What is Survival Horror?
Very little, if at all present in MMORPGs, survival horror is a type of video game that includes action-adventure games with an oppressive and horrific atmosphere. In this genre, the objective is to survive in a hostile environment. In this type of game, loneliness and fear are key elements.
The survival-horror genre draws its inspiration from horror/scary films and thrillers such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Alien and Psycho. The archetype of the survival-horror genre is the first episode of the famous video game saga Resident Evil. In the latter, you are in a mansion from which you have to escape by evading the zombies and other monsters in the building. The gamer has weapons to fight his enemies but also healing items to heal himself (in limited number).
Survival horror games are a sub-genre of action-adventure games in which the gamer often has difficulty defending himself and arming his character properly. This is because they often have to deal with a huge number of enemies with little ammunition (compared to other game genres). In addition, destructive weapons such as rocket launchers are often scarce or even unavailable. This is why the gamer is more vulnerable in survival horror than in other video game genres.
The mechanics of Survival Horror
The gameplay of survival horror does not give the gamer the opportunity to confront the opponent directly. They must therefore learn to escape or use their environment. To increase the feeling of vulnerability in the mentally fragile gamer. In any case, much more so than in more classic action games.
The survival horror genre is also known for incorporating missions that do not involve direct combat. So in this genre, you will often have to solve puzzles or find objects to put in your inventory (which must be perfectly managed). Sometimes, the gamer may also be confronted with a maze-like environment, testing his or her ability to find his or her way around. In survival horror, the environments are dark to add suspense and hook the player.
The synopsis of a survival horror game usually involves two elements: The investigation and the confrontation of horrific or paranormal elements. Many games take elements from horror fiction and put them into the gameplay. Often there is a use of camera angles (as in horror films) so that enemies get into places where they cannot be seen. However, there are free survival horror MMOs.
In addition, enemies can come suddenly or unexpectedly: they can fall from the ceiling or come through a window. Finally, survival horror usually includes an encounter with a boss that the gamer must eliminate to continue. These often draw their inspiration from classic horror fictions. Find the best MMORPGs 2018 on our site.
See also >> Glossary