I’m not a very big horror games fan, the only game that I played is Rule of Rose and I really like the implication of the protagonist making peace with her trauma and becoming a stronger person. And I would like to find similar games, not horror games that are light hearted, games that tap into cosmic horror materials are fine too, but the end game should signify the growth and maturity in terms of metal fortitude of the character in the game, or shed lights of hope for the better future through unimaginable despair and horror, or show the resilience of humanity, empathy, compassion in the face of seemingly impossible odds… Basically, I would love to find games that are, idk, hopeful and humanist. Maybe something like Eternal Darkness (from what I heard from gaming essayist channels)?

I’m not sure I would want to sit through the ending in which the protag loses everything, all hopes are lost or humanity is doomed.

I would appreciate your responses :")

  • pipariturbiini
    1·
    1 year ago

    Hmm, to me it feels like SOMA both fits your criteria, but also has the points you dislike. It’s hard to explain without spoiling the story. Nonetheless, it’s a great story to experience.

    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is also a classic, in which you follow how the main character slowly changed and what they did by reading the journal entries they left behind before they got… amnesia. The story is quite interesting and dark if you pay attention to it, it’s unfortunate that most people seem to only care about the horror elements (which are the best there is!).

    This is a weird one, but I say you would definitely love Outer Wilds. It’s not exactly a horror game per se, but the environments and being alone in space can instill fear in some people. It has its tense moments though, and the expansion Echoes of the Eye actually incorporates horror elements (and super well at that).
    The story and how it’s presented is phenomenal, and gut-wrenching at times, but overall very hopeful and optimistic. Gameplay-wise, it’s an exploration mystery set in space, so I recommend not to look much up, as almost everything can be considered a spoiler.

    Steam summer sales are starting in like 10 hours, so grab those games if you’re on PC!