Horror Games

[CLXcool]

Am I the only one who doesn't understand the hype of Five Nights At Freddy's? Its not like we've all made dark jokes about Chuck E Cheese's compared how dark the tone went with this. I mean. I think the concept of this game would have worked a whole lot better if it wasn't just you being stuck in a room trying not to get killed.

[Psychospacecow]

What is Five Nights At Freddy's about actually? I've seen fan art but I don't really follow horror games.

[CLXcool]

Its about a guy who applies a security guard at a chuck e cheese styled restaurant(not knowingly that the animatronic robots move on their own at night). You have to survive five nights in the restaurant without being caught by the animatronic robots or else you are killed. The backstory in this game is rather disturbing, yet it would have been much more promising with a better execution.

[Psychospacecow]

Kinda sounds like some dreamcast game I watched a playthrough of once. May check it out, may not.

[gamemaster1991]

One of the few people that don't do over reacting screaming.





Something I've also noticed by watching multaple people play the game is that everybody derps with the controls without an idea of what everything does.

[CLXcool]

If Five Nights At Freddy's came out at the time when Mortal Kombat was getting heat from parents about games being ''too violent'', then FNAF would have faced the same reception from angry parents. Only thing is, most of them would have been dumb enough to not realize that its NOT a kids game(Despite having animatronic robots as the characters in the said game). Most of the criticism would have been likely for the horror elements to the point where the kid would be scarred for life.

Most of the playthroughs i've seen on this game have people just yelling and screaming for no complete reason like the nostalgia critic. Sheesh. Its just a game. Don't overreact over everything in it.

[Mass Distraction]

When I first heard the name I thought it had something to do with Nightmare on Elm Street. I was disappointed.

It's a cool concept but, and I know I'm talking about a video game here but let me finish, I just can't understand why the guard's room has to be in the middle of everything, especially with the murderous robots going around. Like, have the room outside as a seperate shack or something, jeez. Or, if the creatures really kill you just because you aren't in a costume, GIVE THE NIGHT GUARD A GODDAMN COSTUME. And lastly, why do you even need a night guard? It's not like anyone would survive if they tried to steal something anyway.

[RepentantSky]

If Five Nights At Freddy's came out at the time when Mortal Kombat was getting heat from parents about games being ''too violent'', then FNAF would have faced the same reception from angry parents. Only thing is, most of them would have been dumb enough to not realize that its NOT a kids game(Despite having animatronic robots as the characters in the said game). Most of the criticism would have been likely for the horror elements to the point where the kid would be scarred for life.

Most of the playthroughs i've seen on this game have people just yelling and screaming for no complete reason like the nostalgia critic. Sheesh. Its just a game. Don't overreact over everything in it.

Overreaction is part of how you sell something though. Remember how many people clearly overreacted to Slender: The Eight Pages? People loved watching those even though they knew is was an over the top reaction. Most people haven't grown sick of it yet, so it's only natural that it keeps happening.

[gamemaster1991]

When I first heard the name I thought it had something to do with Nightmare on Elm Street. I was disappointed.

It's a cool concept but, and I know I'm talking about a video game here but let me finish, I just can't understand why the guard's room has to be in the middle of everything, especially with the murderous robots going around. Like, have the room outside as a seperate shack or something, jeez. Or, if the creatures really kill you just because you aren't in a costume, GIVE THE NIGHT GUARD A GODDAMN COSTUME. And lastly, why do you even need a night guard? It's not like anyone would survive if they tried to steal something anyway.

I always thought it was so the robots don't get out, but they really could any way due to where the guard station is. Why do they even care about these evil robats?

It's just one of those games that if you think about the consept too hard it becomes unwounded. Be like Mario. Don't question that Peach has magic but never uses it EVER, or that she apparently never did it with Bowser but still think that Jr is her son, or that nothing that Bowser does ever makes since, like at all. Just play the game and don't question why Goombas are shunned toads in one game but exapted and loved in another.

[CLXcool]

Its one of those games that pokes fun at certain things that have been made fun elsewhere but takes it to the extreme level in terms of creepiness. Although. I kinda wonder how the game(FNAF) would have been if this concept was handled by American Mcgee or even Chris Seavor.

[BumblebeeCody*]

If Five Nights At Freddy's came out at the time when Mortal Kombat was getting heat from parents about games being ''too violent'', then FNAF would have faced the same reception from angry parents. Only thing is, most of them would have been dumb enough to not realize that its NOT a kids game(Despite having animatronic robots as the characters in the said game). Most of the criticism would have been likely for the horror elements to the point where the kid would be scarred for life.

Most of the playthroughs i've seen on this game have people just yelling and screaming for no complete reason like the nostalgia critic. Sheesh. Its just a game. Don't overreact over everything in it.

Yeah but that's the whole point of scary games. Script your scares > Continuously talk like you have the verbal shits > Overreact > Get paid.

That being said, this Freddy game looks pretty good.

[CLXcool]

At least the game grumps are having fun with it on Steam train. setting that aside. A question for everyone. What defines/makes a good horror video game?

[Mass Distraction]

Atmosphere. You can't really have a good horror game without an atmosphere to set the right mood.

[gamemaster1991]

At least the game grumps are having fun with it on Steam train. setting that aside. A question for everyone. What defines/makes a good horror video game?

Something that can honestly make you feel scared, not cheaply scare you. the difference between Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Resident Evil has the idea of limited saves and ammo to be scary but it mostly has HEYLOOKITSADOGBESCARESCREAMREALLYLOAD moments, while Silent Hill (from what I have seen/played of it (IE not much)) is a game where you don't have to kill much as it's more you wondering whats going on. I can tell you that I was scared more from a LPer screaming at the spiders more than anything that RE has ever had in it.

Freddy has a mix of both. You wonder where/when they will strike, so you're on your toes, but you also have the jump scares that make up 97.99% of all horror games (and movies).

[BumblebeeCody*]

I downloaded the demo of Friday Nights at Freddys. I admit, it's pretty damn good and after reading about the lore/hidden story parts it does make the game that bit better. That being said, after playing it, I don't feel the need to go back. 2 or so demo playthrough is enough. Even for £3 it's not worth it.
Good game though.

At least the game grumps are having fun with it on Steam train. setting that aside. A question for everyone. What defines/makes a good horror video game?

Multiple factors to consider.
Firstly I like a game that respects the player.
It doesn't insult you by treating you like a baby. I get a lot of shit (like I care) about why I think Amnesia is a terrible game that is only popular due to YouTube trends, but it's true. Those types of games are haunted house attractions. Filled with tropes that follow the same lines of thinking. You need a game that respects the player and treats horror as a character. Not, as a distraction.

I cite games like Silent Hill. The director (Keiichiro Toyama) made a game that was about the characters in a horror setting. It wasn't about the enemies, but what they represent. This is evident in games like Silent Hill 2 which one of the most highly praised games within the industry. The characters (Pyramid Head, Crooked nurses) are creepy as shit, but their inclusion in the game revolves around the games narrative. They add tension, claustrophobia (Pyramid fight in that room) but in the end they have a reason for being there (James past). I'm not expecting the next jump scare in Silent Hill as opposed to Generic Indie Horror Game X which is about taking you out of the games world just to make you feel tense for a bit while scary stuff happens. (There's so much more like sound direction, graphics, gameplay mechanics, voice acting but I'd be writing an essay at that point).

All I can say is, play Silent Hill 2 and you'll know what makes a good horror game. If not Silent Hill 2, then Resident Evil 1. If not Resident Evil 1, then Condemned 1. If not Condemned 1, then Clock Tower on the SNES. If not Clock Tower, then I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. So many good titles.

TL:DR
Amnesia/Indie Games are just uninspired is a haunted house attractions made for cheap thrills:
Be vague leaving the player questioning
Be first person
Make the player run around do pointless shit
Add a mechanic that notifies the user about scary stuff that's about to happen
Add horror looking enemy/enemies
Be dark and hard to see
Don't care for good gameplay, polish, sound design or even making sense. Just make jump scares.
[congrats, you're an indie dev]