What Makes A Horror Game A Masterpiece

[EvilTaco67]

As a fan of the horror genre I always wanted to know what makes a horror game a horror game for my fellow fans of horror. I like a horror game when you have that feeling of compete helplessness and loneliness. The most resent horror game I played lately is Slender it captures everything I like about a horror game from the dark atmosphere to the feeling of being always being followed. Then there games like Dead Space that arent scary they just have jump scares to them and there considered horror and I always know I can defeat a monster because they gave me powerful weapons that could cut through horde of baddies letting me know Im in full control of the situation killing the feeling of horror. Now that Im done tell me what you think makes a horror game.

 

[Sean Hollyman]

Atmosphere. It's all about the atmosphere, man. If it's a really nice atmosphere, then it's not good.

 

[FalloutJack]

Not surprises. Surprises aren't horror. Horror is KNOWING something is out there. Horror is IT knowing YOU'RE there. Horror is it knowing that you know and that you BOTH know there is no escape.

Atmosphere is also horror, as I again pimp Extermination. Extermination has bad Survival Horror dialogue, but the rest is cool. The place changes and worsens as the game progresses, the monsters can suddenly grow stronger before your eyes, the walls are eating people...

 

[Tuesday Night Fever]

One thing that I've always felt makes for a good horror experience (other than atmosphere, since that's an absolute must-have) is a feeling of helplessness.

You mentioned Dead Space as an example of sub-par horror. I'd generally agree with you. However, the one part in the game that I'll admit had me tense up a little bit was when you encountered the large Necromorph that was immune to your weapons. Being chased by this particular Necromorph, especially during the section where it's chasing you through the medical deck while you're frantically trying to escape it and not run out of oxygen... I thought that part was great.

Shame about the rest of the game, though. I loved it, don't get me wrong, but it really wasn't a survival/horror game at all. Granted, I'm of the belief that gore doesn't automatically equal horror, and too much gore ends up crossing over into being comical.

Basically, when it comes to calling Dead Space a survival/horror... I'm of the opinion that System Shock 2 did all of the horror elements far better while still being more-or-less the same sort of game.

 

[Terminate421]

The one thing thats important is something signature while still retaining atmosphere.

I fucking love Dead Space and I proudly call it a game with horror elements.