The Absence of Horror Games

[Guest Para Astaroth]

Has anyone noticed that there has been a shortage of horror games nowadays?  The last 'good' horror game I played was....  errr...  I believe Condemned 2:  Bloodshot, or FEAR 2; both of which were great games, in my opinion.  I wish they would hurry and make a third Condemned since the second one was a very well thought of game with it's usage of environmental takedowns and another good Silent Hill game, which I believe Silent Hill 1 and 2 were the best.

But if anyone has noticed this, please share your thoughts and such, and do name a few horror games you hope to see in the near future.

[Sabre]

ME! Memememe! I know sir! SIR!

Horror games were prime on PS1, and then PS2 had a glut of them, then they sort of faded out. Why? Mainly because the 2 leaders, Silent Hill and Resident Evil, have gone down the action rought. Second, most horror games are budget games you've never heard of full of the same old cliches of the early resident evils.

Then there's the standard of horror. To horror vets such as us, Dead Rising, Resident Evil 4 and 5, even AvP are just a big old laugh. No none horror gamers, those can be terrifying. In one episode of Giant Bomb, Ryan Davis says how he never got past the early levels of Resident Evil 5 because it was to scary for him.

Wiiware should have a demo of a game called The Calling. It's a really bad cheapo horror game that scares the knickers of casual gamers, but we (horror gamers) find it hillarious.

[Guest Para Astaroth]

ME! Memememe! I know sir! SIR!

Horror games were prime on PS1, and then PS2 had a glut of them, then they sort of faded out. Why? Mainly because the 2 leaders, Silent Hill and Resident Evil, have gone down the action rought. Second, most horror games are budget games you've never heard of full of the same old cliches of the early resident evils.

Then there's the standard of horror. To horror vets such as us, Dead Rising, Resident Evil 4 and 5, even AvP are just a big old laugh. No none horror gamers, those can be terrifying. In one episode of Giant Bomb, Ryan Davis says how he never got past the early levels of Resident Evil 5 because it was to scary for him.

Wiiware should have a demo of a game called The Calling. It's a really bad cheapo horror game that scares the knickers of casual gamers, but we (horror gamers) find it hillarious.

I have to agree strongly with you there, Sabre.  PS1 and PS2 did have quite the mother load of horror games, but I just believe that Dead Rising, Resident Evil 4, 5, and AvP are just adrenaline rushers, thus making most casual gamers believing it to be 'scary'. 

The Calling?  That just sounds like a worthless game just from reading the title.  I know Nintendo did do a good job on making the Condemned series, but now I believe the lead competing game companies are just letting the horror franchise drift off into the wind; to be forgotten by all ages. 

By the way, Sabre, what WAS your favorite horror game?

[Vy'drach]

Heh, I miss actual scary games, best one for me was the original Dino Crisis when you first encountered the T-rex. You solve a card key puzzle, and instantly, not one second later, it cuts to a cutscene of a T-rex head coming through the window right next to you, and by coming through the window, I don't mean it brings its head back and then through the window, no, it is a few inches from the glass and going at full speed already. That got me so bad I actually tossed the controller in the air, and couldn't grab it before he ate me. I remember everyone freaking out about Doom III being scary, like one guy said he couldn't eat red jello or sleep with the lights off for a week after that game. I just looked at him and said, "Are you kidding, I was playing that at 3 in the morning in total dark with the volume low, making it hard for me to hear anything creeping up at me, and I didn't even get so much as startled by it.  And as I've said, another good game for the frights was the first AvP for computer because the levels were dark as hell, you had no shoulder light, only flares that you could only have four active at a time, and the aliens were strong, could lose a few limbs and keep coming, their acid truly hurt, they scrambled all over the room to get to you instead of just stupidly running at you down a hall, they never stopped spawning, the pulse rifle could jam, and did so frequently so there was no spray and pray, and the facehuggers were one hit kills, no matter what. And the new AvP wasn't meant to be a horror game, just mildly creepy at worst, it's an action game through and through.

[Sabre]

I have to agree strongly with you there, Sabre.  PS1 and PS2 did have quite the mother load of horror games, but I just believe that Dead Rising, Resident Evil 4, 5, and AvP are just adrenaline rushers, thus making most casual gamers believing it to be 'scary'. 

The Calling?  That just sounds like a worthless game just from reading the title.  I know Nintendo did do a good job on making the Condemned series, but now I believe the lead competing game companies are just letting the horror franchise drift off into the wind; to be forgotten by all ages. 

By the way, Sabre, what WAS your favorite horror game?

That's the thing, we know these games, that's why they are adrenaine rushes. I only jumped twice in dead space. Most people freak out whenever something happens. My nephue, he had nightmares after playing Dead Rising. I wasn't there, but I'm told he was scared of zombie eyes. The scene where it goes dark and the zombies eyes turned red. That bit. Same story with all the old aliens games. That said, some games are less scary. Condemned 2 is silly compaired to Condemned 2. Fear 2 did nothing for me either.

The calling is a god awful ring knock off.

http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-calling-demo/17-1839/

As silly and stupid as it seems to us, some people are terrified of that stuff. I thought Silent Hill 2 was dumb because I dont get symbolism, but the haunted house of 3 had me crapping my trousers right up until that red light nonsence.

I can't really pick a favourite. Depends on what you class as horror, or what my flavour of horror is. Me, I like the jump scare. I hate the little girls and symbolism nonsence. I like Resident Evil, Alone in the Dark 4, those kind.

Heh, I miss actual scary games, best one for me was the original Dino Crisis when you first encountered the T-rex. You solve a card key puzzle, and instantly, not one second later, it cuts to a cutscene of a T-rex head coming through the window right next to you, and by coming through the window, I don't mean it brings its head back and then through the window, no, it is a few inches from the glass and going at full speed already. That got me so bad I actually tossed the controller in the air, and couldn't grab it before he ate me. I remember everyone freaking out about Doom III being scary, like one guy said he couldn't eat red jello or sleep with the lights off for a week after that game. I just looked at him and said, "Are you kidding, I was playing that at 3 in the morning in total dark with the volume low, making it hard for me to hear anything creeping up at me, and I didn't even get so much as startled by it.  And as I've said, another good game for the frights was the first AvP for computer because the levels were dark as hell, you had no shoulder light, only flares that you could only have four active at a time, and the aliens were strong, could lose a few limbs and keep coming, their acid truly hurt, they scrambled all over the room to get to you instead of just stupidly running at you down a hall, they never stopped spawning, the pulse rifle could jam, and did so frequently so there was no spray and pray, and the facehuggers were one hit kills, no matter what. And the new AvP wasn't meant to be a horror game, just mildly creepy at worst, it's an action game through and through.

Play with the volume up, so you can hear the wispers and get paranoid of monsters you can hear, but can't see.

[Vy'drach]

Playing with the volume up just makes it less scary, if I hear the things, I know they're nearby, and am prepared, it only really gets to me if I walk around a corner and it's right in my face.

[Matrilwood]

I think its becouse with modern graphics now days, when you make a scary game its TOO scary, and no-body wants to play it. eg Doom III was less popular than the original 2 games.

I find playing games with the sound low, and in first person mode is always a good thrill. Turn 'round a corner and a giant killer rabbit attacks you would give you a good shock.

Of course I could never go into a public toilet at the mall ever again after playing Silent Hill 3.

The Australian Government censored Left 4 Dead 2 because it was unsafe for children. The only reason I didn't send them a message saying they were stupid was because we're under their protection.

My favorite horror game was Doom II and Diablo. I think this "survivor" genre is a bit too odd. I mean, isn't the idea to kill the monsters, and not for them to kill you?

[Vy'drach]

The thought process to it is escaping the monsters/situation alive, such as older Resident Evil games (I.E. the ones before Resident Evil 4). They were classed as "Survival/Horror," you weren't some badass loaded with guns that could just mop up everything that moved. What you should try to do is conserve ammo by avoiding, rather than fighting, the monsters, and when you do shoot them, only knock them down instead of finishing them off, using the time they're down to escape, because that ammo you waste WILL be needed.

[Matt Macdowel]

Has anyone noticed that there has been a shortage of horror games nowadays?  The last 'good' horror game I played was....  errr...  I believe Condemned 2:  Bloodshot, or FEAR 2; both of which were great games, in my opinion.  I wish they would hurry and make a third Condemned since the second one was a very well thought of game with it's usage of environmental takedowns and another good Silent Hill game, which I believe Silent Hill 1 and 2 were the best.

But if anyone has noticed this, please share your thoughts and such, and do name a few horror games you hope to see in the near future.

Erm whats that new future game isn't that suspose to be scary? and what ever happen to doom?

and there is a new silient hill. silent hill shatterd memories!

[Vy'drach]

The new Silent Hill isn't scary at all, the creatures can only attack you at certain situations, during the "darkness" type timing, such as in the movie, and the rest of the games "scares" are things falling over, doors closing, and the such. There is no real sense of danger, as you know when the monsters will attack, and the rest of the time you are perfectly safe.

[Matt Macdowel]

The new Silent Hill isn't scary at all, the creatures can only attack you at certain situations, during the "darkness" type timing, such as in the movie, and the rest of the games "scares" are things falling over, doors closing, and the such. There is no real sense of danger, as you know when the monsters will attack, and the rest of the time you are perfectly safe.

thats your opioion  :P

[Vy'drach]

To a degree, yes, but the facts of why it isn't scary are just that, facts. You do not get attacked by monsters outside of the phase shift element, and while outside that element, all that happens is things fall over and such.

[Sabre]

Anyone played the Dementium games? I'm thinking of giving them a go.

[Vy'drach]

Haven't heard of it, but I know of a game that is not quite scary, but from beginning to end is spooky and macabre. American McGee's Alice. That makes Tim Burton look like the creator of the Teletubbies.

[Matrilwood]

The new Silent Hill isn't scary at all, the creatures can only attack you at certain situations, during the "darkness" type timing, such as in the movie, and the rest of the games "scares" are things falling over, doors closing, and the such. There is no real sense of danger, as you know when the monsters will attack, and the rest of the time you are perfectly safe.

Sounds like Obscured. But in Obscured the light kills monsters. And in that you only get a limited number of saves, so it adds to the need to survive (But unfortunately kills it).

Key was not bad, but their wasn't really much that could kill you. Just this one ghost kept popping out of no-where and attacking you. Has its moments though, one part you go through identical rooms from one door to the next, and in the last room you open the door and a dead body falls on top of you.

[Mr. Krystal]

For me, "good horror" is an oxymoron, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

[Star Fox Runner]

The Doom franchise is weird for me. The first time I watched someone play Doom, I was 5, after that I was afraid of the dark, and in a few ways, I still am, I can honestly say it isn't because of Doom anymore, but that was what triggered it. I've played Doom 3 and it freaked me out. The original Doom isn't THAT scary anymore, but it still gives me the heebee jeebees, especially Doom 64. I think it freaks me out so much because I have an unparalleled fear of Hell. (I'm a Christian)

From what I've heard of Dead Space, almost everyone I've talked to says it scared the crap out of them. I've only played it once, and I must admit it's freaky. I own Dead Space Extraction for the Wii, and its not that scary thanks to being a rail shooter, but there are a few "holy sh*t" moments in there. There are a few disturbing moments in there too, like when your crawling through vent shafts, you hear the Necromorphs shriek, you look down an adjacent pipe, and you see two of em' circling the pipe at you.

[Sabre]

The Doom franchise is weird for me. The first time I watched someone play Doom, I was 5, after that I was afraid of the dark, and in a few ways, I still am, I can honestly say it isn't because of Doom anymore, but that was what triggered it. I've played Doom 3 and it freaked me out. The original Doom isn't THAT scary anymore, but it still gives me the heebee jeebees, especially Doom 64. I think it freaks me out so much because I have an unparalleled fear of Hell. (I'm a Christian)

From what I've heard of Dead Space, almost everyone I've talked to says it scared the crap out of them. I've only played it once, and I must admit it's freaky. I own Dead Space Extraction for the Wii, and its not that scary thanks to being a rail shooter, but there are a few "holy sh*t" moments in there. There are a few disturbing moments in there too, like when your crawling through vent shafts, you hear the Necromorphs shriek, you look down an adjacent pipe, and you see two of em' circling the pipe at you.

Try the 360 one.

[Vy'drach]

Dead Space has some good moments, though the only time it got me was just freak accidents, or me being a dumbass, such as the first necromorph that chases you, before you have a weapon, I accidentally took a wrong turn, and forgot how fast the thing was, so I wasn't too worried though, but I turned around and it was timed perfectly so that the necromorph didn't step into my screen so much as "appeared" in it. I actually went "Ahh!," and my friends heard me over the mic and started laughing.

Also, after you first encounter that unkillable monster, when you get to the big room down the halls, I was running around trying to get ammo with him and two of the fat necromorphs chasing me, and they strategized my ass, one came from the left, one from the right, and the unkillable one right down the middle, with a wall behind me, I literally could not move as they clawed me to death.