Replying to a post on twitter about scary games http://kotaku.com/5379285/what-makes-a-video-game-scary?skyline=true&s=x

My view:

For me a scary game has got a lot of different factors, just like in the article.
First you need to care about your character. I loved the Batman game as I already felt I had a rapport with Batman, the voice actor was also used in the cartoon that was on TV so it felt like I was hanging out with an old friend.
In terms of gameplay, the fact you had to start the scarecrow level again if Batman was discovered by the scarecrow meant you really concentrated on getting the timing right, this added to the tension and scare factor. You couldn’t just rely on medi packs or heath bars.
In Halo ODST on firefight mode, if I play by myself and there are Drones about, (flying bug like aliens) I can hear them behind me on my rear surround-sound speakers. The scary bit is knowing they are there and not be able to see them. Once you turn round, your whole screen fills up with a massive bug!
I also like what games can do with sound. It can change depending on where the character goes, signifying something scary will happen. You just can’t get that depth with a film or novel as it was the players decision to enter the room