You scream, I scream, We scream
You scream, I scream, We scream, whatever do I mean? No it is not a porn or sexual reference, even though I would likely get more readers if it were. So get your head out of the gutter and remember this is a gaming blog. What I am referring to here is of course horror games and how some have the ability to make you shit your pants, but still keep you playing.
I reckon you are familiar with titles like Resident Evil, Slender the eight pages, Dead Space, etc. just to mention a few of amazing and terrifying games! The creators of these have managed to produce something that not only captures your interest, but also provides you with a series of mini heart attacks that can only be questionable for your health. Yet, we keep playing them?
We deliberately throw ourselves into these heartbeat increasing scenarios, while voluntarily leaving behind the good times that could await us in animal crossing new horizon! If you listen to the scientists, then there are countless studies in the realm of fear science, which hint at an intriguing phenomenon: it seems to induce a sort of “natural high” in Players, akin to a virtual adrenaline rush. As our adrenaline spikes, our neurochemical cocktail includes a delightful mix of endorphins and dopamine, akin to power-ups in video games, amplifying our excitement with each brief scare.
However, I am not a Scientist, and to me the adrenaline is a very little part of why I love horror games. You see, I never play them alone, but I love playing them with others. To me, this genre has this amazing ability to be fun, when played with others, despite not having a co-op function! It is not a requirement for these games to throw a controller in the hands of both you and your friend, as they can scare both of you without any direct involvement.
That is where we are heading today, as I believe horror games are some of the best games at bringing us together and that games, still can achieve the nostalgia effect of your childhood, where friends came over “to play with you” without necessarily playing the game. Like the first time you played GTA, with a group of friends in the room, shouting who to shoot and what car to steal. This “presence effect” without being online or competing on a split-screen.
Now, I could use countless games to illustrate my point, but one of the best times I have had in my “grown up life” with a horror game, was when I Played Amnesia for the first time with a buddy. 6 straight hours of terror sweating, to the point where both of us could be dangerously dehydrated! I mean wow, that was the scariest bike ride home in the dark afterwards!
Where am i going with this?
With the statement of me being a childish grown up, I would like to investigate why Horror games are good at bringing us together, without having us “play together” (so many porn comments in this post, I apologize).
Amnesia The Dark Descent
Amnesia: The Dark Descent, crafted by Frictional Games, is a gripping survival horror adventure unleashed upon the gaming world in 2010 for Microsoft Windows. you embark on a chilling journey as protagonist Daniel, delving into the ominous depths of Brennenburg Castle, his sanity hanging by a thread as he evades lurking monsters and unsettling phenomena.
This spine-tingling experience garnered critical acclaim, clinching two awards at the Independent Games Festival and garnering heaps of positive reviews. Brace yourself for an intense ride filled with heart-stopping jumpscares, nerve-wracking encounters, and decisions that’ll have you questioning your very decision to power on your PC.
The Plot
In the eerie depths of Brennenburg Castle, players assume the role of Daniel, a man haunted by amnesia and pursued by an otherworldly entity known only as the “Shadow.” With only fragmented memories to guide him, Daniel navigates the foreboding halls of the castle, piecing together both its enigmatic secrets and his own forgotten past.
As players delve deeper into the chilling narrative, they uncover a meticulously crafted tale of suspense and intrigue, revealed through haunting notes, diaries, and unsettling flashbacks. Each revelation adds layers to the gripping storyline, immersing players in a world where every shadow hides a dark truth.
With its expertly crafted narrative and atmospheric setting, “Amnesia: The Dark Descent” delivers a truly immersive experience that will keep players on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
How Is This Relevant?
So in the spirit of honesty – I have only played this game once, and you will most likely never see me play it again. Not because it was bad, I hope to have already made that clear, but partly because the game itself is so intense that i cannot do it again and partly since i cannot “relive the story for the first time again”. A big part of this game’s greatness is the plot and it is what keeps you pushing forward and through the horror.
However, I am using this game as an example, since it brought me and my friend together at a different level than what a “cup of coffee” or “beer” could have. We fired it up as a “why not, we got nothing better to do” feeling, but ended up consumed by it and talked about the plot for days! We were scared shitless going to bed that night, but it was worth it, because we had crazy fun!
Doing rock, paper, scissors, on who would be controlling the protagonist, because both of us were afraid to do so! screaming together, solving puzzles together, youtubing solutions together, it is all something i could recommend to do in the near future!
Gameplay
The game offers a gripping first-person adventure, blending survival horror elements seamlessly. As Daniel, players navigate Castle Brennenburg, solving puzzles and avoiding dangers with physics-based interactions reminiscent of the Penumbra series.
Survival isn’t just physical—it’s a battle for Daniel’s sanity. Darkness, unsettling events, and encounters with monsters chip away at his mental stability, leading to hallucinations and heightened vulnerability.
With no means to fight back, players must rely on stealth and cunning to evade monsters. Each encounter is a deadly gamble, making every decision critical in this chilling descent into madness. I still believe that the reason why this game took me so long, is the amount of time i spent hiding in closets and tight spaces, to avoid the potential monsters.
Debate Of The Day
Now that we know that we are utterly defenseless in Amnesia, no matter how many friends you have in the room, I would say it is time to engage in our little discussion. Are horror games good at bringing us together or should we simply stay at home, online, in our sweatpants, joining the first and best server we can find? I am not saying that either is less fun than the other, but I will always prefer the living room experience!
Jak II brings me fond memories of my “younger years”, where me and my buddies would meet up after school to complete the storyline, back then playing online was literally not a big thing on playstation yet, so if you wanted to play together, you would have to physically be together. Today that is kind of phased away with online servers and streaming, which to my opinion is kind of sad.
But so be it, times change – there are of course also many benefits to this, and i wont chart this down as a bad thing. Luckily, we have horror games, that at times are a bit too scary to play alone and therefore gives us a great excuse for inviting friends over to be fellow victims of the nightmares about to unfold.
Maybe this is just me, but I do not need this from any other game generator – which is weird- This is something we can freely do with all games, so what stops us from doing so anymore? It was not a problem when we were kids. Again do not get confused, I am fully aware that we still do it with co-ops like Fifa or Crash team racing, but I do not see it that much more in single player games.
I believe there are several reasons for this, but I would love to be corrected if I am wrong or acknowledge if you can relate. So why don’t we just jump into it?
Shared Thrills and Chills
There are many reasons why I find it better to play scary digital journeys with others! My top one might be imaginary, but I find that paying with others can amplify the intensity of the experience. Shared jumpscares, tense moments, and adrenaline-fueled escapes can really fuel material for lasting memories!
With Amnesia I found it to strengthen the bond between me and my buddy – might sound fluffy, but it is legit the best way to describe it for me. The collective experience of facing terrifying challenges together fostered this camaraderie and shared excitement, which just have not occurred in many of our other shared activities.
We still talk about the moment, where the monster hunted us through hallways, and our best effort to escape was to lock ourselves in a closet, turning the Gaze to look at the back closet wall, so that if we got killed, we at least would not see it. Was it still scary? f@’k yes, but after the first pee stain had dried, we laughed so hard that we created another one.
Games like Overcooked 2 do bring similar joy to the table, but it rarely leaves a lasting experience. I mean, sure it is hella fun, but I cannot distinguish the one sushi making moment from the other.
Collaborative Problem Solving
If thrills and chills does not do it for you, fair, but then take it from this angle! Many horror games incorporate puzzles and challenges that require teamwork and collaboration to overcome. Working together to decipher cryptic clues, navigate eerie environments, and strategize against common foes promotes communication and cooperation. This is pretty hard to do in a single player, without a buddy nearby?
Meaning the game basically “recommends” you to pick up the phone and ring a friend! This collaborative problem-solving aspect, is to me enhancing social interactions and edges us to pool our skills and insights, in order to progress in the game, without the shadow clawing the shit out of us.
Nah? Solving puzzles with your friends does not sound half bad does it? It is the more stressful equivalent to an Escape room, with the only downside being that you will have to fight for the right to house the other, as nobody wants to take the dark ride home at night, after 8 hours of being hunted.
Mutual Support and Comfort
As per usual, I of course come prepared with a third argument in hand! It has been said that facing fear-inducing scenarios can be daunting, but having companions by your side can provide a sense of security and comfort (so far, sounds reasonable, worst case you have some to sacrifice while you run).
In the case of Amnesia, a friend can offer emotional support, encouragement, and reassurance during tense moments – as when your flashlight runs out of batteri. Allegedly, this mutual support system not only helps alleviate individual anxiety but also fosters a sense of solidarity and unity among your peers, making the overall experience more enjoyable and memorable.
Okay maybe enjoyable is still a stretch, I mean the game is still tremendously horrifying, but at least someone is there to laugh at you when you scream like a little girl! and you are offered the same opportunity when it is their turn, which helps a little on the whole ordeal.
At the end of the day, even a little bit of support is appreciated when playing Amnesia. actually any kind of neutral presence in the same room as you, when you play, is appreciated!
Amnezia is a great game… but…
… I wish I could get Amnesia after playing it. The reasons being; 1. Then I could play the story for the first time all over again, 2. then I would not be able to remember the scary shit you experience during the play through.
Nonetheless, despite how nice the game was, what i really remember about it, was playing it with someone else and the enjoyment we experienced from both being scared to our core. This is a memory I definitely do not want to forget.
I have played many games, both alone, online, co-op and with friends, all different genres and categories. I believe that Horror is the best bonding exercise and this is with no disrespect to my old Guild in WoW, because we were like brothers. However, horror brings you to this survival mode, where it is just you and your friend against whatever monster is out to make you color your pants.
Even if you do not enjoy the occasional jump scares, call up an old acquaintance, invite them for snacks and “a classic amnesia” (as you do) and have a lot of fun!
What Horror Do You Like?
With that said, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this – and now it is Up to you! Throw a vote in the Pole, which horror games are your favorite?
All right, I guess that is all I got in me for today – Thank you for reading this far and feel free to provide any feedback you may have – We would like for you to keep leveling up with us! Feel free to contribute your own content, such as fan art, game reviews, or personal gaming stories, to be featured as Pixelated Wisdom.
Sources
Thank you to the sources providing me with cool inspiration:
I loved Amnesia, but the most jumpscares i have gotten is still from Dead island!