Spooktober is here!

Put the calming card games at pause and it’s time to get that adrenaline pumping with a scary game!

Ah, there’s nothing like a good scare! Whether you like them or not, horror games have always been a staple genre for many gamers who want a terrifying experience, and seeing their playthroughs and reactions is great entertainment in itself.

For example, hyper-realistic amateur-footage style games are now becoming the new trend among horror game developers and players alike, with Silent Breath and Don’t Scream being the most notable recent examples.

While jumpscares and the like are already expected from games meant to scare you, proper pacing, sound design and atmosphere always get the upper hand, especially against many streamers and casual gamers.

Five game insights we think will pique your interest!

Here’s the thing though; amateur footage-style horror isn’t new. Millennials and Gen Zs probably know this title already, but The Blair Witch Project is famous for kickstarting the whole genre. This cinematic technique is so good that it works splendidly with video games too!

And if you haven’t heard, there was also a Blair Witch game that came out in 2019 by Bloober Team.

Speaking of Bloober Team, their most recent success is also taking the internet by storm—Silent Hill 2 Remake. We’ve talked a lot about Silent Hill in the past newsletters, and this remake is beloved by new and old players alike, making it a perfect entry point into the series if you weren’t able to try it back in the early 2000s.

Remember those old, cheesy scary web games, especially the maze one like that GIF above? There really was an influx of cheap jumpscares during that time period, especially in games. But have you seen something you already know the ending of and still get scared?

Alright, it’s time to fight back the scary monsters and skeletons! It’s time to pull out the classic Ghouls ‘N Goblins! Retro gamers will definitely know what that game is. After all, even we personally don’t know anyone who has actually beaten the game. Not because it’s scary, not at all, but it’s so frustratingly hard!

Oh, and it’s fine if you don’t have your old NES or Genesis anymore, as there’s a modern remaster that works well with modern machines and devices (like the Nintendo Switch).

When you watch or play something scary, after getting spooked and then laughing at yourself, you tend to think; “Why do I do this to myself?” Frankly, there’s no single answer. 

Some studies say people seek out horror and terror to trigger specific chemicals in the brain, either for the thrill of it or to cope with something.

Others say they just like the feeling of being scared.

Regardless, one thing’s for certain when it comes to good horror—It’s really fun!

And to that, we share a quote from John Carpenter, American filmmaker, composer, and actor:

“What scares me is what scares you. We're all afraid of the same things. That's why horror is such a powerful genre.”

The weekend’s up! You know what that means… Fright Night with the family! But if you’re not up to being scared and just want to relax, try out our games or check out our latest podcast episode!

And if you want to learn more about what we’re up to at Hey, Good Game, you can find out more right here.

That’s all for this week. See you next Friday!

The Hey, Good Game Team