Some Survival Horror tips.

[WINDOWCLEAN2]

Play the flood sections of Halo 1,2 and 3 at 2Am whilst VERY drunk.


Its fun & shitting scary.

 

[Zetsubou-Sama]

Play Condemned and Fatl Frame 2 (or 3)

Not very water related though

 

[TheGreatCoolEnergy]

If you can kill it with a punch to the face, then do it. Save the bullets for the big ones.

 

[tehweave]

I for one think that the Resident Evil games for gamecube (zero and the remake of the original) were pretty dark, gritty, and fun to play over and over again.

If you want really really old-school survival horror try either the Alone in the Dark series, or Alone in the Dark 4: The New Nightmare. I like both (although I'm probably the only one)

I keep hearing about that series, but I get mixed answers wherever I mention it. Some say it's awesome, some say it's horrendous. They also give different answers on where to start and which ones to play, so I've just been ignoring it. (<- Referring to Alone in the Dark)

I'll make a suggestion then.
Play Alone in the Dark. You can get the original trilogy on a 3-Disk CD on ebay or amazon. The graphics are terrible, but the game IMHO is really fun. I played it when I was 6 on a computer running windows 3.1 and it kicked ass. Since then I've played it a few times and still had fun.

 

[Xeros]

Also the upcoming Hydrophobia might interest you.

My hopes are soaring in the sky for this game right now. Thanks for the info.

 

[Xeros]

I for one think that the Resident Evil games for gamecube (zero and the remake of the original) were pretty dark, gritty, and fun to play over and over again.

If you want really really old-school survival horror try either the Alone in the Dark series, or Alone in the Dark 4: The New Nightmare. I like both (although I'm probably the only one)

I keep hearing about that series, but I get mixed answers wherever I mention it. Some say it's awesome, some say it's horrendous. They also give different answers on where to start and which ones to play, so I've just been ignoring it. (<- Referring to Alone in the Dark)

I'll make a suggestion then.
Play Alone in the Dark. You can get the original trilogy on a 3-Disk CD on ebay or amazon. The graphics are terrible, but the game IMHO is really fun. I played it when I was 6 on a computer running windows 3.1 and it kicked ass. Since then I've played it a few times and still had fun.

Yeah, I couldn't care less about graphics as long as the game is fun. My favorite game of all time (Syphon Filter) looks awful by today's standards, but that game still holds my place for "Most perfect game ever made".

 

[Lolth17]

Haunting Ground. It's scary (its gameplay is Clocktower-ish), and you get a dog.

In other words, it's pure win.

EDIT: Also, I noted Silent Hill 3 and 4 aren't on your list. They're both good. SH4: The Room is probably the freakiest in the series (as well as the most frustrating gameplay, but if you're willing to play the PS1 resident evils, then it shouldn't bother you too much).

 

[The Hairminator]

Nice list, and I think it sums it up pretty good. You might want to try bioshock. Although not a real horror game, it is under water.

 

[thahat]

bring a chainsword with a backup powers source driven by fear and hope you can be more choppy then the zombies want to nom you?

 

[Vorlayn]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Clive Barker's Undying. Great atmosphere. Okay, it's almost 10 years old, but still...

 

[Xeros]

Haunting Ground. It's scary (its gameplay is Clocktower-ish), and you get a dog.

In other words, it's pure win.

EDIT: Also, I noted Silent Hill 3 and 4 aren't on your list. They're both good. SH4: The Room is probably the freakiest in the series (as well as the most frustrating gameplay, but if you're willing to play the PS1 resident evils, then it shouldn't bother you too much).

If I find 3, and 4 cheap I'll pick 'em up, but 1, and 2 are my primary focus for the series right now.

Don't get clocktower2 or 3 they both suck ass and aren't scary. Download the original clocktower though (the one for snes or whatever that came before the PS clocktower). Also get Fatal Frame 3 if you can. Oh and Resident Evil: Code Veronica X. Most people think it's the worst RE game but it's my favorite. Also get RE0 which while it is my least favorite RE, it's still not a bad game I guess. Also get Alone in the Dark 2. It's not survival or horror in the least but any game that lets you kick pirate zombies in the face while wearing a santa suit is worth getting.

Yeah, I was iffy on CT 2, and 3, but I kept them on the list in case someone wanted to comment on them. They're also on my list of "pcik them up if they're cheap". I'll add Fatal Frame 3 to the list. And a lot of people have been suggesting I also get RE:CVX, and RE:0, so I guess I'll add those to the list as well.

 

[Xeros]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Clive Barker's Undying. Great atmosphere. Okay, it's almost 10 years old, but still...

It completely slipped my mind. Get this one too if you can OP, it's excellent. Decent story and visuals despite its age and it has some neat mechanics.

Eh, doesn't really look very interesting to me, but I'll give it a look if I come across it.

 

[esperandote]

Parasite Eve 1 y 2 (scarier than PSX resident evils)
Alone in the dark 4: The new nightmare (PSX)
Galerians maybe.

The nightmare levels in Max Payne are pretty unnerving too.

 

[TheRocketeer]

My advice, buddy? Take the Resident Evils off the list as fast as you can. They were overrated in their day and they've aged like milk.

Resident Evil is mainly responsible for the creation of many of the genre's worst staple mechanics, and set the bar as low as it could have been set for things like story, characters, controls, and camera. The voice acting alone is so face-meltingly awful you'll likely laugh yourself out of your chair, and all the series' 'scares' amount to are a few cheap shock thrills that lose all their punch after the first three or four times. They not only fail to establish any sort of atmosphere or immersion (aka, the basis of all real horror), but are built from the ground up to actively impede and prevent them from ever occurring.

The trends set by the series were inexplicably gobbled up by fans of the nascent genre, and seemed to please existing fans well enough, but ultimately these games and the insular devotion to them and their principles are ultimately what made Horror a niche genre, which it remains today despite the valiant efforts of a few brave game makers.

If, against all sound advice, you decide to indulge yourself in a Resident Evil title, I beg you, for your sanity, sir, stay the hell away from the bubbling crock pot of failure that is Code Veronica. The good news is that if you do play one of them, you will have no need whatsoever to play any of the other pre-4 entries, because they all rip one another off to an extent that would make the Hero of Time blush.

Be also well aware that the Clock Tower games are valiant efforts, but are ultimately strong concepts much obscured by shoddy implementation. Feel free to give them a go, but consider this a forewarning.

But there is good news! I don't see Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem on that list, and it will more than fill the space you'll make by clearing all that hackneyed, juvenile detritus away. I guarantee that you will either never regret playing it or regret ever being alive, based on whether or not it successfully cracks your mind open like a strawberry truffle.

 

[Xeros]

My advice, buddy? Take the Resident Evils off the list as fast as you can. They were overrated in their day and they've aged like milk.

Resident Evil is mainly responsible for the creation of many of the genre's worst staple mechanics, and set the bar as low as it could have been set for things like story, characters, controls, and camera. The voice acting alone is so face-meltingly awful you'll likely laugh yourself out of your chair, and all the series' 'scares' amount to are a few cheap shock thrills that lose all their punch after the first three or four times. They not only fail to establish any sort of atmosphere or immersion (aka, the basis of all real horror), but are built from the ground up to actively impede and prevent them from ever occurring.

The trends set by the series were inexplicably gobbled up by fans of the nascent genre, and seemed to please existing fans well enough, but ultimately these games and the insular devotion to them and their principles are ultimately what made Horror a niche genre, which it remains today despite the valiant efforts of a few brave game makers.

If, against all sound advice, you decide to indulge yourself in a Resident Evil title, I beg you, for your sanity, sir, stay the hell away from the bubbling crock pot of failure that is Code Veronica. The good news is that if you do play one of them, you will have no need whatsoever to play any of the other pre-4 entries, because they all rip one another off to an extent that would make the Hero of Time blush.

Be also well aware that the Clock Tower games are valiant efforts, but are ultimately strong concepts much obscured by shoddy implementation. Feel free to give them a go, but consider this a forewarning.

But there is good news! I don't see Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem on that list, and it will more than fill the space you'll make by clearing all that hackneyed, juvenile detritus away. I guarantee that you will either never regret playing it or regret ever being alive, based on whether or not it successfully cracks your mind open like a strawberry truffle.

Don't worry about that, I only seriously plan on getting Resident Evil's 1, and 2. The others are going on the "Pick up if found very cheap list" with a few other games like the second and third Clocktowers. I'll be editing that list after this comment.

Also, the reason you don't see Eternal Darkness on that list, is because I stated that I already played it in the beginning of the OP.

 

[xvbones]

Call of Cthulhu loses nearly all its fun and charm the second it gives you a gun and turns into just another fucking FPS.

 

[Xeros]

Call of Cthulhu loses nearly all its fun and charm the second it gives you a gun and turns into just another fucking FPS.

Reminds me of Area 51. Marketed as a survival horror, it gives you one jump scare, and moves on to generic FPS exhibit B. It still sounds interesting though, so I kept it on the list.

 

[xvbones]

Call of Cthulhu loses nearly all its fun and charm the second it gives you a gun and turns into just another fucking FPS.

Reminds me of Area 51. Marketed as a survival horror, it gives you one jump scare, and moves on to generic FPS exhibit B. It still sounds interesting though, so I kept it on the list.

Area 51 was never marketed as survival horror, that game was never anything but flat-out FPS. Substandard, horribly bad FPS, mind you, with hilariously bad VO from David Duchovny (who appears to be reading his lines in his sleep) and Marylin Manson as The Worst Highly Paid Voice Over Ever. Maybe 'Action Horror'. Moot point, everybody who played it called it "bucket of shite".

CoC at least started very strong. Running from the Innsmouth denizens, trying to stay alive and having no real means to defend yourself was gripping fun.

Then they give you a pistol and it's like oh.

Okay.

 

[Xeros]

Call of Cthulhu loses nearly all its fun and charm the second it gives you a gun and turns into just another fucking FPS.

Reminds me of Area 51. Marketed as a survival horror, it gives you one jump scare, and moves on to generic FPS exhibit B. It still sounds interesting though, so I kept it on the list.

Area 51 was never marketed as survival horror, that game was never anything but flat-out FPS. Substandard, horribly bad FPS, mind you, with hilariously bad VO from David Duchovny (who appears to be reading his lines in his sleep) and Marylin Manson as The Worst Highly Paid Voice Over Ever. Maybe 'Action Horror'. Moot point, everybody who played it called it "bucket of shite".

CoC at least started very strong. Running from the Innsmouth denizens, trying to stay alive and having no real means to defend yourself was gripping fun.

Then they give you a pistol and it's like oh.

Okay.

I remember something saying it was a First-person shooter/survival horror. Meh, still, it was as horrible as you described, especially the voice acting, and 'demon form'... thing that shot jellyfish out of his hands.

 

[xvbones]

Call of Cthulhu loses nearly all its fun and charm the second it gives you a gun and turns into just another fucking FPS.

Reminds me of Area 51. Marketed as a survival horror, it gives you one jump scare, and moves on to generic FPS exhibit B. It still sounds interesting though, so I kept it on the list.

Area 51 was never marketed as survival horror, that game was never anything but flat-out FPS. Substandard, horribly bad FPS, mind you, with hilariously bad VO from David Duchovny (who appears to be reading his lines in his sleep) and Marylin Manson as The Worst Highly Paid Voice Over Ever. Maybe 'Action Horror'. Moot point, everybody who played it called it "bucket of shite".

CoC at least started very strong. Running from the Innsmouth denizens, trying to stay alive and having no real means to defend yourself was gripping fun.

Then they give you a pistol and it's like oh.

Okay.

I remember something saying it was a First-person shooter/survival horror. Meh, still, it was as horrible as you described, especially the voice acting, and 'demon form'... thing that shot jellyfish out of his hands.

You know, you could be right and I could be completely wrong, it could easily have been marketed as a Surv Horror Action FPS, it is entirely possible.

If such is the case, i'm pretty sure I've just thrust it out of my mind as a hilarious bucket of lies because holy crap, the only thing scary about that game was the VO.


(jellyfish demon was ... interesting at least)