Hey everyone! I’ve been playing a lot of indie horror games lately and I’m curious about what you all think. What kinds of gameplay mechanics really make these games stand out for you?
I personally love it when the game gives me some freedom to choose what to do next. It’s not fun when everything is super linear, you know? I really enjoy having different ways to solve puzzles or deal with scary situations.
For example, in one game I played recently, you could either hide from the monster or try to distract it. That kind of choice made the game way more exciting for me. It felt like I was actually making decisions that mattered.
What about you guys? Do you prefer more guided experiences or do you also like having options? Are there any specific mechanics in indie horror games that you absolutely love? Let’s chat about it!
Gotta love when indie horror games mess with the usual controls. Like when your character suddenly moves slower or the buttons don’t work right. Really gets under your skin and makes you feel helpless. Amnesia did that and it was intense.
Sanity mechanics are my jam in indie horror. When your character starts losing it, seeing things, hearing whispers… that’s next level creepy. It messes with your head as a player too. You start doubting what’s real in the game world. Layers of Fear did this pretty well. Combine that with some good puzzles and exploration, and I’m hooked.
Indie horror games really shine when they mix up the usual formula. I dig when they use sound in clever ways to build tension. Some games I played recently use 3D audio to make you feel like something’s creeping up behind you. It’s simple but so effective at keeping you on edge.