Halloween Horror: Why We Love Scary Games
Well, horror fans, put down the pumpkin-spiced lattes and ready your remotes, because it’s that time of year again! Halloween — the only time of year when people voluntarily scare themselves silly for entertainment. If you’ve lost the youthful charm for fancy dress parties but still crave a bit of fright, you’re not alone. A large number of us are settling into our sofas to binge on horror films or dive into the nerve-shattering world of horror video games. I mean, who doesn’t love a good scare mixed with a bit of virtual bread and butter? Don’t worry; you can still be a grown-up while shrieking like a banshee — it’s practically a rite of passage!
From Bloodcurdling to Belly-Laughing
There are as many reasons to love horror games as there are players, which means there’s room for everyone — even that friend who jumps at their own shadow. For Thomas, it’s all about the group experience. You know, the delightful mix of fright followed by uncontrollable laughter. “The surprise, and the laughter that comes after the initial fright” — that’s just clever marketing for “let’s all scream together at the digital monsters.” Meanwhile, Geoffroy relishes the atmosphere — that eerie setting that lets you know you’re about to make some questionable life choices. And Armoff, our video game specialist extraordinaire, prefers horror games for a more philosophical twist with their ability to “provoke emotion and rejection on very specific themes.” So, basically, it’s an emotional rollercoaster, folks! Buckle up!
From Big Screen to Small Screams
Let’s talk about horror game ingredients because they are just about as delectable as they come. Blood, guts, jump scares — can I get an amen? Guillaume Baychelier, a doctor of art, states that horror video games borrow heavily from classic horror films. And it’s true; why not swipe a few ingredients when they work so well? Take Resident Evil; Shinji Mikami was practically a ghostwriter for George A. Romero when he was conjuring those lovable zombies. And how can we forget Alone in the Dark? Created by Frédérick Raynal, who probably had the best combination of home video store access and youthful curiosity. It’s like the kid who finds their dad’s old VHS tapes and unwittingly ends up with social nightmares!
Control? What Control?
Now, when it comes to horror games, they’re clever little devils. The main trick? They introduce the player to a delightful sensation known as “lack of control.” Baychelier explains, “Many constraints are imposed on the player, which involve stress and difficulty.” Understandably, nobody enjoys a horror game where you’re armed to the teeth like John Wick. The thrill lies in operating at a disadvantage while simultaneously trying not to wet your pants. It really puts the “fun” in dysfunction! With every encounter, players find themselves bargaining with their sanity: “I can put down the controller… or I can face that horrifying creature in front of me. Choices, choices!”
A Genre on the Rise
As we witness a shift in artistic movements, horror games are clawing their way out of the shadows. Remember when they leaned a bit too heavily into action? Well, with hits like Amnesia: The Dark Descent, a wave of first-person horror games kicked off, making it all feel like one big terrifying spectacle. You don’t just play anymore; you experience! Fast forward, and here we are, staring at the horror genre trying to spill out of its niche — think of it as a toddler having a tantrum, desperate to break free from the confines of an oversized playpen.
Resident Evil Village managed to sell 10 million copies in its first three years! Yes, while the likes of The Last of Us and Call of Duty are still the reigning champions, horror games are very much alive and creeping back into our hearts (and nightmares). With sixty horror game trailers showcased at this year’s Summer Game Fest, we can only hope to not (literally) jump out of our seats when the next terrifying title comes to haunt our consoles!
So for those of you who survived another Halloween, congratulations! The world of horror games is awaiting your screams, and who knows, maybe it’s time to embrace that inner child who never quite got over the spooky tale from the neighborhood kids. Let the monsters reign, because each shriek might be just a little bit of cathartic release.
Interior night, at home, on Halloween night. For those who have outgrown the traditional fancy dress parties yet still crave a spine-chilling atmosphere, there are two enticing options: immersing yourself in the eerie ambiance of a horror film in the dark or diving into the thrilling world of a horror-themed video game. The horror genre, known for its ability to evoke deep emotions and feed our fascination with fear, has become one of the most diverse and innovative sectors in gaming, rich with established codes and classic narratives.
There are as many reasons to love horror games as there are players. For Thomas, who thrives on the camaraderie of group gaming experiences, such as the ghost-hunting simulator Phasmophobia, the allure lies in “the surprise, and the laughter that comes after the initial fright.” In contrast, Geoffroy immerses himself in horror games for “the atmosphere, the settings, the macabre and offbeat universe” they offer. Meanwhile, “Armoff,” a passionate videographer and co-founder of the popular “Armuhlteam,” emphasizes the unique capacity of horror games to “provoke emotion and rejection on very specific themes,” providing experiences that linger long after the game ends.
From the big screen to the small
Unhealthy and supernatural atmospheres, thrilling jumps, colossal monsters, and splatters of hemoglobin: the fundamental ingredients of horror remain constant, whether on the cinematic screen or in gaming. “There is a folkloric, iconographic aspect that we take from horror films,” analyzes Guillaume Baychelier, a doctor of art and the author of Havens of Fear, Place of Horror in Video Games. According to the expert, all video games borrow elements from cinema, but horror game directors often openly cite their cinematic inspirations, with notable figures like Resident Evil’s Shinji Mikami identifying the classic zombie films of George A. Romero as seminal influences.
Notably, the iconic game Alone in the Dark, released in the 1990s, was a product of its time and heavily influenced by genre cinema. “As a child, I worked in my father’s store, nestled between computers and video rentals,” recounts Frédérick Raynal, the game’s director, during a memorable round table at the Pompidou Center. “That’s how I discovered fantasy and horror films.” In a fascinating turn of events, cinematic adaptations are now drawing on video game settings, as exemplified by the upcoming Alien Romulus, which channels the eerie atmosphere of the critically acclaimed game Alien: Isolation.
“Show the player that he is not in control”
However, certain codes within horror games thrive uniquely through interactivity. “Many constraints are imposed on the player, which involve stress and difficulty,” describes Baychelier. It’s essential to manifest to players that they are not in total control of the gameplay mechanics. At the onset of their journey, players often find themselves vulnerable, without the means to defend against lurking dangers, facing enemies that outmatch them in strength.
“We are going to use the same codes, making the player feel responsible: he must perform actions expected of him, even when those actions might instigate fear,” Armoff adds. “Players always have the option to set down the controller, yet the moment they decide to continue, they implicitly relinquish a degree of control over their experience,” points out Tachiyomi, another member of the Armuhlteam.
The first mainstream horror games emerged amidst the technical limitations of an era when 3D polygons promised a new frontier in gaming. “I knew that with the graphics of the time, the game wouldn’t scare anyone,” reflects Frédérick Raynal about Alone in the Dark. “I attempted to manipulate what the player had to do: move through unnerving environments.” The development team skillfully wove a sense of perpetual uncertainty into the player’s experience, employing sound design cleverly, often allowing ambient music to fade randomly, heightening the tension each time a monster made its chilling entrance.
From the eerie living dead of Alone in the Dark to the haunting Pyramid Head of Silent Hill or the more modern Slenderman, the archetype of the monster often serves as a dynamic link between the engaging gameplay mechanics and the profound themes explored within each game. “Monsters are fundamental in every tale,” Armoff asserts. “The antagonist is not just a foe; it’s always an allegory of something deeper.” “Players are often drawn to confront the monstrous; they want to understand what lurks in the shadows,” adds Tachiyomi, reflecting on the common psychology of horror gameplay.
A genre that wants to break out of its niche
The horror genre within gaming has undergone significant transformations: trends oscillate between action-oriented gameplay and atmospheric settings. Amnesia, The Dark Descent ushered in a resurgence of first-person experiences where gameplay is akin to high-octane theater, making enjoyable spectacles out of fear. The explosion of online video and the rise of indie developers have multiplied the offerings available to players, ranging from chilling narratives about zombies in Resident Evil to profound explorations of trauma in games like Detention, which cater to a wide array of tastes and preferences.
Although the horror genre remains somewhat niche within the gaming industry, efforts to broaden its appeal have been evident. Capcom reported that Resident Evil Village, released in 2021, sold a remarkable 10 million copies within just three years—a notable success, though still trailing behind heavyweights like The Last of Us or the juggernaut that is the Call of Duty series. “In 2024, we spotted around sixty horror game trailers at Summer Game Fest,” remarks Armoff, who has been chronicling genre developments for over a decade. “There’s a palpable sense that the genre is ascending to new heights.” Even as Halloween fades into memory, the thrill of haunting gameplay continues to beckon players eager to scare one another.
Emes present in horror narratives. Each creature embodies the player’s deepest fears and uncertainties, enhancing the visceral engagement with the game. It’s this interplay between fear and control—or the perceived lack thereof—that solidifies the horror game experience.
As the horror genre continues to evolve, its popularity surges, demonstrating that gamers are not just looking for adrenaline-fueled thrills; they seek emotional resonance. Titles such as Amnesia: The Dark Descent have pioneered new approaches, focusing on psychological terror rather than mere jump scares, offering players an opportunity to confront their fears in innovative ways. This has paved the way for a renaissance of horror games that push the boundaries of storytelling and interactive design, enabling them to resonate on a more profound level.
As technology advances, so does the potential for horror games to craft increasingly immersive experiences. Virtual reality (VR) has breathed new life into this genre, allowing players to step directly into the terrifying worlds crafted by developers, lock the door behind them, and face their worst nightmares head-on. Imagine finding yourself in a dark, abandoned hospital, the flickering lights casting eerie shadows as you navigate the halls — all without the safety of a controller to mute the experience.
The potential for horror gaming is virtually limitless, expanding into narratives that challenge societal norms and provoke critical reflection on complex themes. Players can grapple with issues like isolation, guilt, and existential dread while navigating the terrifying landscapes that horror games provide. This complexity elevates the genre beyond mere entertainment, merging gameplay with thoughtful commentary.
So this Halloween, whether you choose to cozy up on the sofa for a horror film marathon or dive into a thrilling horror video game, remember that engaging with fear can be a cathartic, even rewarding experience. It reminds us of our shared humanity — the primal thrill of confronting our fears and the comfort found in a community united by screams and laughter. Let yourself get lost in the dark, and enjoy the ride; after all, every scream may bring a little joy wrapped up in the terror. Happy haunting!
