Fear, as is defined by the grand bastion of reliability that is Wikipedia, is a “distressing negative sensation induced by a perceived threat”. To me, that can easily be projected onto any number of games, and the reality of my own personal fears (if indeed such a phrase isn’t an oxymoron) might surprise you a little.
[drop2]To me, although I’m of the opinion that Nintendo’s Super Mario 3D Land is one of the finest games this year (and certainly shouldn’t be avoided in the way that I’m about to describe) there’s a clear reason why I find it so utterly difficult to play. It’s not the actual platforming – I’m good enough at Mario games to have avoided the P-Wing, at least – it’s the bits inbetween the platforms.You know, those massive, gaping holes?
To me, acrophobia is a real, distinct feeling – almost certainly fitting nicely into the dictionary description above. It’s not just a “negative sensation” though, almost each and every jump after pretty much any level beyond the first few fills me with the sense of dread that makes your stomach churn. To me, although I’m obviously of sound enough mind to know that the chasms aren’t real, the threat of falling down them makes me feel sick.
It’s not just Super Mario 3D Land, of course – any platform game (or for the record, any genre) that has the player making jumps across bottomless gips has the same effect. Turok on N64 was a nightmare for me, Uncharted 2 was a strain, although I’ll be honest and say that Jet Set Willy on the Speccy I could just about handle.
First person, third person, doesn’t matter. If I’m in control of the character and there are jumps to be made, I’ll struggle. Add that to the fact that – ultimately – Nintendo’s latest does get pretty damned tricky and you’ll see why I’m taking my time with the magical 100% figure. It even extends to being near an edge – if there’s a drop at the other side it won’t be easy for me to approach it, let alone sidle along a narrow path or leap from pillar to pilar.
But here’s the thing – water has almost the same effect on me. I can swim underwater in the real world just fine, but throw the protagonist of a videogame into the same situation and my brain will start conjuring up wierd and wonderful sea creatures that – in my mind – won’t appear until the last minute.
It’s not a fear of drowning, or not being able to see the surface – for some reason I just get shaky when my avatar’s underwater. This makes games like Tomb Raider tricky and the sections of Zelda based around the Zora a real bind (not to mention Ocarina’s Water Temple – ugh) – although at least this one’s restricted to 3D games – the submersed sections in the otherwise side-on Marios don’t bother me at all.
You’ll probably think this is all a little bit ridiculous – but the next time you’re installing a patch to get rid of the spiders in Skyrim (yes, I know you’re out there) because you’re not keen on the eight-legged bastards, spare a thought for those of us locked into the realisation that there’s going to be some high up places to walk around and water to swim through.
Tougher than any dragon.
nofi
Forgot about ICO. That’s scary too.
(for me, IMO etc)
bunimomike
Yep. My mate’s face physically drained when he’d see those sections. Ah, bless him. After the initial teasing I did actually calm down with the swirling camera tomfoolery. ;)
Tuffcub
I can understand being scared of big gaps in real life but in a game featuring a cartoon plumber, less so.
If I suddenly suprise you with a picture of the Grand Canyon, what would happen?
Mundham
Slow news day perchance?
Nylon_Crash
the under water section in metal gear Sons of Liberty, where u have emma on your back always made me feel uneasy lol, and the battle with vamp, if I fell into the water, i would panic.
BigCheese
I’m the same when it comes to water. My earliest memory of fear water in game comes from the first Jak and Daxter game. I fell from some tower or pillar into the water and as soon as that heart-beat started, I needed to pause the game and get my head straight! Stupid shark-things… Same goes for earlier Ratchet and Clank games.
aerobes
Can’t say it’s something which has ever affected me but it’s an interesting read and the fact there are gamers like yourself out there might make me consider situations slightly differently in future.
cam_manutd
Dead Space
Metal Gear Solid 1+2 (when you get seen lol shitting pants)
Probably the scariest espescially when played in the dark.. *shudders+shivers clenching fists*
mitchjay
I found this to be an interesting read.
I hate heights in real life but love them in games, I do get a bit creeped out underwater though.
That Sonic drowning tune plays in any underwater game now…
redmik71
I can half understand this as I got the game yesterday and some of the drops are huge – the 3D works superbly.
JUST BUY THIS GAME NOW!!
kengao
I must admit I had a few dizzying moments of stomach lurch and ankle sweating when playing Saboteur, especially at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
if you interested, please check this exciting club for fun seekcasual.com
Thank you very much.