5 horror game tropes that need to end

Horror games have evolved over the years, with every game in the genre trying to be different. These games have not only seen graphical upgrades but also enhanced gameplay that tries to invoke the feeling of fear and tension in the players. While this genre has been a significant part of the gaming industry, we have seen a few tropes being overused which don't seem like a creative approach towards horror anymore.

Even though these tropes still work to some extent to send shivers down a player's spine, they still feel cheap and overused. With how horror games have evolved through the years in terms of their atmosphere and storytelling, we believe it's time for a few tropes to end already. Since the gaming industry has upgraded the graphics, and the control mechanics of games with time, they also need to breathe new life into the horror genre of video games by leaving horror tropes behind.

Here we will talk about five horror game tropes that need to stop.

Note: This article is subjective, reflects the writer's opinions, and is ranked in no particular order.

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These 5 horror game tropes need to come to an end

1) Jump scares

Resident Evil 7 was a masterpiece (Image via Capcom, Videogmz)

Jump scares have been popular forever and are still present to an extent in horror games. While they do manage to scare players out of nowhere, they still feel like a cheap way of getting a scare out of someone. We believe it's finally time to end the era of jump scares by replacing them with slow-paced horror sequences where the tension builds over time.

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2) Indestructible enemies

Mr. X was terrifying, yet annoying during the exploration of the RPD (Image via Capcom, Boss Fight Database)

Horror games like Resident Evil have become synonymous with indestructible enemies like Mr. X and Nemesis. While these enemies can cause tension and fear when they chase you down, they can also be frustrating as you constantly try to avoid them to prevent hindering your exploration. We think it is time for stalker enemies to be a thing of the past so players can explore tension-free.

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3) Limited inventory

Resident Evil 4 had a satisfying inventory management system (Image via Capcom, coolkarmact)

These games have almost always prioritized inventory management, as in most cases, players must survive the playthrough with limited resources. This makes one choose between what to store and what to leave behind, creating high-tension moments. However, constantly juggling items in the inventory feels hectic and can ruin the game's flow, which is why we think it should be a thing of the past.

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4) Silent protagonists

Etham Winters in Resident Evil Village (Image via Capcom, Rifza Gamer)

Having silent protagonists in a horror game can help the player feel like they are themselves the character experiencing all the terrifying moments. However, it also creates a problem where the players can't connect with the character as they are mute and don't offer any personality to relate to or like. This trope should end and the genre should start featuring protagonists with good dialogues and voice acting.

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5) Predictable plot twists

Dead Space had an insane plot twist (Image via Electronic Arts, gameranx)

It is essential to write interesting plot twists that make it hard for players to guess the future. A good plot twist can leave an impact for years as they remember the horror game fondly, where the reality changes after one major twist is revealed. However, this can sometimes be seen coming from miles away which we think should be resolved to avoid predictability in the genre.

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At the end of the day, we believe that it's time for horror games to try something new instead of relying on the same old tropes that make them predictable. Finding new ways to evolve horror in video games, will create an even better experience for the player.