For some people, the concept of fear is a wholly negative thing that is much better to avoid than experience. The thought of ever watching a horror film, or playing a scary game, and enjoying it is completely alien to them. Here at the Horror Society, we believe those people are definitely missing out on the fun.
Fans of horror entertainment will most likely share our point of view that the best way to conquer fear is to face it head on. Not only that, the thrill of experiencing extreme levels of suspense and tension is enough to give yourself a nice natural shot of adrenaline, which is partly what makes horror one of the most engaging genres out there.
This is certainly the case for horror games. It’s hard to believe that the genre as we know it is has only really been in existence for less than three decades in total. Some say the first true incarnation of survival horror gaming was Capcom’s Sweet Home, released in 1989. Even if that’s the case, it was another Capcom release in the mid-90s, Resident Evil, that really brought the genre into living rooms around the world.
Fast forward to this year and it’s hard to remember a time when there were so many interesting and varied horror games being developed – across every conceivable platform! Here’s a brief rundown of some of the best titles out there right now.
Console gaming – Resident Evil VII
When the latest installment in the famed Resident Evil series was announced earlier this year, fans were chomping at the bit to get a glimpse of the action, especially since the announcement was followed with the extremely disturbing Beginning Hour demo.
As for the full release, reviews across the board suggest that Resident Evil VII certainly hasn’t disappointed and is, in fact, already being hailed as one of the best editions in recent memory. It might also pave the way for more first-person explorer games, as opposed to the traditional third-person shooter.
iGaming – Jekyll & Hyde Slots
One iGaming title we’ve been particularly impressed by in recent months is Playtech’s Jekyll & Hyde slots game. Inspired by the enduring Robert Louis Stevenson tale, it involves five reels, 25 fixed paylines and a special feature that enables gamers to unleash the beast within during its free spins mode.
For any keen iGamers out there, it’s also worth staying up to date with dedicated bonus-hunting sites like Bonus.ca that trawl slots sites, online casinos and sports bookmakers to collate all available promotions out there. That should make even the scariest of horror-themed iGaming experiences a tad easier to endure!
Mobile gaming – Five Nights at Freddy’s
In our experience, there are few mobile horror games out there that manage to achieve the same blood-pumping feel of dread as their desktop and console counterparts. Well, we have to say that the Five Nights at Freddy’s series bucks the trend in that respect.
The concept of the game is quite unique in itself: you work as a night security guard for a kids restaurant that is known for hosting animatronic puppet shows during the day. The only trouble is that, at night, the robot animals come to life and try to kill you. The gameplay is addictive and has an atmosphere all it’s own, which is enough to explain why the franchise now includes a range of toys and is currently being adapted as a film. Well worth a download in the meantime!
