Game Modifications, or mods, are user-created games that use an existing game as a basis. Counter-Strike for example began as a mod for the PC game Half-Life. Mods can use assets that already exist in the base game, or they can build a game using original assets. Within the modding world exists the same gameplay mechanics and genres that are in regular games, including horror. Horror mods are usually zombie shooter games but some mods can be scarier than their retail counterpart, such as the ones below.
Cry of Fear
Cry of Fear is a modification of the game Half-Life and is a horrifying game in the same vein as an earlier game from the creators, Afraid of Monsters (Cry of Fear Tram, 2012). The game was built almost from the ground up and has features not seen in the original game, such as notes, inventory, and other graphical improvements (Cry of Fear Tram, 2012). Gameplay is fairly linear, with some free-roam elements. Cry of Fear uses scripted events to make the player feel in danger and vulnerable (Cry of Fear Tram, 2012). The introduction to the mod, while not very scary, does wonders to build tension and fear for the rest of the game. I am still playing through it, but so far it is an extremely frightening game.
The Worry of Newport
The Worry of Newport is a mod for the game Crysis that is similar to Dear Esther, which has no real gameplay and is instead focused on delivering a deep story. In The Worry of Newport, players wander the fictional island town of Newport solving puzzles while discovering notes and books that move the game's narrative forward (ModDB, 2012). The game does not feature any combat, however if it is anything like Dear Esther, then it is a chilling experience (ModDB, 2012).
Killing Floor
Killing Floor began life as a modification for Unreal Tournament 2004, but has since become a stand-alone game for sale on steam (Tripwire, 2012). Killing Floor is an online, cooperative first-person shooter in which players assume the role of the surviving members of police and military units sent to investigate a secret clone lab under the streets of London and the mutants that escaped from it (Tripwire, 2012). The game puts players against waves of terrifying mutants that lead up to a boss fight (Tripwire, 2012). The game is very action oriented with light survival elements, and is an extremely challenging game that encourages teamwork (Tripwire, 2012).
Aside from the above-mentioned mods, there exists much more, even in the horror genre, for a variety of games. Everyone will be able to find something.
References
Tripwire Interactive. (2012). Killing Floor [Game Website]. Retrieved From: http://www.killingfloorthegame.com/
Cry of Fear Team. (2012). Cry of Fear [Game Website]. Retrieved From: http://www.cry-of-fear.com/index.php
ModDB. (2012). The Worry of Newport [Mod Page]. Retrieved From: http://www.moddb.com/mods/the-worry-of-newport
This post is very informative! I don't have much experience playing modded games, so I don't know what's out there. I am definitely going to look more into horror mods and try a few of them out, starting with Cry of Fear. I would like to read more about horror mods. What does Cry of Fear do right to make it so frightening? Are there any horror mods that are from the same game, but vary drastically in gameplay and atmosphere? Are there any more horror mods you recommend, particularly ones that are very different from the ones you listed?
ReplyDeleteI have yet to play Cry of fear, in fact I installed it as I wrote my installation guide. Based off a previous mod from the developers, Afraid of Monsters, it is very atmospheric with a few jump-scares.
DeleteDo you mean Half-Life mods? If so, Paranoia is a fun action-horror mod with mutants and the Russian military.
Other wise The Stanley Parable (http://www.moddb.com/mods/the-stanley-parable) and Elevator: Source (http://www.pixeltailgames.com/elevator/) are very odd titles that could be considered 'off-beat' horror mostly because their concepts are very weird and eerie. Along with single-player mods,there are multiplayer mods such as No More Room in Hell (http://www.moddb.com/mods/no-more-room-in-hell) which I have not played, but seems to be a zombie survival simulator. Although still in development, Demons vs Humans (http://www.moddb.com/mods/demons-vs-humans) looks like it will be scary and fun. All of the mods I just mentioned are for Half-Life 2
I had seen different mods of Amnesia: The Dark Descent (mostly from watching PewDiePie on Youtube), but I never knew how people accomplished those. The mods of that game ranged from scary to weird to just downright random.
ReplyDeleteThis aside, it seems the common reason why people create mods of a game is because the original was missing some features that would have been convenient to the players (or features that just would have been good additions to the game).
In honestly, I don't believe I have the whim to tackle such games as you do, so kudos and keep it up!