Why F.E.A.R. is Really Scary

In my last post, I examined the reasons that the game Silent Hill 2 no longer frightened me as it did when I was younger. After running through many possibilities (the plot and my increased age and maturation were central focuses) I determined that the graphics just didn't hold up over time. The affective aspects of horror games are what really get you into them. In this regard, F.E.A.R., a horror themed first person shooter which I played for the Playstation 3, is a resounding success.

First of all, the setting of the game is incredibly creepy. Long abandoned hallways, inconsistent lighting, and ghostly visions all put the player on edge. The audio is incredible--not only are important moments punctuated by scary sound effects, but the overall soundtrack is unpredictable and unsettling. Finally, the fact that much of the horror is provided by a ghostly little girl is a bonus for the scare factor. Because, let's be honest, everyone has been afraid of scary little girls since we saw The Ring. Overall the game's mise-en-scene is very reminiscent of some of the better Japanese horror movies, which is a very nice touch.

What allows these elements to succeed where Silent Hill 2 fails, however, is the graphics. Reflex time (which slows down the action in a manner which hearkens back to bullet time in the Matrix films) heightens the player's awareness of everything around him. The enemies and the gore are real enough to truly make me jump. This reinforces the conclusion which I reached in my previous post: because the Playstation 3 is currently on the cutting edge of gaming capabilities, the game still graphically comes off as very realistic and impressive.

The true test will be playing this game again in 5 to 10 years. Will it still be scary then, or will it not be able to raise my heart rate and make me jump anymore?