What makes a good horror game?

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#1

Hey there!

So i was wandering, what makes a good (multiplayer) horror game (Dead by Daylight style)?

Example questions:
Do you prefer if they weren’t full on scary like Dead By Daylight, and more playable, or would you prefer to be really scared.

Do you prefer having your own character, or a skin you can buy in-game?

Do you prefer 1 monster with different skins, or several monsters (like Dead By Daylight) with different skins?

Any help would be appreciated!

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#2

I believe Roblox horror games shouldn’t be very scary, I believe this since kids/children can get scared easily.

I think skins you can buy in game really is like frosting on the cake it isn’t necessary but it brings the game more fun features with people to have customization with.

I would think multiple monsters with different skins would be better since it gives the game variation.

For example you could have zombies that are small that have lower HP but are faster, larger zombies that have higher HP but are slower, etc.

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#3

Atmosphere and sound. Get those two right and you can create any great memorable horror experience.

To answer your question, it really depends on what type of horror game you are making. If you are trying to make an arena-like escape room game like DBD, it may be wise to keep the scares down as this can add clarity to what the player should be doing. It will also broaden the audience for your game for those who dislike full on horror.

Definitely skins you can buy in game. If you are truly making a scary game, imagine having a person with a unicorn avatar coming in or a troll face player. Not so scary is it?

Several monsters adds variety and freshness, wouldn’t hurt to have a few.

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#4

I like the concept of 1 monster and things you need to do in the storyline to for example kill the monster, maybe you can look at the game Alone In a Dark House, i think this is a nice concept.

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#5

My favorite horror game so far this year is spider, I love how the map is designed and the overall game play.

#6

I think if I had to sum up what makes a good multiplayer horror game:

  • suspense - when your scared something may / may not happen. This can be produced from having to hide from your monster.
  • making use of common fears and inventing your own realistic fear - arachnophobia, generally scary things.
  • an element of realism - I don’t think anything is scary unless its believable to some degree.
  • lacks joke style - nothing is funny in relation to the monster, piggy is a prime example of a game which just makes you laugh when you see the monster.
  • ways to get by the enemy etc - I hate games where its randomized death or has really poor play aspects.

Answers to your questions:

I would prefer to be really scared, but also having options to get away from the thing that scares me.

Depends on the atmosphere, if I’m in a space game for example I wouldn’t find if my clothing was changed minorly.

I would rather have a single, terrifying monster over several skins. As long as its scary and dramatic, it works for me.

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