Long before Shakespeare brought us Macbeth and its famous “Double, double, toil and trouble” line, witches have been associated with gathering and using ingredients for spells and potions. It’s something that’s deeply rooted in folklore, contributing to some of the most iconic imagery people associate with witches. Witches and this type of “crafting” go hand in hand in the sense that they gather ingredients, many with supposed magical properties, to create potions or other concoctions. 

In a way, it’s a lot like crafting in games, which often mirrors the same process that witches of lore reportedly used. Except when you’re tasked with collecting items and other supplies in the gaming world, you’re usually doing it to survive—or to have a place to sleep at night. Sometimes, it even helps move the story forward. 

With Halloween just around the corner, what better time to celebrate the resourceful gatherers and expert crafters we know witches to be? We’re going to celebrate a few games that let you dive in and craft your own items and supplies to move forward. You might not be casting spells or putting curses on anyone, but you sure will find a couple of new games to try that let you get down to some serious crafting.
 

My Time At Portia

Set against the backdrop of a society rebuilt from the ashes of an old world, My Time at Portia has you stepping into the shoes of a modest builder who inherits their father’s workshop in the city of Portia. And just like all the gathering and crafting witches get down to when it’s time to cast a spell, you’ve got to do plenty of that yourself when you get to Portia.

Want to get closer to the locals? Make some progress in the story? Check out the community board, take up tasks, and get to building. Get all of your supplies first and then start working; whether you’re building a bridge or a simple tool, each new creation helps push the story forward. Crafting is pretty hassle-free, too: If you’ve got the materials, be they in your pockets or stored away, you’re all set. 

It may not have the gravitas that tossing ingredients into a bubbling cauldron does, but gathering and utilizing everything you need to help rebuild the community has some very strong coven vibes. And while the game itself is a little too cheery for Halloween, it’s a must-play for anyone who loves building and making things on their own out of items they’ve collected. 
 

The Long Dark

The Long Dark puts you right in the heart of the icy Canadian wilderness for a challenging exercise in survival. 

It’s not just about staying warm or eating enough, though. You’ve got to worry about your body temperature, hunger, thirst, and even unpredictable weather. And while you’re concerned with this whole “surviving” thing, you’ve got to do a bit of living off the land to get through the night. That means scavenging for resources, just like a witch gathering up ingredients for her next concoction.

As you navigate the wintry expanse, you’ll collect food, water, medicine, and plenty of different tools, all of which you need to keep in working order. And while you don’t have a witch’s familiar to help you, you’ll certainly be surrounded by plenty of wildlife. Fire is your lifeline—like a flame under a potion pot—but you’ll have to gather wood to keep warm, too. 

If you’ve ever imagined foraging for potion ingredients in the wilds, The Long Dark’s detailed survival mechanics and resource gathering is perfect for heading into spooky season. 
 

Windbound

Windbound invites you to the Forbidden Islands to take on the role of warrior Kara. Separated from her tribe and left to navigate the mysteries the isles bring, she’s got to do everything on her own if she wants to see her people again. And like a witch readying ingredients for her next brew, Kara’s survival hinges on her knack for gathering resources. 

That means she has to craft weapons to fend off the beasts that prowl these parts. But first, that means getting tools. It’s a long process, but a satisfying one. The islands are littered with plenty of materials. The ruins dotting the islands aren’t just there for decoration either, as they’re brimming with resources for Kara to make a new life for herself. You even have to craft a boat for her, because a viable sea vessel is especially important when all the nearby resources dry up and it’s time to set sail to a new island.

Windbound’s wealth of homesteading gameplay, including the need to make tools, weapons, and even boats, evokes the spirit of a sisterhood of witches working together to find what they need and build a community out of it. Sure, the game doesn’t have the typical spooky Halloween vibe, but it’s a definite must-try for those who get a kick out of building things from scratch.
 

Cozy Grove

If you like your crafting games with a supernatural twist, Cozy Grove is where it’s at. As you set up camp on a peculiar island as a Spirit Scout, it becomes your mission to explore and bring solace to the local ghosts.

Yeah, that’s right. You’ve got to put a smile on their spectral faces. That makes it super easy, then, to think of yourself as a witch digging around for goodies and magical items while uncovering secrets and figuring things out for your new ghostly friends. Through some dedication and, of course, crafting, you’ll gradually bring color back to the island. 

The game’s environment itself responds and transforms when you help a spirit. And speaking of spirits, there are plenty around—each with their own troubles to solve. Beyond all that, there’s also fishing, decorating, and spirit animals to spend time with. 

If you’ve ever imagined concocting spells from hand-picked ingredients, Cozy Grove’s resource gathering and crafting will resonate with you. Plus, it gives you a little treat to look forward to every day.
 

Dust to the End

Fancy exploring a post-apocalyptic landscape? Dust to the End has you spending time in the wasteland battling the occasional radioactive zombie or mutant. They’re dangerous, but they’re really minor bumps in the road on your way to becoming a veritable tycoon.

Here’s where it gets really interesting, though. You spend a significant chunk of the game managing your caravan, taking into account how much each team member can carry, and making sure there’s enough food and water for the journey. You also have to balance the weight of potential profits as your stores grow and you invest in new goodies and tools. It’s like taking care of your own coven of witches, only in a desolate expanse of irradiated land. 

There’s a massive sandbox that sets the stage for some good old trading and resource-gathering gameplay. And, like a witch might ingredients, you’ll amass profits while you rack up the resources needed to keep you and your entire following afloat. It’s not as explicit as some of the other games on this list, but it’s all about gathering and using resources to craft some kind of success—especially in an area where the odds are stacked against you.