Why do you play video games? It's a simple question you've likely been asked countless times before, and you've likely given the same expected responses to this line of questioning each time. "Because they're fun." "Because they help me unwind and relax after a hard day." "Escapism." "It's an art form." "They help me express myself."
Any and all of these answers are fine, but not all of them can apply the the horror genre of video games. With the passing of time horror games have grown more gruesome, more unsettling, more popular, and more....well, horrifying. Many gamers have fond memories of dismembering monsters in the horrific halls of the U.S.G. Ishimura in Dead Space, or lighting zombies on fire in the prolific mansion of Resident Evil. But it's debatable whether or not horror video games are "fun" in the traditional sense; Andy McNamera of Game Informer questioned as much when he played Alien: Isolation in this month's horror themed issue of Game Informer. I don't know about you, but the thought of being stalked by an unbeatable monster, or fleeing from foes hundreds of times stronger than myself isn't my idea of "fun." Yet me, and many others play and enjoy horror games regardless. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why this is the case?
I don't know about you, but when stalked by creatures like this, I wouldn't say I'm having "fun."
The primary reason is because horror games are a form of escapism even more pure than other game genres. You may take offense to calling gaming an escapist hobby, as you may view such a term to be derogatory or belittling to our hobby. Yet you can't deny when you hold a controller in your hands and explore a game world on your television, concerns regarding your job, schooling, and family melt away, and you become absorbed or enraptured by what's occurring on screen. Gaming is much more than an escapist hobby, but you can't deny that they do provide us a welcome reprieve from the stress of our day to day lives.
Horror games...well, oftentimes horror games give players more reasons to be stressed than before they started playing. They're escapist in a different way than your typical video game. Horror games don't suck players in and distract them from the tedium of their life on account of their expansive words, or endearing characters, or diverse gameplay. They suck you in because depending on whether you're playing a survival or action based horror title, they make you feel helpless or all-powerful respectively.
As the name of the subgenre implies, survival horror games are about a characters' struggle against impending death caused by an external force. They usually thrust players into the shoes of an unassuming and underpowered character who has limited or no means of fighting back from their assailants. Thus, running and hiding are common tactics that must become second nature for the player. Survival horror games mess with the players natural "fight or flight" instinct by forcing players to only choose the latter when confronted by enemies. As a result of this, players are often filled with dread from beginning to end of these games, and jump scares or unnerving sound effects are more terrifying than usual because there is little to nothing the player can use to defend themselves.
When confronted by monsters in a survival horror games, a player's first thought is, "how the hell do I get away?" and not, "where should I shoot this thing?"
The appeal of the survival horror genre is due to two factors; for starters, because enemies are so overpowered in these games, only the utmost focus is required of the players, as even the smallest errors are often cruelly punished by gruesome death scenes. Thus, players most be alert and attentive; there is no room for complacency in survival horror games. Players need not only keep an eye out for monsters or other foes, but listen for audio cues and be wary of their surroundings so they can always plan an escape. Because horror games require such heavy player involvement, the escapism they provide is much more effective than that of other game genres. You're not worried about the portfolio your boss demanded you have completed by the end of the week when you've got a towering xenomorph lurking five steps in front of you, and you've got mere seconds to find an escape route.
Action horror games a la Dead Space 3 and Resident Evil 4 are appealing for similar yet different reasons than survival horror titles. In action horror games, flight is often an option, but oftentimes you are either forced or encouraged to battle your gruesome foes. Action horror games avoid becoming shooters by making ammunition and other supplies limited (forcing players to make the most of their meager arsenal and make every decision count), thus placing more of an emphasis on strategy than your standard FPS. Every shot must count, you must find the time to aim properly even when overrun, and above all else, you can't give in no matter how bad the situation becomes. No one is coming to your aid.
On the one hand, the appeal of action horror games is similar to that of survival horror titles because they too require heavy player involvement. If you don't properly manage your supplies and choose to fight or run accordingly, it doesn't matter how strong your character is - you're still going to end up in a bodybag. Thus, action horror games are very escapist in nature as you have to forget the outside world for a little while and plan and act in order to avoid getting brutally killed. On the other hand, action horror games appeal in a way survival horror games don't because they give you the option to defend yourself. Hopelessness and destitution do not pervade action horror games, and it can be damn satisfying to line up headshots against starving zombies, or to team up with a pal to mow through waves of monsters. This limited feeling of empowerment is part of the appeal of action horror games as we can fight our fears and look cool while doing so - something we can't always do in real life.
Action horror games give you a means of fighting back, but the limited supplies and overwhelming odds force you to not do anything stupid, and add to the immersion.
Ultimately, it's debatable whether or not horror games of any flavor are truly "fun" but they do provide a level of escapism that no other video game genre can provide. Whether you're managing resources carefully while confronting your worst nightmare, or desperately fleeing from an opponent that can obliterate you in one hit, horror games manage to capture player's attention in a way few other forms of media can. Horror games may not make you smile or lift your spirits often, but the pure and unadulterated escapism they offer make them some of the finest games human hands have crafted.
Do you enjoy horror games? Do you also think escapism is the primary reason why we play them? Sound off in the comments below, and happy gaming!