camp you fall into, the fandom should be happy.
If you play as a survivor, you'll need to warn your neighbors about Michael Myers before it's too late. You'll need to run around and find an active phone to get the police involved. You can also try to escape with a car or by finding a safe shelter, but you'll also need to try to save your fellow residents (including NPCs). You'll be able to slow Michael down by successful attacks, but you won't be able to kill him, so the only way to win is by working together.
There is also a single-player campaign that works mostly as a tutorial for multiplayer mechanics and as a way to unlock some cosmetics. The single-player mode takes you through the story of the original movie and steps into the shoes of Michael. So if you are a fan of the best Halloween movies, I also say that this is a big selling point. Even some of the kills can be movie-accurate if you plan them right.
I will say that, at the time of writing, the game does have a few bugs that make the multiplayer side of the gameplay a tad frustrating. However, the game is getting fixes, so hopefully those are all resolved soon.
Is Halloween: The Game multiplayer?
Yes, Halloween: The Game is a multiplayer experience, but there is also a single-player campaign. Like IllFonic's other titles, such as Friday the 13th: The Game, and Predator Hunting Grounds, multiplayer gameplay will be available.
"Asymmetrical multiplayer games can be a little bit more hardcore, too. And the stress of being the killer versus a bunch of bullies can be pretty daunting," explains Chief Creative Officer Jared Gerritzen in an interview with IGN. "And so we really wanted to make a way that people can play a single-player game, get a bit of a story, get deeper into the universe..."
As detailed in an interview with GameInformer, the single-player campaign is designed to be played first, as it'll put you directly in the shoes of Michael Myers on the famous Halloween night in 1963.
Halloween: The Game developer
Halloween: The Game is made on Unreal Engine 5 and is developed by IllFonic. Now, if you are unaware, IllFonic is the team behind Friday the 13th: The Game, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game, and Predator: Hunting Grounds. Basically, when it comes to making games based on iconic horror movies and franchises, you don't get more experienced than IllFonic.
To make the game even more exciting regarding its link to the original '70s film, Nick Castle (aka the original Michael Myers actor) did motion capture for the game. Original director John Carpenter was also "intimately involved" with the project, serving as executive producer.
So yeah, development focused on keeping the title as immersive and close to the vibes of the film that we all love so much. Considering how iconic Michael Myers is, standing arguably above Jason Voorhees and definitely the Yautja from Predator in terms of stature in the genre, IllFonic's approach is a good call.
For more future releases, check out our lists of all the other upcoming PS5 games and upcoming Xbox Series X games heading our way.
