Difference between revisions of "Survival-Horror"
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The gameplay in Survival Horror focuses on survival of the character and the overcoming of adverse situations in which the odds are stacked against the player. There are typically limitations on the character such as speed, strength, inventory capacity, and methods of defense. Due to these limitations, the player must often rely on evasion tactics and hiding to avoid death, because enemies tend to be too powerful and/or numerous for the player to confront them. Traditional Survival Horror games usually take place in a hostile and disturbing world in which the character is isolated from any allies; thus, the games tend to be single-player. In-game strategy often revolves around puzzle solving and item collection to continue through levels, while storylines often manifest themselves retroactively in the form of diary entries, audio recordings, etc. that the player pieces together throughout the game. | The gameplay in Survival Horror focuses on survival of the character and the overcoming of adverse situations in which the odds are stacked against the player. There are typically limitations on the character such as speed, strength, inventory capacity, and methods of defense. Due to these limitations, the player must often rely on evasion tactics and hiding to avoid death, because enemies tend to be too powerful and/or numerous for the player to confront them. Traditional Survival Horror games usually take place in a hostile and disturbing world in which the character is isolated from any allies; thus, the games tend to be single-player. In-game strategy often revolves around puzzle solving and item collection to continue through levels, while storylines often manifest themselves retroactively in the form of diary entries, audio recordings, etc. that the player pieces together throughout the game. | ||
| − | + | == Foundations in Other Media == | |
| − | + | The Survival Horror gaming genre draws storyline themes directly from traditional horror fiction. Many of these video games are inspired by the works of American author H.P. Lovecraft, whose stories eventually defined the literary genre. Lovecraft's affinity for investigative stories and "journeys into the depths" can be clearly seen in the subsequent game genre. Similarly themed horror fiction works by author Edogawa Rampo emphasized the Japanese style of horror and also inspired later games. Western horror fiction most often relies on action and gory horror, while the Japanese tradition prefers to emphasize more to psychological horror, but both themes are present in modern-day Survival Horror games. | |
| − | + | Horror film has equally important conventions that have transitioned to horror games. Most importantly, key elements of cinematics such as lighting, sound and camera are as characteristic of Survival Horror games as they are in horror film. Lighting in-game tends to be gloomy and dark, while the environments are typically claustrophobic and suffocating. Restricted or awkwardly incomplete camera angles also are common within the game and cutscenes. Sound, either in the form of background music, on-screen or off-screen sound, often builds suspense and provides warning cues to the player. All of these cinematic themes are designed to build suspense and maximize the possibility that enemies can lurk nearby, further highlighting the themes of vulnerability and horror. | |
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== History == | == History == | ||
Revision as of 09:32, 7 April 2014
Overview
Themes and Gameplay
The Survival Horror game genre is in many ways defined not by its mechanics, but rather by its emphasis on overarching thematics and tones. Several key elements of traditional Survival Horror games set them distinctly apart from games of other genres. Importantly, a central aspect in Survival Horror is the helplessness and vulnerability of the main character. By emphasizing the weakness of the character and the contrasting power of the enemy, the genre forces the player to adopt a more prey-like attitude than in most mainstream games. Through the character, horror elements are targeted at the player to cause effects similar to those in horror film: suspense, stress, and vulnerability, among others. [1]
The gameplay in Survival Horror focuses on survival of the character and the overcoming of adverse situations in which the odds are stacked against the player. There are typically limitations on the character such as speed, strength, inventory capacity, and methods of defense. Due to these limitations, the player must often rely on evasion tactics and hiding to avoid death, because enemies tend to be too powerful and/or numerous for the player to confront them. Traditional Survival Horror games usually take place in a hostile and disturbing world in which the character is isolated from any allies; thus, the games tend to be single-player. In-game strategy often revolves around puzzle solving and item collection to continue through levels, while storylines often manifest themselves retroactively in the form of diary entries, audio recordings, etc. that the player pieces together throughout the game.
Foundations in Other Media
The Survival Horror gaming genre draws storyline themes directly from traditional horror fiction. Many of these video games are inspired by the works of American author H.P. Lovecraft, whose stories eventually defined the literary genre. Lovecraft's affinity for investigative stories and "journeys into the depths" can be clearly seen in the subsequent game genre. Similarly themed horror fiction works by author Edogawa Rampo emphasized the Japanese style of horror and also inspired later games. Western horror fiction most often relies on action and gory horror, while the Japanese tradition prefers to emphasize more to psychological horror, but both themes are present in modern-day Survival Horror games.
Horror film has equally important conventions that have transitioned to horror games. Most importantly, key elements of cinematics such as lighting, sound and camera are as characteristic of Survival Horror games as they are in horror film. Lighting in-game tends to be gloomy and dark, while the environments are typically claustrophobic and suffocating. Restricted or awkwardly incomplete camera angles also are common within the game and cutscenes. Sound, either in the form of background music, on-screen or off-screen sound, often builds suspense and provides warning cues to the player. All of these cinematic themes are designed to build suspense and maximize the possibility that enemies can lurk nearby, further highlighting the themes of vulnerability and horror.
History
Haunted House (1982)
Series of games throughout 80s (Monster Bash arcade game, Castlevania 1986, War of the Dead 1987)
Sweet Home (NES 1989) directly inspired RE
Early 90s releases (Alone in the Dark 1992, Doctor Hauzer 1994, Clock Tower series began in 1995)
Resident Evil (1996) defined genre, started out as remake of Sweet Home, began "Golden Age" of survival horror
Overblood 1996, The Note 1997, Hellnight 1998, Resident Evil 2 1998
Silent Hill (Konami, 1999) incorporated Japanese horror film psychological themes, many call climax of golden age, many call scariest game ever
Early 2000s saw transition to Western action, visceral horror (The Thing 2002, Doom 3 2004, incorporate horror elements into shooters)
Resident Evil 4 (2005) marked departure from Japanese style and started Western shooter theme more prominently
Spinoff Genres
"Action horror" (Resident Evil 4, 2005)
Zombie Shooter
Departure from helplessness to militance
Science-fiction survival horror (Dead Space 2008)
Multiplayer co-op survival horror (Left 4 Dead 2008)
Indie Horror games (Penumbra series, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Slender: The Eight Pages) emphasize horrific setting rather than action or violence, genre continues to grow here
Horror comedy and open-world nonlinear model (Deadly Premonition)
Notable Examples
References
1. Fear 101: A Beginner's Guide to Survival Horror. IGN.com.
