Poll: Why is it that Capcom is starting to throw "Survival Horror" Right Out the window?

[DarqKiller]

Now Im sure many more people have said this before me, but Resident Evil 4 pretty much ripped through the "Survival Horror" aspect of Resident Evil with a chainsaw, sure I loved the game and it did scare the living shit outta me at times (Regenerators still scare me to death at times) but most of the time you could just rip through every enemy you came across since you were tripping over ammo everywhere you go. The same goes for Dead Rising, sure Its one of my favourite games, but Dead Rising is still as far away from Horrifying as The Halo Community is from intellegent. and RE 5 looks even worse, at least DR had a survival aspect, as far as I can tell The protagonist has gone from Police officer with limited weapons and ammo supply to John fucking rambo with more weapons than MGS 4, for christ sake man I know that the Shooter genre is in nowadays but I like horrifing zombies not ones I can kill by just aiming and holding down a button.

Discuss, and keep it civil, I dont want some fanboy war popping up just because some idiot said something.

 

[smallharmlesskitten]

Resident Evil........

yes. and silent hill is better

 

[Aerach]

Yeah, I brought up to my brother that Resident Evil 5 looks more like Rambo 4. It's not quite as horrifying when you have a machine gun and ammo flies out of the zombies like the worst pinata ever.

I might be exaggerating a bit.

 

[massuh]

I agree with you. I bought resident evil 4 for the wii... and I wished i was the one that got kidnapped. I mean running around a hole town in open spaces it's not my idea of a nice resident evil game. I didn't got scared at any point so. While i was playing i was like... man where are those popping out of nowhere jumping out of a window and breaking it zombie dogs that use to scare me so much...
It was like playing counter strike with the bots using knifes really...
ok ok the bosses where cool... but 80% of the time is killing a massive horde of zombies while you try to make that stupid kid safe that just jumps in the arms of the zombies...
and I was like... ok... why I don´t just quit my job and go to a nearby town to work as a farmer or something...
well that is my opinion.

 

[Ares Tyr]

I actually like RE4 more than any other Resident Evil. The reason the first one's were scary were because you couldn't do the logical thing to kill a zombie and shoot it in the head yourself. Instead you have to rely on the characters ridiculously bad aim to do it for you. With RE4 you can aim for the shots and actually do some damage rather than playing a game of Russian Roulette every time you try to kill something. And it still remains scary, I mean granted the scary is a different kind now. Rather than Lickers suddenly jumping out of windows you have chainsaw-wielding berserkers rushing you. Its gone from the cheap scares to the "Holy Crap, I might actually die and I can't do anything about it" type. I mean, the first time I came across a Regenerator, I was freaking. And don't get me started on how scary it is when you have Spider Las Plagas coming at you when you have next to no ammo.

Play on Pro, and the game becomes instantly more scary, because you can shoot all you want, but unless you have a good head on your shoulders, you ain't gonna make it. Less ammo, more-powerful enemies, and more ways to die.

As for Dead Rising, it was really too humorous for me to ever be scared. I mean, the moment I discovered the katana respawns on the Juice Shop, I stopped being scared and started getting more upset that I had a time limit. So, I guess they dropped the ball there. Zombies are scarier when you die after being bitten once. Whereas Frank can have multiple chunks taken out of him and be made all better from a gallon of orange juice. If you're gonna use zombies, use zombies, not people with bugs in their heads.

Which goes for both games now that I think about it.

RE5 looks like it can be scary. I mean, did you see how many people were coming at him? And you can't really outsmart them or run away because they will come after you. It's more of a claustrophobic crowd-fearing thing this time around (or a "You can run, but you can't hide" feel). It has potential. I mean, just because a hero isn't helpless doesn't mean a game can't be scary. I've never been a person who was afraid of stuff like "Scream" or even "The Hills Have Eyes" because I'm a moderatley skilled fighter with my hands and feet. So one or two zombies in a hall way doesn't really make me piss my pants.

Now a crowd of twenty running crazies with pitchforks and hand-hatchets is a little more intimidating.

And btw... who remembers Dino Crisis? Raptor jumping through window = I almost shit my pants.

 

[Aerach]

Lol, Dino Crisis. That brings back memories.

 

[massuh]

lol dino crisis 2 was the best survival horror game I played. when i found out that dino crisis was a gun survivor I vomited and shot myself... somehow I'm still alive.

 

[DarqKiller]

I actually like RE4 more than any other Resident Evil. The reason the first one's were scary were because you could do the logical thing to kill a zombie and shoot it in the head yourself. Instead you have to rely on the characters ridiculously bad aim to do it for you. With RE4 you can aim for the shots and actually do some damage rather than playing a game of Russian Roulette every time you try to kill something. And it still remains scary, I mean granted the scary is a different kind now. Rather than Lickers suddenly jumping out of windows you have chainsaw-wielding berserkers rushing you. Its gone from the cheap scares to the "Holy Crap, I might actually die and I can't do anything about it" type. I mean, the first time I came across a Regenerator, I was freaking. And don't get me started on how scary it is when you have Spider Las Plagas coming at you when you have next to no ammo.

Play on Pro, and the game becomes instantly more scary, because you can shoot all you want, but unless you have a good head on your shoulders, you ain't gonna make it. Less ammo, more-powerful enemies, and more ways to die.

As for Dead Rising, it was really too humorous for me to ever be scared. I mean, the moment I discovered the katana respawns on the Juice Shop, I stopped being scared and started getting more upset that I had a time limit. So, I guess they dropped the ball there. Zombies are scarier when you die after being bitten once. Whereas Frank can have multiple chunks taken out of him and be made all better from a gallon of orange juice. If you're gonna use zombies, use zombies, not people with bugs in their heads.

Which goes for both games now that I think about it.

And btw... who remembers Dino Crisis? Raptor jumping through window = I almost shit my pants.

I do, Even though I didnt really play that game that much that moment still scared me to death.

And to be truthful, I dont think that DR was meant to be serious, theres more gore than Soldier of Fortune 3, you can wear a freaking servbot head right off the bat, and the Zombies can be described as weak cannibals with mortal wounds and multiple mental diseases. and the only mode that was in any way terrifying was Infinity mode, but even then all of the weapons respawn anyways so all you need to do is stock up on healing books and healing items and then slash your way through everything, and the Mega Buster seriously ruined any hope for "Scariness" in the game.

although I do see what your saying about RE 4, it was scary but later on in the game it felt horribly easy with a instant-decap Riot Gun, and there was one time that I ran completely dry of ammo and it was at one of my most hated parts, therefore it was more intensly frustrating than horrifying. dont get me wrong, it did have certain pant wetting moments but it felt too easy yet too hard at the same time, also, My version doesnt have Difficulty choice so I cant choose pro. though I do see your point.

Also, to your edited post, I could also easily beat down a couple of zombies, but think about it, if your playing as someone who doesnt have any fighting skills, then your pretty much fucked if you dont run and look for weapons. and RE 5 can be scary I agree, but if I have a machine gun, a rocket launcher and a shotgun with shitloads of ammo Im doubting I'll be scared of a small zombie crowd.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

"Ares Tyr" beat me to it, but I guess it can basically be summed up by just saying that instead of throwing survival horror out the window, they just threw the horror.

Maybe if Pro difficulty isn't unlockable, then I'll just start on that one right away.

I mean, RE5 is gonna have co-op....they threw the survival and the horror out the window, and then added "escort mission" (for those who don't want to call someone or get on to PSN/XBL) but if you do get online you've got a friend with ya. Ashley wasn't so bad in RE4, she stayed right behind you whenever you pulled out your gun, it's not like it was tedious with her around...but that's because it was her job to not piss you off during the game, only the cutscenes. Now with both of you toting guns, the AI is gonna mess up, it's also inevitable, no matter how hard they try someone is gonna get "friendly fired" or you are going to have to save your friends ass from a "zombie" that captured them.

 

[Eiseman]

I'm sure that if Capcom wants to keep the survival horror genre alive, they can do so. But not Resident Evil, not anymore.

You horror-genre buffs just never learn. Face it, how often does any horror franchise last before you're beating a proverbial dead horse? We've seen it happen to Silent Hill as well, but I'm not even just talking about video games either. Look back at Friday the 13th, Halloween or Saw, and then tell me this: is it really still scary seeing Jason hacking another blond bimbo to shreds, or is it just pleasing the fanbase?

If you ask me, they're doing RE a favor by pushing the action part and pulling it out of the rehashing rut. Hell, that's how they invented Devil May Cry.

 

[Ares Tyr]

I actually like RE4 more than any other Resident Evil. The reason the first one's were scary were because you could do the logical thing to kill a zombie and shoot it in the head yourself. Instead you have to rely on the characters ridiculously bad aim to do it for you. With RE4 you can aim for the shots and actually do some damage rather than playing a game of Russian Roulette every time you try to kill something. And it still remains scary, I mean granted the scary is a different kind now. Rather than Lickers suddenly jumping out of windows you have chainsaw-wielding berserkers rushing you. Its gone from the cheap scares to the "Holy Crap, I might actually die and I can't do anything about it" type. I mean, the first time I came across a Regenerator, I was freaking. And don't get me started on how scary it is when you have Spider Las Plagas coming at you when you have next to no ammo.

Play on Pro, and the game becomes instantly more scary, because you can shoot all you want, but unless you have a good head on your shoulders, you ain't gonna make it. Less ammo, more-powerful enemies, and more ways to die.

As for Dead Rising, it was really too humorous for me to ever be scared. I mean, the moment I discovered the katana respawns on the Juice Shop, I stopped being scared and started getting more upset that I had a time limit. So, I guess they dropped the ball there. Zombies are scarier when you die after being bitten once. Whereas Frank can have multiple chunks taken out of him and be made all better from a gallon of orange juice. If you're gonna use zombies, use zombies, not people with bugs in their heads.

Which goes for both games now that I think about it.

And btw... who remembers Dino Crisis? Raptor jumping through window = I almost shit my pants.

I do, Even though I didnt really play that game that much that moment still scared me to death.

And to be truthful, I dont think that DR was meant to be serious, theres more gore than Soldier of Fortune 3, you can wear a freaking servbot head right off the bat, and the Zombies can be described as weak cannibals with mortal wounds and multiple mental diseases. and the only mode that was in any way terrifying was Infinity mode, but even then all of the weapons respawn anyways so all you need to do is stock up on healing books and healing items and then slash your way through everything, and the Mega Buster seriously ruined any hope for "Scariness" in the game.

although I do see what your saying about RE 4, it was scary but later on in the game it felt horribly easy with a instant-decap Riot Gun, and there was one time that I ran completely dry of ammo and it was at one of my most hated parts, therefore it was more intensly frustrating than horrifying. dont get me wrong, it did have certain pant wetting moments but it felt too easy yet too hard at the same time, also, My version doesnt have Difficulty choice so I cant choose pro. though I do see your point.

That's too bad. Pro is really fun (if by fun you mean getting your face melted off by mutant insects). Another fun, scary time in the game (though you do get ammo, it can be freaky) is Mercenaries mode. Small maps, limited resources and ammo, and lots of big bad guys. First level with Hunk is fun and scary. You can kill the Sisters by snapping their necks, but the only weapons you have are flash grenades and the TMP. Enjoy.

But yeah. I'm waiting for someone to make a proper zombie game and lemme have some real fun while scaring me.

Perfect zombie game = GTA IV Free mode, no vehicles (all crashed up in the streets), all citizens are zombies. Health drains everyday you go without picking up health, ammo doesn't respawn, you die if attacked more than three times without healing. Multiplayer online up to sixteen. You can work together, but whoever survives the longest is the winner. Betrayal is enevitable, because you can hog the resources... but you'll be alone against a city of zombies. Its easy. Paranoia and zombies = scary. But game developers can't pass it through their skulls.

 

[DarqKiller]

I'm sure that if Capcom wants to keep the survival horror genre alive, they can do so. But not Resident Evil, not anymore.

You horror-genre buffs just never learn. Face it, how often does any horror franchise last before you're beating a proverbial dead horse? We've seen it happen to Silent Hill as well, but I'm not even just talking about video games either. Look back at Friday the 13th, Halloween or Saw, and then tell me this: is it really still scary seeing Jason hacking another blond bimbo to shreds, or is it just pleasing the fanbase?

If you ask me, they're doing RE a favor by pushing the action part and pulling it out of the rehashing rut. Hell, that's how they invented Devil May Cry.

I agree with you, repetetivity is a bad thing, and I am glad that they are trying something new, but for christ sakes its called horror for a reason. and If there has been one game like this that had good team AI then Uwe oll is the best director ever and is not the Acclaim of game movies. Im completely with you on that comment.

 

[exocel]

by making any of there games more appealing to the mainstream they can equate that to more sales than a niche market like survival horror compared to "action laced with mild peril and gore", its just easier to make back the production costs if you average pro evo players gonna be after it too.

 

[DarqKiller]

I actually like RE4 more than any other Resident Evil. The reason the first one's were scary were because you could do the logical thing to kill a zombie and shoot it in the head yourself. Instead you have to rely on the characters ridiculously bad aim to do it for you. With RE4 you can aim for the shots and actually do some damage rather than playing a game of Russian Roulette every time you try to kill something. And it still remains scary, I mean granted the scary is a different kind now. Rather than Lickers suddenly jumping out of windows you have chainsaw-wielding berserkers rushing you. Its gone from the cheap scares to the "Holy Crap, I might actually die and I can't do anything about it" type. I mean, the first time I came across a Regenerator, I was freaking. And don't get me started on how scary it is when you have Spider Las Plagas coming at you when you have next to no ammo.

Play on Pro, and the game becomes instantly more scary, because you can shoot all you want, but unless you have a good head on your shoulders, you ain't gonna make it. Less ammo, more-powerful enemies, and more ways to die.

As for Dead Rising, it was really too humorous for me to ever be scared. I mean, the moment I discovered the katana respawns on the Juice Shop, I stopped being scared and started getting more upset that I had a time limit. So, I guess they dropped the ball there. Zombies are scarier when you die after being bitten once. Whereas Frank can have multiple chunks taken out of him and be made all better from a gallon of orange juice. If you're gonna use zombies, use zombies, not people with bugs in their heads.

Which goes for both games now that I think about it.

And btw... who remembers Dino Crisis? Raptor jumping through window = I almost shit my pants.

I do, Even though I didnt really play that game that much that moment still scared me to death.

And to be truthful, I dont think that DR was meant to be serious, theres more gore than Soldier of Fortune 3, you can wear a freaking servbot head right off the bat, and the Zombies can be described as weak cannibals with mortal wounds and multiple mental diseases. and the only mode that was in any way terrifying was Infinity mode, but even then all of the weapons respawn anyways so all you need to do is stock up on healing books and healing items and then slash your way through everything, and the Mega Buster seriously ruined any hope for "Scariness" in the game.

although I do see what your saying about RE 4, it was scary but later on in the game it felt horribly easy with a instant-decap Riot Gun, and there was one time that I ran completely dry of ammo and it was at one of my most hated parts, therefore it was more intensly frustrating than horrifying. dont get me wrong, it did have certain pant wetting moments but it felt too easy yet too hard at the same time, also, My version doesnt have Difficulty choice so I cant choose pro. though I do see your point.

That's too bad. Pro is really fun (if by fun you mean getting your face melted off by mutant insects). Another fun, scary time in the game (though you do get ammo, it can be freaky) is Mercenaries mode. Small maps, limited resources and ammo, and lots of big bad guys. First level with Hunk is fun and scary. You can kill the Sisters by snapping their necks, but the only weapons you have are flash grenades and the TMP. Enjoy.

But yeah. I'm waiting for someone to make a proper zombie game and lemme have some real fun while scaring me.

Perfect zombie game = GTA IV Free mode, no vehicles (all crashed up in the streets), all citizens are zombies. Health drains everyday you go without picking up health, ammo doesn't respawn, you die if attacked more than three times without healing. Whoever survives the longest wins. Its easy.

Dude you dont know how many people have had the same Idea, although I think that should be a nother game al together, but with the GTA IV engine in it.

but anyways, I really cant wait to play Mercenaries mode, but I dont really know how to unlock it.

but with Pro difficulty, Im sure it would be fun if I wasnt the type of gamer who practically throws his controller at the screen at one point in every game (Especially games like Mass Effect which has one of the cheapest enemies in gaming history: The Turians, mostly because when they melee you it pretty much means your screwed)

 

[Ares Tyr]

but anyways, I really cant wait to play Mercenaries mode, but I dont really know how to unlock it.

but with Pro difficulty, Im sure it would be fun if I wasnt the type of gamer who practically throws his controller at the screen at one point in every game (Especially games like Mass Effect which has one of the cheapest enemies in gaming history: The Turians, mostly because when they melee you it pretty much means your screwed)

Its available from the beginning. It's in the "Extras" thing at the start of the game screen along with the Ada sidequest game (if you don't have the PS2 version, I'm sorry... but there's so much more in the game). Mercenaries is like a Time Crisis game type where you go around, killing as many enemies within the shortest amount of time (building up extra points with kill frequency) and pikcing up time-extenders. Its really fun and getting a five star on all maps with all characters gives you the most powerful gun ever. Handcannon can, and does, shoot through 9 people in a row with one bullet and kills all of them.

And as for your last comment, you obviously haven' played Civilization Revolution... Oh God... Its an RTS that makes me have "eat my own head" rage moments.