i'm curious as to the consensus on this one but is it really appropriate or does it seem to telegraph things, and kind of spoil the immersion, i for one think the latter but i'm interested to hear others opinions.
music in a horror game?
- Thread starter krimson_dropz
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Could you imagine Psycho without music? Music in horror games should be the norm because it sets the mood, tempo etc. But it doesn't need to happen the entire game and if they are going for a super realistic theme it doesn't really work. It all depends on the game but I think music really helps the majority of horror games.
ahh but psyco isnt an interactive medium its a movie...
in my opinion (again) half the fun of horror movies is knowing that the poor sap in the shower/dark room/snowed in hotel. is going to be brutally stabbed/eaten/go insane and try to murder his kids and knowing that no matter what you do you cant stop it.. versus in a game you ARE the character, and changing anything during a part that something is about to happen or is happening is telegraphing its scares, as you can then exploit this, whether you realise it or not to mitigate the risk your character is in. and at the same time music that doesnt change simply will end up failing to fit the situation its a bit of a catch-22
in my opinion (again) half the fun of horror movies is knowing that the poor sap in the shower/dark room/snowed in hotel. is going to be brutally stabbed/eaten/go insane and try to murder his kids and knowing that no matter what you do you cant stop it.. versus in a game you ARE the character, and changing anything during a part that something is about to happen or is happening is telegraphing its scares, as you can then exploit this, whether you realise it or not to mitigate the risk your character is in. and at the same time music that doesnt change simply will end up failing to fit the situation its a bit of a catch-22
Made right, unobtrusive yet noticeable, it can be a very effective component of the game.
Sometimes though, silence is better for tension's sake.
Sometimes though, silence is better for tension's sake.
There's three ways to do music in a horror game.
One where it changes per chapter or scene and doesn't change when somethings about to happen or something.
One where it suddenly gets faster and somethings going to happen which makes it too easy.
One where it suddenly gets faster randomly.
I support one and three.
One where it changes per chapter or scene and doesn't change when somethings about to happen or something.
One where it suddenly gets faster and somethings going to happen which makes it too easy.
One where it suddenly gets faster randomly.
I support one and three.
I think that horror games do well to have some ambient sound running throughout, even if it isn't music - music can serve a purpose as a highlight to intense scenes, however, the real reason I think there should be frequent sound is to make it all the more jarring when it stops.
I think Silent hill 2 had excellent music, it set the atmosphere perfectly and as Akira Yamaoka (who created the music) said, sometimes the best music is no music at all
@ lights: i only really support three
@boneasse: the music in that (what little there seemed to be most of its seemed to be soundeffects of the wind and doors) seemed first a bit to oblivion-e and then during the chase well, its a chase, no points for doing frantic chase music right.
i suppose i WAS a bit too broad when i posted this when i said what i said it was more because all too often music is done horribly wrong in a horror game
@boneasse: the music in that (what little there seemed to be most of its seemed to be soundeffects of the wind and doors) seemed first a bit to oblivion-e and then during the chase well, its a chase, no points for doing frantic chase music right.
i suppose i WAS a bit too broad when i posted this when i said what i said it was more because all too often music is done horribly wrong in a horror game
I personally believe that music is tantamount in horror games but you bring up a good point (one which Yahtzee addressed as well) that music can give away a dangerous situation. A good example is Silent Hill 1 where the radio, though creepy sounding made sound when enemies were close. I think a game that better utilized sound was the original Resident Evil. I didn't like wandering around in that house with low ammo, hearing that awful music (it was great ^^). Also, though technically not a horror game, Metroid 2 had some very unsettling music late in the game which set the mode effectively.
Dead Space had a really good thing going for it with atmospheric music. Their Twinkle Twinkle Little Star still causes me to find a corner, go into the fetal(spelling?) position, and cry.
Music can work just fine in a horror game.
Take Amnesia for example. Slow and tense music most of the time. Fast music when you're being chased. Relaxing music when you're doing puzzles. It works.
Also, while I think Dead Space rather failed as a horror game, it had some good tunes in it. Creepiest rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star you will ever hear anywhere.
Take Amnesia for example. Slow and tense music most of the time. Fast music when you're being chased. Relaxing music when you're doing puzzles. It works.
Also, while I think Dead Space rather failed as a horror game, it had some good tunes in it. Creepiest rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star you will ever hear anywhere.
I prefer to turn the music off. And the lights.
The music in a lot of games spoil the anticipation a lot. By that, I mean the music picking up when you haven't yet noticed that enemy creeping up behind you. Heck, some games get it so wrong that you can use the music as a monster radar of sorts.
Dead Space is a great example of what to do with the music. And sound in general. Hell, and enemy behaviour; far as I know, DS is one of the very few games in which the monsters attempt to creep up on you. They only start screaming/flailing/dashing at you once you've spotted them. That makes for some very intense gameplay at times. My only major with the monsters is that they're far too noisy while 'sneaking'...
The music in a lot of games spoil the anticipation a lot. By that, I mean the music picking up when you haven't yet noticed that enemy creeping up behind you. Heck, some games get it so wrong that you can use the music as a monster radar of sorts.
Dead Space is a great example of what to do with the music. And sound in general. Hell, and enemy behaviour; far as I know, DS is one of the very few games in which the monsters attempt to creep up on you. They only start screaming/flailing/dashing at you once you've spotted them. That makes for some very intense gameplay at times. My only major with the monsters is that they're far too noisy while 'sneaking'...
Usually having barely any music at all is a good thing (think something like Limbo.)
Maybe just have it come in for certain exciting moments.
Maybe just have it come in for certain exciting moments.