Survival Horror - a genre that has undergone significant change almost to the point it is unrecognisable by veterans. The increasing focus on action and adventure has seen the traditional staples of the genre fall by the wayside, creating almost a sub-genre that could be known as action horror.
I wrote a lengthy piece on the transformation yesterday, but now I bring to you 5 Survival Horror games that are actually Survival Horror.
Resident Evil: Revelations | 3DS
The latest in the Resident Evil franchise went back to basics (in some respects) and expertly melded the action orientated gameplay of Resident Evil 5 and the survival horror staples that made the series so popular in the first place. Players will take control of several characters in a world-wide story as an evil terrorist group plans to release a devastating virus into the ocean. It's tense, it's scary and it's the best that the series has offered in years.
Dead Rising 2 | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
On one hand Dead Rising 2 could be considered a depressing Dad simulator, but mostly it provides a new look at the survival horror genre. Players are let loose in an open space, with literally thousands of zombies, and they must find anything they can to use as weapons. Poker machines, swords, baseball bats - you name it, you can use it. There's a time limit, limited health, weapons break after extensive use, and you need to keep your daughter alive with regular Zombrex injections. Survival horror has never been this ridiculous, or this fun!
Project Zomboid | PC, Mac, Linux
This indie title has been making waves for quite some time on platforms such as Desura. A top-down survival horror with RPG elements that has players foraging for items during the day and securing a safe place to hide at night. Players will need to explore their neighbourhood to find food, weapons and supplies, and then try to barricade a house of operations and get some rest. The game is still in development, however people can pre-purchase it now to have Alpha access which is updated regularly with new elements. Project Zomboid is shaping up to be a brand new kind of survival horror.
Lone Survivor | PC, Mac
Another interesting take on the classic survival horror recipe. Lone Survivor is a 16-bit inspired side-scroller that focuses heavily on story and survival. Players will need to search for food, hide from enemies, sleep and scavenge for weapons to survive. As the game progresses you will be questioning your own sanity to a point where everything seems like a facade waiting to be discovered. Don't let the retro art style fool you, this is survival horror at its finest.
DayZ | PC
It doesn't get more intesne than DayZ, a free mod for ARMA II that has gained worldwide media attention. Players start off with nothing more than a backpack and a flashlight as they head into a massive world filled with zombies. Players will need to move from town to town, looking for weapons, food, medical supplies and more. They also have to content with the elements as spending too much time in the cold can lead to infection. DayZ makes Bear Grylls look like a crying child, and that's why every true survival horror fan needs to download it now!
By Stephen Heller - Bio
