I am a lover of horror, especially in games. Nothing is more engaging in a video game than a sense of fear and suspense, something in the game almost physically reaching out to grab hold of you and suck you into the world. Dead Space, System Shock 2, BioShock, F.E.A.R., Doom, Resident Evil: the list goes on and on. All games that I love.
I love all other games too, however. Stuff like Call of Duty and Sins of a Solar Empire, Gears of War and Fallout 3: you name it, and I've more than likely played it and loved it. And I can't help but wonder what my other favorite games would be like if they had horrific elements to them. I mean, I know that Gears of War has certain portions which are delivered with more suspense and verve than others, but it all boils down to you being a walking tank, being nigh-indestructible against all but the most deadly of enemies.
I think the prime example of something like this is American McGee's Alice; a children's tale (though admittedly already twisted) as told in a horrific way. It pushes the boundaries of what we would expect from such a story being told. I think it would definitely be something worth seeing elsewhere.
For instance, following the Gears of War theme, wouldn't it be incredible to play another Gears of War game from the perspective of one of the Stranded? No armor, no genetic super-strength, only what weapons you can salvage from the waste, while still having to face the same enemies? It would certainly up the risk factor of the entire game, and I think would make for a much more engaging experience. Not to mention that you could really play up the horror and suspense of the Locust, having to hide from them instead of fight them off, or how terrifying nightfall really would be with the Krill waiting to dive from the heavens to tear you apart if you aren't in by dark. It could be done really well, I think.
This sort of thing doesn't have to limit itself to horror, of course. Halo: ODST is taking the Halo franchise in a new direction, it seems, having you acting as a singular human soldier instead of a genetically-enhanced super soldier. There will have to be much more sneaking and there will be many more tense moments, I am sure. I expect it to be like playing a combination of Halo and Splinter Cell. Perhaps not to that degree, but a hybrid all the same.
So I pose this question to you all: Are there any games that you would like to see delivered differently? Any stories that you think could be told better if set in a different genre?
I love all other games too, however. Stuff like Call of Duty and Sins of a Solar Empire, Gears of War and Fallout 3: you name it, and I've more than likely played it and loved it. And I can't help but wonder what my other favorite games would be like if they had horrific elements to them. I mean, I know that Gears of War has certain portions which are delivered with more suspense and verve than others, but it all boils down to you being a walking tank, being nigh-indestructible against all but the most deadly of enemies.
I think the prime example of something like this is American McGee's Alice; a children's tale (though admittedly already twisted) as told in a horrific way. It pushes the boundaries of what we would expect from such a story being told. I think it would definitely be something worth seeing elsewhere.
For instance, following the Gears of War theme, wouldn't it be incredible to play another Gears of War game from the perspective of one of the Stranded? No armor, no genetic super-strength, only what weapons you can salvage from the waste, while still having to face the same enemies? It would certainly up the risk factor of the entire game, and I think would make for a much more engaging experience. Not to mention that you could really play up the horror and suspense of the Locust, having to hide from them instead of fight them off, or how terrifying nightfall really would be with the Krill waiting to dive from the heavens to tear you apart if you aren't in by dark. It could be done really well, I think.
This sort of thing doesn't have to limit itself to horror, of course. Halo: ODST is taking the Halo franchise in a new direction, it seems, having you acting as a singular human soldier instead of a genetically-enhanced super soldier. There will have to be much more sneaking and there will be many more tense moments, I am sure. I expect it to be like playing a combination of Halo and Splinter Cell. Perhaps not to that degree, but a hybrid all the same.
So I pose this question to you all: Are there any games that you would like to see delivered differently? Any stories that you think could be told better if set in a different genre?
