10 Horror Video Game Tropes That Need To Stop
4. Shimmying Through Small Spaces
While also a clever trick developers use to sneak in loading screens without us noticing, sections in which we’re required to slowly squeeze through a narrow gap have become far too commonplace.
Like how horror games have weaponised ladders against us, narrow spaces have become prime opportunities to ambush us with scares.
The claustrophobic nature of gradually making our way through tight gaps coupled with our inability to see what’s at the other end is enough to make navigating these sequences unpleasant enough on their own.
Unable to use any items to defend ourselves or even move fast, we’re at the complete mercy of the game. Developers are fully aware of this and have consequently taken full advantage of these situations. Even if there’s no major scare, the threat of one is nevertheless fully present.
Despite jumping out of our skin when being grabbed by Chris the start of Outlast or how suspenseful sidestepping our way past a horde of lycans in Resident Evil Village was, like everything else on this list, we've come to recognise what a narrow passageway has come to signify in horror games.