This is really bugging me...

[Blacksite]

I was on Steam the other night, playing through Alan Wake, which I completed the night before (DLC included) but started up again to grab a couple more achievements. Anyways, going through the second episode again, I couldn't help but get lost in being able to walk through these woods, having the wind pick up every now and then with darkness descending on the area. As silly as it might sound, I started to think about aliens and UFOs.

With most video games and movies nowadays, the set-up is pretty much the same. A vastly intelligent yet merciless extraterrestrial race descends upon the planet to wage war on mankind. Cue the gathering of the world's military forces that put aside their differences to live another day. I can't say I'm completely against the idea as I'm still looking forward to XCOM: Enemy Unknown but would it be too much to ask to play a video game that's a bit more subtle and dark? A game that focuses less on the epic battles and giant threats and more on the spooky encounters and/or gradual assimilation of mankind to something truly terrifying?

I just look at games like The Last of Us and it makes me wonder what a development studio like Naughty Dog could achieve if they made a game like the one I've described. We wouldn't have to worry about the gameplay mechanics, story, or cinematic presentation because they've already shown us how talented they are. Certain genres that we're familiar with just need to mature out of the same old clichés we've been getting time and time again.

[Thorzilla]

Sadly, this generation is all about westernization, and westernization is all about aliens and zombies. Creativity:zero.

[Ghost-Rhayne]

I'd be down for this. There is one scene from the movie Signs that I always found kinda chilling and I always wanted an alien game that gave me this feeling...

[Blacksite]

Sadly, this generation is all about westernization, and westernization is all about aliens and zombies. Creativity:zero.

I don't see what that has to do with what I'm saying.

[Thorzilla]

I don't see what that has to do with what I'm saying.

Sorry, sent it without finishing my post. I meant to say that it's all about mindless shooting and apocalypse day and so on and so forth. I've yet to see a Heavy Rain-ish take on an alien invasion, where story and plot go deep into human fears and the scenario of meeting an unknown species from outter space.

[daLa]

I've been looking forward to game like that myself as well, but I guess we'll never get it. Thought XCOM could be that kind of game but no, I also want a dark alien/ufo game with the typical 'Grey' alien (the kind of average portrayed alien everywhere) but sort of like Alan Wake, like you said close encounter stuff not an alien shoot out and big guns blow up kinda game.

[the_jim]

@ OP. Great observation. It'd be great to play a game that freaks you out so much you hesitate to put the disc back in! But to be honest, there aren't many games that really play with your emotions... Especially fear.

[Cuguy]

only game i have heard in the recent years to play on fears is Amnesia Dark Descent, but that is PC only isn't it?

[RaY_210]

I agree with Thorzilla. A "typical westernized" game is about killing as many things, as quickly as possible, and big explosions, etc. You just have to look at Japanese games. They are putting more action in their games to appeal to the West. Now I know not all games. I'm just speaking in generalities. Some studios have even said that's what they're doing. So until games like COD and Halo stop breaking sales records, then these types of games will be few and far between

[radgamer420]

I agree with Thorzilla. A "typical westernized" game is about killing as many things, as quickly as possible, and big explosions, etc. You just have to look at Japanese games. They are putting more action in their games to appeal to the West. Now I know not all games. I'm just speaking in generalities. Some studios have even said that's what they're doing. So until games like COD and Halo stop breaking sales records, then these types of games will be few and far between

Tbh I think most Japanese games are pretty generic. Especially JRPGs. Talk about a genre that hasnt evolved at all and always has the same type of plot with the same spikey haired anime characters rinse and repeat. No thanks.

[keefy]

Sadly, this generation is all about westernization, and westernization is all about aliens and zombies. Creativity:zero.

Unlike Japan and their obsession with robots.

[Cuguy]

Unlike Japan and their obsession with robots.

and androgynous swordsmen

[Blacksite]

only game i have heard in the recent years to play on fears is Amnesia Dark Descent, but that is PC only isn't it?

Yeah, Amnesia: The Dark Descent was pretty good. There are a lot of things that contribute to the overall experience. The visuals, sound and level design, pacing etc. I'm not saying the main character should be totally helpless though as you can still defend yourself with a gun and flashlight in Alan Wake but the Independence Day routine is getting old.

[RaY_210]

Tbh I think most Japanese games are pretty generic. Especially JRPGs. Talk about a genre that hasnt evolved at all and always has the same type of plot with the same spikey haired anime characters rinse and repeat. No thanks.

I agree. I mainly brought it up to point how they're changing to appeal to the West, which is mainly adding mindless action to games, which is the opposite of what the OP is looking for.

[itachi73378]

I always thought (and still do) that if there are aliens, then they will not be our superiors intellectually.
They may just be wild animals, or comparable to cavemen.

[daLa]

only game i have heard in the recent years to play on fears is Amnesia Dark Descent, but that is PC only isn't it?

Yes PC only, and now that you brought this game up. I have to say if you guys are looking for real scary games, there's plenty of new or recent horror PC games about from indie developers that may not have the greatest graphics but can sure scare you a lot, like that Slender game.

[Blacksite]

I always thought (and still do) that if there are aliens, then they will not be our superiors intellectually.
They may just be wild animals, or comparable to cavemen.

It depends on where you want to look, I guess. But if an extraterrestrial race can travel the distance to reach Earth then they're clearly more intelligent.

[D3seeker]

A game that really plays with your emotions, and senses, with a real enveloping story? Next gen. That's about when these devs should be tired of the same old shoot 'em up formula they're abusing now.

[Chulo]

Yes PC only, and now that you brought this game up. I have to say if you guys are looking for real scary games, there's plenty of new or recent horror PC games about from indie developers that may not have the greatest graphics but can sure scare you a lot, like that Slender game.

I just watched this on youtube at 1:24am,
had it in full screen with some earphones........not a good idea.

my family thought I was in trouble after hearing me scream

[daLa]

I just watched this on youtube at 1:24am,
had it in full screen with some earphones........not a good idea.

my family thought I was in trouble after hearing me scream

Lol, you shouldn't have under estimated the game, may not be the scariest game ever but like I said those indie games can sure pull a few scares from ya.

[simonyui]

Tbh I think most Japanese games are pretty generic. Especially JRPGs. Talk about a genre that hasnt evolved at all and always has the same type of plot with the same spikey haired anime characters rinse and repeat. No thanks.

I agree. I mainly brought it up to point how they're changing to appeal to the West, which is mainly adding mindless action to games, which is the opposite of what the OP is looking for.

Japanese games are not good because they are generic and they have the same type of plot etc. Meaning, it's all the same thing as before, correct?
But, Japanese games are not good because they are starting to become westernized and adding mindless action to games. Meaning, it is all changed too much like Western games, correct?
This is what I understand, but my English is not good so correct me if interpretation is wrong.

Also, I am really sad to see Japanese games become westernized. I want our games to have unique Japanese characteristic. I think it is okay if they stay "generic" from the eyes of the western people but remain close to the hearts of the Japanese people.
But I think idea of Blacksite is good. Maybe Beyond Two Souls achieves this? Just my idea. Thank you.

[simonyui]

Unlike Japan and their obsession with robots.

and androgynous swordsmen

Also, please drop the cultural stereotypes. Seriously, you are not obsessed with robots? and androgynous swordsmen?

[Cuguy]

Also, please drop the cultural stereotypes. Seriously, you are not obsessed with robots? and androgynous swordsmen?

LOL actually no, I am not.

However, really, do I have to pull box art for the Devil May Cry series, Final Fantasy, etc.. to back up my assertion that gender ambiguous sword wielders are protagonists in a lot of Japanese cultured games?

yes, I made a broad generalization, but it is one based on fact and experience. I have been to Japan, I have seen what is popular there. If I am guilty of anything it is a broad generalization, because all stereotypes are rooted on exaggerated fact.

[Fon]

Tbh I think most Japanese games are pretty generic. Especially JRPGs. Talk about a genre that hasnt evolved at all and always has the same type of plot with the same spikey haired anime characters rinse and repeat. No thanks.

What kind of plot are you referring to?. Because all the JRPG's I've played so far have been very diverse.

Japanese games are not good because they are generic and they have the same type of plot etc. Meaning, it's all the same thing as before, correct?

Except that it isn't. I can guarantee you 100% that they have no idea what they're talking about.

But, Japanese games are not good because they are starting to become westernized and adding mindless action to games. Meaning, it is all changed too much like Western games, correct?
This is what I understand, but my English is not good so correct me if interpretation is wrong.

You intrepid it correctly. You can never please everyone.

[LfCpS3]

One thing many many games lack is atmosphere, a feeling of your in the game, which just happens to be what Alan Wake thrives on.