i always found shadow manipulating scary. Like for an example you're walking down a hallway and before you turn the corner you see a figure of someone. So you walk slowly taking precaution and.....nothings there. Idk just stuff that mess with your mind opposed to pop up and BOO! sorts of things. also the name horror box is kind of iffy. Mainly due to many other not so great apps end with box. But based on your video it looks interesting
I remember my fav java game back in my sony Ericsson days, was something dark. It was an action puzzler, top down view, decent graphics. There's some sorta monster that roams in the darkness that will attack you, and you gotta get outta there and solve the mystery, using light sources and mirrors to light up a path. Sometimes you'd have to cross a short stretch of darkness you'd do it so quickly, worried that the monster will get you first. Now and then you'll see something moving around in the darkness a little. The music was great too which I think is crucial in a game. This java game was so successful there were two sequels. As far as I know, could have been more but I switched mobile platform lol. I agree a scary game should be more psychological than blood and gore, blood and gore can be used but sparingly, or it'll lose that affect. Blood and gore tends to make the squeamish go eww rather than aieeeee. Also quick sudden movement that attacks the game screen. Like those prank websites where by they ask you to look at a video or mirror, no movement and suddenly something flies at the screen, a woman in white or something. Constant screaming for me Would be extremely annoying, not scary. Reminds me of this Gundam cartoon series where this baby is crying and just wouldn't stfu, kept doing it for like the entire season. Also probably wanna do stuff like quick movements in the dark, corner of your eye kinda thing. U gotta make sure it has significance of course. If like I know this is a puzzle game and whatever I see is meant to scare me and not affect gameplay I'd be like, meh. But if I know there is a possibility it affects gameplay, like I could be attacked, I'd be like "shit shit shot what the hell was that where'd it go" . Think doom 3.
No offense, but you have to change the title. As others have said, "Horror Box" sounds like one of those "all-in-one gamebox" apps which are basically multiple low quality games in one app. If that's going to be your title, many potential buyers won't even bother clicking on it. I'm sure there's more titles you can think of to know right away its a horror game. If you want something more of a physiological horror game, maybe you can rename it to "Claustrophobic" as you did say you start the game in a box.
Alright... so what else makes a scary game? Paranoia. Paranoia is the one thing that freaks me out in a game more than literally anything. Disturbing imagery, gore, etc. is all great, but what really freaks the player out is making them feel paranoid. The best example of this, by far, is Clock Tower. I've never been so scared and paranoid due to a game in my life. While Scissorman is kinda stupid, the fact that he can literally come from anywhere at absolutely any time is what makes it so scary. The game has made me quit on multiple accounts just due to not wanting to get freaked out wandering the mansion... Check it out, it's a fantastic game.
Interesting. The thing that scared me, was that strip of darkness on the elevator walls. I imagine it being a window, that over looks the mall, but it is too dark too see out. The flip side is, what can see you, trapped up in the elevator? What awaits you, watches your every move, pines for you... Full 3D swipe should be added. Excellent music, as well. P.M. If you want to talk more in depth.
Yes you're right that's the name! Can't did it on app store :/ was more than 4 three years ago I think. I remember it cuz it was one of the best java games I ever played
OMG I never finished clock tower, because of that ROFL. Paranoia like I said in my original suggestion, is the best kind of fear.
Paranoia and names Ok so definately going the creepy paranoia route. May adjust some of the planned puzzles so they are creepier. Also how about. The lights going out and the only light you have is the light from your iPhone screen, that you find in the game? Also on the name front. Asylum is taken, but that sort of thing would be ideal One or two words. Steel asylum is quite nice.
just watch this: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/2264-Symbolism-101 it´s all in there, not complete but essential to horror.
well let me say that i liked the video very much and am a big fan of horror games and i believe that we can support some useful feedbacks for this game to be the absoulte horror game on app store cause app stroe lack horror games so first let me give u my feedback: first about the name it would better be "the horror" or "the asylum" (as one of the members here mentioned it) or " the silence " which i like this name very much second : the gameplay it's nice idea that it be first person cause first person in horror games is better than third one as some monsters or ghosts appear in front of u immediately that scares the hell out of anyone...the gameplay maybe apuzzle horror games as u mentioned earlier but we would like to add something better to really make it the best horror game mm...what about fatal frame ur weapon maybe a camera that captures ghosts or even these creatures or u can kill them using flashlight by pointing the light at them like "alan wake" or maybe u can just have no weapns like shattered memories and amnesia all u have to do escape monsters by hiding behind anything and solving puzzles and just run away from them and that's the best idea i like so far cause when u feel weaker than creatures in front of u and defensless that makes the game harder and more scary finally the content: maybe would like to add monsters with creepy faces or that pop up suddenly after solving puzzles...for example have u played mystique for iphone...it's very nice game both parts 1 and 2 but very short and not polished well but i liked the game cause the scary moments and faces that pop up suddenly in front of u the sounds and voice that suurounds u made a game called kowa oto for iphone scary ..cause surrounding voice is the best maybe u can add some children's voices showing u the way or even the wrong way so u would be dead by the end that u followed them..also u can make some shadows appear on walls whenever u solve puzzle or get into new room..aaah alot of ideas are in my mind and i knw i wrote too much but we really lack horror games on iphone and we need a decsent one so sry for the long feedback and please just take some of my ideas if u liked them
thanks for the message alot of nice ideas there, I like the idea of childrens voices giving you help, but in the end its their help that kills you. I was'nt going to make it so you could die in the game as this is not the norm ina point and click puzzle game. But it would certainly add some reason to be scared of the 'shadows' or what ever. Maybea fairly simple idea like if you look at any one screen for too long, the shadows build up, if they take over the screen you then die, and go back one solved puzzle in the game so there is a penalty for screwing up. But if you have a torch, you can chase the shadows away, to give you more time on the screen, but batteries only last so long....hmm... just thinking
I look forward to this title, especially so since there aren't any good horror games that build suspense instead they use one-time scares like screams, loud noises, sudden exposure to gore etc. I hope you will make a breakthrough in this area. In my opinion best horror games were Clive Barker's Undying, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth and Amnesia: Dark Descent. The reason they are the best is story and atmosphere. Each game had a decent story that builds up the character and contributes to player immersion (extremely important). Those games also had nice features, e. g. Call of Cthulhu - psyche bar = if your character sees gruesome things he gets stressed which affects movement etc. These kind of features really helped the suspense and atmosphere which in turn makes a better horror game without any one time scares. Since this project is basically point n click adventure I recommend shooting for engaging story paired with atmospheric locales. Some subtle music would really help. I don't know the budget nor ability You have but those things not only make a good horror game but a good game overall. Try to stay away from screams. Soul, although atmospheric, uses sudden screams which are really more annoying than scary. Silent Hill on mobile phones was pretty ok and it's good example to build upon
Horror Box....soon to be called something else.... Again thanks for everyones input... Really taking all on board and seeing how we can implement the best bits. I'm working on the how to introduce a game mechanism so you can die within the game, thinking the creepy shadows of children that run past your field of view. If you stay on any screen for too long the shadows build up before a ghost/thing gets you. I can vary difficulty by how quickly the shadows arrive. Could work well when trying to solve a puzzle on one screen with in a certain time, before the children of the dead get you. Also possibility of using a torch to hold back shadows for longer. But thats a bit tricky using the game engine we have. But will do some tests to see how well that aspect could work. Thats to the TouchArcader who has volunteered their services for feeding back on the story idea. Look forward to hearing what you think (once we've finished it) Game name to change from horror box...to: Current front runners and more: Steal Asylum Shadow Trap Shadows of the damned Fallen shadows The Shadow Children Shadow box Boxed Shadows What do you think of any of those?
