Get your spook on with this Halloween 2012 roundup

Rift – Monster Mash dynamic event

Who says Halloween needs to be limited to just one day? I know people who celebrate their birth month. And while that practice may be, well, idiotic, celebrating something as joyous as Halloween for several days is definitely appropriate, and that’s exactly what Rift is allowing you to do. Currently underway and running until November 11 is the Monster Mash dynamic event. There’s a struggle between vampire and werewolf, and it’s up to players to choose which side they want to be on. Best of all, this dynamic event isn’t exclusive to just one area in the massive world of Rift, so you can be a part of the battle anywhere.

Battlefield Heroes

Already a more outlandish take on war, Battlefield Heroes is getting even crazier with some new Halloween content. Until October 31, players will be able to dress their soldiers up in special costumes. Additionally, two new shoulder pets will be introduced, and eight new weapons including the Doom Skull and Jack-o’-Buster rocket launchers are all available to unleash hellish devastation. Players who rent the two aforementioned weapons will also have access to a special mission.

Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller

In Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller, players take on the role of the titular character who happens to be an FBI agent searching for the answers to her brother’s mysterious murder. Considering the fact that this is a point-and-click adventure game, we can probably expect plenty of in-depth dialogue and storytelling. Also, because this is a mystery game, I’m willing to bet we’ll see some twists and turns, as well. Cognition looks to deliver thrilling gameplay and narrative right on time for Halloween when it launches across PC download platforms for $9.99 per episode or $29.99 for the season pass that includes all four episodes.

Monster Quest

Okay, so Monster Quest may not exactly be a Halloween-themed title, but if there’s one thing we all remember being a huge part of the holiday when we were kids, it’s monsters. In Monster Quest, you don’t need to be afraid of these creatures like you were when you were but a wee lad. Instead, you can capture and train them … and battle them. Reminds me of Pokemon, but that’s beside the point. The game is available now on iOS platforms for the incredibly affordable price of $0 and features RPG, strategy, and management gameplay.

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One of the most wickedly spectacular holidays has arrived, folks. Halloween is here, and you should celebrate it by eating lots of candy, watching a scary movie or two, and playing some Halloween-themed games. In the past we’ve gotten gems like Red Dead Revolver: Undead Nightmare and Costume Quest to keep us busy during the festive holiday, and it seems as if that tradition will continue this year with a number of special add-ons and DLC for various titles. So what exactly is in store for gamers this Halloween?

Sleeping Dogs: Nightmare in Northpoint

All hell breaks loose when Big Scar Wu, a ruthless triad gangster, is killed, diced up, and fed to cats everywhere. What ensues is an unholy resurrection as the newly named Smiley Cat – the title given to Wu by the denizens of hell – unleashes devastation upon Hong Kong and possesses its citizens. With the city now bleeding pure evil, it’s up to Wei Shen to remedy the problem. Sleeping Dogs: Nightmare in Northpoint tells its twisted tale in true Hong Kong fashion, employing bloody, gritty, and unsettling horror movie elements. The DLC is fittingly due out on October 31. If you’re a Sleeping Dogs fan looking for more content or just want to celebrate Halloween the right way, it goes without saying that you should definitely watch out for this upcoming content.

Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise – Teddy Krubear and Jason Pawhees DLC

Another title getting its fix this Halloween is the downloadable Naughty Bear: Panic in Paradise. In this game, the fluff-filled player character takes inspiration from some of the most renowned slasher villains in the history of film. Already available for 240 Microsoft Points is the Teddy Krubear DLC for the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game. As you might expect, this Freddy Krueger spoof features claw gloves, cool striped sweaters, and a neat fedora. Also, murder. Set to launch on Halloween for 80 Microsoft Points and 99 cents for both the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network version of Panic in Paradise is the Jason Pawhees DLC, which means we can expect a big machete and a creepy hockey mask. Oh, and murder, of course. Also due out in November is the Pennyhear the Clown DLC which will take cues from It.

League of Legends

After seeing plenty of success among MOBA fans, League of Legends has managed to garner quite the massive audience. It makes sense then that fans new and old are being rewarded with some treats for Halloween. First off, Elise the Spider Queen made her debut just in time. Brand new Sinister skins, Ward skins, and Summoner icons are available, and players can give Elise, Hecarim, Maokai, and Twisted Fate a spooky new look. Additionally, Wards are also sporting a creepy new appearance.

The Adventures of Shuggy: Shuggy’s Teleporting Troubles

Shuggy thought he rid his brand new castle of all the ghosts that were haunting it, but as it turns out, that’s not exactly the case. Instead, he’s now tasked with exploring 40 more rooms rife with plenty of puzzle and platforming action. The DLC, titled Shuggy’s Teleporting Troubles, features dual teleporters that the titular hero must use to brave the many treacherous perils that await him. The Adventures of Shuggy was already a great standalone puzzler. When you throw in 40 brand new levels via a free update, however, the game just gets even sweeter. This isn’t exactly a horror game, but it does rely on lighthearted themes that are perfect for a cheery Halloween.