What Makes a Game a Horror Game?

Horror games have been a staple in the gaming industry for decades, captivating players with their spine-chilling gameplay and terrifying storylines. But what exactly makes a game a horror game? Is it the gore and violence, the supernatural elements, or the psychological terror? In this article, we’ll explore the various elements that contribute to the horror genre in gaming, and what sets it apart from other genres. Get ready to delve into the dark world of horror games, and discover what makes them so captivating and terrifying.

Understanding the Horror Genre

Defining Horror

The Use of Fear and Terror

One of the defining characteristics of horror games is their ability to elicit strong emotional responses from players, particularly fear and terror. This is achieved through a combination of psychological and visceral techniques, such as jump scares, atmospheric tension, and graphic violence. The goal is to create an immersive experience that leaves players feeling unsettled and uncomfortable, with a sense of danger lurking around every corner.

Common Themes

Horror games often explore common themes that tap into deep-seated fears and anxieties. These themes can include death, the supernatural, and the unknown. By exploring these themes, horror games can create a sense of dread and unease that keeps players on edge.

Differences Between Horror and Other Genres

While horror games share some similarities with other genres, such as thrillers and suspense games, there are also important differences. Horror games tend to focus more on the emotional and psychological aspects of fear, whereas other genres may rely more on plot twists or action-packed sequences. Additionally, horror games often feature supernatural or fantastical elements that set them apart from more grounded genres.

Subgenres of Horror Games

When it comes to horror games, there are several subgenres that help define the different types of experiences that players can have. Here are some of the most common subgenres of horror games:

• Survival horror: This subgenre focuses on the player’s struggle to survive against dangerous enemies or environments. The player must often scavenge for resources and use stealth or combat skills to avoid or defeat the threats. Examples of survival horror games include the Resident Evil series and the Silent Hill series.
• Psychological horror: In this subgenre, the fear comes from the player’s own mind rather than from external threats. The game often features atmospheric environments, creepy sound effects, and a sense of paranoia and isolation. Examples of psychological horror games include the Amnesia series and the Outlast series.
• Jump scare horror: As the name suggests, this subgenre relies on jump scares to frighten the player. These games often feature unexpected and sudden appearances of scary monsters or creatures, and the player must be on constant alert to avoid being caught off guard. Examples of jump scare horror games include the Five Nights at Freddy’s series and the Dead by Daylight game.
• Cosmic horror: This subgenre explores the unknown and unknowable, often featuring ancient or otherworldly beings that are beyond human comprehension. The fear comes from the player’s insignificance in the face of such overwhelming forces. Examples of cosmic horror games include the Bloodborne game and the Call of Cthulhu game.
• Gothic horror: This subgenre draws inspiration from Gothic literature and architecture, featuring gloomy castles, haunted mansions, and supernatural beings. The player must navigate through dark and eerie environments, often solving puzzles and uncovering secrets along the way. Examples of Gothic horror games include the BioShock series and the Layton Brothers: Mystery Room game.

Each of these subgenres offers a unique experience for players, with different levels of fear and excitement. By understanding the different subgenres of horror games, players can choose the type of experience that best suits their preferences and enjoy the thrill of the horror genre.

Key Elements of Horror Games

Atmosphere and Tension

• Creating an Unsettling Atmosphere
  • The role of sound design in building fear
    • The use of ambient noise and music to create a tense atmosphere
    • The effectiveness of sudden, loud noises to shock and frighten players
  • The importance of lighting in horror games
    • Using darkness and shadows to create a sense of unease
    • The effect of bright, harsh lighting on player’s perception and fear
  • The impact of environment on player’s experience
    • The use of realistic and mundane settings to make horror more relatable
    • The power of fantastical and supernatural environments to create a sense of otherworldliness
• Building Tension through Pacing and Foreshadowing
  • The importance of pacing in horror games
    • The balance between slow, suspenseful moments and fast-paced action
    • The use of quick time events to ramp up tension
  • The role of foreshadowing in building fear
    • The use of subtle hints and clues to suggest impending danger
    • The effectiveness of overt and explicit foreshadowing to create a sense of impending doom
  • The impact of player choice on tension and fear
    • The use of branching paths and multiple endings to create a sense of player agency
    • The effect of linear, predetermined paths on player’s experience of fear.

Storytelling and Narrative

• Developing a compelling narrative: One of the key elements of a horror game is a compelling narrative that draws players into the game world. This can be achieved through a variety of techniques, such as creating a mysterious backstory, introducing supernatural elements, or exploring psychological themes. A well-crafted narrative can create a sense of immersion and suspense that keeps players engaged and invested in the game.
• Using storytelling techniques to create suspense: Another important aspect of storytelling in horror games is creating suspense. This can be achieved through a variety of techniques, such as building tension through dialogue, using sound effects to create an eerie atmosphere, or creating jump scares to startle players. Suspense is a critical element of horror games, as it creates a sense of unease and fear that keeps players on edge.
• Building character relationships: In addition to creating suspense, storytelling in horror games can also be used to build character relationships. This can help to create a sense of empathy and attachment to the characters, which can make the horror more impactful. By developing characters with unique personalities and backstories, players can become invested in their fates and feel a sense of loss when they are threatened or killed. Overall, storytelling and narrative are critical elements of horror games, as they create a sense of immersion, suspense, and emotional investment that can make the horror more effective.

Gameplay Mechanics

Gameplay mechanics are a crucial aspect of horror games, as they directly influence the player’s experience and their perception of the game’s horror elements. Effective gameplay mechanics should enhance the horror experience, create a sense of tension and fear, and maintain player engagement.

Mechanics that enhance the horror experience

Several gameplay mechanics can contribute to a more immersive and terrifying experience for players:

1. Limited resources: Scarcity of resources such as ammunition, health items, or light sources can create a sense of vulnerability and urgency, forcing players to make difficult decisions and increasing the tension.
2. Enemy variety: A diverse range of enemies with distinct behaviors, abilities, and appearances can enhance the fear factor by presenting different challenges and keeping players on edge.
3. Atmosphere and ambiance: Games can employ subtle yet unsettling sound effects, ambient music, and environmental details to create an eerie atmosphere that reinforces the feeling of dread and unease.
4. Punishment for failure: Consequences for failure, such as permadeath or losing progress, can make players feel the weight of their actions and increase the stakes, leading to a more frightening experience.

Difficulty balancing to maintain player engagement

Maintaining the right balance of difficulty is essential to keep players engaged without overwhelming them with frustration or boredom. Factors to consider when balancing difficulty in horror games include:

1. Progressive difficulty: Gradually increasing the challenge as players advance through the game can help maintain a sense of accomplishment and keep players engaged without overwhelming them.
2. Checkpoints and saves: Strategically placed checkpoints or save points can help alleviate some of the frustration associated with failure, allowing players to learn from their mistakes and continue their progress.
3. Variety of challenges: Introducing a mix of different challenges, such as puzzles, combat, and stealth, can help maintain player interest and prevent the gameplay from becoming monotonous.
4. Player skill and experience: Taking into account the player’s skill level and experience can help tailor the difficulty to provide a challenging yet enjoyable experience for each individual player.

Character Progression and Growth

Rewarding players for exploration and discovery

One of the primary objectives of horror games is to immerse players in a terrifying and unpredictable world. To achieve this, game designers often incorporate elements that encourage exploration and discovery. By rewarding players for exploring and uncovering hidden secrets, developers can create a sense of accomplishment and encourage players to continue exploring, thereby increasing the overall sense of immersion and fear.

Implementing a sense of progression to keep players engaged

Another important aspect of character progression in horror games is the implementation of a sense of progression. This can be achieved through various means, such as leveling up, acquiring new abilities or weapons, or unlocking new areas. By providing players with a sense of achievement and growth, developers can keep players engaged and invested in the game, even as the horrors around them become more intense.

In addition to providing a sense of progression, character progression can also be used to create a more personalized experience for players. By allowing players to customize their characters and choose their own paths, developers can create a more immersive and memorable experience that appeals to different playstyles and preferences. This can also help to create a sense of ownership and investment in the game, as players feel more connected to their characters and the world they inhabit.

Horror Game Examples

Survival Horror

The survival horror genre is a subgenre of horror games that emphasizes on survival and escape from terrifying situations. It is characterized by a mix of horror and adventure elements, where players are required to navigate through dark and creepy environments while avoiding or confronting monsters or other supernatural enemies.

The Resident Evil series, Silent Hill series, and Outlast series are some of the most popular examples of survival horror games. These games have been successful in creating a sense of dread and fear in players by utilizing various techniques such as atmospheric sound effects, eerie music, and graphic violence.

One of the key features of survival horror games is the emphasis on resource management. Players must conserve ammunition, health items, and other supplies in order to survive the horrors that lie ahead. This creates a sense of tension and urgency, as players must carefully consider their every move in order to make it to the next level.

Another important aspect of survival horror games is the use of puzzles. These puzzles are often used to unlock doors, reveal hidden rooms, or advance the plot in some other way. They can range from simple object manipulation to complex riddles that require careful observation and deduction.

Overall, survival horror games are designed to immerse players in a terrifying world where danger lurks around every corner. By combining elements of horror and adventure, these games create a unique and unforgettable gaming experience that has captivated the hearts and minds of players for decades.

Psychological Horror

Psychological horror is a subgenre of horror games that focuses on creating fear and tension through psychological means rather than relying on traditional horror elements such as gore and jump scares. This type of horror game often involves a strong emphasis on storytelling and character development, using atmospheric settings and psychological manipulation to create a sense of dread and unease in the player.

One of the key elements of psychological horror games is the use of player choice and decision-making. These games often present the player with difficult moral dilemmas and tough choices that can have a significant impact on the story and outcome of the game. This element of player choice can create a sense of uncertainty and anxiety, as players are forced to make decisions that can have far-reaching consequences.

Another important aspect of psychological horror games is the use of atmosphere and environment to create a sense of unease and fear. These games often take place in dark, foreboding environments that are designed to unsettle the player and create a sense of tension and anxiety. The use of sound and music is also crucial in creating a sense of dread and fear, with many psychological horror games utilizing ominous music and sound effects to heighten the player’s sense of anxiety.

Examples of psychological horror games include Until Dawn, Layers of Fear, and The Dark Pictures Anthology. These games all use a combination of storytelling, character development, and environmental design to create a sense of fear and tension in the player, relying on psychological manipulation rather than traditional horror elements to create a terrifying experience.

Jump Scare Horror

• Amnesia series
  • The Amnesia series, developed by Frictional Games, is a popular example of jump scare horror games. The series comprises two main games, Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, and a prequel, Amnesia: Justine.
  • In these games, players assume the role of a protagonist who wakes up with no memory of their past. The games’ horror elements stem from the atmosphere of dread and the constant fear of the unknown.
  • The Amnesia series is known for its innovative use of the sanity mechanic, where the player’s character’s sanity decreases as they explore dark and frightening environments. This sanity meter adds an extra layer of tension and fear, as players must navigate through dark and terrifying environments while trying to maintain their sanity.
  • The series is also praised for its immersive storytelling and use of sound design to create a sense of dread and fear. The Amnesia series has been widely successful, with its first game considered one of the most terrifying games ever made.
• FNAF series
  • The Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) series, developed by Scott Cawthon, is another popular example of jump scare horror games. The series consists of four main games, with the first game released in 2014, and several spin-off games and novels.
  • In the FNAF series, players take on the role of a night guard at a fictional theme park, Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, where they must survive against killer animatronics that roam the park at night.
  • The FNAF series is known for its unique gameplay mechanics, where players must survive for five nights without being killed by the animatronics. The series’ horror comes from the atmosphere of dread and the unexpected jump scares.
  • The series has gained a massive following, with its popularity spawning numerous fan-made games, animations, and merchandise. The FNAF series has also been praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics and use of suspense and tension to create a sense of fear.
• Slender: The Arrival
  • Slender: The Arrival, developed by Blue Isle Studios, is a first-person horror game that is a sequel to the popular online game, Slender. The game was released in 2013 for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
  • In Slender: The Arrival, players take on the role of a journalist who must uncover the mystery behind the Slender Man, a tall, thin entity with a black suit and a face of a grinning man.
  • The game is known for its atmosphere of dread and the constant fear of being hunted by the Slender Man. The game uses a combination of jump scares and psychological horror to create a sense of fear.
  • Slender: The Arrival was praised for its immersive storytelling and use of sound design to create a sense of dread and fear. The game received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, with many considering it one of the scariest games of the year.

Cosmic Horror

Cosmic horror is a subgenre of horror games that is characterized by its focus on the unknown and unknowable. These games often feature themes of cosmic indifference, where the player is confronted with a vast and incomprehensible force that is beyond human understanding.

• Bloodborne

Bloodborne is a game that is often cited as an example of cosmic horror. The game is set in a Gothic, Lovecraftian world where the player must navigate through a twisted and dark city filled with grotesque creatures and otherworldly beings. The player’s character is plagued by a mysterious illness, and as they progress through the game, they uncover the secrets of the city’s dark past and the ancient beings that lurk within.

The game’s atmosphere is thick with dread and fear, as the player is constantly aware of the unknown dangers that lurk around every corner. The enemies in the game are often abstract and nightmarish, adding to the sense of cosmic horror. The game’s story is also shrouded in mystery, with players piecing together clues and unraveling the game’s lore through exploration and experimentation.

• Dark Souls series

The Dark Souls series is another example of cosmic horror in gaming. The series is set in a bleak and foreboding world where players must battle a variety of terrifying creatures and powerful bosses. The world is filled with ruins and ancient civilizations, and players are often tasked with uncovering the secrets of the past.

The series’ focus on challenging gameplay and punishing difficulty adds to the sense of cosmic horror, as players must confront their own mortality and the fragility of their characters. The series’ lore is also shrouded in mystery, with players piecing together clues and unraveling the story through exploration and experimentation.

• The Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game

The Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game is a game that is based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, the master of cosmic horror. The game is set in the 1920s and follows a private investigator as they investigate a strange and horrific cult.

The game’s atmosphere is tense and oppressive, with players constantly feeling the weight of the unknown and the incomprehensible. The game’s enemies are often otherworldly and terrifying, adding to the sense of cosmic horror. The game’s story is also shrouded in mystery, with players piecing together clues and unraveling the game’s lore through exploration and experimentation.

Gothic Horror

The Gothic horror subgenre in video games is characterized by its dark and eerie atmosphere, often set in castles or ancient structures, and featuring supernatural elements such as vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of the night. One of the most prominent examples of this subgenre is the Castlevania series, which has been a staple of the horror genre since its inception in 1986.

The Castlevania series follows the story of the Belmont family, a clan of vampire hunters who have been battling the undead for centuries. The games typically take place in a sprawling castle or fortress, where players must navigate through dark and dangerous corridors, fighting off monsters and bosses along the way. The series has a distinctive style, with its dark, pixelated graphics and haunting music creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere.

Another example of Gothic horror in video games is the Lords of Shadow series, which was developed by MercurySteam and published by Konami in 2010. This series takes a different approach to the genre, blending elements of horror with action-adventure gameplay. The game follows the story of Gabriel Belmont, a vampire hunter who becomes a vampire himself after his wife is killed by the evil forces that have taken over the world.

Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain is another notable example of Gothic horror in video games. Developed by Crystal Dynamics and published by Square Enix in 1996, the game follows the story of Kain, a vampire who is on a quest to avenge his murdered wife. The game features a dark and brooding atmosphere, with players exploring a gothic world filled with ancient ruins, haunted castles, and otherworldly creatures.

Overall, the Gothic horror subgenre in video games is characterized by its dark and atmospheric settings, supernatural elements, and emphasis on exploration and combat. The Castlevania, Lords of Shadow, and Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain series are all excellent examples of this subgenre, each offering a unique take on the horror genre and providing players with a thrilling and terrifying experience.

Challenges and Future of Horror Games

Challenges

• Balancing fear and fun: A major challenge in creating a horror game is striking the right balance between creating an experience that is terrifying enough to be considered horror, but not so frightening that it becomes unplayable or off-putting to players. Developers must carefully calibrate the level of fear and tension in their games to ensure that players are engaged and immersed without becoming overwhelmed or distressed.
• Addressing controversial themes: Horror games often explore controversial or taboo subjects, such as violence, death, and mental illness. Developers must navigate these topics with sensitivity and respect, avoiding perpetuating harmful stereotypes or offending particular groups of people. Additionally, some platforms and retailers may have strict guidelines or content restrictions that must be adhered to, further complicating the process of addressing controversial themes in a way that is respectful and impactful.
• Standing out in a crowded market: The horror game genre is incredibly popular, with a vast array of titles available across multiple platforms. As a result, standing out in the crowded market can be a significant challenge for developers. They must find unique and innovative ways to tell their stories, create memorable characters and environments, and provide players with experiences that are fresh and engaging. This requires a deep understanding of the market and its trends, as well as a willingness to take risks and experiment with new ideas.

Future

VR and AR technologies

As technology continues to advance, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are becoming increasingly integrated into the gaming industry. With VR and AR, players can experience horror games in a more immersive and terrifying way than ever before. This allows for a more intense and realistic experience, making the player feel as if they are truly in the game.

New subgenres and mechanics

As the horror genre evolves, new subgenres and mechanics are emerging. For example, psychological horror games are becoming more popular, focusing on the psychological state of the player and the character’s mind. Additionally, survival horror games are also becoming more popular, where the player must scavenge for resources and fend off enemies to survive.

Increasing diversity in game development and representation in horror games

As the gaming industry becomes more diverse, so too do the horror games being developed. With a wider range of developers and players, horror games are becoming more representative of different cultures and backgrounds. This is leading to a more diverse range of horror games, with unique stories and perspectives that were previously unrepresented in the genre. Additionally, with a wider range of perspectives, horror games are becoming more nuanced and thought-provoking, allowing players to engage with complex themes and ideas.

FAQs

1. What is a horror game?

A horror game is a type of video game that is designed to scare and terrify players. These games often feature dark and eerie environments, frightening creatures, and suspenseful gameplay mechanics.

2. What makes a game a horror game?

There are several elements that can make a game a horror game. Some common features include a dark and ominous atmosphere, frightening enemies or monsters, suspenseful gameplay mechanics, and a focus on creating a sense of fear and unease in the player. Additionally, horror games often incorporate elements of supernatural or paranormal themes, such as ghosts, demons, or otherworldly entities.

3. Are horror games just for Halloween?

No, horror games are not just for Halloween. While they may be more popular during the spooky season, horror games can be enjoyed year-round by those who enjoy a good scare. In fact, many horror games have a timeless quality that allows them to be enjoyed for years to come.

4. Are horror games appropriate for children?

No, horror games are generally not appropriate for children. Many horror games contain violent or disturbing content, as well as themes that may be too mature for younger audiences. It’s important for parents to carefully consider the age and maturity level of their children before allowing them to play horror games.

5. What are some popular horror games?

There are many popular horror games, including classic titles like “Silent Hill” and “Resident Evil,” as well as more recent releases like “The Last of Us” and “Alien: Isolation.” Some horror games are also known for their innovative gameplay mechanics, such as “Amnesia: The Dark Descent,” which utilizes a unique sanity system to create a sense of fear and panic in the player.

Why Co-op Horror Games Should be Funny (And Not Scary)