8 Tricks Horror Video Games Use To Terrify You
7. Clever Sound Design
If you've ever lowered the volume when watching a horror film, then you already know how vital sound design is for the genre. The same is true for horror video games too.
Much like film, non-diegetic music in games has a key role in establishing tone. But unlike film, games can change their soundtrack dynamically to adapt to a player's current situation.
Hearing the pulsating tones of Mr X's theme in Resident Evil 2 Remake, for example, is a clear signal to run contrasted with the sigh of relief upon hearing the relaxing music of a safe room.
Diegetic sound, on the other hand, is where game sound design really comes into its own. The disembodied sounds of Mr X's footsteps growing closer or the wailing of an unseen enemy somewhere in the darkness is a sure-fire way of telling players something bad could happen if they're not careful.
Moreover, some games deploy audial 'warning systems' to reinforce this notion; the radio static in Silent Hill and motion tracker in Alien: isolation being notable examples. Players quickly associate the electronic beep of the tracker to the presence of an unfriendly xenomorph - even if it could be a false alarm.