7 replies to this topic

[JRRD]

I've been thinking lately about some of the horror/survival games, and wondering if putting more action in the game, like adding guns and such, take away from the whole horror experience. I mean games like Silent Hill don't have much action combat at all and the series is considered one of the best of genre. But then you have games like Resident Evil, where the combat is higher (Especially in 4,and 5) and they just don't seem to have that horror factor other than it having some grotesque monsters.

So what is your opinion in all this? Does it matter if it has combat or not? Do you prefer it without or with combat? Talk damnit!

[Jeeves]

This ain't the gaming section!

I don't think combat inherently takes away from horror. I mean with no combat...sure it's going to be scary, but ultimately you're just going to be running, right? If you have the means to defend yourself, then the game can evoke an actual fight-or-flight response, which I think is potentially scarier just because it gives you more to think about. This is all assuming this game's focus is on horror.

There are games in the genre that focus more on combat than horror, and when that's the case, yes, I think the element of fear suffers greatly. For its time RE2 seems like a much scarier experience than 4 or 5. FEAR3 was also very action-y and not scary at all. In fact I'd say the scariest parts of that game, if anything, are in the multiplayer modes. And for a very extreme example I'd say Left 4 Dead, which I don't even feel comfortable calling a horror game. More like a horror-themed action game.

I think the answer lies in a case-by-case basis of whether horror or action is being emphasized more.

Oh yeah, and just to bring up something else, I'd say co-op generally dampens a game's scare factor. Fun though!

[Raine]

Simple answer. Yes, it does.

[The_Nightstalker]

A very big yes. Just take a look at the progression of the Resident Evil and Silent Hill series.

[LalaRu]

I agree as well, action totally takes away from the horror aspects. I think the exception being RE4, because I still get freaked out when I hear Spanish Monks talking. And also the Dead Space series, because it evokes a level of fear from you with its constant uncertainties no matter how often you have cleared a room.

However, that being said, I find the Silent Hill games and the PC game Amnesia to be the scariest, and they've both used the minimalist approach to combat.

[Raine]

Hell yes, Amnesia. :D That game is awesome. The Penumbra games are worth checking out too since they are by the same company and it's the same kind of minimalistic style. <33

[The_Nightstalker]

To be honest, I never really found Dead Space to be that scary. It was one of those action horror games that was more loud than frightening. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed both games but they never induced any kind of fear in me.

Oh yeah, I completely forgot to add Amnesia to my game wish list. Thanks for reminding me guys.

[LalaRu]

I still liked the suspense in Dead Space. I have a personal fear of being caught jumping when something jumps out of me in a game or movie, since I do it so easily now. Which totally sucks because I used to never jump at all. So that game was like a nightmare for me.

And happy to do you guys a public service by reminding you of the awesomeness that is the Amnesia. XD