It's been a great few years for co-op horror games. We've collected trash and trinkets in Lethal Company and REPO, and we've made vlogs for millions of viewers while we trek through abandoned buildings in Content Warning. But between these japes and jests, we've also had the challenge of making our way around the Murkoff facility and trying not to break down into tears while we fight back against whatever horrors The Outlast Trials throws at us. I might be projecting here, but even if you've only spent time in the tutorial, you'll know it's not exactly for the faint of heart.
There's no denying that a huge number of developers are cottoning onto the thrill of co-op horror, and we're in a position where there are more opportunities than ever to be scared out of your skin. I can't help but worry about whether or not horror is starting to lose its charm. There's only a certain number of times you can encounter a jumpscare before you know the signs to look for, and with so many successful horror games launching recently, is it getting to a point where we, as players, are expecting too much from them?
