Inside the secret psychology of horror games – and why we can't help pushing play

I've played my fair share of horror games over the years and I gotta say, sound design is a huge part of what makes 'em so chilling... it's not just about jump scares, it's about building tension and making you feel like something's off. For me, it's all about atmosphere - when I hear that screeching industrial noise in Dead Space, it still gives me goosebumps. And I think that's what makes horror games so effective: they play on our psychology, making us wonder what's lurking just out of sight... and the sound design is a huge part of that.

Just played the new horror game with that pixelated art style and I gotta say, it's so unsettling ! The way they use silence and leave stuff to your imagination is straight fire . And I love how they tap into nostalgia-fueled vulnerability - those creepy toys in Poppy Playtime are giving me major childhood nightmares . But what really gets me is when you're controlling your character, making decisions that put you in harm's way... it's like, yeah, I'd totally do that too . The fear is so much more personal when it's yours to own ! Sound design is key, though - those screeching industrial noises in Dead Space still give me chills . And have you guys played Soma? That game's soundtrack is like a masterclass in building tension .

sounds like a big part of horror games right? i mean, who doesn't love being scared outta their wits while playing some sick video games but seriously, it's all about building tension and then BAM, something scares you to death like veca's screeching noise in dead space, that thing still gives me the heebie jeebies

I don’t usually comment but I just started playing Soma and the silence is giving me major creep vibes . I mean, I love how it makes me fill in the blanks with my own worst fears. It’s like Thomas Grip is saying, "Hey, we’re not going to show you what's scaring you, but your imagination will do the rest." And that’s what makes it so unsettling . I don’t know about you guys, but I just can’t look away from the screens anymore

I'm so over the lack of sound settings on newer games 5 minutes of jump scares isn't scary anymore when I can just mute it And don't even get me started on how some games just assume you want to hear every tiny creak and groan, like that's the only way to be scared Silence is key in horror games, imo. Like Soma, it lets your imagination fill in the blanks and creates this unsettling atmosphere