Horror Video Games: Essays on the Fusion of Fear and Play

by Bernard Perron (Editor)

In this in-depth critical and theoretical analysis of the horror genre in video games, 14 essays explore the cultural underpinnings of horror's allure for gamers and the evolution of "survival" themes. The techniques and story effects of specific games such as Resident Evil, Call of Cthulhu, and Silent Hill are examined individually.

Genres: Video Games, Horror, Nonfiction, Essays

310 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling set of essays on games like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Project Zero / Fatal Frame, and other such classics. The essays are fairly broad in scope, and at times I wish there was a bit more focus or some more digging into the mechanics of the game rather than just the visuals in some of the essays, but there are some fascinating ones in there. Perron's essay on survival horror the genre was particularly enjoyable.

Well worth a read if you love horror video games, and the textual analysis of them.

[Victoria Hawco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read the word “flesh” more than I’d like but otherwise great read

[Myles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is the 2nd Perron book I've read on horror gaming and this one is a mixed bag. This contains some of the best essays I've read on horror gaming regarding gothic influences on resident evil and silent hill to lovecrafts influences and game adaptations... to ones that are really reaching like comparing fatal frame to the 1960 movie Peeping Tom. As a whole still a good read.

[Matthew]

Until I play fatal frame I can’t write about video game horror these are the rules

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting theories regarding horror games. I just wish there was more depth and less attention to the media effects argument.