Looking for the scariest game playable on medium hardware

My friend and I are kinda trying to spook each other out so Im trying to get some advice from you guys =)

I am looking for the scariest PC game that can be played on pretty mediocre hardware at WXGA or higher resolutions

I believe my friend has a macbook pro 15" with just a 9400GT, not sure if it has the 9600 in it as well. Any suggestions?

 

Doom 3. 10char

 

thanks for the suggestion, any oppinions on fear 1 and dead space as well?

 

I have fear 1. It is not scary. It can be a little messed up at times given the mix of real combat and 'allucinations'. I have heard dead space is very good.

 

F.E.A.R. yes, Dead Space probably not.

 

oh and comment on doom 3 as well of course, hoping to get my friend pretty good =)

 

Yes, F.E.A.R. 2. That game is most scary when you play at night in your room with all the lights off with a pair of good headphones.

 

oh of course we already have set rules that you cant start before 10:00 pm and lights off + surround sound speakers =)

as you can tell this is a somewhat serious endeavor

 

doom 3 for jumpy horror fear for phsycological. dead space is more jumpy, but on a 9400 you will have to run it at low so im not sure if you will get the shadows that creep me out

 

+1 on Doom 3. I could only play it for an a hour until it became too much for me. Very scary, very intense, especially if you keep it unmodded. If it is too scary and you want to lessen it some, get the duct tape mod. This way you can use your flashlight and shotgun at the same time

 

That's a wussy's way out. The duct tape mod takes away the fun and thrill from Doom 3, haha.

 

Doom 3 is sounding like a fun game.....

I may have to consider, since I beat CoD4 in about 3 days (GREAT game though).

Is it just me or are games shorter these days? Haven't played games for about 5 years, until very recently...

I very clearly remember the original Doom.

 

Doom 3 > FEAR > Dead Space

 

Yeah Doom 3 is pretty awesome. I'd say dead space second, but that game is more demanding, so it depends if you can run it. Fear is a little more action, so I've found it less scary.

A game no one mentioned is Penumbra : Black Plague. It isn't demanding at all, it still is nice looking, and the collection (2 games and expension) only costs 20$. This isn't a fps tho, it is more of a puzzle solving game with a scary theme. But there is action don't worry You just don't spray your way out of it with an Ak47. I personally loved it, and it definitely freaks you out. Real fun.

 

i'm sorry but dead space just sucks. it's not scary at all and the controls suck. For me, it got boring after 1 hour. It's the same thing over and over again. Go here, kill this thing, go back. Then go to another area, kill that thing, and go back.

 

For me it has to be Aliens Vs Predator 2 pc game,Playing as the human soldier,in the dark with head phones.It has dated graphics but at full rez and max setting still looks good.I promise u it will scare the out of you!!

 

Honestly guys? The most over rated "scary" games of all time you are recommending?

If you want to be creeped the f*ck out play Silent Hill 3.

 

you can give the prenumbra series a shot. its not as good as doom3 or the other recommendations but it runs great on older hardware.

 

I like deadspace the most, i dont get scared so none of the game scared me but it had the most atmosphere to it.

Doom3 was not nearly as good as the older doom games to me, and fear is great all around but for some reason got repetitive to me so it got boring.

Deadspace however kept me playing till the end and then even started a replay and that says a lot for that game.

Also the upgrade & weapon system adds some depth to the game, you decide what weapons you want to carry and how to upgrade so your play experience can vary greatly depending on those choices you make.

 

Dead Space could be workable i think. Probably at 1024 res though.

 

This.

Doom 3 doesn't "scare". It "startles". There is a fine distinction between these two. Same deal with Dead Space.

F.E.A.R. is a little better with its "scares". Penumbra takes it even further, imo. Other pluses to Penumbra? It'll run well on medium hardware, and it's cheap. $20 is pretty low for a trilogy of games at that quality. Me? I got it off of a Steam deal for 5 USD.

 

If he has a 9600M GT, definitely check out Dead Space.

 

I second the Penumbra series. They are very eerie and atmospheric and very good games as well. I also got mine from steam on the 5$ weekend deals which was a steal.

 

For truly scary, Doom 3 is about your only option. You might also want to consider the older but great Aliens vs. Predator 1 and 2.

 

Doom 3 does scare. There's lots of subtle background stuff, increased tension, and the sounds just immerse you in the game. If you play with speakers or a crappy headset it just doesn't do the game justice.

FEAR was scary in the first couple levels, after that it was a traditional shooter. Good shooter, but nothing too scary except the occasional cutscene with Alma.

 

Load up the Cradle level in Thief Dealy Shadows. Scariest level in any game I have ever played.

 

I'd second this.
With all the voices and patients wandering around, you do find yourself on the edge of your seat

 

It is not bad, but it is only one level in the game. If Silent Hill 3 is recommended, I would recommend the best of that series: Silent Hill 2. It is in the 'psychological thriller' theme, like FEAR, just that 100 times better (which as htwignut pointed out, the first 2 levels are the 'kind of' scary ones).

 

system shock 2. very creepy game with even with outdated graphics.

 

Condemned: Criminal Orgins. Same guys behind FEAR (Monolith), freaky game.

 

^^^ Agreed, Condemned is one of the most scariest series i've ever played

 

AVP2 by far, played dead space, didn't jump once, played doom 3 got bored lol.

 

O yea Condemned : Criminal Origins is very scary and messed up at the same time lol - makes you feel very uncomfortable ( in positive gamers way ) when you play it...and when you don't.

 

gah soo many choices i might have to set up a survey, but thanks for everyone's input