I love horror games, they're by far some of the most creative games I've played, but I need more. You can only have a zombie/mutant/auntie grizelda burst in from a window so many times. Pyramid head? Yeah he was scary in an enclosed hallway, and quite memorable (Harry who?...I don't know anyone named Maria.)

Resident Evil , Silent Hill, I don't really get that creepy vibe from them anymore.
Then...Condemned came along.

Say what you will of thin plots and dialogue, Condemned has done something I never really have experienced in a game for a long time: scare me. I'm pretty calm when I play, and this game has the ability to bring out the basest of instincts in me. I'm pretty sure my roommate thought I was going to jump over and strangle him with the way I would gasp loudly, and proceed yell though clenched teeth as I pressed that button that would guarantee the enemy in the screen would never eat another piece of solid food in his life. I was alone, and my fight or flight switch was hardwired to fight. no one endangers me... NO ONE.

My roommate cannot understand. He sees a raving lunatic holding a controller.

Why was I so scared?
I think the mix of "out there" monsters has really lessened the scare in games. Programmers are focused more on their look and how many times they can jump out at you, when you, the gamer can add so much to the experience by using your own imagination. I don't want to see what the designer thinks is scary. Monsters, killers, whatever need a look. Okay, let the designer handle that, don't sweat the small stuff...my mind can handle the small stuff.

Happy Halloween y'all



If your stuck at home giving out the candy this year, here are a few "seasonal" entertainment reccomendations.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari- Silent film about a somnabulist's twisted deeds
Dementia 13 -Early francis Ford Coppola "slasher" film
An American Werewolf in london- Title explains it all.
Nosferatu -Vampires! Yay!
House of Wax- (not that one) old school Vincent Price film.