Survival horror facts for kids

Alone in the Dark (1992) was one of the first survival horror games.

Survival horror is a type of video game that mixes scary stories with action. In these games, you usually play as an ordinary person who has to survive dangerous situations. Imagine being stuck in a spooky place with monsters, like a zombie attack, and you don't have many weapons or supplies. That's survival horror! These games are like interactive horror movies, where your main goal is to stay alive and escape.

The name "survival horror" was first used by the famous game Resident Evil. However, some earlier games helped create this style, like Alone in the Dark. What makes survival horror different is that the main character is often just a regular person, not a superhero. Also, you usually don't have a lot of ammunition or other helpful items. This feeling of not being fully ready or equipped for danger is a big part of what makes these games exciting and scary.

How Survival Horror Games Work

Survival horror games focus on making you feel scared and tense. They often use dark places, creepy sounds, and sudden scares to build up the horror. Unlike action games where you might fight many enemies, in survival horror, you often have to run, hide, or carefully plan your moves because resources are limited.

Key Features of Survival Horror

• Ordinary Heroes: You usually play as someone who isn't a trained soldier. This makes the danger feel more real.
• Limited Resources: You won't find tons of ammo or health packs. Every item you find is important, and you have to decide when to use it.
• Exploration and Puzzles: To survive, you often need to explore spooky environments and solve puzzles to unlock new areas or find clues.
• Atmosphere and Tension: The games use music, sound effects, and lighting to create a scary mood. This makes you feel nervous and on edge.
• Focus on Survival: The main goal is to stay alive, not just to defeat every enemy. Sometimes, running away is the best option!

History of Survival Horror

The idea of survival horror games grew from both Western and Japanese cultures. Early games started to explore themes of fear and limited resources.

Early Games That Shaped the Genre

Before Resident Evil gave the genre its name, other games laid the groundwork:

• Sweet Home (1989): This Japanese game is often seen as a big inspiration for Resident Evil. It was a role-playing game where a team explored a haunted mansion, solved puzzles, and had limited items.
• Alone in the Dark (1992): This game is known for its scary atmosphere and fixed camera angles, which made players feel more vulnerable. It was one of the first 3D horror games.

The Rise of Survival Horror

• Resident Evil (1996): This game made the "survival horror" name famous. It combined action, puzzles, and a terrifying story in a mansion full of zombies and other monsters. It became very popular and inspired many other games.
• Silent Hill (1999): This series brought a new kind of horror, focusing more on psychological horror and disturbing themes rather than just jump scares. Silent Hill 2 (2001) is especially famous for its deep story and creepy atmosphere.

Images for kids

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  Resident Evil (1996) named and defined the survival horror genre.

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  Sweet Home (1989), pictured above, was a role-playing video game often called the first survival horror and cited as the main inspiration for Resident Evil.

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  The Silent Hill series, pictured above, introduced a psychological horror style to the genre. The most renowned was Silent Hill 2 (2001), for its strong narrative.

See also

In Spanish: Videojuego survival horror para niños