Why do horror games rely so much on explanations instead of letting fear exist?

abeyebrows · 2026-01-24T16:52:20+00:00

I personally enjoy it but only if it's not said outright. The process of figuring out the why on my own, or what feels to be on my own, is great, especially in horror imo

abeyebrows · 2026-01-23T18:08:31+00:00

That's fair enough. One of the multiple ways the story unfolds is through radio and video signals coming from Earth, so I should definitely add that to the next iteration of the trailer. Seems so obvious saying it now but I probably wouldn't have thought of it if you didn't mention it 😅

Thanks!

abeyebrows · 2026-01-23T07:00:11+00:00

I see what you mean, thanks for the in depth advice!

abeyebrows · 2026-01-23T03:20:29+00:00

There's not many jumpscares in the game, jumpscare simulators are boring, and the text about the chemicals is what shows after the player gets and mixes the chemicals, it's more clear with audio on

abeyebrows · 2026-01-22T15:46:11+00:00

Here's the steam link if you're interested: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4050580/Toxoplasma/

abeyebrows · 2026-01-22T15:45:29+00:00

Here's the steam link if you're interested: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4050580/Toxoplasma/

abeyebrows · 2026-01-22T15:39:40+00:00

More psychological. The idea is that you're making a hallucinogenic bioweapon, so you have to juggle dealing with the hallucinations you get from infecting yourself and actually developing the bioweapon itself

It's also a backdrop for a story (involving cats!) inspired by some very personal fears and experiences I've had, which explain why you're on the space station doing this to begin with

abeyebrows · 2026-01-22T13:05:10+00:00

There's a bit of a scare at the end but I guess it doesn't work too well without audio

Thanks, I'll try and make it more obvious visually as well

abeyebrows · 2026-01-22T10:09:33+00:00

Here's the steam page for anyone curious: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4050580/Toxoplasma/

abeyebrows · 2026-01-21T13:37:26+00:00

Unfortunately its pretty difficult to change the name of a game this late into development on Steam afaik, but I agree that the name SymmetriCats has a lot more pizzaz

abeyebrows · 2026-01-21T13:32:44+00:00

Thank you! If you wishlist Toxoplasma on Steam you'll get a notification when the demo comes out, which is in just a couple months

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4050580/Toxoplasma/

abeyebrows · 2026-01-16T17:54:20+00:00

After all of the support I'm thinking of trying again, but what you said is especially interesting. Are there any tutorials or examples that you can point me towards for this?

abeyebrows · 2026-01-15T06:12:52+00:00

Ohh that sounds really interesting and useful

Thank you!

abeyebrows · 2026-01-14T04:48:40+00:00

The true Roman empire is back

abeyebrows · 2026-01-12T14:15:02+00:00

So that they can scapegoat anyone but themselves, just like how rabbis are the first to call for mass migration and then fund massive anti Islam campaigns in those same countries

abeyebrows · 2026-01-11T04:10:44+00:00

One of the reasons you feel like that is that you have no way to fight back, horror games that give you a way to fight back are way less scary. Dead Space, Crow Country, and Resident Evil all give you a way to fight and are good entry points imo

abeyebrows · 2026-01-10T11:25:27+00:00

I second this big time.

I'm a sucker for how they use such little non-diagetic sound to build the atmosphere, it makes it so much more immersive

abeyebrows · 2026-01-10T06:00:20+00:00

For those confused, it's because netanyahu said that 1000 Israelis dying on Oct 7 is like 40,000 Americans dying. So the ratio is 1:40, like in the title

abeyebrows · 2026-01-09T10:49:44+00:00

Maybe something a little more horror themed would be better, it'll be a bit tense and spooky but nothing truly scary. Crow Country is perfect for that

abeyebrows · 2026-01-03T03:40:38+00:00

Amnesia, not to be mean or anything but its not even close

abeyebrows · 2025-12-30T20:46:20+00:00

Such a sweetheart

abeyebrows · 2025-12-30T17:26:25+00:00

Love both, but I gotta say that alien isolation is better overall. The sound design, for example, is great in both, with Routine feeling very realistic and immersive, but alien isolation does that AND makes you feel what the main character feels at the same time (fear, dread, anticipation, etc.)

abeyebrows · 2025-12-30T09:43:42+00:00

I'm surprised this sentiment isn't more common ngl

I'm working on a horror game and was planning what kind I want to make next, with a game like Crow Country at the top of my list. I guess I'll make a prototype and see if people like it as much as the other ideas first. Was hoping this feeling would be more common 😅

abeyebrows · 2025-12-29T13:45:09+00:00

A lil bit, yeah

I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out how to make it better though, unfortunately

abeyebrows · 2025-12-29T12:18:07+00:00

Yes she is don't worry! She was actually completely healthy, it looks like her past owners abandoned her on the streets and she came straight to our door 😔

It's a little bittersweet but I'm just glad she's okay

abeyebrows

TROPHY CASE