When it comes to modern horror games that have PS1-era visuals, “less is more” rings true. Although games with cutting-edge graphics certainly have their place, some developers are going back in time to frighten their players.
With projects like Mouthwashing nominated for awards to Iron Lung getting a film adaptation, games that utilize retro graphics have been well-received. But what makes these games scary?
What Stands Out About The Retro-Style Horror Genre?
Before I went to college, I didn’t play scary games at all. The only exposure I had to them was through what was available on Roblox, and watching my favorite YouTuber, Markiplier, play them on his channel. It wasn’t until I was working on my capstone project in college that I started to delve into the genre as my team created a narrative-driven horror experience.
We aimed to make the game resemble classic horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. For this, I researched a few games in this style for inspiration, such as Iron Lung, as well as the games made by Chilla’s Art. At first, I underestimated how scary they would be, since they looked like old niche titles that were lost to time. But as I played them, I was terrified despite the dated graphics. That’s when I knew fear was way more about design than looks.
The Craft Behind These Games
The first thing that people notice is the low polygon counts in the graphics. Although many are turned off by this, there is an audience that finds nostalgia in the aesthetic. The lack of detail allows you to view these worlds more creatively, which is a major reason why these games are popular.
With less detailed environments, you have to think more deeply about the game’s story based on what’s presented; hints are scattered throughout, keeping things vague enough for you to theorize the game’s purpose. This method of storytelling is one of the main appeals for many players of this genre.
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For example, Wrong Organ’s Mouthwashing follows the doomed crew of a crashed space freighter that was carrying nothing but mouthwash in its cargo. The game takes a non-linear approach, with the main character, Jimmy, revealing his true colors as the game continues. Using an unreliable narrator in the game allows you to question the truth about what is truly happening to the survivors on the Pony Express.
Many of these PS1-styled horror games are typically short, with most only taking a few hours to complete. This means you can play them in one sitting from beginning to end, which is convenient if you don’t have much time to play games. Their accessibility is why I still play them to this day. Despite how much they frighten me, I try to find time in the week to pick up a new horrific title.
Why Do These Games Scare Me?
These games initially give me a feeling of nostalgia, since I grew up playing games from the PS1 and PS2 eras, but that cozy feeling is broken when I delve deeper. The lack of detail in the art makes me question what is going on. “Is that pile of red polygons a pile of gore? Or something more eldritch?”
Alongside this limited art style, the immersive stories make me dread each second I’m in these worlds. From being forced to man a submarine in an ocean of blood in Iron Lung, to experiencing a descent into a haunted tunnel in Inunaki Tunnel (犬鳴トンネル), these games trap you in weird situations you can’t escape from until you make it to the credits.
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One experience I can never forget was my first time playing Mouthwashing. It’s hard to discuss without spoiling what happens. However, as the story reached its climax, I found myself feeling dread upon realizing what kind of person I was playing the whole time. The story was so well-crafted, it took the already disturbing setting and enhanced the true horror of the situation.
What I Recommend Playing First
I highly recommend the games I’ve mentioned throughout, like Mouthwashing and Iron Lung, as they are some of the most popular games in this subgenre. They have masterfully crafted stories that everyone should experience at least once.
I also recommend checking out David Szymanski’s horror comedy game Squirrel Stapler, which has you, as the title suggests, stapling squirrels in the woods. Szymanski, like Chilla’s Art, has a big catalog of other titles in a similar style that never fail to disappoint. There is also SFB Games’ Crow Country, where you adventure through an abandoned theme park trying to uncover its mysteries.
And of course, my senior capstone project, Desecration, is also a title within this genre. In the game, you try to save your younger brother in an underground tunnel covered with rotted flesh. This is the game that started my descent into PS1-styled horror games and my contribution to it as a game developer.
While these games may appear dated compared to modern horror titles, I would argue that they can be more terrifying due to the lack of realism in their graphics. If you want a late-night scare, why not try one of these games?
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