What elements make a psychological horror game truly scary?

[darkLord]

When it comes to the horror game genre, psychological horror games has become a popular sub genre, but what elements actually separates it from other horror games? There are those who claim it is more scary than other games, what makes it so? Let's hear your thoughts about this.

 

[strongdude]

There is a reason why a psychological horror game is called a "psychological horror game". I reckon that it has a lot to do with a person's psychological and how a game would have an effect on a person's psychology in the first place. This may involve characters in the game and the storyline as well involving the people who may be playing the game. The storyline of the game could match real story in a real life.

 

[killer666]

In my opinion, you can correctly get into the person's psychology, managing to bring out their great fears, that always works.

 

[strongdude]

I reckon each and every person is afraid of specific things. For example, certain people are afraid of getting lost in a forest at night. Playing games that involve a similar situation may trigger fear in those people. However, on the end, many people may just realize that it is just a game in the end. Some people are afraid of deep waters and they might become thalassophobic when they play survival games involving deep sea.

In my opinion, you can correctly get into the person's psychology, managing to bring out their great fears, that always works.

 

[Sentinel]

As a player, I feel that psychological horror games can be considered good it they they focus on atmosphere, mind games, and unsettling themes rather than just gore or monsters. What makes these games scarier is how they mess with your perception, and encourage you to question the reality.

 

[King Belieal]

The sound effect deployed in a horror game can define how scary it would appeal to a player. Also, the atmosphere is really important in creating that dread in a horror game. A blend of sound effect, atmosphere and visual representation creates the dread in psychological horror games.