'Off-Beat' Horror

The games that could be considered off-beat do fall within general categories of gaming. However, the elements found within these games cause them to fall into ‘outsider’ status even though some of these games were developed by major studios. Still, these games have elements that are outside the norm or are strange by the standards of the average gamer. I am still working to create this classification and trying to discover if it is an effective means of classifying games in general. Listed are games that have 'off-beat' elements and could be considered horror games or are in fact horror games.

Sneak King

Created by Burger King during the launch of the Xbox 360, Sneak King is the game that led me to create this classification, as the unsettling persona of the King translates well into video game form which makes an eerie game about stalking people to deliver them food(Brudvig, 2006). Players, as then-mascot the King, must move through levels delivering food without being seen(Brudvig, 2006). Once the King has found a target, he must surprise them with a dance and food(Brudvig, 2006). People who are familiar with Burger King’s marketing mascot will understand how this game qualifies as ‘off-beat’ horror: the joyful plastic face hiding behind corners and inside trashcans to deliver food to hungry patrons before they pass out from starvation (Brudvig, 2006).

Deadly Premonition

A very polarizing game when it was released, Deadly Premonition is a surreal murder mystery that takes several cues from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks. FBI agent Francis York Morgan Is sent to a small American town to solve the murder of a local teen (Brudvig, 2010; Wales, 2010). With the help of his imaginary friend, Zack, York uncovers a conspiracy that will rock the town while battling supernatural enemies(Brudvig, 2010; Wales, 2010). Deadly Premonition is definitely not a game for everyone, best shown in the disparity of scores at IGN US and IGN UK which gave the game a 2.0 and 7.5 respectively(Brudvig, 2010; Wales, 2010). While the controls are graphics are dated, the characters are well developed though strange(Brudvig, 2010; Wales, 2010). Protagonist York discusses B-movies and music with Zach during driving sections and the other characters have their own quirks(Brudvig, 2010; Wales, 2010). Deadly Premonition is a horror game at heart, but overtly quirky elements put it in the ‘off-beat’ category .

Killer 7

Mysterious hit man Harman Smith and his 7 different personalities are contracted to eliminate the Heaven Smile terrorist group in this surreal and unsettling rail shooter from studio Grasshopper Manufacture. The game is on this list because the art style, sound, and elements lead to an extremely eerie experience. Characters and environments are strange and disturbing while invisible enemies manically chuckle to alert you of their presence. Killer 7 creates a dream-like environment that is almost nightmarish (Casamassina, 2005).

The games listed may or may not outright frighten, but they instill uneasiness in the player.

References

Casamassina, M. (2005, July 1). Killer 7 [Game Review]. Retrieved From: http://cube.ign.com/articles/630/630908p1.html

Brudvig, E. (2006, November 15). Sneak King Review [Game Review]. Retrieved From: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/746/746290p1.html

Brudvig, E. (2010, February 22). Deadly Premonition Review [Game Review]. Retrieved From: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/107/1070909p1.html

Wales, M. (2010November 8). Deadly Premonition UK Review [Game Review]. Retrieved From: http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/113/1132658p1.html