Sandbox Horror Games

[Quid Plura]

Do they exist? (Fallout is not horror imo) We've got all sorts of sandbox games nowadays; FPS, racing, GTA-clones, etc., but a horror sandbox is still missing. Why is that do you think? Does it have anything to do with storylines, or creating a specific ambience?

I for one would like a sandbox zombie-game, maybe something with vampires/werewolves, but it would certainly be creatable.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

Dead Rising in effect.

Though it didn't really scare anyone.

 

[King of the Sandbox]

Do they exist? (Fallout is not horror imo) We've got all sorts of sandbox games nowadays; FPS, racing, GTA-clones, etc., but a horror sandbox is still missing. Why is that do you think? Does it have anything to do with storylines, or creating a specific ambience?

I for one would like a sandbox zombie-game, maybe something with vampires/werewolves, but it would certainly be creatable.

It's a good premise, though I would contend that Fallout could fall under that specification, as you're trying to survive horrible mosters and conditions.

Heck, some vaults were downright eerie.

Also, go walk around bear/cougar country at night in RDR. First time I got jumped by a cougar, I nearly shit myself.

 

[scnj]

There's Dead Rising. It probably hasn't been done because it's hard to create pacing and atmosphere in a sandbox structure.

 

[sephiroth1991]

How about stalker, at night, with small tourch.

OT:I don't think horror translates all that well to other genres look at game like Resident Evil which went for a action approch and lost it's horror.

 

[WestMountain]

I don't think the sandbox formula works with horror games because in sandbox games you're often just supposed to go around and kill random pedestrians and play around, this doesn't really mix with a horror setting.

 

[Dexiro]

Why isn't Fallout a horror? I found it scary as hell at times.

 

[HSIAMetalKing]

The Point Lookout add-on for Fallout 3 proved to me that a Sandbox horror game would be an awesome idea. It had a really good atmosphere for a horror game, and it seemed to be going for a bit of a horror theme (although I didn't find it the least bit scary). Exploring haunted houses, stumbling into traps and extra-dimensional terrors lurking somewhere underground... or something... yeah, it could be awesome.

 

[J3llo]

i think horror and RPG sound like an awesome mix, like a 80s slasher rpg where you are the killer and you have to cover up your trails and plan your kills and create a image and get away from cops

 

[Gunner 51]

I think I can see what you mean OP. Something similar to Manhunt may work, especially in terms of the battle with Piggsy. Make the bad guys overpowered and mega tough and yet be killable.

Don't just make them a one hit kill because you catch them unaware, have them tough enough to survive several separate attacks. Between which, you have to run like a madman lest they catch you and turn you into borscht.

And if you hide in shadows, have them poke / fire into the shadows with a penalty of instant death if they catch you during this phase. That way, the player doesn't think "OK, I'm safe now." (Aliens Versus Predator touched upon this during the Alien campaign where two Marines would fire their flame-throwers into the vents.)

Horror relies on the fact that your life is permanently on a knife edge. Most horror games allow the player to get away with too much IMO.

 

[Madkipz]

Why isn't Fallout a horror? I found it scary as hell at times.

you have V.A.T.S, WHAT CAN POSSIBLY SCARE YOU IN FALLOUT 3? even the ravager dread beast with claws of torment comes at you in this gay movement speed.


I WANT GTA horror, a city in frikken panic with monsters that can oneshot your teen behind as you play this girlyboy that longs for his mommy. His weapons against total annihilation is helpless crying and victimless shakeing as this huge hell beast rips out his heart and takes his soul and its your job to get it back and save the city.

self made weapons like a bible bow, or wodden crosses to ward against ravenous spirits while you run for your life.

WIN.

 

[Dexiro]

Why isn't Fallout a horror? I found it scary as hell at times.

you have V.A.T.S, WHAT CAN POSSIBLY SCARE YOU IN FALLOUT 3? even the ravager dread beast with claws of torment comes at you in this gay movement speed.

That did ruin most of the scariness but a lot of places still had a really creepy atmosphere, and i came across a lot of jumpy bits where i was caught off guard ;D

 

[Madkipz]

Why isn't Fallout a horror? I found it scary as hell at times.

you have V.A.T.S, WHAT CAN POSSIBLY SCARE YOU IN FALLOUT 3? even the ravager dread beast with claws of torment comes at you in this gay movement speed.

That did ruin most of the scariness but a lot of places still had a really creepy atmosphere, and i came across a lot of jumpy bits where i was caught off guard ;D

Fear is scarier ;P you kinda expect Alma to pop out, and occasionally you are right on the money but when the lights are off wearing headset and your looting a place. SUDDENLY she pops out of some random location that makes absouletely no sense at all.

 

[jeejvebe]

Isn't Silent Hill sort of sandbox'y?

Don't kick me if I'm completely wrong...please?

 

[Rylot]

Deadly Premonition was pretty sand boxy but no zombies or anything running around the world. More of an open ended detective game for those parts.

 

[Protocol Droid]

As others have mentioned, doing a survival horror game in a sandbox kinda setting will definitely mess up the pacing and affect its scariness somewhat.

A horror themed sandbox game, on the other hand, doesn't sound too bad. Something along the lines of Vice City: Long Night, or Dead Rising.

Isn't Silent Hill sort of sandbox'y?

Don't kick me if I'm completely wrong...please?

In some games you could explore the town a bit to find Health Drinks and whatnot, but I'd hardly call the Silent Hill series sandbox-y

 

[Miumaru]

Isn't Silent Hill sort of sandbox'y?

Don't kick me if I'm completely wrong...please?

I dont think it is, but Silent Hill would be the most logical to make one. Trapped in town, got to find a way out and...GO. Maybe Resident Evil, but it would have to remove stand and shoot.

 

[Miumaru]

As others have mentioned, doing a survival horror game in a sandbox kinda setting will definitely mess up the pacing and affect its scariness somewhat.

A horror themed sandbox game, on the other hand, doesn't sound too bad. Something along the lines of Vice City: Long Night, or Dead Rising.

Isn't Silent Hill sort of sandbox'y?

Don't kick me if I'm completely wrong...please?

In some games you could explore the town a bit to find Health Drinks and whatnot, but I'd hardly call the Silent Hill series sandbox-y

Ruin the pacing? If done right, it would be even scarier than linear ones. Roaming free makes it harder to see it coming too.

 

[The Shade]

The best part about a sandbox horror game is that, while exploring, when you encounter some scary-ass shit, you have no one to blame but yourself.
In a linear game, you at least know this is "supposed" to be happening. When it's a sandbox exploration game, all you can do is curl into the fetal position and scream, "We didn't listen! WE DIDN'T LISTEN!"