Scariness in games vs scariness in films

[Krynn72]

I started playing the first episode of Penumbra and ****ing hell I cant play that game for any extended amount of time before I am just wiped out from being so tense. So I got to thinking about how its like that for me in any game that has horror elements, or is a horror game, but I never get that way watching a movie.

For me, when I play a horror game, its for like 30 mins max before I need to quit and turn on the lights and do something else. When I watch a horror movie, im like "yeah that was sorta scary I guess, what else you got?"

Whats it like for you guys?

EDIT: DERP, I meant to put this in the regular lounge section.

 

[Acepilotf14]

Games. STALKER still scares the shit out of me. Bucking floodsuckers.

 

[Dog--]

Yea, games are way scarier, because you're responsible for what happens.

In a movie it's like "DON'T GO DOWN THERE BITCH! YOU GONNA DIE! oh she died, told you dumb bitch"

In a game it's like
you: Oh ****, what do I do!? I don't want to go anywhere.. But I have to finish the game.. oh god oh god..

*peers around corner*

zombie: BLAH

you: OH **** RUN RUN HE'S GONNA KILL ME!! HOLY SHIT!!

Especially in a game like Penumbra where they give you no way to defend yourself. But even in games where you have guns, same logic applies.

 

[Raziaar]

See scary films are weird for me...

I find them incredibly stupid and pretty non scary when I think about them and and watch them... but after it's over... my imagination takes over and freaks me the shit out.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

games by a long shot.

 

[Blackthorn]

Takes a hell of a lot to scare me, but when it does happen it's always games that do it. What gets me more is the subtle, unnerving stuff that doesn't scare you, but puts a shiver down your spine. The G-Man is perfect act this, whenever he talks I go cold.

See scary films are weird for me...

I find them incredibly stupid and pretty non scary when I think about them and and watch them... but after it's over... my imagination takes over and freaks me the shit out.

I watched Wolf Creek, and wasn't freaked out whilst watching it. However, I was in Ireland at the time, and I was alone, in the middle of nowhere. The long, pitch black walk back up to where I was sleeping ****ing terrified me, considering the themes of the film.

 

[Omnomnick]

Games by far, cause its usually in your perspective, meaning it is easier for your mind to think, you are actually in the game here. Which is alot more scary

 

[kazsymonds]

I don't go to Ravenholm anymore...

 

[Dalamari]

Games, Condemned had me more scared than any horror film I'd ever seen

 

[Rizzo]

Movies does almost nothing to me. The suprise factor is 10x stronger in games where you interact with stuff. Movies have the same scare tactic over and over again.

But the thing that scared me the most was jaws.
NEED A BIGGER BOAT!

 

[Iron Kat]

I haven't played any 'scary' games so I have to say films. I'm a complete lightweight when it comes to horror films, though!!!

 

[Lucid]

Games, because you're interacting with it.

Horror movies, while a favorite genre of mine, have a tendency to only have a lasting effect on me after I've watched it... since I have a fairly active imagination I'll end up being paranoid one way or another after watching it.
Things in real life that don't usually creep out or are unnoticeable suddenly become creepy and noticeable.
But, only a select few horror flicks manage to put me in that state.

 

[Phobie]

Condemned scared the shit out of me but generally speaking from my own experiences, films scare me more.

 

[Sheepo]

See scary films are weird for me...

I find them incredibly stupid and pretty non scary when I think about them and and watch them... but after it's over... my imagination takes over and freaks me the shit out.

That's exactly how I am

 

[Dynasty]

Horror films, to me, seem to be more gore than actual scary moments, especially nowadays.

Theres more scenes in games that are scarier for me than films, FEAR has a few, STALKER, Doom 3 (once I think, near the start).

But then it depends what instills fear into you. Is it mental aspects? Fear of the unknown? Something you cant see? Or is fear driven into you through visual queues. Blood on the walls, little girls etc.

For me its all in my mind, I dont need something visual to be scared. Sounds make me scared more than visual, so a weird noise coming from the darkness would have me screaming for the hills.

And no matter what we say, we're all scared of the dark. If youre not, then you're a robot...

 

[Drackard]

It's always games that tend to scare the living shit out of me. Mainly because of the whole perspective thing like others have said.

I don't think there has been a film that's really "scared" me lately. The last film I watched that give me a small chill was probably 30 days of night, but I always had a bit of a fear for Vampires when I was young so that might be why .

 

[theotherguy]

movies. Game horror us usually very tame by comparison.

 

[FishBulb]

Games, especially when you hear the music change and you know something bad's gonna happen.

At least with movies, I can just cover my eyes.

 

[JNightshade]

Condemned scared the shit out of me but generally speaking from my own experiences, films scare me more.

This. For me, what I think it comes down to is that most horror in games just isn't as well-developed as it is in a really good scary movie. That's just my take, though.

 

[Nomad]

When I first played Halflife, I went apeshit over seeing my first Garg.

 

[delusional]

Horror movies just make me laugh, so games scare me more.

 

[Dog--]

Am I the only one who didn't find Condemned scary?

The fighting was too much fun, I always wanted there to be guys just so I could fight. So much fun. Not scary. Even the farmhouse in the basement, not scary, just wanted to fight!

 

[ríomhaire]

Games by miles and miles. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nothing scared me as much as Silent Hill 2.

 

[delusional]

scariest game I've played was fatal frame, couldn't play it without a walkthrough since I was so scared. Although I was playing it at night mostly.

 

[Deadpan]

Am I the only one who didn't find Condemned scary?

No : | I have no idea why people think that game was scary.

I love scary games, and hate horror movies. However, scary games rarely actually scare me; I just love the atmosphere. And while I find most horror movies absolutely shite, with exceptions like The Thing, as Raziaar said they wont be scary while watching them, but imagination kicks in afterward.

 

[Naudian]

Neither really scare me :/

If I had to choose one, I'd say games are more capable of scaring me, but no existing games really give me any sense of fear so I picked the fourth option.
When I first started playing games they would occasionally scare/give me an adrenaline rush, usually when being chased by something.
But now I'm used to it all and don't really get that sense of fear anymore

I should have picked the first option anyway...ah well I'm a liar.

 

[Sedako]

I think the only time I've ever truly been scared in a game was during the Resident Evil 2 2nd campaign, when you light the fireplace and the Tyrant busts through the wall as you leave, then you run out of the room and down the adjacent hallway and he comes back through the wall. I had to stop after the next save for a couple days. Although, it probably didn't help that I was quite young at the time.

 

[Adabiviak]

I voted for both, but where I won't watch 'horror' movies, I will play horror games.

 

[15357]

Immersion is a very large factor, but games usually seem more scarier, as you are in the player's perspective. Especially first-person games, as you are literaly seeing through the eyes of the charector. This makes some games more scary than intended, like the Thief series. God mother****ing christ I can't go through the bonehoard without jumping in my seat every time.

 

[Anthraxxx]

scariest game I've played was fatal frame, couldn't play it without a walkthrough since I was so scared. Although I was playing it at night mostly.

This.

I've always wanted to play Fatal Frame. I've been told it's one of the scariest games ever.

Anyways, games are scarier than movies.

 

[Sliver]

Some of the games that terrified me are... Resident Evil 3, Nemesis was my worst fear for awhile. REmake with the Crimson Heads, and System Shock 2.

No movies have really had the same affect on me.

 

[Tagaziel]

Shalebridge Cradle

/thread

 

[Blinxx]

Games, definitely. They are much more immersive.

Pyramid Head has to be the scariest thing ever

 

[highlander]

Games. srsly.

 

[Shift]

Games because of the obvious immersion factor, but saying that, the only game that has truely scared me is the first Silent Hill, and I was pretty young when I played, other candidates would include, Resident Evil remake for Gamecube, Ravenholm and FEAR. But Im still waiting to meet my match in a scary game, well in my current day and age anyway.

I dont really get scared watching scary films, usually because its just not scary and stupidly predictable and focuses primarly on over-the-top grusome deaths, but have enjoyed quite a few nevertheless.

 

[Eejit]

Games.
Oh dear zombie jesus god System Shock 2 was creepy as hell...

But nothing beats moving out of your Skyranger for a night time terror attack mission only to hear Chryssalids moving around after you end you turn. Scariest experience ever.

 

[Kadayi]

Games because of the immersion factor. System shock 2 is by far one of the most creepy games I've ever played, and stalker is not far behind (the labs esp). Creepiest game level I've ever played was the Ocean View hotel in VTM:B (in fact VTM:B had a few decent creepy levels). Bioshock has it's moments, but SS2 is still the king.

 

[Saturos]

Games definately.

Movies anymore are just far too cliche'd. I know what's going to happen at every corner every time in every new scary movie I watch. Therefore I lost interest in them years ago.

At least with most scary games, there's always still the uncertainty complex to some degree.

On this note, Silent Hill 2 was far scarier than the movie. Ever since the movie was realeased however, the whole experience was ruined for me. Thanks Hollywood, now stay your ass out of games.

Oh, and Resident Evil 3 made me jump many times. F**king Nemesis scares the hell out of me every time he pops up out of nowhere.

 

[Shift]

Games definately.

Movies anymore are just far too cliche'd. I know what's going to happen at every corner every time in every new scary movie I watch. Therefore I lost interest in them years ago.

At least with most scary games, there's always still the uncertainty complex to some degree.

Oh, Silent Hill 2 was far scarier than the movie. Ever since the movie was realeased however, the whole experience was ruined for me. Thanks Hollywood, now stay your ass out of games.

Oh, Resident Evil 3 made me jump many times. F**king Nemesis scares the hell out of me every time he pops up out of nowhere.

I remember playing Nemesis yonks ago, when he jumps through the window in the police station I almost fell off my seat lol.

 

[Saturos]

I remember playing Nemesis yonks ago, when he jumps through the window in the police station I almost fell off my seat lol.

I love that game. One of the best games ever and probably the best in the series. It's just too bad it feels so short these days.