Basically this thread is many a thing, a statement, a rant, my opinion and a general request.
Survival horror games are a rare and some what poor standard of computer game and one which I would love to see change.
Long gone are the days of the first Resident Evil, which at the time, scared the **** out of me!. The newest version of the game was more of a third person shooter/thriller than a horror game.
I feel that mass amounts of weapons and ammunition are ruining the feel of a horror game. Of course I’m not going to be afraid or nervous about turning a corner if I have a full arsenal at my disposal.
I would love to see a survival horror without weapons, where you have to hide and sneak around to avoid danger. It needs to be dark, creepy and slow paced. Using your head in a panic situation would be much better and would add much more panic than ploughing down 1000 zombies that are racing at you.
Doom 3 is an example of a good scary game. mainly because its pitch black and you have one choice, flash light or weapon…and with things rushing at you, it can be jumpy.
Half Life 2’s chapter ‘We don’t go to Ravenholm’ is another example I wanted to use on a good survival horror concept. The previous chapter ends with Alyx Vance telling Gordon Freeman that they no longer use the tunnel to Ravenholm. The Door to the tunnel is bolded shut. Circumstances force you into using this tunnel, which sets the mood that something is wrong. As soon as you arrive you are met with a body hanging from a tree and some spooky music. The level is constant darkness, ammunition is very rare, zombies are very frequent and sometimes arrive in packs and navigation is difficult due to the open nature of the level.
Being forced to find other means of killing the zombie’s is a challenge and a lot more frightening than shooting them from distance.
Another example is Alan Wake. The shadows in Alan Wake are rather difficult to kill, ammunition is scarce and sometimes unavailable, forcing you to stay in the light. The screen often goes fuzzy, adding creepy voices and the ‘I’m alone in the woods, something could appear from anywhere’ feel to it. The only downside was that the game often informed you when someone appeared. Sort of defeats the purpose?
Does anyone know of any good survival horror or just games that are plain scary that I can check out? Do you agree with my views? I would love to hear more opinions.
Kris
Survival horror games are a rare and some what poor standard of computer game and one which I would love to see change.
Long gone are the days of the first Resident Evil, which at the time, scared the **** out of me!. The newest version of the game was more of a third person shooter/thriller than a horror game.
I feel that mass amounts of weapons and ammunition are ruining the feel of a horror game. Of course I’m not going to be afraid or nervous about turning a corner if I have a full arsenal at my disposal.
I would love to see a survival horror without weapons, where you have to hide and sneak around to avoid danger. It needs to be dark, creepy and slow paced. Using your head in a panic situation would be much better and would add much more panic than ploughing down 1000 zombies that are racing at you.
Doom 3 is an example of a good scary game. mainly because its pitch black and you have one choice, flash light or weapon…and with things rushing at you, it can be jumpy.
Half Life 2’s chapter ‘We don’t go to Ravenholm’ is another example I wanted to use on a good survival horror concept. The previous chapter ends with Alyx Vance telling Gordon Freeman that they no longer use the tunnel to Ravenholm. The Door to the tunnel is bolded shut. Circumstances force you into using this tunnel, which sets the mood that something is wrong. As soon as you arrive you are met with a body hanging from a tree and some spooky music. The level is constant darkness, ammunition is very rare, zombies are very frequent and sometimes arrive in packs and navigation is difficult due to the open nature of the level.
Being forced to find other means of killing the zombie’s is a challenge and a lot more frightening than shooting them from distance.
Another example is Alan Wake. The shadows in Alan Wake are rather difficult to kill, ammunition is scarce and sometimes unavailable, forcing you to stay in the light. The screen often goes fuzzy, adding creepy voices and the ‘I’m alone in the woods, something could appear from anywhere’ feel to it. The only downside was that the game often informed you when someone appeared. Sort of defeats the purpose?
Does anyone know of any good survival horror or just games that are plain scary that I can check out? Do you agree with my views? I would love to hear more opinions.
Kris