Horror Games Break All the Rules
by Heather Sommer

I love being scared (there’s something about the adrenaline rush and prospective opportunity to kick some ghoulies’ behinds or divine my way out of a series of mishaps – even if this is just my imagination). Most of us do, to some degree, or the horror industry wouldn’t thrive as it does. Stephen King would be hungry and homeless, Jennifer Love Hewitt would be working for her cash by exploiting something she was actually good at (oops! – was that outloud?) and, most importantly, small children wouldn’t be as utterly frightening as they are now. (Thank you, Industry, for my secret, irrational wariness of all that was innocent and is now potentially soulless and pure evil.)

But we all like being scared. (Thank you, Industry.) The debate isn’t are/why are J-horror flicks so much scarier than anything in the American horror genre or the Americanized re-makes of the aforementioned J-horror titles – that’s easily enough answered (yes, they are), not to mention a complete matter of opinion and potential subject for a killer thesis (less or very strategically placed gore, culturally involved plots and the ever-looming fear of daylight and the number 4 that the made-for-TV Ju-On series can instill in even the most seasoned horror fan). America and Japan are culturally very different (stating the obvious) and that’s why Freddy and Jason and Chucky are cultural icons, pea soup and corn syrup are classic special effects and we can’t wait for a sequel. We expect all this – the faces, the gratuitous gore, the thin plotlines – and, yet, when something comes along that bends a rule and still manages to scare us (whether it be imported or a remake), we are truly terrified and awestruck.

Then it becomes a rule, even if abridged. When enjoying a foreign film, keep in mind that the unspoken rules for making a mainstream film in that country are different than Hollywood’s. Also keep in mind when viewing the American-made version that the original is hardly kept intact – we have rules to follow, after all. And the words ‘four’ and ‘death’ are nowhere near alike.

Rules. Video game creators theoretically have plenty to follow and challenge – make it action packed, be gratuitous with the fan service and gore, give the lead to a guy and make his partner (sidekick, lover) gorgeous. Then a new video game genre emerged – perhaps by someone accidentally breaking all the rules or missing the memo – and rules were basically thrown out altogether: horror games.

There is something either magnificent or pathetic to be said about a video game’s ability to keep us awake at night, staring at the ceiling, too afraid to peek under the bed. (I’m leaning towards magnificent.) It’s interactivity. It’s (probably) a very long and technical psychological explanation involving projecting one’s identity onto the endangered character as a way to live for a sequence as an empowered individual because deciding his or her actions via a controller allows you to live vicariously through him or her. Or something. (I’m not a psychologist – I just play one on T.V.?)

It’s interactivity. It’s being that character for a short while and either surviving intact or succumbing to madness. Talented screenwriters must do the same when weaving a tale of terror – and perhaps if we were all talented screenwriters we could find the same terror in all films. But we’re not and the easiest way to get the same rush (short of going ghost hunting or bungee jumping with acrophobia) is to play the game. Be the character.

Games do rely heavily on attractive characters, stunning graphics and CG effects and innovative (and varied) weaponry – but to make someone truly afraid is to touch on emotions and play the heartstrings. Make us want to protect a character – better yet, make us become the character. Make the plot something new while incorporating the classics. Make sure there’s no right choice and that madness is not just a threat but a constant struggle. Use perspective. The scenery can be dark, but make us afraid of daylight, too.

That way we’re never safe.

I think i will have to agree with this editorial, (even if i didn't understand all the tech terms!) scary happenings just have to BE scary, and they make the game more interesting.
being on alert all the time. and if you don't BECOME the character it isn't the same. when I play i always refer to the hero as me, I, or myself (you get the picture) even if it is of the opposite sex. it's just me! i just hope i don't give away my secret identity to anyone!

Problem is, how many japanese horror games do you see nowadays?
If a game could be made that could surpass even the movies, which is possible.... Now THAT would kick ass.

A large difference between American and Japanese movies is the way they scare. American movies tend to rely on jumpscares, having the unexpected pop up here and there. It's sad that it at most times become way too obvious.
Japanese movies, on the other hand, rely more on the mood. Building it up, and can even wait with the real horror to build up the mood. Watch a movie named Dark Water, and see if you understand.

I haven't seen too many of those japanese horror movies, but more then most people would think. So feel free to point out faults in my speculation.

Psh, the japs know nothing of horror. Not once have I seen a film by them that doesn't make me laugh because of the way they act, or cringe due to the horrible attempts at horror. When the japs can come up with something like Hellraiser, then we'll talk.

Er... Anyway... I think I missed the point of this topic.

Loomis - right on! Sounds good to me.

TED - I know, I know. And this one didn't even have a feminist air! Eep! But about horror games, how do you feel? Like 'em, hate 'em, don't care about 'em?

Later alligators! Feelin' a little carnivorous?

Psh, if the japs know nothing, most americans know even less. Of course, among others your aforementioned movie, there are exceptions. And then there are the ones that just become like all the others. Some better, some worse, and some just.... don't become anything.

Still, some people get scared of different things.

Myself, I find the mood-building horror movies to surpass alot of the usual ones we see all around. You should watch more, TED. Seems to me that you haven't watched much.... or have you?

Although, I can confess, there is, just like from the US, lots of totally crappy horror movies from Japan. No country can avoid that.

I fear, though, that American horror film fans from Japan feel that Japanese horror films are all the same - as some of us are sick of the films that come out of our country. Surely there is a Japanese equivalent to Hollywood? Some production standards must exist (whether acknowledged as such or not) and some of the more fringe ideas might be shot down b/c they are too risky - or they are delegated to small time and indie companies, as they tend to be here.

Worthy of a research paper!

Of course there is an equivalent, and most likely a lot of japanese horror film fans are sick of it, but I feel that there also lies the ideas. It could be the same here, the real analysts of the movies get the ideas after being influenced so much by their favorite genre.
The smaller ideas, DO get delegated to small time companies, like you said, but if good, it doesnt matter, really. The word spreads a bit faster there, I'd say.

Just look at Ringu. The original The Ring movie. The guy started off small, but still had a huge success. Ringu might not be as scary as you think, but that man... is a genius, when it comes to some other movies he made.

Well, enough about him. Back to topic, heh.

Yup.

I can't say anything about Horror movies, because i would probably be dead right now, i get scared pretty easily. but scary games, well i guess i haven't actually PLAYED a horror game but some of the games i have played, they can maybe be counted as scary, well at least i thought so. Are horror games really good? or do you just like them b/c they are, well, horrid?

I definitly agree completely with this. I happen to love these horror games, but im not really a fan of horror movies. I guess thats cause games like silent hill (2 was my favorite) are writen by japanese writers. I watched Texas Chainsaw Masacre last night. Sure, im a chicken, so i was scared while i was watching the movie, but now, about 12hrs later, im uneffected. When i was really into Silent hill 2, i would play for 20 mins, and those 20mins would be in my mind all week. I'd be peaking around doors, i had the lights on full blast everywhere i went. It was a pathetic sight. But, that just goes to show you how japanese horror is supirior.

i tend to disagree with you here TED. I watched 'The Ring' and though, hey that's a great movie.
Then saw the japanese version of it, the original. MUCH better, more scary and just overall better done.
As for games, i'm not too sure, cus i haven't played too many, is Forbidden Siren a japanese horror game? (on PS2)

I saw The Ring first. Then the japanese one.

Might I add, the american one was better. But mainly for the fact that it used the material from both Ringu 1 and 2. Combined.
Still, the japanese version was great. Had alot of things you'll still never see in american movies.


And if you want a good horror game cheap, get Clive Barkers Undying. Clive Barker is, in my opinion, one of the ultimate writers existing. Get this game, NOW.

Before I do. =)