The recent news about Shinji Mikami's plans to leave Platinum Games, form a new company, and possibly develop a new horror game, has reminded me of how much I used to love that genre. It seemed to really hit a high-point last-gen, but these kinds of games are now curiously scarce.
Eternal Darkness, Parasite Eve, Fatal Frame 2, and Silent Hill 2 & 3 are some of my favorite and most memorable titles of my 16 years of gaming. There could easily be debate about whether any of these games are actually "frightening", but most horror movies aren't genuinely scary either; even the good ones. Good horror games all share a general goal of freaking the player out - a goal that I heartily approve of. It's a completely different experience from any other genre of games, and one that I've grown quite fond of during the years.
I fervently hope that Shinji succeeds in creating his vision, as there is a real lack of quality, "true" horror games right now. If he can make a good one (the pedigree would indicate yes), then he has my full support.
It's funny, because it seems horror games should benefit more from the graphics capabilities of the 360 and PS3 more than nearly other genre, yet there are relatively few horror games of note on those consoles this gen. I Iike RE5, Dead Space, and Dead Rising, but those are all really action games, at their core. If I'm not forgetting anything, that really just leaves Silent Hill 5 (disappointing compared to the first three) and Siren, which I haven't gotten the opportunity to play.
The Wii is doing a bit better, with the recent Silent Hill remake, Fatal Frame 4 (was that even released in the US?), and a few other games that I can't really recall at 7 in the morning, but what happened to all the Haunting Grounds, Tecmo's Deception (maybe doesn't belong in this list, I know) Clock Towers, Dino Crisises and horror RPGs like Parasite Eve?
Yes, The Third Birthday is eventually coming out (theoretically), but the fact that it's on PSP leads me to believe that it's going to be even more of an action affair than PE2, as early rumors suggested. A game more like the original, would be very unique, these days.
Maybe there's not much of a market for these games anymore. Game budgets have skyrocketed, and it's more of a risk than ever to release something that may not be a sure-fire hit. But I truly believe that a great new horror game would sell. Well...at least one copy.
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You're not alone loving horror. I just wished it was done better and more often.
On-topic, I'm a real big fan of clocktower on psx and I'm really annoyed that there are so few like that on HD consoles.
Also, Deadly Premonition....B version of Silent Hill so that's an option.
Eternal Darkness is a game that I admire that every audience can enjoy. Not really scary enough to scare the crap out of you, but when it happens, you will be freaked the hell out.
Try "SAW:TheVideoGame"... It's not exactly grab you by the balls scary.
Alot of Puzzle Solving. Very Interesting too.
But an Achievement/Trophy whoring...
Disturbing (Original Manhunt for this Generation) Experience!
@ Least Rent it... I do think it's worth $25 Bucks.
Thanks for the clarification, I didn't know that.
@Occam's Electric Toothbrush
I'll definitely be checking out Deadly Premonition at some point, but I'm thinking it will scratch my "insanely horribly funny" itch, instead of my horror itch.
@MrSadistic
I'd give almost anything for a well-done sequel to Eternal Darkness. It's easlily one of the most memorable games I've ever experienced. I pity anyone who missed out in it, back in the day.
@BS3 Owner
I probably will check that out. I vaguely remember hearing some positive things about Saw, when it was released.
What did you dislike about it? I know a few people who had a great time with the game.
"it seems horror games should benefit more from the graphics capabilities of the 360 and PS3 more than nearly other genre"
I agree completely. I'd love to see a horror game with the level of detail shown in, say, Uncharted 2. If they put that much work into crumbling buildings, shadows, etc. in an action game, why not a horror game, where players will spend time actually appreciating it?
It's all about the atmosphere, and the 360 and PS3 should be powerhouses when it comes to the sound and graphics necessary to pull off some really creepy stuff, but no one is really putting all that horsepower into scaring the crap out of us. Honestly, the most intense and "horror-like" experiences that I've had this gen weren't in F.E.A.R., Silent Hill: Homecoming, Dead Space, or RE5. They were in Gears of War, out of all things. Remember in Act 2, when you first encounter the krill out in the dark? You can hear them all around and see them killing the locust, and those street lights always seemed like they might be just a little too far away. And Act 3, where you first fight the exploding wretches out in the dark and rain, and then inside that building? Those are the kinds of tense experiences that I want, and the kick-ass visuals and audio only made them better.