As I have previously said, I generally divide up the different types of horror games into different categories, or "subgenres" if you prefer, based on their mechanics and by what means the player is given to reach the overall goal. Most of the Indie horror titles currently on the market fall under what I call the "Adventure Horror" category. This includes games like Outlast, NightCry and Amnesia The Dark Decent in which there is a heavy focus on discovering the story and getting around both enemies and other obtacles without the use of weapons of any kind. The developers self label these games as "Survival Horror", but really they are a completely different kind of horror entirely. I have and always will define true "Survival" horror by the guidlines that were set by the series that coined the term in the first place; Resident Evil.
Scarce ammo, resource management, a suphocating atmosphere, and a focus on immersing you completely in the world the game inhabits, making you feel vulnerable, but eventually providing you with the tools you need to overcome your fear and truly survival the horror. Games like Silent Hill, Dino Crisis, and the original Resident Evil trilogy embody these traits perfectly, keeping to the basics of the formula but each building upon it in their own unique ways. I have yet to see an Indie horror game that can truly stake a claim as a "Survival" horror game, but it seems as though all that is about to change with the upcoming release of a new challenger. I of course mean Camel101's classic in the making; Syndrome. In Syndrome players will be tasked with exploring the halls of a doomed starship trying to piece together the events that led to the environment being in it's current state. Meanwhile, your trust is twisted in two directions from the start as the protagonist engages in radio conversations with two very opposite characters, both with their own agendas that are not entirely clear. The gameplay goes back to the classic survival horror fashion of having to decide when to fight, and when to run for your life. With limited ammunition and enemies of varying ferocity and strength, you will no doubt often be asking yourself if it is worth it to draw your gun, or save your bullets for a more dangerous foe. Only time will tell for sure, but Syndrome is shaping up to be the first Indie horror game that can truly call itself "Survival Horror". Syndrome releases on both PS4 and Steam on September 29th of this year. Thanks for viewing Dark Corners Of The Earth, and remember, if you enjoyed this blog then please follow us on twitter and check back regularily for new posts!
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