The novelty of Google doodles is something that doesn't wear off easily. Doodles are always a very nice way to mark historically significant dates, but when it comes to holidays and festivals, Google sometimes goes the extra mile and brings a little game instead.

This year Google brought back a game that appeared on previous Halloweens: Ghoul Duel. This four-on-four arena showdown is a game that looks like Snake meets Slither.io. The objective is to collect Spirit Flames on the map and bring them back to your base. The team that collects the most flames by the end of the hour wins.

There is one drawback, however. If your chain of Spirit Flames is interrupted by the enemy team, they will steal your flames, knock you out for a moment, and you will mourn the loss of your hard-earned orbs. It's very easy to get the hang of it, and there are achievements to be earned by those who are into the game. It's a nice little Halloween treat, and I always appreciate a thematically spooky game that isn't too scary.

When Doodles arrives, Google even creates a small information page (opens in a new tab) about the project and notes how it was created The Great Ghoul Duel page includes credits, an early look at a new character in the game sketches, and even the names of the ghosts I play as I embark on the battle. My favorite is the little ghost cat with a fish in its mouth. Their name is Olive, and I would do anything for them.

And if you're not into new games and missed the 2016 "Magic Cat Academy" (opens in a new tab), don't worry, there are plenty of new games to choose from.