Good paranormal/supernatural games.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:41 am

A strange mood has struck me, and I'm in the mood for a good quality game or two with a supernatural/paranormal/metaphysical theme. Preferably something with a good story. Note that horror/suspense/survival horror aren't necessarily supernatural/paranormal games - I'm not just looking for a scary game.

For some reason, though, I'm drawing a blank when it comes to games that fit the bill. The two Vampire games and Undying probably apply, but other than that...?

sgoldj · Post by **sgoldj** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:46 am

Gothic?

Realms of the Haunting?

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:50 am

You're probably hankerin' for F.E.A.R.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:59 am

What about Santarium? or Nocturne?

Though I suspect those might be more Horror than metaphysical...but I'd say they're horror with the elements you're looking for. Maybe.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:00 am

Ok..one final pad...

Call of Cthulhu.

There. I gave you two upcoming games and two that are out. That's the best my pre-coffee mind can do.

warning · Post by **warning** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:23 am

If you can find it, and if you like classic adventure games, Gabriel Knight II: The Beast Within would fit your bill perfectly.

Maybe Alice or one of the Thief games?

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:24 am

Gabriel Knight II was one of my favorite games ever.

If you have a PS2 or X-Box, Fatal Frame II seems to fit the bill nicely.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:06 am

Mmm...coffee...

How 'bout Bad Mojo Redux

Not scary...just...weird.

Scanner · Post by **Scanner** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 1:16 pm

I recommend The Suffering, an FPS. Max Payne, meet Sanitarium.

You play a convict awaiting execution for the murder of your wife and children. You don't remember the details of that night.

The prison is overrun by very disturbing monsters that represent the people executed in the past. As you defend yourself (by wasting them, of course), you begin to have visions of the nefarious activities that used to occur in the prison and are finally manifesting themselves.

You also discover that you, like Max Payne, have a special power that can be activated when you build up enough rage (read: kills): you turn into a hulk with blades for arms that can slice through anything in its path.

The odd thing is that when you change into your alter-ego, the screen goes psychedelic, and it's hard to make things out in the red spray. So the natural question is: Did your alter-ego really kill your family? Was it an accident? Did someone else kill them?

Or are you just criminally insane?

Throughout the game, you'll have a chance to prove you're a good guy or a bad guy, and a creepy dead psychiatrist comments on your true nature (when he isn't trying to kill you). In an awesome touch, he appears as a black-and-white projected movie image, 1940s-style. To further boggle your mind, when another projector aimed at a normal door plays a film loop consisting of iron bars, they become real in your mind - you can no longer open the door. You also see the ghosts of your dead family, who taunt you or praise you as appropriate. (As a sidenote, I think this is the first time I've seen the main character in a black-white interracial marriage with children. I guess PC games are officially culturally ahead of TV shows.).

In another awesome touch, the game "forces" you to release your rage and become a hulk using psychological pressure alone, and not gameplay mechanics. You could refuse to become a hulk for the whole game, and it requires only a will of steel. Most people will break, repeatedly. Now I know exactly how Bruce Banner felt.

There are three possible explanations at the end.

I'm almost at the end, and it's superb. It's far, far better then Undying, almost as scary as System Shock 2.

Ridah · Post by **Ridah** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:39 pm

I'm surprised to see someone is replaying Sanitarium again after all this time, how does it hold up? I've been thinking of replaying it myself.

Laura · Post by **Laura** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:28 pm

Amber: Journeys Beyond. But it doesn't play on XP.

muttbunch · Post by **muttbunch** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:12 pm

Painkiller
Thief: The Dark Project
Ghostmaster

Anonymous Bosch · Post by **Anonymous Bosch** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 5:23 pm

If you're not averse to adventure games, Dark Fall should fit the bill nicely.

piecedoff · Post by **piecedoff** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:52 am

The Silent Hill series, if you don't mind console portidis.

O.DOGG · Post by **O.DOGG** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:40 am

Another vote for The Suffering. Excellent game. Can't wait for the sequel.

I was actually looking at the Sanitarium CDs just last week and maybe I'll play it again one of these days.

Depending on your definition of supernatural/metaphysical but I think The Longest Journey qualifies. Well, kind of.

Other than that, I'd say go with one of the console ports (if it HAS to be a PC game) of Silent Hill (I've only played SH3, and it was very scary).

I've heard it said that Alone in the Dark 4 was pretty good but I've never played it.

That's all I can come up with at this time. It's odd that they have so many good supernatural games on the consoles, yet there are barely any for the PC.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 10:36 am

Thanks, everyone - I'm digging through the list now and doing research. So far, I've only got one game on the list of possibles - Sanitarium.

muttbunch · Post by **muttbunch** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:17 pm

O.DOGG wrote:Another vote for The Suffering. Excellent game. Can't wait for the sequel.

That's out for PC? I would have voted for it if I knew that, but I thought it was console only. If PS2 games count here though, Fatal Frame I & II are THE BEST supernatural horror games ever released, imo.

I was actually looking at the Sanitarium CDs just last week and maybe I'll play it again one of these days.

Tried installing it a few months ago, but couldn't get it to play on XP. Don't remember what the problem was.

Other than that, I'd say go with one of the console ports (if it HAS to be a PC game) of Silent Hill (I've only played SH3, and it was very scary).

Meh. Silent Hill, Schmilent Hill. Fatal Frame will put it out of its misery.

EDIT: Oh, you said PC games. Never mind.

I've heard it said that Alone in the Dark 4 was pretty good but I've never played it.

One of the few games I've ever returned due to sheer suckiness. The control scheme bit.

That's all I can come up with at this time. It's odd that they have so many good supernatural games on the consoles, yet there are barely any for the PC.

I agree. I bought my PS2 basically for the sole purpose of playing the horror games made for it. Siren is another good one.

Giles Habibula · Post by **Giles Habibula** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:57 pm

Another vote for "The Suffering".
Sure it's a console port, but had I not known that, I never would have guessed. Outstanding voice acting. First-class game throughout. And possibly the creepiest game I've ever played. Continually gave me the shivers.

"Realms of the Haunting" is a classic too. But since that's from '96 you may have difficulty finding a copy. It remains one of my all-time favorite creepy games.

Giles Habibula · Post by **Giles Habibula** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:10 pm

Not sure if this qualifies or not, but my favorite game to play during a thunderstorm with curtains blowing in the wind, was "The Pandora Directive". I never played much of it, since the thunderstorm passed, but while that storm was blowing, it was a very atmospheric experience. One of my fondest gaming memories.

RookieCAF · Post by **RookieCAF** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:10 pm

I actually liked "The Thing"...

Sepiche · Post by **Sepiche** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:53 am

hehe Ghostmaster is pretty amusing I'll second that.

I'd say Undying would be a good choice.

s

RydeCrash · Post by **RydeCrash** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:42 pm

Seeing as Nocturne has already been mentioned I thought the recent Thief release should be noted.

Granted its not a complete match for the category, but for those that have not played it the Sanitarium level is by far the creepiest game play I’ve had the pleasure to play.

If you have not played the recent Thief release IMO, its worth getting.

Ryde..

triggercut · Post by **triggercut** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:00 pm

Dunno if you have an Xbox Blackhawk, but Fatal Frame II is the best of best. Loved the Gabe Knight games. Loved SS2. Loved Undying.

FF2 is the equal, if not better, than all those. After playing it, I tried to enjoy Suffering, but it fails in so many ways where FF2 succeeds.

edosan · Post by **edosan** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:15 am

Another vote for Sanitarium and the Gabriel Knight games (never played GK3 though)

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:56 am

Since it can be had for about 20 bucks from most places, I'd have to throw my hat in with Thief III and the sanitarium level. VERY creepy.

other than that, you can't go wrong with Undying.

I'll have to pick up The Suffering now after seeing so many glowing endorsements here.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 1:58 pm

Still making notes...