Horror games have always appealed to a huge audience. Pulse-pounding jump scares and eerie settings have become standard for the genre and always draw in new and old players. Games like the Resident Evil franchise have succeeded in bringing in new players with their most recent titles. But what keeps players coming back to the genre?
Most modern horror games are an attempt to emulate what came before. Some are successful and cleverly reinvent the wheel, while others fall flat and never make it past a first game. The keys to good horror games tend to include the feeling of never having enough resources and discomforting environments. While there are many more factors to consider, these can almost always be found in a successful horror title.
Horror and survival-horror games were made famous with the Resident Evil franchise. Since its early years, the series has continued to invent and then revolutionize the genre. In the beginning, it relied on tank controls, sound and the unexpected to bring thrills and chills to its audience. The middle part of the franchise changed its formula into action horror. Received well by most, this direction was later changed again, in a return to survival-horror that switched things up from third-person shooters to first-person.
Capcom has started to learn and improve on its own material since the release of Resident Evil 7. Resident Evil 2 and 3's remakes showed the developers had figured out how to center the series' characters without sacrificing elsewhere. From Leon S. Kennedy to Ethan Winters, Resident Evil and other horror games can be hit or miss based on their characters.
In later installments, Ethan is introduced as a timid hero who wants to save those closest to him. Not only is it relatable, but it's also a driving force that pushes players to brave the house of horrors found in his game. Great characters then become coupled with enemies like Jack Baker and Mr. X, who stalk players and eliminate a feeling of safety. Resident Evil is a great example of how placing liked characters in dangerous situations amps up the terror and keeps players coming back.
There has always been an air of mystery around horror games that beckons players from the moment they press start. That mystery continues throughout the game, and while its eerie setting remains, it rarely keeps someone from uncovering the truth. Horror games are like a puzzle or a challenge that everyone wants to solve, and the reward is rarely ever disappointing.
Resident Evil has become something of a pop culture phenomenon, which is due to its adoring fans. However, throughout all of its change and innovation, it never forgets its roots. Resident Evil 8: Village looks to reinvent the wheel of horror yet again. It is a genre steeped in creativity, and franchises like Resident Evil continue to exemplify why fans keep coming back.
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