Tom RhodesWho's afraid of a game? Tom Rhodes is. In "Afraid of the Dark," Rhodes takes us on a trip through his tortured psyche as he attempts to enjoy some of gaming's most intense experiences.
Issue 51 - Afraid of the Dark
- Thread starter The Escapist Staff
- Start date
Original Comment by: Nathan!
http://journalcomic.blogspot.com
Fantastic! I always wondered if I was the only person cowardly enough to read FAQs and guides for horror games that I couldn't bring myself to actually play! And yes, the feeling when you actually do finish a game (Eternal Darkness was one, Resident Evil 4 the other - System Shock 2 got to be too much for my poor mind) is fantastic, like you braved the worst kind of challenge.
I had never thought much about why it might be this way, but you described the entire thing perfectly. Thanks for the read!
http://journalcomic.blogspot.com
Fantastic! I always wondered if I was the only person cowardly enough to read FAQs and guides for horror games that I couldn't bring myself to actually play! And yes, the feeling when you actually do finish a game (Eternal Darkness was one, Resident Evil 4 the other - System Shock 2 got to be too much for my poor mind) is fantastic, like you braved the worst kind of challenge.
I had never thought much about why it might be this way, but you described the entire thing perfectly. Thanks for the read!
Original Comment by: Paulo
You should play thief the dark project instead. Or just play some of the thief 2 fan missions. Ominous bequest should scare you. Guaranted scarier than resident evil 2 (bah).
You should play thief the dark project instead. Or just play some of the thief 2 fan missions. Ominous bequest should scare you. Guaranted scarier than resident evil 2 (bah).
Original Comment by: Tom Rhodes (Escapist Contributor)
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Nathan:
I knew I couldn't be the only one! Where's the rest of the SHP crowd? I know you have to be around here somewhere...
Paulo:
Maybe. Perhaps I'll just read the walkthroughs instead...*cough*
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Nathan:
I knew I couldn't be the only one! Where's the rest of the SHP crowd? I know you have to be around here somewhere...
Paulo:
Maybe. Perhaps I'll just read the walkthroughs instead...*cough*
Original Comment by: Rodrigo Gonçalves
As an adition to the article, anyone fan of this type of game should check the Fatal Frame trilogy (PS2).
As an adition to the article, anyone fan of this type of game should check the Fatal Frame trilogy (PS2).
Original Comment by: Andrew Clunn
Oh it's true. There are others. I started Resident Evil 4 and couldn't finish. I tried Eternal Darkness, and couldn't continue. I would bring up these games with my friends who had completed them to gain a grasp of their experiences, but unwilling (or unable) to go for myself. But there is hope! I recently picked up the GameCube remake of Resident Evil 1 and played it only at night with the lights off in front of a friend.
I would walk Jill slowly down corridors, knowing full well that it would be much safer to run. I swore and shouted as I failed miserably to hit those horrible dogs as they tore at my arm. And all the while my friend sat there freaking out and yelling at me to run faster, stop standing and shaking as I played and to "Shoot them! AIM DOWN! AIM DOWN!" There is hope, and you can conquer horror games, you just need to stop letting the game scare you by using it to scare someone else even worse.
Oh it's true. There are others. I started Resident Evil 4 and couldn't finish. I tried Eternal Darkness, and couldn't continue. I would bring up these games with my friends who had completed them to gain a grasp of their experiences, but unwilling (or unable) to go for myself. But there is hope! I recently picked up the GameCube remake of Resident Evil 1 and played it only at night with the lights off in front of a friend.
I would walk Jill slowly down corridors, knowing full well that it would be much safer to run. I swore and shouted as I failed miserably to hit those horrible dogs as they tore at my arm. And all the while my friend sat there freaking out and yelling at me to run faster, stop standing and shaking as I played and to "Shoot them! AIM DOWN! AIM DOWN!" There is hope, and you can conquer horror games, you just need to stop letting the game scare you by using it to scare someone else even worse.
Original Comment by: Mark Kilborn
http://www.markkilborn.com
I can relate in a way, although I make a habit of tackling the games I'm afraid of. I do it with everything in life. The other day I visited a friend's office on the 15th floor of a building in downtown Dallas. I dealt with my fear of heights by looking over the edge of his balcony.
That's not for everyone though, and I can understand a fear of these games. They are far more immersive than any movie is. When I met my future wife, she informed me of her addiction to all things horror. She is a huge Argento/Romero/Fulci/etc fan. I was more of the David Lynch type, but she insisted upon exposing me to these horror films. None of them scared me. Not at all. While I have developed an appreciation for them over time, they still do not scare me.
Silent Hill 2 ruined it for me. I was playing, at night, lights off with a 5.1 setup. I'm a sound designer by trade, so I tend to focus on the audio anyway, but there was this scene in the underground prison that scared the hell out of me. As I was guiding James down a dark row of cells, I could hear an inmate whispering a prayer to the right of me. I investigated and found nothing, but the prayer did not stop.
I promptly turned on the lights and stopped playing for the night. I have never been scared of anything since. So Tom, maybe that's your answer: confront your fear, and get scared so badly that nothing can really scare you again. It worked for me.
http://www.markkilborn.com
I can relate in a way, although I make a habit of tackling the games I'm afraid of. I do it with everything in life. The other day I visited a friend's office on the 15th floor of a building in downtown Dallas. I dealt with my fear of heights by looking over the edge of his balcony.
That's not for everyone though, and I can understand a fear of these games. They are far more immersive than any movie is. When I met my future wife, she informed me of her addiction to all things horror. She is a huge Argento/Romero/Fulci/etc fan. I was more of the David Lynch type, but she insisted upon exposing me to these horror films. None of them scared me. Not at all. While I have developed an appreciation for them over time, they still do not scare me.
Silent Hill 2 ruined it for me. I was playing, at night, lights off with a 5.1 setup. I'm a sound designer by trade, so I tend to focus on the audio anyway, but there was this scene in the underground prison that scared the hell out of me. As I was guiding James down a dark row of cells, I could hear an inmate whispering a prayer to the right of me. I investigated and found nothing, but the prayer did not stop.
I promptly turned on the lights and stopped playing for the night. I have never been scared of anything since. So Tom, maybe that's your answer: confront your fear, and get scared so badly that nothing can really scare you again. It worked for me.
Original Comment by: Tom Rhodes (Escapist Contributor)
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Interesting advice from the both of you, although I'm not sure about yours, Mark. Sure, it could have that effect, or it could have the opposite. Much like a snake wrangler, I could either become immune to the venom or deadly allergic. So, the question I have to ask myself is, do I feel lucky?
Hmm...
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Interesting advice from the both of you, although I'm not sure about yours, Mark. Sure, it could have that effect, or it could have the opposite. Much like a snake wrangler, I could either become immune to the venom or deadly allergic. So, the question I have to ask myself is, do I feel lucky?
Hmm...
Original Comment by: Mario Ganic
I was just about to give you the same advice as Mark did.
I am a big horror movie fan, and yet they movies dont scare me as much as playing a good horror survival game. Well....except In The Mouth Of Madness which scared the hell out of me.
But no matter how much horror game scares me I will still push on through it.
Like you said, there is a sense of accomplishment when you finish a game that scares you on every step and I know that I would prefer it that way.
Horror games are supposed to be scary, and I want to jump and scream and twitch when something jump out of shadows.
I was just about to give you the same advice as Mark did.
I am a big horror movie fan, and yet they movies dont scare me as much as playing a good horror survival game. Well....except In The Mouth Of Madness which scared the hell out of me.
But no matter how much horror game scares me I will still push on through it.
Like you said, there is a sense of accomplishment when you finish a game that scares you on every step and I know that I would prefer it that way.
Horror games are supposed to be scary, and I want to jump and scream and twitch when something jump out of shadows.
Original Comment by: Tom Rhodes (Escapist Contributor)
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Y'know, combining these comments with my e-mail, this is the most response I've ever gotten for an article. The other one that came close was my article [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/issue/27/8] on The Longest Journey. In both cases, I got a lot of people in my boat. Apparently, a lot of SHPs out there...
Hmm...perhaps I should do more personal articles.
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Y'know, combining these comments with my e-mail, this is the most response I've ever gotten for an article. The other one that came close was my article [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/issue/27/8] on The Longest Journey. In both cases, I got a lot of people in my boat. Apparently, a lot of SHPs out there...
Hmm...perhaps I should do more personal articles.
Original Comment by: Tom Rhodes (Escapist Contributor)
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Actually, I'm so ingenious that I didn't even need to. I made you add that last post adding the *hint hint* for me. You see? I'm diabolical!
Still can't play Silent Hill, though...crap.
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Actually, I'm so ingenious that I didn't even need to. I made you add that last post adding the *hint hint* for me. You see? I'm diabolical!
Still can't play Silent Hill, though...crap.
Original Comment by: Itamar
Well,
I'm probably not an SHP, because I dislike horror films and games (not getting what's fun in being frightened ), but I have to admit that the closest I got to playing one (i.e. Doom 3 at night with lights off and alone), I couldn't play it in longer than 15 minute bursts and didn't finish it, at that. Brr...
Well,
I'm probably not an SHP, because I dislike horror films and games (not getting what's fun in being frightened ), but I have to admit that the closest I got to playing one (i.e. Doom 3 at night with lights off and alone), I couldn't play it in longer than 15 minute bursts and didn't finish it, at that. Brr...
Original Comment by: Tom Rhodes (Escapist Contributor)
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Itamar:
Yeah, I don't think you count as an SHP. SHPs love the survival/horror genre, and horror in general, we just can't experience the games without flipping out.
http://Tom.Rhod -at- Gmail -dot- com
Itamar:
Yeah, I don't think you count as an SHP. SHPs love the survival/horror genre, and horror in general, we just can't experience the games without flipping out.
Original Comment by: Meophist
I don't play survival horror games. That's not to say I'm scared of them, because I'm not. I've watched my brother play through alot of them, and they're not scary to me. It's because I don't like them. No, wait, that's not accurate. I think survival horror games are fine. It's not like I don't like them. I...
Now, how do I finish that sentence? I... what? I... don't think they're fun... no, that's not right. Some of them do seem quite fun. I... don't... nah... that can't be it. Alright, fine, it's because I don't like playing them. I don't think I can enjoy playing them. It's not because of the horror, but the game mechanics. They're boring to me... I think.
I want to see a survival horror that doesn't have boring game mechanics. Then maybe I can play them.... maybe.
I don't play survival horror games. That's not to say I'm scared of them, because I'm not. I've watched my brother play through alot of them, and they're not scary to me. It's because I don't like them. No, wait, that's not accurate. I think survival horror games are fine. It's not like I don't like them. I...
Now, how do I finish that sentence? I... what? I... don't think they're fun... no, that's not right. Some of them do seem quite fun. I... don't... nah... that can't be it. Alright, fine, it's because I don't like playing them. I don't think I can enjoy playing them. It's not because of the horror, but the game mechanics. They're boring to me... I think.
I want to see a survival horror that doesn't have boring game mechanics. Then maybe I can play them.... maybe.
Original Comment by: Tad
Wow, what a great feeling to know that you're not the only one out there living their lives as a SHP. I've spent many hours obsessed over the creepy goings on in Silent Hill, yet I couldn't make it past the first scene in Silent Hill 1.
I was, however, able to finish Resident Evil 4, because this game, more than any other, does away with the feeling of helplessness and replaces it with a feeling of power and being in control. By moving the camera behind you, cleaning up the controls, and opening up the weapons cache you now have more than an adequate chance against the evil you're facing.
That more than anything went a long way into allowing me keep my resolve.
Wow, what a great feeling to know that you're not the only one out there living their lives as a SHP. I've spent many hours obsessed over the creepy goings on in Silent Hill, yet I couldn't make it past the first scene in Silent Hill 1.
I was, however, able to finish Resident Evil 4, because this game, more than any other, does away with the feeling of helplessness and replaces it with a feeling of power and being in control. By moving the camera behind you, cleaning up the controls, and opening up the weapons cache you now have more than an adequate chance against the evil you're facing.
That more than anything went a long way into allowing me keep my resolve.
Original Comment by: David Pettitt
http://360.yahoo.com/icecreamsuit
Until recently I too was a (an?) SHP. There was just something about the idea of the genre that attracted me. However, apart from a few abortive forays (such as making it 45 minutes into one of the earlier RE games), I was never able get myself to play. Even watching scary movies, I'd have to turn them off every few minutes to allow myself to breathe. A few years back, I went to see my first and only horror movie in theatre (The Ring) with some people from my dorm, and when we walked out my roommate had bruises on his arm shaped like my hands, from me gripping him so hard. What finally did it for me was playing Killer 7. The first time I heard that maniacal cackle and saw a Heaven Smile running at me I nearly peed myself. I forced myself to keep playing, and after a while the laugh got annoying instead of frightening, and that took away a lot of the fear.
Right now I'm working my way through Silent Hill 2, and loving it. I can only play in 30-45 minute increments, but I know I'm going to feel really good about myself once the credits roll. I think part of the reason it's so freaky is because most of the time absolutely nothing happens. You're left waiting for what feels like hours for another enemy to appear, until the tension becomes a sort of physical ache. I felt the same way watching the first Resident Evil movie. Super-scary until the zombies actually appeared, then I just had to laugh at the silly people lurching about.
That's the trick, I guess. Play/watch until it makes you laugh.
http://360.yahoo.com/icecreamsuit
Until recently I too was a (an?) SHP. There was just something about the idea of the genre that attracted me. However, apart from a few abortive forays (such as making it 45 minutes into one of the earlier RE games), I was never able get myself to play. Even watching scary movies, I'd have to turn them off every few minutes to allow myself to breathe. A few years back, I went to see my first and only horror movie in theatre (The Ring) with some people from my dorm, and when we walked out my roommate had bruises on his arm shaped like my hands, from me gripping him so hard. What finally did it for me was playing Killer 7. The first time I heard that maniacal cackle and saw a Heaven Smile running at me I nearly peed myself. I forced myself to keep playing, and after a while the laugh got annoying instead of frightening, and that took away a lot of the fear.
Right now I'm working my way through Silent Hill 2, and loving it. I can only play in 30-45 minute increments, but I know I'm going to feel really good about myself once the credits roll. I think part of the reason it's so freaky is because most of the time absolutely nothing happens. You're left waiting for what feels like hours for another enemy to appear, until the tension becomes a sort of physical ache. I felt the same way watching the first Resident Evil movie. Super-scary until the zombies actually appeared, then I just had to laugh at the silly people lurching about.
That's the trick, I guess. Play/watch until it makes you laugh.
Original Comment by: Stephen Rutherford
The link between player and avatar can work in different ways. When I was playing through the infamous Cradle level in Thief: Deadly Shadows I crept through it slowly, jumping at the smallest sounds and dragging my heels because I was scared to go forward and expose myself to danger. I felt like I personally was in danger in the way the article describes. Playing through Silent Hill 3 was a very different experience. I started out very cautiously, but grew more confident as I progressed. At some point I realized that my fear was counterproductive, and from there on I started actively hunting down monsters rather than holding back or running from them. I wasn't going to die, damn it. In TS the connection between player and avatar deepened my sense of dread, while in SH3 it felt empowering.
The link between player and avatar can work in different ways. When I was playing through the infamous Cradle level in Thief: Deadly Shadows I crept through it slowly, jumping at the smallest sounds and dragging my heels because I was scared to go forward and expose myself to danger. I felt like I personally was in danger in the way the article describes. Playing through Silent Hill 3 was a very different experience. I started out very cautiously, but grew more confident as I progressed. At some point I realized that my fear was counterproductive, and from there on I started actively hunting down monsters rather than holding back or running from them. I wasn't going to die, damn it. In T
S the connection between player and avatar deepened my sense of dread, while in SH3 it felt empowering.
Original Comment by: Tom Rhodes (Escapist Contributor)
Wow, I'm gone for a few days, and look at these fresh comments!
Meophist:
Suggestion: Resident Evil 4
Tod:
Good for you, Tod! And, trust me, knowing there are SHPs out there like myself is an equally good feeling. ;-)
David:
Most of the best horror is in what you don't see. The Silent Hill series, especially, works on this very well. Music is used so sparingly, instead replaced by the ambient sounds of the place you're in. The noises all around you, the sound of something sliding across the floor in the dark, and that ever-present tension that builds and builds when you start to hear that static filtering over your radio...
*shudder*
Stephen:
Different games have far different feelings based upon character-avatar connections, something I've found fascinating to explore. SH3 was definitely an empowering experience, whereas SH2 was diminishing and centered around the weaknesses and fears of the main character (or, so I've heard, anyway...).
Thanks for all these great comments!
Wow, I'm gone for a few days, and look at these fresh comments!
Meophist:
Suggestion: Resident Evil 4
Tod:
Good for you, Tod! And, trust me, knowing there are SHPs out there like myself is an equally good feeling. ;-)
David:
Most of the best horror is in what you don't see. The Silent Hill series, especially, works on this very well. Music is used so sparingly, instead replaced by the ambient sounds of the place you're in. The noises all around you, the sound of something sliding across the floor in the dark, and that ever-present tension that builds and builds when you start to hear that static filtering over your radio...
*shudder*
Stephen:
Different games have far different feelings based upon character-avatar connections, something I've found fascinating to explore. SH3 was definitely an empowering experience, whereas SH2 was diminishing and centered around the weaknesses and fears of the main character (or, so I've heard, anyway...).
Thanks for all these great comments!