What do you like most about horror games?

[PandaMaru]

What are your most favorite horror games and why?
Which elements of the games make them good?

 

[Zebestian]

I'm more fond of the old-school classic horror games like the first Resident Evil games and the first Silent Hill games. I like psychological horror more than just the so-called "cheap scare" which consists mainly of flying body parts and blood-splatter.
A horror game has to have an atmosphere. It has to capture you in its entirety and make you feel like you're part of what's happening in the game. :)

 

[Macro]

DOOM 1-2. Horrifying in so many ways. Sure you have guns, but that ammo doesn't last long. Hordes of demons around every corner. Terrifyingly intricate mazes. The dreaded stomps of a billion HPed Cyberdemon armed with unlimited rockets. Oy. Doom is my #1 horror game. I can't wait for the new DOOM!

Quake 4 was horrifying as well because it was so grotesque, and watching my friends die painful deaths one by one was more scary than dying myself. Killing the character's cyborg converted best friend while his brain is semi functional is as horrific as it gets for me- he was aware that he was trying to kill me against his will! He was at the same time begging me to kill HIM. So much mixed emotion! Also, getting captured, ripped apart, and converted into a monstrous Strogg myself with no way out of it? Scariest sh~ ever. Game also had the nastiest freaking thing I ever saw, just Google "Quake 4 Fatty" if curious. When it died, I wanted to vomit. X_X

 

[Alberth Kierminto]

. . .similar yet different. . .you just know that it's going to be like this, but you also know something's going to be different to other horror games. . .
. . .it's something that makes horror game players mesmerised in certain title. . .

 

[CynicSyndrome]

Must have epic creepy BGM/SE. Must have nut-wrenching surprise attacks and chase scenes. Must be better written than B horror movie.

 

[Macro]

My favorite part is being wrong and finding unlikely allies that I thought were villains. Super Metroid anyone? Still the most epic twist I've ever seen in a horror game (yes I consider Metroid horror).

 

[CynicSyndrome]

My favorite part is being wrong and finding unlikely allies that I thought were villains. Super Metroid anyone? Still the most epic twist I've ever seen in a horror game (yes I consider Metroid horror).

Super Metroid is an all-time favorite of mine. The entire series is. I would tag it under scifi shooter, puzzle adventure. Why do you consider it horror?

 

[Macro]

Yea I normally would, it's the one exception that I considered sci-fi horror. Traditional horror I'd probably say DOOM is still my #1. Can't wait for that new one!

 

[HotfireLegend]

Amnesia did story and atmosphere well, and not too much visible gore until the end. Some games like Until Dawn overdo it.

 

[Cunechan]

Until dawn was too hyped Yes it was cool but not too much gore. Horror is about this tense, very unsettling feeling and just making you uncomfortable and unsure about what you're doing in the game. "Tha park" wasn't bad or games like "leave". Finding stuff with what you can kill urself but you don't use it and you can alwyas look out of the window and see the outside which is just as creepy as the mansion. I like how you can make a super simple story, even a daily problem can become a story for a horror game or one simple thought. It isn't always about rape or murder, you know ? The depression or the thoughts of the person, the feelings and imaginations can make one simple horror adventure which can make you shit your pants but be so curious about what's going to happen and you continue playing it. I like that

 

[CynicSyndrome]

Yea I normally would, it's the one exception that I considered sci-fi horror. Traditional horror I'd probably say DOOM is still my #1. Can't wait for that new one!

Speading of Doom, just got the Trilogy BFG edition on steam for like 5 bucks.

 

[Macro]

Answering that other question, I think I would define a horror game where my character lacks a severe amount of control. Feeling like helpless victim. In Metroid it was a sci fi game until I met the actual Metroid and was sucked dry. Had no idea how to get it/them off. Was a gut wrenching experience watching my entire energy tank reserve depleting all the way to the Game Over screen. I actually quit the game out of horror haha. I was a child when I played it though.

It's actually been a while since a horror game entertained me and disturbed me at the same time. Amnesia bored me to death. I couldn't get into the whole thing.

 

[CynicSyndrome]

Clock tower 3 for ps2. Scary as hell for its time. But I've recently been getting into The Evil Within, which is quite scary, and I'm a huge fan of the Resident Evil saga. RE4 is one of my all time favorite games on any platform. Just not the live action movies. BTW the way to get the metroid off you is to morph ball and bomb it off.

 

[Micro]

BTW the way to get the metroid off you is to morph ball and bomb it off.

He knows that now, but he stated that he played the game when he was a child and didn't know back then. Definitely would be scary as a kid, though!

Mother Brain creeped me out a lot, personally... still does lol.

 

[Macro]

Yes, as an 8 year old I didn't know. Already beat the game later on in life. xD

Silent Hill 2 put me to sleep and I heard it was a scary as heck game. I think seeing friends or family die in game is worse than my own character. That lack of control!