User blog:Brentashun/What Horror Games Should Be, and What They Shouldn't

Note: You are free to add any suggestions as to what horror games should and shouldn't be.

Horror games. Yup, "horror" games. Though some games (Namely from independent developers) have actually been scary instead of just startling, the horror genre is going to die if it keeps going on the way it is going on. I am going to start with Resident Evil. I personally think they should stop focusing on making the graphics wonderful, and try to actually make it scary. Jump scares are startling. They aren't scary. Okay, maybe they are, but that is just cheap. I have seen home movies that scared me more than RE. Now, to go on to what horror games should be.

JUMP SCARES VS A GOOD PLOT
Horror games shouldn't just be jump scares, and they shouldn't have no jump scares at all. A game with no jump scares isn't scary. Even if you develop an amazing atmosphere, you pratically NEED jump scares. You absolutely need them. Now don't have it where a random Jeff the Killer face pops up for no reason whatsoever, you should instead create jump scares that actually make sense. Long corridor that's dark? Go right on ahead, everyone else is doing it. Water part? Don't (Do) make me shit my pants, but sure! Creepy metal staircase? Why not! Room that has lights and gives no sense of creepiness? NO. See, jump scares are warranted if the current scene warrants jump scares. The game Outlast is probably the best example ever (and while I'm at it, one of my favorite horror games). Now, a good plot should be used to tie in with warranted jump scares (Also, they shouldn't use jump scares EVERY FIVE MINUTES). Amnesia is a good example, and so is Outlast. I have no real tips for a good plot, since a good plot can be ANYTHING. Just look at some really good (PLEASE NOT THE REALLY BAD ONES) creepypastas. I think they have the good plot thing down. Mostly, they should try to make the player interested and immersed in the scene and game. Immersion is really what can make someone scared.

ATTACK OF THE UNFAIR GAME MECHANICS
Now THIS is the real horror. One thing a horror game shouldn't have whatsoever (i shit you not, a horror game ACTUALLY DID THIS[it was a game titled "evil"]) is PLATFORMING. Okay, Outlast did it right. Evil? Nope, they didn't do it right at all. In fact, Evil is exactly what a horror game SHOULDN'T BE. A game that is absolutely weird and crazy FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. If my character had schizophrenia THEN you can make it all crazy and rip off Afraid of Monsters (Don't rip off Afraid of Monsters. Please). Anyway, there can also be unfair stealth systems. If your entire game relies on stealth mechanics (Amnesia), THEN MAKE THE STEALTH MECHANICS FUCKING WORK! If your game relies on a certain mechanic, make it work. DO IT. Also, no horror game EVER, should be a shooter (OH MY GOD IT'S RESIDENT EVIL ALL OVER AGAIN).

THE PLAYER AND IMMERSION
There's a difference between not immersed, and immersed. Creating immersion requires a combination of good writing, atmosphere (most of immersion relies on atmosphere, so if your atmosphere is shit then you're fucked), and GAMEPLAY. YES, GAMEPLAY. A good way to make immersion is do what Outlast did, and make the movement and animations realistic. I will be referencing Outlast a lot since it is actually really good. Atmosphere shouldn't be a room with lights (Though making it instantly turn dark and have blood be all over the place is actually okay) isn't good. Here's a tip, paint is gay, USE BLOOD! Don't use gore too much, gore should be used in a way that is discomforting. Gore isn't scary, it's discomforting. Having a guy just die is bad, having a guy fucking explode on the inside with his organs go everywhere is JUST RIGHT! With gameplay, I don't know. I don't make video games, I'm just a stupid guy on the internet!

THERE SHALL BE MORE
I'm kind of done here since what I mostly wanted to address was jump scares. Just leave some suggestions and tell me how wrong and stupid I am in the comments! How else am I supposed to know I'm an idiot, my grades? You're the idiot here if you think THAT. (I am joking. I do not want to offend anyone plz don't sue me)