Looking for a Halloween scare? Try the newest videogames

By John Gaudiosi

RALEIGH, NC (Reuters Life!) - Looking for more than ghosts and ghouls to liven up Halloween? The latest videogames are offering plenty of scary options and new terror is waiting just around the corner.

Whether it is aliens, zombies or other monsters, new videogames aim to terrify players and keep them on edge like the best horror flick or psychological thriller.

Electronic Arts has launched a new space horror story with "Dead Space" on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Set aboard an abandoned mining spaceship, the USG Ishimura, gamers must use an assortment of weapons to destroy the horrific alien Necromorphs that have killed the crew.

"We have to constantly come up with new ways to scare the player and keep them guessing," said Glen Schofield, executive producer of "Dead Space" at Electronic Arts.

"It takes thousands of iterations and trial and error, but the rewards of seeing gamers totally freak out because of what we've put in the game are totally worth it."

Early next month the latest PC and Xbox 360 game from Valve Software, "Left 4 Dead," will offer four players an interactive terror ride through a town overrun by monsters.

"Your mission is to escape the city and the only way to get out alive is to work with your three teammates," said Gabe Newell, co-founder and managing director of Valve Software.

"The game adjusts to how the team is playing and the cinematic effects and story line dynamically change based on how well the players are working together."