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Underwater horror: the most overlooked gaming environment

Most Overlooked Terrifying Settings in Horror Games | Fans Weigh In

By

Marcus Villanueva

Apr 24, 2025, 06:17 AM

Edited By

Clara Evers

Snappy read

A dark underwater setting featuring eerie shadows and a hint of ghostly shapes, evoking a sense of fear and suspense in a horror game.
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Horror enthusiasts are voicing their opinions on commonly ignored settings in horror games. In recent discussions, locations like underwater realms, jungles, and public spaces emerged as prime contenders for their fear-inducing potential. Gamers are calling for more creative use of these environments.

What Fans Are Saying

Players have expressed their desire for horror games to explore settings that go beyond traditional haunted houses. Submerged environments, like in Subnautica, are highlighted for their unique ability to instill fear due to the unknown lurking beneath the surface. As one player put it, "The fear of being miles underwater with unknown creatures trying to kill you is peak."

Surprising Settings

  1. Primitive Eras: Commenters referenced Far Cry Primal, which, although not horror-focused, effectively captured the essence of being stranded in a treacherous wilderness filled with threats.

  2. Urban Nightmares: Settings in urban towns during nighttime were celebrated for their suspense. Fans of games like DayZ and Escape from Tarkov mentioned the eerie feeling of navigating through dark streets with only a flashlight.

  3. Psychological Spaces: Many players are craving experiences in liminal spaces, spaces that feel familiar yet unsettling, pushing for intricately designed psychological horror games.

Notable Perspectives

"Normal houses arenโ€™t well done in horror games, yet they are a staple."

In addition, environments like jungles, caves, and even populated public spaces were highlighted for their potential to surprise players with hidden threats. As someone noted, "Every smile could be the last thing you see."

Key Points of Interest

  • ๐ŸŒŠ Underwater environments could enhance horror interactions, as seen in existing titles.

  • ๐ŸŒ„ Settings like jungles and caves draw interest for their potential to introduce fresh horror narratives.

  • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Games set in urban environments at night generate unique suspense and fear due to limited visibility.

With a clear appetite for innovation in horror game environments, developers may want to consider these overlooked areas to better engage gamers. The fascination with these unique settings indicates a potential for new horror experiences that challenge conventional parameters.