Christian Zeva explores the paradox of comfort in horror games, specifically the Silent Hill series. His fascination began with the soundtrack, which evoked a sense of melancholic warmth. While navigating the dangerous environments of these games can be intensely stressful, moments of safety, such as secure rooms, provide a cozy feeling as players experience both dread and relief. The article discusses how horror settings can create pockets of solace amid chaos, encouraging players to engage with fear while also finding comfort in familiar game mechanics.
Listen to that song and don't tell me you don't feel this melancholic warmth. It's beautiful.
Being alone in the Woodside Apartments with no sound and enemies lurking simply feels cozy.
Safe rooms, like the ones in the Resident Evil series, provide opportunities for players to take a breather.
This sort of subversion also extends to different genres. Games such as Don't Starve and Dredge are darker takes on what we expect.
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