A new scientific study has revealed that EA’s sci-fi Survival Horror Dead Space 2 is the scariest game on the Xbox 360.
The study was undertaken by user experience studio Vertical Slice. Casual and core gamer’s heart rate, sweat levels and body temperature were all tested. The games in which these aspects were tested were Alan Wake, Resident Evil 5, Dead Space 2 and Condemned.
People who were playing through the first half hour of Dead Space 2 demonstrated varying degrees of shock at what was happening in the game. The report goes on to say:
“None of the players’ interest was stimulated during the cutscene that played at the start, at least not until Isaac witnesses his dead wife become a necromorph in a horrific fashion. At least four of the participants found this moment distressing, and were frightened further still when throttled by the orderly, only to have him gruesomely slaughtered by a grotesque creature.”.
Not surprising, core gamers dealt better with the scenes than causal gamers. However, all gamers experienced rapidly increased heart rate, stunted breathing, and a rise in skin temperature.
Some gamers even expressed their fears of the game with one shouting “God, Oh my God, this s**t is so scary!'”.
Other games that were considered, but not found scary enough to test gamers were Left 4 Dead 2, Gears of War 2, Condemned 2, Fear 1 & 2, Dead Space 1, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Alone in the Dark and Mass Effect 2.
Do you agree with this study? What other games do you find scary? Let us know below.
Source: Eurogamer
