Hey, I'm currently studying a Games Development course at college, and for this course I must create a game which I think would sell on the market. Being a big fan of the earlier Resident Evil's (1,2,3) & Silent Hills; I decided that the market could do with another decent Survival Horror which included all of the key elements that define the genre. Basically, before I start to build the game; I need to research into the components that others would expect to find in a game of this genre. So, if you could, please state a few things that must be/would be interesting to find in a modern survival horror game. I'm currently unsure on the story of my game, but I have a few good ideas. Thanks for reading, and any feedback would be appreciated!
Atmosphere is probably the most important part of a survival horror game. And imo, for it to be really survival horror, you need to feel vunerable, not feel like a one man army (like you do in RE4 when you get a crap load of weapons). And the ghost/monster/whatever enemy design is important too.
I actually did a research paper on why people like to play survival horror games, it was very interesting....as for myself (a huge Resident Evil fan), I want a couple of things in a survival horror game to make it truly "survival horror": -atmosphere/environment: I want to feel the mood of where I'm at and have it affect me psychologically. Small details can make a game that much better. Dark, foreboding settings with eerie play on light/shadows always freaks me out. Also, the complex camera angles in survival horror provides a feeling of being watched. -vulnerability: I like when characters aren't put into survival horror games like immortals, they're vulnerable to the evils that lurk behind every corner like a regular human being. The newest Resident Evils unfortunately remind us how the series has changed more into an action horror, but this takes away from the fear involved with adrenaline rush situations (most fights are no longer scary when you're provided so many weapons/ammo). -limited resources: The biggest challenge in these kinds of games--being provided very little weapons against god-like creatures, and very little ammo or healing abilities. This makes the player question every encounter they make, whether to run or fight. I like this challenge since it sets the difficulty of the game, and makes you judge your actions.
Atmosphere is an obvious must, though art direction helps boast this element greatly.
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Gameplay mechanics that rely on limited resources help push momentary decisions constantly, as well as the ability to backtrack through areas. The decision to eliminate an enemy so one doesn't have to cross their path again is greatly pushed by backtracking so it becomes a somewhat important element in the scheme of things.
i think a good horror is a relistic game as well its not about guns and hacking, well its going to be dumb with out them a least you give them choices such as scarce items ammo and health making it imporntant for such tactics. its not just playing these sort of horror games but ones that are more real like hitman absolution or tomb raider are very good expamles for not being SHG just imagine agent 47 sneaking past the cult crazies who wear masks and you have no guns. thats a true horror game whats worst is facing creatures that are destructive but beatable theres to much of zombie's, ghost's, demons or aleins thses days with you can came up with something new more horrorfying and disgusting then that would be awsome my favorite SHG is silent hill, Resident Evil and dead space how about facing fairy tale characters with mordern twist and horror quailty facing a BIG BAD WOLF act like. A man who wears a wolves head and carries a chainsaw or crazy pig creatures that would be interesting
I think The last of us is a great game to look at if you need an example. I like open-world survival games in general. I like creating my own character and having realistic combat.
Here are the things that scare me in a game: Atmosphere- no recognizable melodies in the music, but rather creepy subtle sounds and ambiance Difficulty- Survival horror games can't be a walk in the park. There has to be a constant threat of death at every turn. Vulnerable Protagonist- In a horror game, I don't want a huge muscular action-figure looking guy. The main character should be weak and susceptible to attack. I think the main character should be on the wimpy side (or a child) to give the feel of being at the mercy of your surroundings.
I like survival horror when it focuses on surviving the horror movie setting than the horror. Worse thing that can be done in a survival horror game is to focus too much on the horror and trying to scare the player. To scare the player they do two things. First they just add jump scares into the game. Second they weaken the game play and limit what you can do in it.
The ideal of the vulnerable main character is a joke when it comes to try horror. I do not find the games where you are just a guy that is just like a man stuck in a wheelchair with on good hand running from thing as they really scary. Laugher is how I respond that ideal. Dangers that can take care of capable character is more of a threat then one that take out vulnerable characters.
Something I would like to see in a game is an option for permadeath. I just don't get a sense of fear when my character can spawn endlessly and all I have to do is try try again until I achieve whatever it is that I'm trying to do.Â
Many gamers don't want permadeath and I suppose game designers continuously cater to them, but there should be an option for those of us who want a sense of realism. Permadeath has been included in certain games (ie. Xcom) so it shouldn't be rocket science.
Another option I would like to see is being able to switch from FPS to non-FPS (is. Spellforce) on the fly.
I believe game designers need to start thinking outside the box and create games that are more realistic in nature. Leave the arcade style games for consoles and serious games for PC gamers.
A idea make the protagonist being the villain of the game he is the evil and the guy that try to stop him is the heroe is a very good way to make the player interest in the history reveal that in the end in the final moments
Something I would like to see in a game is an option for permadeath. I just don't get a sense of fear when my character can spawn endlessly and all I have to do is try try again until I achieve whatever it is that I'm trying to do.Â
Many gamers don't want permadeath and I suppose game designers continuously cater to them, but there should be an option for those of us who want a sense of realism. Permadeath has been included in certain games (ie. Xcom) so it shouldn't be rocket science.
Another option I would like to see is being able to switch from FPS to non-FPS (is. Spellforce) on the fly.
I believe game designers need to start thinking outside the box and create games that are more realistic in nature. Leave the arcade style games for consoles and serious games for PC gamers.
jamesjgraham
Obscure maybe? Any of your characters die in the game, that's it, they're dead.Â
Good atmosphere, good art design, good sound design and no over-reliance on jump scares. Not being able to see the monster/monsters for a while can be a good idea as well. Your imagination is often more creative than what the actual monster is. Fear of the unknown is one of the biggest fears of all. I felt this was one of the biggest problems with Outlast. Once I got a good look at the main monster I wasn't that scared of him anymore.
first try out Dead Space 1 and 2 . The game will cut the crap out of you. You will get what all things are needed in a survival horror game. Blood and Gore Dark and horrid atmosphere Terrible looking creatures that will jump out from nowhere unpleasant and scaring noises Mostly melee based combat the rest you could see in Dead Space
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