| Survival horror Definition
Survival horror refers to a subgenre of action-adventure video games which draws heavily upon the conventions of horror fiction.[1][2] The player character is vulnerable and under-armed,[3] which puts emphasis on puzzle-solving and evasion, rather than violence.[4] Games commonly challenge the player to manage their inventory[5] and ration scarce resources such as ammunition.[3][4] Another major theme throughout the genre is that of isolation. Typically, these games contain relatively few non-player characters and, as a result, frequently tell much of their story second-hand through the use of journals, texts, or audio logs.[6]
While many action games feature lone protagonists versus swarms of enemies in a suspenseful environment,[7] survival horror games are distinct from otherwise horror-themed action games.[8][9] Rather, they de-emphasize combat in favor of challenges such as hiding or running from enemies and solving puzzles.[7] Still, it is not unusual for survival horror games to draw upon elements from first-person shooters, action-adventure games, or even role-playing games.[1] "Survival horror is different from typical game genres in that it is not defined strictly by specific mechanics, but subject matter, tone, pacing, and design philosophy."[6]
|