Adventure/Horror

[hyperhammy]

I was kind of getting sick of the standard action/horror games (par example: Fear). I'm just not scared when playing some super soldier.
I was checking out the Steam Store and noticed "Amnesia". First I thought that no weapons would feel weird, but no! I tried the demo and it's freaking amazing...
No combat, but I still almost wet myself! The atmosphere is just... chilling.
This is how horror games are supposed to be done, on a low budget, and building on atmosphere, and not jump scares.
So, are there other game similar to "Amnesia"? Do you think the genre horror should be divided up? For example "action-thrillers" like resident evil 5 and "horror-adventures" like Amnesia.

Edit: I own a pc, ds, ps2 and xbox 360. I don't care how old they are, but the graphics should be tolerable.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Do you want new horror games, or old horror games? Which systems do you have, besides the PC? We have to know these things before recommending games to you.

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

They are rare, but I agree with you, the lines have blurred to the point that lately 'horror' games don't tend to be scary, and just include action with horror elements. I've not played Amnesia, but I have been pointed to it and it's got me interested. It's a dying breed I'm afraid.

If age isn't an issue, the older Silent Hill games are excellent at horror atmosphere. As for recent titles...well, you're probably best looking at indie games. Mainstream has turned its back on the genre. Closest that comes to mind is Condemned, minus the second half of the sequel.

 

[Pandalisk]

I hear good things on Penumbra black.

 

[Twad]

French-speaking? Moi oui.

i think FEAR (the first) did it well. Supersoldier or not, the atmosphere, sounds, map design and music all worked very well at scaring the shit out of me, to the point where the "down" sections where nothing happen, i would not relax because "they could be out there". There are a few "jump-scare" here and there, but not overused imho.

I played amnesia this weekend actually. I found the way we interact with object to be, simply, awesome. Use your "hand" to physically open doors,drawers, levels ect (no window menu opens up or whatever). I felt vulnerable whenever i oppened a door because my "mouse" was busy oppening the door, not (uselessly) protecting me. weird but nice.

I immediately began thinking this engine would be fun for a "thief" game.

As for the amnesia game itself, since i didnt understand half of it ( i did check review to understand their goal and tone so it actually make a lot of sense), i found the lack of oil/ and "amadou" (the thing to light things up) irritating. Easy to use up and run out before you know it, and oil is burned at a ridiculous pace.
I might pick it up again just to see where it goes now that i know what its about, and i wont waste ressources for no reason.

 

[Ekonk]

Get Half-Life 2 and install the mod Korsakovia. That shit will fuck you up bad. You might have trouble sleeping for weeks. And you'll be unable to listen to static without going into a catatonic state.

Seriously, best horror I know. Graphics are not great, just a bit worse than Half-Life 2, but it would not have been as scary if had been photorealistic. You'll get what I mean once you play it.

 

[hyperhammy]

French-speaking? Moi oui.

i think FEAR (the first) did it well. Supersoldier or not, the atmosphere, sounds, map design and music all worked very well at scaring the shit out of me, to the point where the "down" sections where nothing happen, i would not relax because "they could be out there". There are a few "jump-scare" here and there, but not overused imho.

I played amnesia this weekend actually. I found the way we interact with object to be, simply, awesome. Use your "hand" to physically open doors,drawers, levels ect (no window menu opens up or whatever). I felt vulnerable whenever i oppened a door because my "mouse" was busy oppening the door, not (uselessly) protecting me. weird but nice.

I immediately began thinking this engine would be fun for a "thief" game.

As for the amnesia game itself, since i didnt understand half of it ( i did check review to understand their goal and tone so it actually make a lot of sense), i found the lack of oil/ and "amadou" (the thing to light things up) irritating. Easy to use up and run out before you know it, and oil is burned at a ridiculous pace.
I might pick it up again just to see where it goes now that i know what its about, and i wont waste ressources for no reason.

Parlez-vous francais? Ca va?
It's the second language I'm currently learning, right next to: German and Italian.

 

[SyphonX]

Try the Penumbra series. It's what Frictional Games was doing before they made Amnesia.

Pretty much the same idea, except in a modern setting. Flashlights instead of lanterns, etc. Same spooky and mysterious setting. Cheap, also.. there is really no reason for you to not have a copy, if you are a horror fan.

Also try Call of Cthulu: Dark Corners of the Earth. Roughly the same, little different. Based on Lovecraft mythos.

 

[John Horn]

I must agree with the OP. Amnesia: The Dark Descent is the current unchallenged king of the hill in terms of giving you a thoroughly uncomfortable experience. Apparently, the creators of Amnesia have previously created some games called Penumbra which I haven't tried. Ok, I just checked Penumbra on youtube. It seems to be the exact same gameplay and engine. I gotta get those.


Back in the day, there was a scary game made by french developer Infogrames called Alone In The Dark (1992). It was genuinely scary in the classic sense. Slowly building up. Not sure it'll work on me today though. Simple non-textured polygons and poor lighting. But I just checked a video of it on youtube, and parts of it still gives me the chills. Must be the nostalgia working on me.