For this Halloween season, we here at Netto’s Game Room have been reflecting back on horror games from our past.
There have been so many great titles over the years, and each one of us has had different experiences with them. While some of us love horror, and aren't actually phased by it, others can't handle it and avoid the genre all together. So today I thought it would be fun to ask each writer what their personal favorite horror game is, and see what they had to say.
While not everyone was willing participate (again, horror isn't for everyone), I did get a couple of interesting answers from Jeremy and Jonsku.
Jeremy: Dead Space
I’d have to say my favorite horror game is Dead Space. I think this game is a masterclass in environmental storytelling and makes you feel like you’re in way over your head, in regards to Isaac’s capabilities relative to his mission. He’s just an engineer sent to fix a ship and stumbles across an absolutely terrifying scenario, straight out of someone’s worst nightmare. The USG Ishimura is a wonderfully designed, claustrophobic setting that feels like it's straight out of Event Horizon. Utilizing Isaac’s less than ideal mental state grounds him and makes him relatable, despite his very science-fiction themed scenario. I really think Dead Space is a special game and deserves its laurels.
Jonsku: Mad Father
In my case I do enjoy the small Japanese indie title simply named Mad Father. You play as the 11 year old girl named Aya Drevis who is stuck at her family’s residence trying to figure out what kind of horrors is going on in her home. There are puzzles, multiple endings and fairly horrifyingly gruesome deaths + endings. If you want a game that really crawls under your skin both story and tone I can’t recommend this experience higher (probably should write a review on it huh).
Ben: Bioshock Infinite
This is a really hard one for me, because I have entries I am nostalgic for, but others I would consider my all time favorites. Resident Evil 2 instantly comes to mind as it was my first horror game, but I also really love the 2019 remake. To me, both versions of the game are “perfect” horror survival experiences, and I’d recommend them to anyone curious about the genre.
However, my favorite game is a little different.
Bioshock Infinite may not be a full on “horror game,” but it is one I really, REALLY, enjoy. I love the characters, the setting, and the story, and I love that it didn’t fully lose the disturbing content provided by the first two entries in the series. Columbia is a bright cheerful place on the surface, but it doesn’t take long for you to descend into madness, and uncover the truth. The opening moments of the game are extremely well crafted, and the moment the gloves come off, it is a non stop roller-coaster ride to the finish.
Booker’s adventure across the strange city, while escorting Elizabeth, is a journey I’ll never forget, and that ending will forever be seared into my mind. Heck, the moment Booker first gets launched into the sky was when I realized I was in for something special, and I couldn't wait to see where this adventure would take me. And then meeting Elizabeth? Perfect. The beach scene where she's dancing free is one of my favorite parts of the game, and I love how it shows off her free spirit and innocent side. Knowing the game is a part of the Bioshock series makes it obvious that this wont last, but it's little moments like these that really made me love the world. Shortly after this scene Booker gets into a fight in front of her, which opens her eyes to the harsh reality of Columbia, and everything snowballs from there. She learns to accept Booker for who he is, and the two rely on each other for survival. A mutual bond is formed between them, and I never wanted to see it end.
Surprisingly this is a game I actually avoided playing until its HD remaster in 2016, and I still regret my decision of not playing it sooner. While it isn’t scary in the typical sense, it is still a dark and messed up world, and there are a handful of moments that might make you jump the first time around. The Handyman is pretty disturbing as well, with some other themes and ideas from the original Bioshock appearing later in the story. Overall it’s a great “horror” game for those who typically can’t get into them, and it is a fun experience from start to finish. I’m still hoping that one day we receive a VR version of it as I’d LOVE to be “in” this world, but sadly it still hasn’t happened yet. On another note, Will the Circle be Unbroken is one of my all time favorite gospel songs, and I loved the short video of Troy Baker and Courtnee Draper singing it at the end of the game.
And there you have it! The official favorites of Netto’s Game Room! Have you played any of these? Let us know in the comments below.
Happy Spooky Season everyone!
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