Survival-Horror
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.
Key elements and themes include:
Character survival
Scaring player
Vulnerability
Limitation
Puzzle solving and item collection
Evasion
Isolation, single-player
Pieced-together storyline
More powerful and/or more numerous enemies
Hostile environment
Inspiration from Other Media
Horror fiction
Horror film
Dim lighting, claustrophobic, restricted camera angles and other film conventions designed to build suspense
Enemies lurking concealed from view
Off-screen sound and other warning cues (impending danger)
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.