THE HORROR

[andrewelmore]

Yeah, after Kimimi's review, I feel pretty confident that that remake is exactly what I assumed it was going to be, unfortunately. Very much in the "Nah, I'm good, thanks" camp for me. I do kinda want to go back and pick up my save from SH3 though . . .

[Fruitality]

I am still going on Alan Wake 2, which has been surprisingly much spookier than I expected going in. I actually have been taking a brief hiatus at the moment because the last time I played it was a bit too intense. I probably just wasn't in the mood that night.

It's definitely a bit heavy on the jump scares and scary faces flashing on the screen, but I think the way it builds tension through regular exploration (in particular in Saga's story) has been excellent.

Sadly it's too spooky for my wife to want to sit and watch me play through it so I must face it alone

Speaking of which, anybody got recommendations of some co-op or play together spooky games to play with a partner? I was thinking to check out The Quarry or something from the Dark Pictures series?

[breakfastcowl]

Heh, spookiest thing I've been playin' a little bit here lately is Quake

Speaking of which, anybody got recommendations of some co-op or play together spooky games to play with a partner?

Haven't played it, but feel like I've only ever read positive to glowing things about Phasmophobia

[andrewelmore]

@Fruitality I like Resident Evil 6 a whole lot, but then, of course I do. The RE: Revelations games are probably better co-op experiences, though. Hmm...

@breakfastcowl hell yes quake quake quake

[andrewelmore]

@Fruitality I also remember my wife helping with notes/maps/puzzles as I played through Enemy Zero a while back?

[breakfastcowl]

Still in dev, but I like the sound of any haunted riff on a genre

[malyzar]

@fruitality Left 4 Dead 2 is still fun. Clearly meant for four players, but you can get by with bots. My wife played Dying Light and enjoyed it. (The coop is weird because you both play as the same character, lol. But it is functional.)

We also played Dead Space 3 together years ago. That game sucks and killed the franchise BUT there's a lot of fun to be had in coop. The story also does not matter in that game so I think it's fine if you haven't played the first two. (Although I recommend them!)

[malyzar]

Oh and there's Nightmare Kart (that was originally going to be Bloodborne Kart before getting a cease and desist). I haven't checked it out yet but looks like a lot of fun. Free on Steam. Loved the dev's Bloodborne PSX demake.

[Dan]

Bringing this thread back from the dead!

Are you all playing any horror games at the moment? 'Tis the season. I am pretty much consumed by Elden Ring right now, but I've been considering another Condemned: Criminal Origins playthrough.

Also, any thoughts on the Silent Hill 2 remake? I'm not planning on playing it because I'm a curmudgeon. But I am curious what the people think.

I'm playing the Silent Hill 2 remake!

I just finished a playthrough of the original for the first time so the comparisons are fresh in my head. I think the updated character models give the characters new depth and the combat is most definitely improved. I'll probably have more to say as I get further in but so far my impression is quite positive.

[malyzar]

New demo available for Butcher's Creek (a Condemned: Criminal Origins - like from the developer of Dusk and Iron Lung)

Played a couple minutes last week and it has potential. Generally in favor of more melee-based horror, so I love to see it. (Unfortunate that Condemned didn't seem to spawn any copycats.)

[Skellingtor]

all of its roughness aside i liked condemned so i'll give it a shot!

[Dan]

Okay so I've had a bit more time with the Silent Hill 2 remake and I have some more concrete thoughts:

• The character models have been updated significantly and the acting has a ton of depth. I found the performances very believable and captivating. (No shade to Takayoshi Sato, who was absolutely cooking with what the tech could do at the time.)

• There's a bit of "yellow tape syndrome" in the updated environments and some contextual traversal bits that I felt were unnecessary and in some cases led to me getting stuck. Breaking windows and walls to traverse is silly and I don't think added anything to the experience, and it just led to me scouring the environments for the telltale breakable walls and windows.

• The combat is significantly improved and more fun to engage with, but I'm not sure I like that tbh. I liked the fact you could choose to avoid combat in most scenarios in the original, whereas it's pretty much mandatory in the remake if you're in a building.

Still a fantastic game overall. I'm glad that it exists so it can get a new generation of folks into the franchise.

[Skellingtor]

• The character models have been updated significantly and the acting has a ton of depth. I found the performances very believable and captivating. (No shade to Takayoshi Sato, who was absolutely cooking with what the tech could do at the time.)

i loved the scene of maria and james at the bar with him looking at the whiskey with a pained expression, a very nice and subtle way of bringing his alcoholism to the forefront for a short time

[Dan]

• The character models have been updated significantly and the acting has a ton of depth. I found the performances very believable and captivating. (No shade to Takayoshi Sato, who was absolutely cooking with what the tech could do at the time.)

i loved the scene of maria and james at the bar with him looking at the whiskey with a pained expression, a very nice and subtle way of bringing his alcoholism to the forefront for a short time

Agreed! And the way James sits up straighter/slightly recoils when she brings up the whiskey from behind the counter was such a small detail but added a lot. It was just great acting all around.