The state of indie horror games...

[@TheStellarJay]

Thanks to MANSCAPED for sponsoring today's video! Get 20% OFF + Free International Shipping + 2 Free Gifts with my promo code "STELLARJAY" at mnscpd.com/TheStellarJay Only game I hard spoil is iron lung.

[@danielsurvivor1372]

Fnaf didn't ruin indie horror genre just by it's boring jumpscares, for me, the REAL reason FNAF ruined indie horror is because of it's """"""deep""""" lore and by "deep" I mean non existent, the truth is, that even most fnaf fans are slowly realising that Scott Cawthon doesn't know wtf is he doing. There was never deep lore, Scott consistently retconned stuff, it was clear that first four games were heavily implying dream theory to be true, but then Sister Location retconned it... And look at ALL FNAF clones in fnaf horror branch, ALL of them try to pretend to have "deep lore". The biggest issue with Fnaf is that it single handledly turned so many indie horror games into indie "deep lore" games, they all focus on "muh hints" about "bigger lore picture" and it all so boring. They all don't give a crap about gameplay and game's STORY. Nearly all cool and impactful events happen outside of games while you're basically camera on legs recording white noise. I just... *Sigh* I want Amnesia type games back, sure they had their issues but atleast they tried to build this atmosphere man. Also I'm fine with DDLC type of games, or Little Nightmares, those are atleast actual horror games that put in effort unlike Fnaf, but I still want that Amnesia/Penumbra experience

[@danielsurvivor1372]

Also shame u didn't mention Fnaf SB Ruin DLC, it's... Basically same music box syndrome crap, but I still think Fnaf franchise itselfs needs more critique and not just it's copycats, after all, copycats wouldn't exist if Fnaf didn't. Edit: You mentioned it in the ending. I don't recommend playing it man, it's so boring, Security Breach Vanilla game almost escaped it's music boz syndrome, by experimenting and trying to create open world horror game, unfortunately it failed and Ruin DLC is even worse, it's literally walking simulator, like it's so bad, you have to literally look at the ground for half the game to find st00pid security nods and deactivate em to deactivate main security nod that's a boring hacking mini game... It's just so boring, and ofc Fnafans wil eat that crap up as always 😔

[@technoboop1890]

@@danielsurvivor1372 did you just copy paste your comment in this reply section... why

[@danielsurvivor1372]

​@@technoboop1890 Just in case, I just really hope he sees my comment!

[@Elden-Bear]

@@PrimeGenerathagoat Doesn't every man wants to shave their balls?

[@bluecactus9861]

I kinda just realized a lot of mascot horror games are closer to thriller movies than to actual horror.

[@jackal04]

Yeah, good mascot horror is about steady tension and quick release. Some creators forget that, it’s why FNaF fan games are a tried and true format

[@lordcicikus5670]

@@jackal04 I think this is because stress of the power managment. Most fangames not scaring you but stressing you. This is why they work and Poppy, BanBan etc... Doesn't.

[@snek529]

@@lordcicikus5670 E X A C T L Y

[@evangingerson1271]

Isn’t thriller the same thing

[@snek529]

@@evangingerson1271 thriller is not horror, horror is thriller

[@CodeNameX001]

Stephen King defined 3 types of fear: Revulsion: The fear and disgust of something twisted or inhuman. Horror: being confronted by the unplausible and unnatural. Terror: Fear induced by something you imagine, or is just out of sight. Terror is losing control of a car on a pitch-black road. Horror is when a brick wall comes out of nowhere. Revulsion is seeing the car hit the wall. Most mascot horror is usually preoccupied with creating a visable aspect to build marketability, and it tends to rely on watered down Revulsion and point-blank Horror. There's no build-up, we don't get to see the change from something normal to abnormal, and the results aren't too revolting (lest they not sell toys).

[@omnimonium]

as a rampant stephen king reader and enjoyer of what makes psychological horror so good, i really appreciate this comment! you deserve many likes

[@nasgor22]

​@@omnimonium Hey do you have any Stephen king book recommendations?

[@omnimonium]

@@nasgor22 absolutely!! The Green Mile is one of his best books, it takes place on death row in a prison and is just an incredible story to be taken through. if you’re looking for psychological horror, The Shining does a brilliant job- though i will say, once you read the book, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining gets a lot harder to watch. if you’re a movie connoisseur and would prefer something without a large film adaptation, or if you enjoy his castle rock series, i’d recommend Needful Things, it’s probably my personal favorite of King’s books. if you’d like summaries or anything, i’d be happy to provide them. i’m an audiobook whore myself fyi, and all of the books i’ve listed have great narrators on audible/that you can pirate if you don’t have audible. thank you for this question and happy reading :D

[@horrorgames420]

​@@nasgor22 IT, Full dark no stars, Pet cemetery, outsider.

[@TheStellarJay]

Never heard this quote before, your comment is a better analysis than my whole video 😭

[@grungscreamvr8864]

PT is a Silent Hill teaser. It isn’t indie but it really carried its weight for horror in general. It basically saved Resident Evil by showing them what worked and PT, like you said, showed a masterpiece of scaring your audience to the indie scene.

[@sansoo9497]

thanks, Konami, thanks a lot.

[@ultimaxkom8728]

For those without knowing the context, the comment above me is sarcastic on thanking Konami for firing the dev, canceling PT, and removing it from the store.

[@khadajhin]

​@@ultimaxkom8728 gee lets fire the dev and cancel the game everyone is loving cluegi

[@chocov1233]

So was Resident EVIl: Biohazard inspired by PT as well as Resident Evil 1/REmake?

[@Artician]

@@chocov1233 RE1R released in 2002

[@ASquared544]

To be fair to ChooChoo Charles, it’s meant to have a creepy aesthetic, but it was made in a year as a challenge and it focused more on the “survival” part of “survival horror”.

[@3u-n3ma_r1-c0]

This is what I hate abt most videos criticizing current indie horror or mascot horror. These guys be turning the rifle onto games that aren’t even applicable. ChooChoo Charles is a fucking survival game with a small horror aesthetic, it’s not trying to be horrifying.

[@jopnop22]

@@3u-n3ma_r1-c0I completely agreed. Never heard a more true statement in my life.

[@lannguyenthi4776]

​@@3u-n3ma_r1-c0Especially if you follow its developpment, Two Stars made horror games before (and they are good) so he tried to be more diverse with his content. He frikin **learnt** how to do 3d animation and new ways to code for his game! Now I love Jay, but he diss way too hard on this supposed to be a lighthearted survival game with a slight horror aspect.

[@phil9235]

Exactly. Just because a game could fall under the classic "mascot horror" genre doesn't mean it's just like the others. Also I strongly dislike some of Jay's behaviour in some parts, like when opening the door in Bendy 2 (come on dude, sure it's slow but come on) or his highly overexaggerated terror during the gameplay (maybe I'm just too quiet during games, but I bet if he wasn't recording, he wouldn't be screaming like crazy) All and all, I do agree with a lot of things said, I just think the presentation could be better. Maybe it's his style though, which in that case, this probably isn't for me

[@lexfordjackenstiresirjacke2082]

I don't think Baldi should be a victim of this sort of criticism either, because it seems like that game was made to *parody* the current trends of horror games.

[@spacemantoasty]

Fnaf definitely started the peak of indie horror but also at the same time doomed it in my opinion

[@moltengears7483]

true but i lowkey think he hates fnaf lol

[@Seoul_Soldier]

@@moltengears7483 FNAF deserves to be hated.

[@Bonitoz]

CHILL its my child hood🤧@@Seoul_Soldier

[@ljtotheak4308]

​@@Seoul_Soldierthen don't play

[@daiyadoggo]

FNaF definitely did a good job with buildup and attacking the senses aside from jumpscares. Lots of things are unknown to the player until they get the hang of things.

[@MrJacobElias]

Guy who created It Steals! is the same guy who made Leathal Company. Good for him, the success could not have happened to a better creative.

[@THE_5050]

Both are fantastic games. It Steals however is the much better HORROR game. I've played through both and while Lethal Company has its moments, I play Lethal Company more to have a good time. I play It Steals because I apparently hate myself 💀

[@anusaukko6792]

@@THE_5050 Its easier to get desensitized to Lethal Company. I can run through the facility in the dark with only my memory while looking for scrap, and I only get scared when something unfamiliar or new happens (unknown audio cues from the sanity meter dipping)

[@xXYannuschXx]

@@THE_5050 Lethal Company likes to turn from a fun experience into pure horror in a split second. One second you are having fun with your buddy and in the next you try to talk to him and get no response, while your flashlight runs out in the middle of the map.

[@radhoodini9802]

​​@@xXYannuschXx fr lol, it's like a horror movie, the start is fun, wholesome and then you feel something weird is happening, your friend is having a nice walk in the woods, and never came back, then you, the protag roamed around the woods just to see your best bud died, bairly his remains is left and then the monster followed your to your house and is now playing HnS with you. Dunno why I thought of this story thing lol.

[@Zuamzaka]

i buyed it steals because i had extra 5 Bucks on the card...Now everytime i see camera i run away

[@whateverusername]

It's a common trope in the horror genre to use imagery that we associate with childhood and then distort it, like the animatronics in FNAF. But I think it all fell off a cliff when the creators of these games realized that not only were they a good way to scare adults, they were also incredibly easy to market to kids. Kids don't care about psychological horror or a slow build-up; they just think scary=startling, and filling the games with brightly-colored mascots and jumpscares is developers directly pandering to them. This means devs can easily make a game with uninspired monster design and cheap jumpscares and still find an audience, which is why these kinds of games keep popping up

[@luckiestduckiestwastaken]

Yeah that new genre is trash compared to the dark and almost bleak art style of other games that builds suspense and actual fear

[@wryzippowitz]

I think the main appeal of FNAF nowadays is only due to 1. Familiarity and nostalgia and 2. The lore (The latter of which I actually find quite interesting.)

[@whateverusername]

​@@wryzippowitz I've never been a FNAF fan but it seems like one of the few games in the genre that's actually decent, the sequels seem like they've expanded upon the story well and I've always loved the atmosphere of the game. It does rely on jumpscares a lot but they're a lot less annoying when they're not the game's only method of scaring the player.

[@Jikkuryuu]

Oh dear, this is drawing parallels to core vs casual gamers for me. One audience is discerning and the other just likes what they like. And capitalism caters to the larger of the two audiences. :(

[@evangingerson1271]

Security breach did have some scary moments that used atmosphere and darkness especially the after game but a lot of it was also childish I think they tried to do both but it didn’t work

[@duolingo8217]

I like subtle jump scares that aren't just flashing lights and noise but instead show you a glimpse of the threat when you least expect it and you now know there's a threat in the area (like I don't know you go through a hallway but you see something peaking from door for a second making you feel unsafe in this halls way or the door that the thing was at) obviously you have to do it well and not crappy like garden of banban does it since that is just a roller coaster of thrash instead of it trying to use it as a jump scare instead of the way I said it should be

[@damienearl8302]

And because it was one of the topics in the video, I feel like it's worth mentioning that for all of its flaws, Poppy Playtime chapter 1 does that at least a bit better than chapter 2...like, in general, Huggy isn't the scariest thing in the world, but I liked how the game at least tried to show you glimpses of him following you everywhere you went before the main encounter, as opposed to Mommy who's kinda just...always there, until she gets angry, after which she isn't present at all until one of her three chase sequences

[@remigal899]

This comment reminds me of alternates. Specifically the Mandela catalogue. They do a dang good job with the horror in the series. It’s amazing. I love the concept and it truly creeps me out.

[@atanaZion]

Naaaah, discretly dropping the monster in>>>>

[@ToniPambianco-4316]

12:44 The fact that you talked about "The Closing Shift" really made me happy. I'm not a big fan of horror games but all Chilla's games really scared me, even if they're not good in a technic side.

[@CharliReef]

The "bad" graphics are a stylistic choice. the less detailed graphics leave more for the player to interpret themselves

[@ToniPambianco-4316]

No no, i'm not talking about graphics being bad, i'm a fan of PS1/PS2 style games, i'm talking about how the programming is not done perfectly but again, i understand it, they're an indie company.@@CharliReef

[@duckers3240]

Thank you Jay. You reminded me with this video that I still am deeply scared of horror games and will continue to not play them. Now I'm gonna go back to crying and pissing myself in the corner.

[@Goob_Alert]

I am now terrified by every rattle in my house. Thanks, Jay!

[@thethe9286]

I’d recommend subnautica because sure it has scary elements but after awhile it gets less scary once you come to know stuff

[@drakesayshi3321]

​@@thethe9286Subnautica scares me more than most horror games

[@danieloh3463]

@@drakesayshi3321thalassophobia is the worst

[@AlexvanJaarsveld-vn1xs]

Im scared when playing Subnautica because I know what’s out there

[@linksbro1]

I personally felt Tattletail managed to break the mold for Mascot horrors and was legitimately scary, especially the Kaleidoscope DLC.

[@thegodlynerd]

69 likes. Matrophobia

[@eskaplayer1239]

You are very right! I am wondering why he rated f and such, mama has such unpredictable moments and having that furball in your hand as the meters goes down is very scary

[@MindlessMagic]

I think DDLC can be considered Mascot Horror so really that broke the mold

[@lauralharris]

"ORANGE YOU FORGETTING SOMEONE!?!?"

[@soledesertion]

@@MindlessMagicthey aren’t mascots, they’re anime girls

[@Oridyces.]

Darkwood is also a really amazing horror game. It’s a lovecraftian/cosmic survival horror game with inventory management elements. The feeling it evokes is just amazing for a horror game, it’s the “I’m desperate for some wood and nails. I’m not going to to make it tonight without those, but where am I going to find them? Do I have to trade? Do I have to loot a house that may be occupied with one of those things? Will it even be worth it if I’m just going to get attacked anyways? Oh god I hear something, I think there’s something behind those trees but I can’t see anything. Fuck, I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it. I’m not gonna make it.” Absolute masterclass of a survival horror game

[@THE_5050]

I barely made it past the intro of that game, it's terrifying ☠️

[@apocalypse.is.near.]

YES Darkwood really nailed that unsettling vibe and imo horror should unsettle and disturb a person, not just startle them

[@Uuuuummmm69420]

Is this Pyrocinical's second account?

[@Birdish215]

DDLC is peak psychological horror. The way monica is always staring at you and the way the game subtly fucks with your mind is a masterpiece I will never forget. I almost pissed my pants when Monica used my steam name. 10/10 horror game.

[@joetheeskimo8885]

She used my name in the video itself.

[@moltengears7483]

hot take: i dont really like ddlc and dont find it scary....im not even trying to sound brave loads of games still scare me

[@mojjo.]

Monika *

[@aguyontheinternet8436]

@@moltengears7483 I found it more depressing than scary, but it's still awesome

[@aperson4097]

My steam name is juramergabirg, and dear god that was a mistake. Kinda broke the immersion.

[@ChadwickMann]

I don't think FNAF instantly loses its fear factor after the first night. The game continuously gets harder and adds more factors as it continues which only adds fear and stress as you sometimes panic when you're not sure what to do or where a certain animatronic is. It does eventually stop being scary though, notably when the difficulty reaches a point you really are micromanaging and you've died enough times not to fear what's going on anymore.

[@Super-qr7wm]

For me the moment you play it like 3-4 times you just begin to forget about the jumpscares and focus on the actual surviving. I prefer fan games to actual fnaf for that reason.

[@LittleKitty792]

And You have to rely on sound cues alot,Even with cameras you dont know which is which or if its really there or not. Fredbear sometimes tricks you with his laugh and makes you think he is at the doors but in reality he got in your room

[@Super-qr7wm]

@@LittleKitty792 that is pretty scary but that only works when the immersion is fucking amazing

[@Toadster115]

Yeah FNAF is actually a good horror game. The atmosphere, the novelty of being stuck in place, having to keep your doors open to save power, etc. This guy just glossed all over that. While I get that after dying 3-4 times to every animatronic it literally doesn't faze you, it's a very effective game in the short term.

[@redzuana6979]

​@@Super-qr7wmFnaF 4 comes to mind when it comes to the best immersion for me. Taking away the security camera the only tool seperating from you and the nightmare entity, having to rely on sound cue, and checking the danger by your own keeps me on edge even after dying many times... until it becomes a micromanagement simulator again.

[@pyrodemic813]

I think the reason FNaF loses the horror at Night 1 for some people is because of how big of a success it was. You know who's who and where they go and what night they start showing up but playing it without knowing that and wondering what was "Out of Order" was extremely dread-inducing.

[@dbagette]

If the game has mascot merch, I know it isn't for me.

[@mimi91xx]

@@dbagetteomori

[@skyguy1236]

idk that game was a great experience, but its not really a psychological horror experience (even if people paint it that way) its more of a mystery/story driven one. its really good at that. @@mimi91xx

[@klaibefhuoaiuwehjklbdfsnxnik]

Yeah. It was good when it was released, but after 10 years people kinda figure out what to expect when they play it.

[@RolfenK]

nah, I didn't knew shit, and I still found it was shit, basically cheap "horror" with those cheap ass jumpscares

[@ianoliver2224]

Having the monster hide from you is like being a defenceless, naked animal in the wild being hunted by predators. It’s that exact sense of fear and paranoia that we’ve not felt since we’ve grown as a society and a species. We don’t have to worry about stuff like that anymore because we’re safe in our homes; towns, cities, houses, etc. It’s something only the animals have to worry about and even the predators have to worry about that! It’s a brilliant sense of fear if you want to make an effective horror game!

[@blehh_mae]

in general its better to hide the monster or to not make the monster Need to be hidden then just have it something like a random guy or goofy looking monster but if the atmosphere, spooks and design are done right, showing the monster doesnt always ruin it

[@_individual_]

The little nightmares series are a top tier favourite of mine. From the atmosphere, soundtrack, endings, unsettling characters, and so on. It’s the type of game that’ll stick with me for years.

[@dollblades]

for sure. to me, its almost adjacent to liminal spaces. its a terrifying, dangerous world but there are parts where the atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful that i actually wouldnt mind living there

[@perkyze]

Both games are some of my favorite as well such incredible games

[@sudokuacrobatics]

It's problem is using the overused time loop type of story

[@_individual_]

@@sudokuacrobatics Indeed, the ending would’ve been awesome if it was just the “unexpected fall”, but yeah, I agree that the time loop thing has kinda been done to death by now

[@Photom101]

@@_individual_ idk i've seen it done a lot but the way they reveal it and just the general mystery around the world in general makes the game incredible still. like it's not like the time loop thing is a "oh it's gonna repeat so everything you did's worthless" kind of time loop, more like a "the evil in the world wins again" kind, since that's exactly what's happening. and what i said too about the mystery of the little nightmares world too, the game has such an unexplained world and saying the time loop thing's a problem overexaggerates it imo.

[@swiftlyaswiftie]

This explains why omori was so good, the story made you invested in the story, the music was so disturbing that my brother from came into my room to ask me what "that creepy sound is", the jumpscares come after built up tension (sometimes even an hour long) and the gameplay switches into something more relaxed (or however long an rpg can be) gameplay to lure the player into a false sense of security even when you KNOW it's horror

[@milx7210]

This man fr just described every single one of my thoughts on ddlc perfectly. Especially the whole "Monika looks directly at you" part, I finally know I'm not the only person who's noticed that

[@aperson4097]

Me: Moves to the right so she isn't staring at me.

[@romilgoel4191]

​@@aperson4097what if she shifts her eyes to look at the real you ? :D

[@aperson4097]

@@romilgoel4191 :(

[@BRO_A-11]

I really admire how stellar Jay is able to use "informal" speech but still convey a "formal" message. On paper, I would not take the words seriously but dam his delivery gives it so much more value. Love your videos bud

[@arcihungbycraneonfire]

yeah

[@TheStellarJay]

Don't call me bud it makes me feel small

[@BRO_A-11]

@@TheStellarJay Okay then, Stella.

[@bestboi2945]

​@@TheStellarJayyour avatar is a bird.

[@shinigamisenpai3303]

@@TheStellarJay Sure bud

[@GooseGooseGooseGooseGoose.]

Mark and jack do a really good job of showing really good indie horror when they don’t do whatever’s most popular

[@GrimmBones]

Tho I am glad they show whatever's popular, because they often give their thoughts on it (At least nowadays). Jack especially. Mark tends to just move on, tho I wish he gave more criticism on what could be improved in, for example, his 3 Scary Games series. It's one of the reasons I love watching Iron Pineapple go through Soulslike clones, because he actually always criticizes them. Their best and their worst. And I found quite a bit of cool hidden gems that way. Granted, you don't always need someone to tell you what to think of a game, since you can see for yourself, but, Idk, it's a bit more entertaining when they do.

[@deemaske9143]

jumpscare should have just been a stress relief via a quick fear, the end to the tension that kept building up, yes you can go the risky route and use them to build even more the tension, but as i said it's risky and doesn't work everytime

[@kokirij0167]

One of my favorite jumpscare things has to be Johan Ross from Soma. When you first see him, he keeps jumpscaring you alongside vague messages and by the third time he did it, I just got mad and told him to chill. And then he actually talked to me on the elevator and I just.... dyed my pants brown.

[@jackal04]

That’s why FNaF 4 always gets me, forcing you to use high volume, you go to check the door and struggle to figure out if there’s someone right next to you, while juggling all the possible dangers. It’s that stressful juggling of problems that FNaF does well, slowly building tension and your down to the wire, it’s now or never! 3! 2! 1! … then you hear the chimes. The only problem is the game has a set hardest difficulty but humans always improve. Who would have thought if you run FNaF 1 at 2 fps you can beat the game without foxy ever moving. It was scary (except for sister location [every night except enard] and Security Breach) until we got good, until we got used to it, then it went from a horror game to a challenge game, imposing restrictions to make the game harder. If you want good FNaF there are plenty of fan games to play based on whatever experience you want, JR’s for masochists, Tealers… for masochists… Joy of Creation. Well, your eating good if you’re a masochist but either way a rule of thumb, if you have to pay for a FNaF like it’s usually not worth it. The best ones are free. :)

[@itsamewaluigi430]

StellarJay? More like StellarGay! Yup, thanks for coming guys

[@chemplay866]

AstronomicalHomosexual

[@Drfunko167]

laugh

[@chemplay866]

@@Drfunko167 *h*

[@averagelizard2489]

​@@chemplay866what do you mean "h"

[@Drfunko167]

@@chemplay866 *hH*

[@bladeknight2302]

What makes doki doki even scarier is that no playthrough is the same, there are so many different scares that you may never get again

[@shradibop]

it's like mortuary assistant in that sense

[@roostergotcooked]

I was gonna be so mad if you didn’t talk about subnautica.

[@brickabang]

Subnautica isn’t really an indie game though. More of an aa game

[@brickabang]

Still glad it was included nonetheless, one of my favourite video games

[@ikaika1801]

Rooster how are you afraid of subnautica 💀💀

[@zackpandora]

relatable

[@0kr4m]

how tf did u comment this 19h ago??

[@StuartSharp-zu2wg]

That bit in little nightmares where you're in the lady's room and you break the vase to get the key but then all the music just cuts out and she disappears really got me. They put in a hiding spot and everything to make you think something's about to happen but it doesn't. Believe me, at that point in the game, that's more scary than her running at you.

[@scpWyatt]

Horror games are a lot like educational games, really. But instead of learning about the world around you, you learn about yourself. For instance, I never knew I had a crippling fear of the ocean that could reduce me to a quivering puddle of a man until I played Subnautica! Thanks, Unknown Worlds!

[@RaraZeCat]

Oop Hi wyatt And yeah… subnautica just…. Tears flow and even fucking creative mode makes me cry…

[@supC_]

And Subnautica wasn’t even supposed to be a horror game. It was a total coincidence it ended up that way.

[@kianhoseini5033]

That... that's a good point

[@Figgythekitty]

I think Five Nights at Freddy's 4 is a really scary game because of having no cameras,only being able to focus on one animatronic at a time,the animatronics themselves,the dark story,the unexpected Nightmare Fredbear and the jumpscares themselves

[@xxfalconarasxx5659]

I'll have to respectfully disagree here. I find Five Nights at Freddy's 4 to not be that scary. More emphasis is placed on jumpscares and the animatronic designs I find to be complete overkill. I think the older designs were creepier, because they tapped into that uncanny valley effect. I think the first one was probably their best, and I think every game after was just a failed attempt to recapture that lightning in a bottle.

[@thechugg4372]

@@xxfalconarasxx5659 This. FNAF 4 is basically a jumpscare simulator that also completely shatters your eardrums as a gameplay mechanic....

[@Super-qr7wm]

@@thechugg4372 I think it does the job really well. The gameplay loop is really good for a horror design, but the animatronics in it are very much too over the top nightmarish. Its too much into the nightmare aesthetic

[@tuppiee1752]

​@@xxfalconarasxx5659welcome to internet where you can somehow disagree on someone opinion on very subjective thing like horror itself

[@harryblockser]

100% its like a twisted perversion of nostalgia

[@qwargly]

For the people who love DDLC and want a similar experience that came prior and inspired it, I highly recommend Higurashi: When They cry Its a lot slower paced, and has a longer slice of life intro and doesnt do fourth wall breaks, but it has a similarly good story and really starts making you paranoid and question all the characters motives. Chapter 1 is free on steam

[@joshgouin1436]

as soon as i saw the it steals checker pattern, i screamed "YES!" it manages to turn a somewhat common concept, 'the monster is also scared of you' and enhances it in every way possible and the hint in the phantom round is absolutely terrifying

[@potatochipclips]

Scarry games are just one of those things that I feel when done properly can make some of the most beautiful, captivating, visually stunning, impactful, and all around amazing games. But also I can't bring myself to play many of them because I am not a brave boy. It is one of my biggest gaming and film regrets that I am not a fan of the horror genre because in both mediums they can be really impactful but I feel like I will have a heart attack whenever I play one.

[@raploky]

same man (just completed DDLC and SOMA), but I'm slowly getting into it and so recommend it to you! I think you may just leave movies behind at all, but embrace horror games because they give us that much level of immersion

[@GrimmBones]

@@raploky SOMA is my favorite Horror game out there. Mostly because of the amazing story. (that somehow happens to be actually original, since I can't think of a game that had such a story/idea)

[@chocov1233]

I'm the same way. I can play Resident Evil, FNAF, or Inside but I can't handle Silent Hill/PT, Subnautica, or any of those sprite based horror indie games.

[@chocov1233]

@@raploky I believe that DDLC was my first horror game, but I already knew everything about it before playing it on Nintendo Switch since I watched like 4 different playthroughs of it and cut content/behind the scenes videos on it, which made it less scary going into it for me personally, which in my case helped a lot. One of the few times I welcomed spoilers for a product (besides when I watch reviews for things I already know are bad like Disney Plus' She-Hulk or the DCEU The Flash film).

[@just_ducki3665]

Phasmophobia is a good example of attacking your mind. The atmosphere in the game is done so well that the fear of getting caught is worse than actually getting caught.

[@mrhuman4049]

no, not really. after 10 houses the game loses a lot of it's charm. it's still worth playing tho.

[@geoshark12]

One thing about fnaf is people kinda got desensitized to the animatronics designs, i used to be terrified of bonny and foxy Also fnaf security breach ruin seems to be doing a better job at the whole being scary thing from what i have seen

[@dean988]

security breach gotta be the least scary game in the whole franchise lmao

[@Lyc1a]

@@dean988 Fnaf world: Am I a joke to you?

[@tetrofita1787]

@@Lyc1aAt least that had FOXY.EXE

[@geoshark12]

@@dean988 hence why i said the dlc ruin not the base game dude

[@Lyc1a]

@@geoshark12 exacly, I agree

[@dmaxwell910901]

One of the best horror games in years imo is Amnesia: The Bunker. It still gets me after four playthroughs

[@dragotheshadowbringer9305]

I agree game was pretty dam. Scary

[@qwertlle360]

You would get used to the monster after a few tiimes but the first few times are scary af

[@dmaxwell910901]

@@qwertlle360 Doesn't that go for pretty much every horror game? I mean I still found this one scary after a ton of playthroughs, which I can't say for very many at all.

[@bashartz]

Funny how I have two Amnesia games that I have NO FUCKING CLUE as to how they got into my library LOL Considering to test The Dark Descent, is it good?

[@najovi9430]

@@bashartz Really good and really effin scary, actually kinda disturbing. But it's pretty old. It's the first Amnesia and by far the best. At least in my opinion. Give it a try! And have fun^^

[@4bwe5ybq33]

detention and devotion by red candle games are pretty good too, the whole atmosphere and the way the story is told really pulls u in. theyre one of the best horror games ive experienced

[@KlugSupremacy]

I would've loved if some more indie horror games like Spooky's Jumpscare Mansion, IMSCARED, or Omori were in this video, but that doesn't hinder how much I enjoyed this! I totally agree with what was said in this video!!

[@adv78]

Was playing Outer Wilds the other day and (spoiler allert) the only plannets with creatures blew my fucking mind. A full on game without any enemies and the sight of one in a foggy mess where you can't see anything just lurking around you remembered me of what i felt in Subnautica. Its not a big part of the game, but its amazingly well built and the fear that you'll hit something or have to use your engines when theres something near you is amazing

[@amansaxena5898]

Wait till you play the DLC

[@adv78]

@@amansaxena5898 didn't play it yet but I'm looking forward to it. Outer Wilds surprised me not because it was flawless game, but because it was an experience completely unique from everything else out there, loved it so much

[@plugshirt1762]

@@amansaxena5898 eh the dlc didn't really feel nearly as scary and was more frustrating than anything

[@duck-cc4qu]

another good horror game is "Im Scared" which uses most of the things you stated here, having minimal jumpscares and mostly relying on creeping you out, even when there is nothing to be scared about

[@victorgallardo8454]

I'm so mad you didn't talk about darkwood one of the best ambient horror games out there with no jumpscares and the best "fear of mind" I've played yet

[@bopper6342]

I definitely believe tattletail pulled off horror pretty well. when i played the game i felt like something was always watching me. when i was a kid i would never leave my room during the night because i felt vulnerable, and theres just something about tattletail that unsettles me because of that very feeling.

[@BenjaminRegen]

Here from JJJacksfilms. Hella good intro, I'm subbed now.

[@callofthedragon6487]

How did you find Jay from Jack

[@BenjaminRegen]

@@callofthedragon6487 Right across the street from your Mom's trailer. 😝😁

[@AestheticallyBlue]

A little sad the only representation for OMORI was the clip at the beginning. That game made me feel like I was genuinely in danger. Like if I didn't see it through there would be something in the back of my mind scratching at the walls but at the same time I was afraid to continue, like the knowledge of what was going on would destroy me. Amazing video regardless! That hide and seek bit was chilling.

[@captaincozmo8529]

Exactly how the games protagonist feels

[@saltsalted1528]

omori is a horror game? I thought it was just a depressing RPG.

[@captaincozmo8529]

@saltsalted1528 it's a horror game, but it's takes awhile for the scary parts to start

[@marcoluciani4790]

It Steals is a real gem but imho video essays on horror games are scarier than the actual horror games themselves. Some Pyrocynical videos feel like I'm watching a movie, playing a game AND listening to a podcast at the same time. Can't wait for the Fear and Hunger video. That's where the real horror's gonna be lol

[@gary4014]

I love how Signalis is subtly prevalent throughout the video

[@vladbat4050]

Honestly with the trend of Mascot Horror games, one title I believe that does this genre quite well is My Friendly Neighborhood. It takes the "haha creepy nostalgia" idea but goes in the complete opposite from fnaf and the dumpster fire known as Poppy Playtime and Ban Ban. The setting of sentient puppets is played for a laughs while still having an engaging story, and the puppets simply trying to hug you until your health drops is pretty funny. No gory game over screen, no gruesome fate, just a fade to black which makes me believe your middle aged character was simply knocked unconscious from too many hugs :D

[@wub9044]

I heard it's actually pretty fun. Taking all the notes from Resident Evil and all. That and apparently it was developed by the brother of David Szymanski.

[@zelaznytytan]

The game is survival horror doe. Same goes for Bendy and the dark arrival

[@plugshirt1762]

Spooky's jumpscare mansion is great with how it simultaneously mocks every aspect of bad horror games while creating an effective horror experience that's a love letter to the genre. Akuma Kira's other big game lost in vivo is also pretty amazing as it feels a lot like playing a first person silent hill game. Darkwood I would say is the best horror game though as it's such a fun gameplay loop that also instills you with dread every moment the sun sets

[@L1berat1on]

17:14 300k subs and I'll play it. Buddy it's that time you play it

[@Sillimant_]

DDLC was the first game I ever played not knowing it was a horror game. That's what made it so effective. The subtle hints something just under the surface has gone catastrophically wrong, and the things that could be explained as glitches made it so effective. I have yet to see a horror game that affected me the way DDLC did. Psychological horror is the best form of horror, and the hardest to get right

[@eeg-rh7jv]

How tf does a game like this scares you?

[@kwispy5669]

It’s just unsettling

[@eeg-rh7jv]

@@kwispy5669 the only thing I found unsettling was Yuri obsessive personality and these 2 weird moments with Yuri/Natsuki. And I only found them unsettling because of how hard I cringed

[@cyberpxl]

@@kwispy5669Unsettling can still be scary.

[@cyberpxl]

@@eeg-rh7jvwell then don’t play it? Video games, especially horror, are a subjective art form.

[@CreativeUsername1997]

As someone who has the 59.99 boxy boo backpack I can confirm that it is a worthwhile purchase that will change your life.

[@Reinoiro]

Good to know

[@barronmaurice3179]

Cringe fest

[@CreativeUsername1997]

@@barronmaurice3179 you clearly do not have the 59.99 boxy boo backpack OR the complete set of Poppy Playtime NFTs. Please seek help, or some grass.

[@bluboyd3637]

Evil boxxy boo

[@leventefeher6656]

I have the plushies, and i agree, 100% worth it Ch3 is unironically good though, it shows that MOB Entertainment does want to make their game scary

[@ShortSkullDog]

I think with these games its also what personally scares people, such as on Bendy and the Dark Revival the desperation to find a hiding spot when the ink demon comes can quickly give way to fear. Some people can't handle jumpscares, like, at all. It's just what gives people for. For example whenever anything includes anything that includes children or babies im instantly reminded of my own mortality and fet scared. It's simply personal preference.

[@ghostlessmusic2805]

16:56 you do know choo-choo charles was designed to be an ironic mascot horror game right

[@jademonass2954]

i am someone who absolutely hates jumpscares, not because they are "cheap", but because they are terrifying to me thats why i love games that work on tension, i get to experience horror and dread, no jumpscares needed! i love games that "build up to a jumpscare" and just never jumpscare you also why i love horror books way more than horror games

[@Dinklr]

Milk outside a bag of milk is so good because while it can be horrific and scary the game is mostly just melancholic and sad. There are a lot more peaceful moments in the game that let you get attached to the girl and the horror Is used more to show her trauma and mental illness than to be genuinely horrifying but it's still scary as fuck regardless. The game is unsettling but also very chilled out and atmospheric. The game's dialogue and story are quite cryptic and the dialogue is very unique without ever becoming grating. The soundtrack is killer too as it perfectly captures the vibe and feeling of each scene. The artstyle is king here too as everything is coated in a thick mars red/orange hue with the outside world with a thick distortion of colors and shapes. To us her world is a nightmare but to her this is how it's been for a while, she's become used to it. It's her own little unnerving world and she's just trying to live with the awful hand life dealt her and I think that's really powerful in it's own way. The game is short but has so much more to say than a lot of games that are 10 times the length.

[@kinuko1333]

from my experience in FNAF, the gameplay it's just trial and error until you succeed, the more you play, the less scary it becomes which gives you time to strategize your actions to avoid getting killed, which it's technically horror, which is just shock, and fear, you just need practice to overcome your fears.While P.T forces you to keep moving forward, while the lights turn off at certain moments, the sounds outside and inside of the building increase, and the constant feeling of being observed by something, you feel vulnerable of having no control of the environment that you don't know about, gives you tension and an unease feeling that is hard to describe but the more you move, that emotion increases to the point of losing your mind or sanity, where you don't know if you are going to die or something worse will come later, and finally your imagination it's your worst enemy in these kinds of games, because your own fear controls your senses, but your guts are the only thing that keeps you playing this game because it reminders you to be brave and face the unknown.

[@bashartz]

To add to the last part, the fact you force yourself to keep going could also come from the fear of standing still and waiting for the scary shit to come TOWARDS you - you don't want to go forward, but standing still or even going back could increase the chances of the thing that is following you (assuming there is even something stalking you in the first place) catching up to you faster than you want them to. Standing still means surrendering and becoming easy pray for the monster you're running from. Moving forward down the hallway can help you increase that distance and time gap between you two. The fact that the more you progress the more the game fucks with you only worsens the dissonance between your logic and emotion, and if you ask me, THAT is what makes P.T. so good. It doesn't just fuck with your mind and senses. It completely forces you to question your own survival instincts and creates a greater barrier between facts and mind. It's brilliant.

[@dubas00]

One very good, and I think still underrated game is Darkwood. Really good, scary, creepy, unsettling and a bit of lovecraftian horror.

[@BrickKnackStudios]

Dude Darkwood is so good it’s crazy. Probably my favorite horror game and one of my all time favorites for sure.

[@kasiajarzebska3739]

Exactly, I also wanted to mention it. The sound design is so effective in that game.

[@BrickKnackStudios]

@@kasiajarzebska3739 everything is so effective in that game lol. But yeah the sound design is great.

[@dubas00]

@@BrickKnackStudios The sound, the designs, the story, it's what many games try to do, but very few, almost none can, but Darkwood does it just right.

[@yagzsahin9321]

Stress bar in 14:48 was peak editing. In terms of both sound design and idea.

[@metaknightjudgesyoursins4710]

I honestly think FNaF 4 needed some kind of mention. That game remains to be the scariest game in the “Scott Era” i’d say. It’s not even with the animatronics, it’s just the audio. Even when you’re not listening to breathing, the game can genuinely creep you out in most instances. The footsteps of the animatronics, the windy-esc ambience, the chiming clock that plays throughout the night, Fredbear’s/Nightmare’s laughs. These all give off the illusion that you’re in a nightmare that you cannot wake up from until that clock on the top of the screen hits 6-AM. And that’s what makes FNaF 4 so scary, it truly gives the fear of the unknown more than any FNaF game gives. It gives off the idea of a stranger breaking into your house and you just have to rely on your hearing skills and audio cues to survive. *..So in short, FNaF 4 is good horror. Take it or leave it*

[@Monkey_D_Luffy653]

"after the first night the game isn't scary" bro never made it to night five on a nuzlock

[@TheStellarJay]

Don't confuse fear and stress

[@Sparkle8205]

Really good vid that points out the issues with mascot horror; and yeah subnautica, DDLC, and omori, scared the shit out of me when I first played them. And some still do… but I fucking love psychological horror games so I continue to play those types of games. Though, I will say the music box syndrome in some games like in subnautica (and it’s sequel) isn’t too bad, since they aren’t exactly meant to be horror games, but do have horror elements

[@angrypotato2526]

Being unnerving invokes so much more fear than being scary.

[@Mothlord03]

I like how your mascot moves around everywhere, like a bird scuttling all over the place

[@peppidesu]

7:35 "she can detect you're recording with obs, HOW?" Thats the power of WINAPI calls, my friend.

[@spyr0guy]

One comment about that tier list at the end: I wouldn't call Baldi's Basics a horror game. It's more like a parody of the kind of horror game that was popular at the time, and even *mocks you* for daring to think it has hidden lore. Baldi's Basics Plus outright removes the facade of horror entirely.

[@zelaznytytan]

It's also a parody of crappy educational games from 90s

[@belnonaodh1520]

Agree - I don't think there's anything that deserves to be below Hello Neighbour

[@SatiricalSheep]

I like Baldi's basics because it's very funny and silly until it's not, and i like how quiet it is most of the time which emphasizes the sounds you hear (like the bald guy's ruler slaps oOoOooo)

[@SatiricalSheep]

oh yea and, despite the colorful goofy characters, the game isn't marketed all that much, like the creator actually cares about the game itself instead of the caaash

[@mywwo]

null at the end is also purely made to make fun of these horror games. it's amazing

[@hollowsid9623]

I think what makes DDLC so threatening and depressing is that it takes your attachment to the girls and breaks them in a million pieces, especially in the 2nd act, where you still hope for that intimacy moment with Yuri in the midst of all the body horror and glitching

[@josephkeen7224]

I honestly didn’t feel like DDLC was that scary. The stuff with Monica messing with your computer and Yuri literally getting HyPeR rEaLiStIc eyes made the game feel like a bad creepypasta. I also have to say that even as someone who likes the FNAF games (more because I find the gameplay look oddly addictive instead of them being scary) it’s kinda refreshing to see someone point out the flaws in the entire series, since a lot of people I see usually blame only SB or Sister Location, however I would argue that the music box is the one actual good mechanic in FNAF 2. I would argue that Micheal in the first Faith game would be a good example of a jumpscare, because there’s constant build up whenever he’s not around, along with the things about Faith that you mentioned. Rain world is also a good example of a indie horror game, despite not strictly being horror.

[@dontage815]

I find almost every fnaf game is really only scary with your first playthrough, imo, games that make you know that there is an enemy that *could* be there and make the environment show you that despite you being alone, you mess up once and you need to run for your life, fnaf makes it feel like "ok as long as im paying attention im fine, and even if i dont the jumps aren't really scary"

[@faithseden293]

3:48 reminds me of Technoblade's "I'm having fun....I dropped out of college for this."

[@nomoregoodpeopleleft]

You should really try out Darkwood. That's how you do a horror game without jump scares. It's a survival game that really goes in the "attacks your mind category"

[@LCLucyfer]

To the great horror games you should add Amnesia series and Soma by Frictional games. Those are the games that almost don't have jumpscares, but when you are playing them, you can feel the fear.

[@justanordinaryidiot]

A really fun indie horror imo is Dredge, they build a lot of tension by dropping not-so-subtle warnings that you’re not alone in the water, like going out at night and hearing a foghorn break the silence because a “fellow fisherman” is also out there with you.

[@trinitroid7893]

To be fair, Subnautica is all about survival first, horror later. Like, I don't really see the whole walking-on-land thing as a major issue in the second game, especially when there's a section where you get chased around by underground worms or the struggle to survive in a harsh cold environment within a hidden time limit, keeping that tension steady. Plus, there's less horizontal distance to move in this region, which is why they omitted to the sea truck instead, making it harder and slower to escape enemies if you are planning to carry most of the modular equipment with it. Besides, how will they implement the cold temperature gimmick for this game? Freezing yourself on water? We already got the oxygen meter and the heat exposure In fact, they made it work there since in the original game, going on land is safe from most enemies. While it's brief, there's not much going a lot here, besides the cannon, the ship, and the bases. There's also one more indie game that tackles the senses and the mind, and that is Outer Wilds.

[@EsgSnapR]

Personally Cuphead, Hello Neighbor, Bendy and the ink machine and five nights at freddys are the best games of all time.

[@liundeirkil8706]

I thought there was gonna be a darkwood example in there since you used a part of the trailer. That game scared the ever living shit out of me and it uses all the points you mentioned to the extreme.

[@plugshirt1762]

Yeah darkwood is definitely one of the best horror games. I honestly didn't think it would be that scary at all because I didn't think a top down game could scare me only to then huddle in a corner and not move for ten minutes when night arrived lol

[@garysingh3523]

Not sure why you didn't mention FNAF 4 in this video since it is easily the scariest FNAF game because it actually DOES build up some tension to the jumpscares and the ambiance alone is scarier than the last 3 games combined.

[@thatblastedflyfish9515]

Because “fnaf bad” was his target audience for this video lmao

[@stuffjuststuff6067]

@@thatblastedflyfish9515 because it mostly is bad

[@thatblastedflyfish9515]

@@kitchenappliancemanufacturer FNAF 1 is really scary to a newcomer, even past that bullshit about "not scary on night 2", it only loses it's scariness when you actually have a grasp on what's happening Oneyplay's playthrough of FNAF 1 is a pretty good example of what it is to someone who plays the game for the first time

[@payt00n]

Thank u, fnaf 4 is great and im tired of people pretending it's not

[@WhoAmIHmmm]

​@@kitchenappliancemanufacturerYou do realize that the main aspect of fnaf is tension and not "being scared", right?

[@GoldenRosesss]

Do not insult fnaf 1-4. The others.. They don't matter! Burn them with a blow torch! Just not the first four. Also Tattletail is a godly mascot horror game.

[@imdeltaFR]

Play the interview sections in pizzeria simulator, they are fire

[@GoldenRosesss]

@@imdeltaFR That's one good part. The main gameplay is horrible. And the build sections don't save it

[@deepprakash4841]

This video just reminded me how absolutely good Little nightmares 1 was. Played it with a friend and best game memory i had. LN2 combat was ok, but the torch mechanism was blood gurgling since i play on pc.

[@noelrobles6334]

Glad to see a little cameo of Signalis. Great indie horror title.

[@joaorosas6950]

Time to play FNAF Jay…

[@educampsrocks]

Your videos are fantastic! I enjoy them way too much. I feel like a lot of essay type channels are kinda pretentious or too biased but I love the way you tackle topics and how well made your scripts are. Also your editing is so clean. Love from México 🤍

[@RetroChug]

Indie horror games that are good are still being made to this day. Signalis is a perfect example. Just know where to look and ignore anything FNAF-esque.

[@lukayaroslav9914]

There are lots of good niche FNAF fan games like popgoes

[@atanaZion]

@@lukayaroslav9914 very good but no scary at all

[@lukayaroslav9914]

@@atanaZion Try to play Five Night at Treasure Island or Grizzly's VR then.

[@atanaZion]

@@lukayaroslav9914 If I had q VR...

[@lukayaroslav9914]

@@atanaZion those are just examples of good FNAF fan games. You can find tons of them on KZbin. There are a lot of KZbinrs who make video essays and reviews about FNAF fan games.

[@patcunha1]

There’s a Brazilian streamer who always says, “Jumpscares in a horror game are like a comedian tickling you in a comedy show. You would be laughing, but not actually finding it funny.”

[@bottlesticks8404]

Subnautica is the scariest game I've never played. The ocean is too scary for my liking.

[@tacopizzasandwich621]

Jumpscares are best used as a tool to complement the rest of the scary stuff in your horror game in my opinion, when used in an incredibly offputting setting where you’re already creeped out they can be really scary, but using them as the primary source of spooks gets really old, really fast.

[@zelaznytytan]

Using anything excessively is going to make things less scary

[@tacopizzasandwich621]

@@zelaznytytan having the same really spooky environment for the entire game doesn’t make it any less spooky

[@zelaznytytan]

@@tacopizzasandwich621 I mean, kind of. If you're in the same location and nothing ever happens, then the place becomes less scary

[@tacopizzasandwich621]

@@zelaznytytan well if nothing ever happens, then is it really a game?

[@zestytriss5282]

Predictable jumpscares are not scary, you saw a tall crooked skinny man in the distance, and you already know what that man is going to do if you walk closer to it. Unpredictable jumpscares are more effective if the player feels there is no danger.

[@TheFuckingKrayz]

Fnaf is so interesting as a horror game due to the humongous fall off of scaryness. The sheer fear of the unknown you face when you play for the first time. is like no other. But after night 2 tops it's all gone. You know pretty much the entire path of all animatronics. The cameras show exactly were everything is. By night 3 you can tell if you are getting jumped after putting down the camera.

[@justpassingby298]

This reminds me of other FNAF fan games, that fix this problem by introducing different enemies every night. Probably the best one is grizzly's VR. Adding a new threat every night. Obviously other games do this too. But I'm... Far too lazy to remember all the names

[@lordcaprisunthe2nd]

Jump scares don’t scare me at all, so I never really liked fnaf or thought it was scary, because it relies only on jump scares to be scary.

[@justpassingby298]

@@lordcaprisunthe2nd that's not true, it does set up an ambiance, but issue comes the game doesn't really give you more after the first or second night.

[@lordcaprisunthe2nd]

@@justpassingby298 I mean, the ambiance isn’t anywhere near the level of something like PT. It’s not really enough to scare a anyone over the age of 12. The ambiance is mediocre but the jump scares make it much worse in my eyes.

[@justpassingby298]

@@lordcaprisunthe2nd I mean, it's an indie game made by one person. It's disingenuous to even think of comparing the two. The atmosphere is good, and that's why so many people like the franchise. But yeah the jump scares get silly fast. Atleast something like grizzly's VR does have some neat stuff

[@jacobhamilton2413]

Fun fact, the developer for It Steals also made Lethal Company

[@TheAutisticFrog]

14:15 dang didnt know THAT was how the billionaires died

[@TheKsenpai]

PT says :"you are my bitch!" FNAF says: "I'm your furry bitch" At least that's my take on it.

[@steveystovey]

One of my favorite horror games is Voices of the Void. You basically sit in a remote Alpine monitoring station, scanning signals from outer space and listening to them. It prays on your senses in multiple ways: for one, you have to intently listen to the static of signals in the hope of hearing something other than, well, static; for two, you have a radar that lets you see the locations of things/animals/creatures outside but not what they actually are; for three, you have a foggy window that you can barely see out of at night, tricking your mind into seeing things; and for four, you have to manage various tasks, lest you have to go outside into the unknown in the pitch black to fix something. Oh, and there aren't just little cool visual events that don't do anything. There ARE things out there. Was that REALLY a deer you saw? Was that shimmer of light REALLY just a figment of your imagination? Is that light outside REALLY just one of the lamps shining through the trees? I love it. It's VERY slow to start, but I do love it. Though in the end, the unknowns do slowly become known so it might lose it's charm. Oh, and the dev is constantly adding new things, sometimes quietly, so you very well may find something that very few other people have.

[@hollowknightenjoyer]

StellarJay yet again with his Stellar videos!

[@MightyFahl]

Masterful video. Honestly one of if not the best you’ve made. The promo itself is so damn good! Kinda disappointed you didn’t touch DarkWood, but we can’t have everything.

[@RealDonQuixote]

I love that Subnautic is included in the Good Horror games section, 1st time seeing a reaper is terrifying.

[@jackgamer6307]

I feel like the "novelty" of DDLC wears off if you understand how the game gets the info out of you. For example, it detects the windows user logged in currently and assumes that's your name. If your user is called, say, admin, she'll think that's your name. And if you use discord and OBS at all, you'll know discord can detect OBS and put you in "streamer mode" by default

[@zephshoir]

While it hasn't (yet) blow up the same way most of the famous titles listed here have, Fear and Hunger + its sequel, Termina, are PEAK horror indie games, and make me hopeful for the future of the genre.

[@VolkMate]

I wish he talked about puppet combo as well

[@maky7295]

​​@@VolkMateThing is, Puppet Combo abuses too much of very loud sounds to make the game "scarier". I first played their nun game, which scared me a lot initially because I definetely didn't expect that loud noise when a chase began, but after that on future games? Not so much. I just knew that was going to be loud noises so that kinda broke the scariness for me.

[@romanterry7215]

Ngl, DDLC never really freaked me out. I know it's gotta be objectively good because every horror fanatic goes crazy over it, but it just never landed for me. Glad to hear someone talk about exactly what makes it goof

[@RvB_Fan_since_8]

4:18 SAY IT LOUDER

[@Musicbox_6]

11:38 HEY! no need to call me a syndrome!

[@hyperpixel_283]

As an Indie game developer watching your videos, I took a lot of good tips from you. Thank you!

[@Electronica27]

I love your videos oh my god, just heard of you recently and loved this video! It steals looks absolutely anxiety inducing and will definitely be on my wishlist. Really the difference between a rant or complaining and genuine critique is offering what can be done better.