0
This Saturday is Halloween, a time for; ghouls, ghosts and things that go bump in the night.
To commemorate this yearly celebration, Four of a Kind will detail the top retro survival/horror video games.
1. I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream (PC)
Developed by The Dreamers guild, released in 1995 and inspired by Harlan Ellison’s short story of the same name, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream is a point-and-click adventure regarded, to the present day, by most, as one of the most disturbing video games produced.
The plot centres around an evil computer, named AM, that has destroyed all of humanity except for five people. For 109 years AM has kept these five people alive in order to continually torture them. Each survivor has a flaw in their characteristic which AM preys upon via a constructed, metaphorical world. Horror derives from this world as the game deals with mature issues and dilemmas such as; insanity, rape, paranoia and genocide in a way that is woven into the story.
During gameplay, the player is presented with a plethora of ethical and psychological choices that can take a toll. Moreover the game conjures some interesting concepts, and the dark tone of the original short story is maintained through bleak artwork and disheartening circumstances.
It is the level of maturity and tone affecting the player which categorises I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream as a horror game.
2. Resident Evil 2 (Playstation)
The original Resident Evil is one of the truest survival horror games due to; limited ammo means careful decisions when faced with combat, fixed camera angles that further emphasise the anxious mood as players walk cautiously through the halls of the Spencer Mansion and the frustrating controls served to further tension during zombie encounters.
The only negatives the game has are; the poor graphics and awful voice acting that, at times, inadvertently creates humour which detracts from the terror. Though Resident Evil 2 may not have great voice acting, it is at least improved upon enough to remove the accidental comedy. The game also includes greater scares and set pieces in less obvious sections resulting in the player feeling less safe during regular gameplay. For instance a brightly lit hallway can be just as scary in comparison to a more traditional, darker environment.
Overall, the experience is immersive as the graphics, sound and tone work in conjunction to produce a horror-filled world. Resident Evil 2 is a fan favourite, so much so the game is set to finally receive its first complete, official, HD remake on current generation consoles.
3. Project Zero II: Crimson Butterfly
Director Makoto Shibata admitted during production of Project Zero, known as Fatal Frame outside Europe, the main aim was to emotionally engage with players on a level that cannot be seen on screen. Ultimately this goal became a reality owing to; classic horror tropes, level design, terrifying sequences, a constant overwrought atmosphere and the player mostly feeling helpless attributable to a camera being the only ‘weapon’ available. However, despite a well-written plot, these factors meant the game developed a reputation of never being played to completion.
Consequently, the Project Zero II: Crimson Butterfly narrative is more resolute, to maintain player attention, as the story focuses on twin sisters drawn to a village, eventually becoming trapped inside with tortured beings.
The deconstruction of the twins in regard to the overall plot is terrifying, as is how the game retains the aforementioned aspects of the original.
The use of the camera as a weapon further becomes a method to not just combat spirits, ensuring to hit the shutter at the precise moment, but stare into the face of fear.
4. Silent Hill 2 (Playstation 2)
The first Silent Hill is a brilliant game that became the benchmark for a creepy, sinister tone which is prevalent in each entry in the series. This is mostly due to the game utilising technological limitations as an advantage. For example the trademark fog shrouding the iconic town is due to the poor draw distance owing to Playstation’s processing power. Resultantly the scenery becomes obscure, meaning the player must rely on sound, creating an intellectual method of tense atmosphere.
Silent Hill 2 is features on the list because the game improves on the core positives of the original. Graphics are superior meaning the aforementioned fog is much denser, thus increasing the already eerie ambience. Furthermore Silent Hill 2’s plot delves deeply into the consciousness of James Sutherland, the game’s protagonist, to the extent that the player begins to question who is the chief foe; the environment, the monsters, Sutherland himself or the player.
This moral questioning becomes a compelling element as well as a gateway to a memorable finale sequence. Lastly the game introduces Pyramid Head, an iconic character and an overt facet of horror.
That concludes Four of a Kind’s descent into the world of horror in gaming. As always feel free to leave a comment discussing your favourite scary games or those that have been omitted.
Honourable Mentions: Blood (PC), Sanatarium (PC), Planescape: Torment (PC), The Suffering (Playstation 2, Xbox, PC), Manhunt (Playstation 2), System Shock 2 (PC), Alone in the Dark (DOS) and Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (Gamecube).