What is a Survival Horror Game – Things You Must Know
What is Survival Horror Game?
Survival horror game is basely about protagonist solving puzzles, fighting against antagonist and interacting with the world. The genre has been popular since 90s went Alone in the Dark was released in 1992. Alone in the Dark plot is about two characters Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood investigating mysterious behind a haunted mansion, while fighting off supernatural and solving puzzles. Due to the success of Alone in the Dark, Resident Evil was released in 1996 and become main inspiration for franchise. Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark has same tank control along with limited inventory for survival. I have recently played 2024 remake of Alone in the Dark video game, founded myself disappointed due to overwhelming puzzles and glitches towards ending of the game. Resident Evil overhand, is the most successful Capcom franchise in decades.
The series features multiple protagonists (Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield and Leon S Kennedy), sets in fictional city of Raccoon City or different parts of the world. Each major character have their own objective like solving Raccoon City Outbreak or uncovering a mysterious cult. Resident Evil series has overcome changes throughout the years. It also, path the way for games like Silent Hill, Dino Crisis and many more. Speaking of Silent Hill, I am not a huge fan of the series but I had played “The Short Message”, The Short Message tackle self-harm and loneliness which is not suitable for certain audience who dealing with trauma. Silent Hill F is released and sets in Japan then United States, I have seen let’s plays or live streamer play this series. One character pops up is Pyramid Head , which he appears in Silent Hill 2. In the future, I have to buy main series and check it out for myself some day.
Limited Inventory
There is several things you must know about survival horror game genre. You will have limited inventory because it about surviving during day or night like Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us. Don’t expect to have huge space for you weapons, items and things to sell like role-playing games. Sometimes you have to use them at certain given time if needed. Use items wisely and don’t waste them excessively, I understand death is coming. Henceforth, you can carry a lot of item but put them in storage for later in the game. Better to save than sorry what I always say, don’t be shocked that there is limited space in your inventory. That’s how the game is programmed to do, its called survival horror for a reason.
Hiding Better than Confronting
In some games like Deadly Premonition and Dead by Daylight, hiding is the best way to get away from killers. If you don’t want to be confront by killer or have no items left. Its best to run away and hide in lockers. Game over, if the slasher finds you in a closet or chest, make sure to antagonist doesn’t get a hold of you. There are plenty of video games revolves around hiding like Outlast, The Coma and Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach. During my first, playthrough of Security Breach was painful because all the hiding I had to do. Personally, I am not used to stealth games like Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell. Batman Arkham Series is only stealth game I truly love but anyways, sometimes you have to make tactical retreat went danger is brewing.
Reading Notes and Clues
When reading notes and solving clues is one game that I think of is Alan Wake II. I have last stream this on Twitch and Tik Tok on October 2025. In horror video games, there is always logs of NPC that no one every pay attention to. Players intend to ignore them and process to finishing the game. Alone In the Dark (2024) is another example, of finding clues on how to solve puzzles. Every game has these but don’t really rewarding like solving puzzle. I think creators just put in notes that’s not relevant the actual game. Alan Wake brakes the mole of unless notes but ties with case that protagonist must solve. I have played enough to notice them in video games.
QuickTime Event
Survival horror game have some quick time events like Until Dawn and many others. QTE happens went zombies closes in and grabs you. This prompts players to tab certain button to break free like Resident Evil and others. Sometimes I have a problem with pressing the wrong button at any given time. Quick time events make the games more interactive than just walking around solving puzzles and gathering clues. I don’t have much to say about quick time event but welcome it with open arms. Therefore, some players doesn’t like QTE but developers do.
Puzzles Gotta Love Them
Puzzle is the core of survival horror like Crow Country, Clock Tower and Little Nightmares. Every horror game must have them but I already mention Alone in the Dark and Resident Evil. I know its a troupe went you have to place pieces of crest. What about moving statue to secure spot? Love or hate them, puzzle game mechanics are here to stay. Personally, I love overall story of horror game but like my puzzle solving at minimal. Too many puzzles can drag the experience for me like Alone in the Dark (2024).
Other Survival Horror Game Aspects
Even without puzzles, how will game identify itself and stand out from the rest. Developers must find a way for players use their brains. How are you going to get past story without solving few puzzles?There are more aspects like co-op by working together to escape or solve mysteries such as Dead by Daylight, Phasmophobia, R.E.P.O and more. Also, games like 7 Days to Die which is similar to Ark: Survival Evolved. 7 Days to Die is basely about surviving a zombie horde for several days in Navezgane, Arizona.
Closing
You have to fend off zombies, fortified walls and gather items along the way. Dying Light is another series that deals with Zombies and The Walking Dead franchise. Dead Space is a space horror along with Alien: Isolation (I have played Fireteam Elite too). There is so many elements in survival horror games genre. Otherwise, I haven’t play enough but seen other enjoy it for themselves. I just want to say happy Halloween and what is your favorite in horror genre? Let me know in the comment below and thank you for reading this blogpost. You can your favorite horror game on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch along with mobile devices. Thank you for reading my blogpost and tune into the next one from your truly.
Anjim Plays is a award-winning streamer from Washington DC, who is a advocate of blerd and gaming culture. I am willing to help others and work with brands.
