I don't really know about anyone else on the forums, but I know I LOVE Survival Horror as a genre, and hate to see it become as heavily watered down as it has. (Shout out to Extra Credits here!) The Guys and Gal behind EC actually made several extremely important and almost visceral points on the matter. Horror is all about the psychology, not being able to tell what's coming after you, or even sometimes, not being able to tell what's gnawing your right leg off. It's what we don't see, or more importantly, what we feel that makes something truly and utterly Terrifying.
As a case in point, I'd like to bring up somethings that maybe (if I'm lucky and don't judge the public too horribly) some developer somewhere who happens to stumble on here might see, and maybe, just maybe they'll take our (our being collective and entirely subjective as to whether or not someone else replies to this rambly monster that I'm currently generating.) advice.
Now, Horror isn't always what jumps out of a closet and yells "BOO!" at the top of it's lungs right into your face. While it's true that things like this, especially if they are unexpected, can be horrifying; it's my opinion (mind, it's just an opinion)that the true horror in a situation is being totally alone, not seeing or sensing or hearing anyone or anything near you. It's the dark visceral (yes, I like this word)sensation that something is waiting, just around the corner, breathing heavily, waiting for you to step forward and it will tear you apart, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually before it's done with you. An excellent example of this is Silent Hill 2. While yes, you're not entirely alone in the foggy mist shrouded town, even when you're with someone, or some horribly misshapen being is lumbering towards you waiting to turn you into an unidentifiable puddle of chunky salsa, you feel utterly alone. The game managed to get inside your mind and make you feel something. That's true horror.
So, cutting a long winded story short, I'm gonna post up a few games to consider, and I want to see what you guys (Again, being collective here, not excluding other women who like to play games) think. What makes a game scary to you? What makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, and what makes it hard to sleep without a light on?
Personally, Silent Hill 2, Fatal Frame, Resident Evil 2, and Fatal Frame 2 are on my list of games I dread playing at night, because I know I won't sleep well. What are yours?
As a case in point, I'd like to bring up somethings that maybe (if I'm lucky and don't judge the public too horribly) some developer somewhere who happens to stumble on here might see, and maybe, just maybe they'll take our (our being collective and entirely subjective as to whether or not someone else replies to this rambly monster that I'm currently generating.) advice.
Now, Horror isn't always what jumps out of a closet and yells "BOO!" at the top of it's lungs right into your face. While it's true that things like this, especially if they are unexpected, can be horrifying; it's my opinion (mind, it's just an opinion)that the true horror in a situation is being totally alone, not seeing or sensing or hearing anyone or anything near you. It's the dark visceral (yes, I like this word)sensation that something is waiting, just around the corner, breathing heavily, waiting for you to step forward and it will tear you apart, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually before it's done with you. An excellent example of this is Silent Hill 2. While yes, you're not entirely alone in the foggy mist shrouded town, even when you're with someone, or some horribly misshapen being is lumbering towards you waiting to turn you into an unidentifiable puddle of chunky salsa, you feel utterly alone. The game managed to get inside your mind and make you feel something. That's true horror.
So, cutting a long winded story short, I'm gonna post up a few games to consider, and I want to see what you guys (Again, being collective here, not excluding other women who like to play games) think. What makes a game scary to you? What makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, and what makes it hard to sleep without a light on?
Personally, Silent Hill 2, Fatal Frame, Resident Evil 2, and Fatal Frame 2 are on my list of games I dread playing at night, because I know I won't sleep well. What are yours?
