Survival horror games are notorious for making the player feel vulnerable through hard-hitting (or invulnerable) enemies and limited resources that force them to play cautiously. This vulnerability often makes these games more frightening, but it can also offer players an immersive experience that draws them into the world.
While some survival horror games,such asResident Evil, can often break immersion with B-movie narratives, the majority of these experiences are made immersive through a combination of horror and gameplay mechanics that requires constant attention on the part of the player. Modern graphics, as seen in the recentResident Evilremakes, can also help immersion, but low-fidelity graphics can prove immersive with a well-executed atmosphere.
WhileGloomwooddoesn’t have the graphical fidelity of modern horror games, its old-school aesthetic is bolstered by stylized lighting and highly detailed, fully open environments.Gloomwoodcombines the survival horror gameplay of classics such asResident Evil 4with the inventiveimmersive-sim designof games such as 1998’sThief. The various areas ofGloomwoodare seamless, allowing players to freely explore and approach objectives from all manner of angles. This sandbox approach to design and the winding, interconnected paths ofGloomwood’sworld make it a tremendously immersive experience.
Gloomwoodisn’t the scariest game, taking more inspiration from the survival horror genre for its survival gameplay, rather than its horror. However, there are a handful of genuinely frightening moments throughout the game so far (at the time of writing,Gloomwoodis still in Early Access).
Thisold-school survival horrorexperience stands out for its unique and unsettling narrative, eerie setting, and atmospheric visuals. While players who prefer modern graphics may be turned off by the aging look ofSilent Hill, the low-fidelity and dense fog that surrounds the iconic town makes for a truly immersive survival horror experience that fans shouldn’t miss out on.
What makesSilent Hillso immersive is its eerie atmosphere and sense of mystery, and despite the graphical limitations of the hardware it was designed for,Silent Hill’stextures are surprisingly detailed. The PS1 graphics leave more to the player’s imagination and arguably make the game even scarier, and the variety of dramatic camera angles are often jarring, robbing a sense of control from the player and, as a result, enhancing the horror.
Many of the latter entries in theResident Evilfranchise are highly immersive experiences thanks to their modern graphics,impeccable sound design, and nail-biting gameplay. While there are arguments to be made for games such asResident Evil 7, the relatively recent remake ofResident Evil 2is an incredibly immersive experience thanks to its iconic location.
Raccoon City (and, more specifically, the Raccoon City Police Station) is a lovingly crafted house of horror that’s packed with surprises. Subtle environmental storytelling, cinematic lighting, and dynamic enemies help to make the Police Station feel alive at all times, offering an incredibly immersive experience that does its best to put the player in the shoes of Leon or Claire.
There have been a number ofvideo games based on the iconicAlienfranchise, but it could be argued that none capture the essence of the original films quite likeAlien: Isolation. The stylized graphics — combined with the realistic, dynamic lighting — make for an immersive experience, drawing players into the eerie environments of the Sevastopol Station. While the lighting is certainlyAlien: Isolation’sgreatest visual strength, the game also features superb sound design and a dynamic adversary, the Xenomorph. With the threat of the unkillable Xenomorph constantly looming over the player, threatening to crawl out of a vent at any time, the game’s atmosphere becomes palpable.
Alien: Isolation’svisuals and survival horror gameplay are well-executed, but perhaps what makes it so immersive is its loyalty to the source material. The environments of the Sevastopol Station are lovingly crafted, with a variety of costumes and props evocative of the era. The scanner that players are given to keep track of their enemies also adds to the immersion, replacing a flat UI element with a chunky prop in the player’s hand.
TheAmnesiaseries is known for its horrifying gameplay, facilitated byan immersive atmosphere. However,Amnesia: The Bunkerarguably elevatesFrictional Games' traditionalAmnesiaexperiencewith open environments, non-linearity, and immersive-sim gameplay. The game takes place in a WW1 bunker rich with detail and haunted by a dynamic, horrifying creature that constantly hunts the player. In this way,Amnesia: The Bunkeris reminiscent of other immersive survival horror games, such asAlien: Isolation.However,Amnesia: The Bunker’snon-linear gameplay and randomized elements make it somewhat more replayable.
Players are able to progress through the game however they see fit, collecting story-driven notes and attempting to keep the bunker’s lights on.Amensia: The Bunkeris a relatively short experience, but the dense atmosphere and unique, isolated environment makes it worthwhile for any fan of survival horror.
