semiconscious
Gold Member
2 words: demon's souls. as creepy & disturbing as just about any survival horror game you've played...
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Are there any good modern horror games?
- Thread starter EatChildren
- Start date
Read the OP. He likes Dead Space, but it's not the kind of horror game he's looking for.Class_A_Ninja said:
Personally, I'm looking for some answers to this question myself. I'm not really a fan of first-person games so that really cuts down the offerings. Going to give Scratches a try though.
Johnlenham
Member
Condemed 2 scared the shit out of me with freaky ass zombies falling from the roofs and all that shit. Fuck that game I had to sell it after about 2 hours in after a fat maniac jumped out of the darkness with a pole screaming at me and i turned 180 and ran like fuck only to get jumped by some crackhead zombie:lol
Majima Everywhere System
Member
Dascu said:
I read it, and decided that the type of horror game he is looking for doesn't make for a good game. Any fine developer is going to focus on making an enjoyable game first, and a horror game second.
That is where games like Dead Space and Left 4 Dead came from. They have horror cues, but they made concessions so that they could be good games. In Dead Space, being a dude in underwear with a knife might be more frightening than what you really are: a walking tank. In Left 4 Dead you have friends. What makes it awesome kills the scare.
He could play games with shit gameplay like Silent Hill homecoming, but even that isn't doing it for him anymore. "I don't feel isolated, I have a military background, blah blah blah."* The reason it isn't scary or good is because you have already run through that game 4 or 5 times by playing the other Silent Hills. As such, he should stick to good games with horror elements and themes.
*Note: OP didn't actually say this, it's a summary of the Silent Hill Homecoming thread.
Kitschkraft
Member
I just beat SH:Homecoming a few days ago....could have been so much better. I hadn't played a SH game since restless dreams so I was hoping for a story like that. The twist, or, lack there of, really made the whole experience seem worthless because of how predictable it was.
If you haven't played SH2, I would just check that out...one of the deepest games ever.
If you haven't played SH2, I would just check that out...one of the deepest games ever.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
On the 360 Dead Space and Condemned (1, not 2) are the more noteworthy one's.
BobsRevenge
I do not avoid women, GAF, but I do deny them my essence.
Sounds like you need some Penumbra in your life. How has the series only been mentioned once in this thread?
Is the D2D deal still going on? If it is you can get all three Penumbra games for $5.
Seriously. Punumbra. Get awn it.
Overature. Black Plague. Awesome. Buy buy buy.
I seriously think its pretty much exactly what you're looking for. The games aren't the most polished ever, but they are fun and scary enough that the quirks don't bother you too much. Overature is the home to most of these quirks.
Those games are horror games. First person survival horror.
If you're looking for Scare games than Dead Space and Doom 3 are the kings. Crank up the volume and turn out the lights, and they'll get you jumping in a similar manner as Aliens Vs. Predator 2 did (well, at the end Doom 3 goes balls-out insane in incredibly awesome directions that fit Id perfectly, but until then you'll get a lot of scares that'll make you jump).
Is the D2D deal still going on? If it is you can get all three Penumbra games for $5.
Seriously. Punumbra. Get awn it.
Overature. Black Plague. Awesome. Buy buy buy.
I seriously think its pretty much exactly what you're looking for. The games aren't the most polished ever, but they are fun and scary enough that the quirks don't bother you too much. Overature is the home to most of these quirks.
Those games are horror games. First person survival horror.
If you're looking for Scare games than Dead Space and Doom 3 are the kings. Crank up the volume and turn out the lights, and they'll get you jumping in a similar manner as Aliens Vs. Predator 2 did (well, at the end Doom 3 goes balls-out insane in incredibly awesome directions that fit Id perfectly, but until then you'll get a lot of scares that'll make you jump).
MyEpitomeCliché
Member
You know, I was playing the original Silent Hill last night (an October tradition), and this same question crossed my mind. I'd say most of the respectable candidates of this modern generation have probably already been mentioned, but the bulk of them are action-oriented. That's not a bad thing, mind you, but for pure survival-horror, they disappoint. Siren: Blood Curse is probably one of the best horror titles I've played in many years, but the gameplay is not as accessible as say a Resident Evil or Silent Hill title. And then there's Dead Space, one of my favorite games from last year and a great horror game, but it's not set in the surreal/metaphysical style that I enjoy the most. It's definitely one of the best action-horror games I've ever played, hands down.
I am looking forward to Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, and I really hope it all comes together great, but playing the original Silent Hill last night got me wishing that instead of a complete overhaul, Climax would have just given the game the new coat of visual paint it needs (and probably the stiff controls), since that is about the only aspect of it that really shows its date. Because the game is still terrifying as ever.
I am looking forward to Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, and I really hope it all comes together great, but playing the original Silent Hill last night got me wishing that instead of a complete overhaul, Climax would have just given the game the new coat of visual paint it needs (and probably the stiff controls), since that is about the only aspect of it that really shows its date. Because the game is still terrifying as ever.
Pyke Presco
Member
Condemned: Criminal Origins is probably one of the most nerve wracking games I've ever played. The ambient sound and lighting, not to mention the psychotic freakouts of the main character just make it extremely creepy. There is also a severe lack of resources (ammo for guns) that makes you freak out when you hear a bunch of enemies around you but can't see them.
And yeah, Dead Space is not a scary game. It is an action game with some mildly unnerving sections, like the Regenerator. I don't think I ever was really scared in Dead Space, more just tense. In Condemned there was actually a few times I had to stop playing after a couple of hours because my nerves were just shot.
And yeah, Dead Space is not a scary game. It is an action game with some mildly unnerving sections, like the Regenerator. I don't think I ever was really scared in Dead Space, more just tense. In Condemned there was actually a few times I had to stop playing after a couple of hours because my nerves were just shot.
daemonarch
Neo Member
Siren and Dead Space .
BobsRevenge
I do not avoid women, GAF, but I do deny them my essence.
Dead Space was a lot scarier than Condemned to me. I jumped a lot in Dead Space. :lolPyke Presco said:
In Condemned a lot of the time I was just looking forward to the next time I'd be able to smash a fool's face in with a sledge hammer. The problem with Condemned is they made the combat too cool. Every time some dude popped up I got pumped that I was about to beat the living shit out of him and pull an awesome execution move. Condemned 2 was even worse at horror because of this shit. Game wasn't scary at all. The first one had some great jump scares, but not like Doom 3 or Dead Space did.
You have to play with the sound cranked though. The key to Dead Space's scariness is the sounds. The scratching around, the fear that something is going to pop out of that grate at any moment, but you have to turn your back to it to keep going, or do you walk backwards hoping that something isn't going to just run at you in the direction that you are backstepping? And then when the shit goes down its an explosion of noise. I dunno, stuff like that in Dead Space got me. I jumped several times playing through it.
In Doom 3 having shit just randomly spawn in front or behind you with all the awesome noises that acoompany it gives a great "OOOHHHH SHIIIIIIIIITTTTTT" experience, especially when you're low on ammo, health, and confidence. There are a lot of other ways the game scares and freaks you out too. I love it.
edit: And unlike these games, Penumbra is actually a survival horror game. There are no guns and the most you can do most of the time is swing an ineffectual lead pipe around. The environment gives you ways to take care of the situations and the combat becomes a puzzle. You also can't look your enemies in the face or you'll start to breath heavy and they'll come after you. Its fucking great.
Sohter.Nura
Member
If only we had FATAL FRAME 4, we could be mentioning that too 
Freaking Nintendo.
Freaking Nintendo.
V
Vilix
Unconfirmed Member
lowrider007 said:
This, especially when played at night with the lights off.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
sadly i think this is the only time i've ever been genuinely horrified in a game:
and that was just a jump scare, not something genuinely creepy.
and that was just a jump scare, not something genuinely creepy.
BobsRevenge
I do not avoid women, GAF, but I do deny them my essence.
The department store level was awesome, I agree. And it was actually kind of scary.Brakara said:
Although, again, I kind of looked forward to the fights there so I could bash some dude over the head with a manikin's arm. So awesome. :lol
Mithos
Member
Been reading through this thread, and I kind of agree.
I have played through Dead Space Extraction (Wii) and have begun Dead Space (PS3) and are on Chapter 2 somewhere, and so far I very calm, no adrenaline flows or heart-beating in sight....
But a few moments ago I played (again) the BioShock demo on PS3, I'd say almost 1 hour ago, and my adrenaline and elevated heart-beating is still present in a way as I'm still "worked up".
I think some things are just not scary but other things are very much so.
I have played through Dead Space Extraction (Wii) and have begun Dead Space (PS3) and are on Chapter 2 somewhere, and so far I very calm, no adrenaline flows or heart-beating in sight....
But a few moments ago I played (again) the BioShock demo on PS3, I'd say almost 1 hour ago, and my adrenaline and elevated heart-beating is still present in a way as I'm still "worked up".
I think some things are just not scary but other things are very much so.
practice02
Banned
Condemned, and GTA4 has prostitutes.
theinfinityissue
Member
Axiom said:
Another thread like this, so here I am again. It's not exactly "modern", but I seriously recommend you find SOME way to give Juggernaut for ps1 a go. It's got some frustrating bits, but as far as weird atmosphere and story goes, you won't find much weirder unless you've just popped in D2. I am so tired of being the only person in the entire WORLD to have ever played this game.
Now, onward to address the OP: By all indications, you will need to check out Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. Preferably on the Wii. I'm the high priest of the cult of Silent Hill, but you can take my completely objective word on it looking extremely awesome. The creepy factor of Silent Hill seems to be exceedingly in effect, as well as an interesting new real "horror" angle in the parts where you're attempting to escape from hordes of creatures. Check out the trailers; those parts really do look scary. Any horrorgamer not keeping this on their radar is a criminal. There, I said it. It's even coming out soon. Come on.
Bioshock wasn't scary because it's very very difficult to feel afraid when you're a bee-shooting lightning tossing Mangod. Great game, but not a horror game.
DodgyGeezerFella
Member
I too recommend Cryostasis. 1st game that genuinely made me jump back in fear. Performance sadly is a problem .
.Class_A_Ninja said:
Fail.
The games you are talking about are mostly just action games with horror themes.
Just because Silent Hill Homecoming sucks doesn't mean you can't do an actual scary horror game anymore. I actually think stuff like Silent Hill (the good ones) is almost too scary for it own good, not everyone has the stomach for that, while something like L4D has more general appeal.
Actual scary horror games are just somewhat of a niche genre, so there aren't going to be as much of them.
Penumbra series / Cryostasis / Siren:BC / Condemned are good suggestions.
I thought Dead Space was pretty good but like Doom 3 the jump scares become a bit predictable after a while, and you eventually become too effective at killing stuff.
.Houston3000
Member
Penumbra series
I got these in a collection on Steam quite a few months ago. Very scary and atmospheric, cool adventure style puzzle mechanics as well.
I got these in a collection on Steam quite a few months ago. Very scary and atmospheric, cool adventure style puzzle mechanics as well.
DeaconKnowledge
Member
Any game where you have big strapping guns and plenty of ammo is not a good horror game. RE4/5, Dead Space, and others like it fall very decidedly on this list.
TheChillyAcademic
Member
AkuMifune said:Yeah, Siren: Blood Curse is what you're looking for.
Only took four posts!
Cosmonaut X
Member
For all the criticism Dead Space (fairly, IMO) is coming in for as a horror experience, it still has sections that are incredibly effective.
If only the rest of the game could have been as restrained and effective it would have been a fantastic horror game. As it is, it's an accomplished, atmospheric TPS with horror trappings which really isn't the same thing at all.
Well, it's being a little picky but I think that you can still have a protagonist with big, strapping guns and lots of ammo provided those weapons don't prove so effective they take away the fear of your enemies. You don't have to strip the player of weapons; you just have to make those weapons never quite as effective as the player wants.
I'm thinking of the moment in Chapter 1 where you're walking towards a door, lit from behind. Your shadow is cast in front of you, and as you get closer to the door the shadow of a Necromorph looms over yours. You turn quickly only to find the corridor is empty, but it's a hellishly freaky moment.
If only the rest of the game could have been as restrained and effective it would have been a fantastic horror game. As it is, it's an accomplished, atmospheric TPS with horror trappings which really isn't the same thing at all.
DeaconKnowledge said:
Well, it's being a little picky but I think that you can still have a protagonist with big, strapping guns and lots of ammo provided those weapons don't prove so effective they take away the fear of your enemies. You don't have to strip the player of weapons; you just have to make those weapons never quite as effective as the player wants.
permutated said:
Man, someone doesnt agree with me 100%. They must be haters!
Thats what you are basically saying.
Class_A_Ninja said:
Can you read? Also many of the things that made DS not scarier had nothing to do with making the game more "genuinely awesome" but rather repetition and poorly constructed scares.
Suairyu said:
Yeah, that's pretty much the case.
The engine was a little wonky here and there, like some odd ragdoll behaviour, not that great performance for it's time (not a problem on a modern computer) and levels cut up into a couple of zones with loading in between.
Being more linear was actually sort of a plus for me, because I have a terrible sense of direction and the lack of an automap in the thief games meant I got lost way too much.
But overall it's still a good game.
The Shalebridge Cradle (the scary level) is pretty great.
DeaconKnowledge
Member
Cosmonaut X said:
I can't really name any game that's done that. The best, most engrossing horror games i've played do one of two things. either:
1. The ammo is so scarce and/or the weapons suck so weapons are largely ineffective
2. The game doesn't focus on gunplay at all.
wolfmat
Confirmed Asshole
I don't agree with any of the fan's complaints, actually. I love all three Thiefs, but the third one, in my opinion, is clearly the best of them. Story delivery alone is WAY better than in the predecessors. I really liked what especially Thief 2 did, but prefer 3.Suairyu said:
So I'm not the guy to ask, I suppose.. I'm the stupid fanboy in this case.
I also HATED Deus Ex, I thought it was really weird and stupid, but kind of liked the successor.
I might just get crucified for that in the next few minutes, actually.
Night_Trekker
Member
wmat said:
*gets a hammer and nails*
revolverjgw
Member
Manhunt was scary, had the oppressive atmosphere thing down to a science. No BOO scares, and the gore-factor was blown out of proportion, you don't need to mutilate anyone. I like how mean, hopeless and intimidating it felt.
Sohter.Nura said:If only we had FATAL FRAME 4, we could be mentioning that too
Freaking Nintendo.
Damn, I had almost forgotten that FF 4 existed and that Nintendo had decided not to release it outside Japan. I know they have their business reasons, but it still fucking sucks.
Fatal Frame 2 is the scariest game I've played. Anyone know if the Xbox version runs on the 360?
wolfmat
Confirmed Asshole
wmat said:
This is mine, even worse than anything in Fatal Frame 1 and 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPygeTmvQlE