8. Call Of Cthulhu: Dark Corners Of The Earth - Feeling The Pain
In a world designed around the works of horror-fantasist H. P. Lovecraft, one would expect certain elements of psychological horror in a game adaptation. Negating the inclusion of the traditional healthbar, the player is left to gauge the welfare of their character as the would themselves. Hence, judgements have to made pertaining to the protagonist's heart beat, breathing, flexibility and movements. Should you sustain an injury to the leg, for example, not only would your movement be slowed, but the character has to progress with a limp. Likewise, arm injuries impede the aiming mechanics in this first-person shooter. Psychological Effects In a genre premised on jump-scares and gore, the effect of sustaining injuries has the profound effect of achieving a realistic sense of fear in a way which Resident Evil and Silent Hill has failed. The player's ability to deal with enemies, to run away, take shelter or buy some time, are severely limited, leaving the player feeling like they are actually experiencing true horror. Call Of Cthulhu compounds this empathy with a need to maintain stability and control throughout - lest the insanity effects take over, distorting the visuals and audio, whilst threatening the player with the prospect of their character committing suicide. Players are treated to an experience where the prospect of suicide is more palpable than the fear within the game.