Tank controls in horror games are a relic of the past, yet they continue to evoke a very specific kind of dread. While modern gaming has largely moved on to more fluid control schemes, there’s something about the clunky, deliberate nature of tank controls that fits perfectly within the genre of horror. It’s a type of control that strips away player agency, making you feel vulnerable and exposed, a feeling that is the very heart of the horror gaming experience.
What Exactly Are Tank Controls?
Tank controls, a term derived from the way a tank moves, typically map movement to relative directions rather than absolute ones. Imagine your character as a tank: pushing “up” moves your character forward, “down” moves your character backward, and “left” and “right” rotate your character in place. This means if you want to turn while moving you have to rotate your player and then push forward in that direction. This setup contrasts sharply with modern, free-look controls, where you can push the stick up and move forward, and look to the side by using the right analog stick, all independently. The clunky and slow pace of tank controls can be jarring for gamers accustomed to modern gameplay, but its very limitations contribute to the feeling of helplessness in horror games.
The Allure of Clumsiness in Horror Games
So, why would game developers deliberately choose a control scheme that is considered outdated and cumbersome? The key is the intentional limitation that tank controls place on the player. In a horror game, feeling powerful is the opposite of what developers are trying to achieve. The clunky movement makes navigation harder, especially in tight corridors. When you suddenly come face to face with a monster and your character turns like a cruise ship attempting to parallel park, it amplifies the feeling of panic and powerlessness. This makes it all the more unnerving when you know you need to run or perform a quick action but your clumsy movement hinders your effort.
This feeling of vulnerability is further amplified by the fact that tank controls often force players to be more strategic in their movement and interaction with the environment, it’s not as simple as pushing forward and running. You need to plan your way around corners and be conscious of the environment around you in a way that more fluid controls won’t demand. This constant need to strategize adds to the tension and keeps the player on edge, which is a core element of survival horror. For those looking to re-experience this type of gameplay, survival horror games ps1 remain iconic.
The Psychology Behind the Tank Control Horror Experience
The effectiveness of tank controls in horror games extends beyond mere mechanical limitation; it taps into the psychology of fear. Horror games seek to create a sense of unease and anticipation. The awkwardness of tank controls means that players never feel entirely in control of their character. This lack of control leads to a heightened sense of anxiety, creating a situation where even simple tasks become fraught with tension. It’s like being in a nightmare where your body refuses to move the way your brain commands. The struggle to navigate through a dimly lit mansion with a monster lurking behind every door is all the more terrifying with tank controls hindering your every step.
The contrast between the player’s desire for escape and the deliberate limitations of the character’s movements creates a powerful dissonance, amplifying the sense of dread. The slow and deliberate pace also means that the player must be patient and constantly anticipate what might be around the corner. This tension is the perfect foundation for classic survival horror gameplay. Fans of classic gaming horror will certainly appreciate best horror ps1 games.
Tank Controls vs. Modern Controls: A Comparison
Modern controls in horror games prioritize fluidity and responsiveness, allowing players to move quickly and react instantly. While this approach often creates a more immersive experience, it also tends to diminish the sense of vulnerability that tank controls excel at conveying. The table below highlights a few key differences:
| Feature | Tank Controls | Modern Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Relative (character-based) | Absolute (player-based) |
| Responsiveness | Slower, more deliberate | Quicker, more immediate |
| Sense of Control | Limited, awkward | Greater, more precise |
| Impact on Tension | Heightens fear and vulnerability | Can reduce tension |
| Navigation | More challenging and strategic | Easier and more intuitive |
| Character turning | Rotates in place | Turns while moving |
| Player Agency | Reduced | Increased |
As you can see, modern controls have improved gaming experience over tank controls in many ways, but the sense of vulnerability that tank controls gave to the players in horror games is something that cannot be replicated by modern controls.
The Evolution and Return of Tank Controls
Tank controls were primarily used in early 3D games as a way to handle the camera and navigation. With time and advancements in technology, free-look controls became more popular and widely adopted. However, there has been a sort of resurgence in the use of tank controls in a few indie horror games and even as an optional feature in some modern horror titles. Some developers are bringing back this retro feel either as a nostalgia trip for fans of classic horror, or as a deliberate way to evoke a sense of old-school horror and dread. It’s a testament to the unique feeling that tank controls can create in a horror game, and its power to generate fear among players.
Why They Still Work and Why They Might Not
While they’re not for every game or gamer, tank controls still work incredibly well in the horror genre because of the tension they create. It’s not about precision and speed, but about vulnerability and intentional clunkiness. They serve as a reminder of the player’s lack of control in the face of terrible creatures and situations. It’s a design decision that trades fluidity for a feeling of dread and tension, and it’s hard to recreate that with modern controls.
On the other hand, for many people, tank controls are frustrating and can detract from a game. This is especially true if you’re not used to them. The learning curve can be steep, and for gamers who prefer smooth and modern controls, they can be a barrier to entry, or a source of great frustration. It comes down to a matter of preference and taste.
“The limitations of tank controls in horror games aren’t a bug, they’re a feature,” says Dr. Eleanor Vance, a gaming psychologist. “They tap into our primal fear of being unable to react quickly, and that’s a powerful feeling in a horror setting.”
Questions Players Often Ask about Tank Controls
Q: Why are tank controls so clunky?
A: Tank controls were originally a design choice to handle early 3D games and their camera issues, but they ended up giving players a sensation of being cumbersome and difficult to control, which worked well for horror games.
Q: Are tank controls just bad design?
A: Not necessarily. Tank controls might not be ideal for all games, but they work well in horror games where they contribute to the feeling of vulnerability and lack of control.
Q: Can you get used to tank controls?
A: It takes time and practice to get used to tank controls, but it is definitely possible. However, they might not be for everyone, and a lot of players might still find them frustrating.
Q: What modern games still use tank controls?
A: While not very common, some modern indie horror games, and some retro-inspired games have options for tank controls, or use them as the base controls in the game. Some of these games are trying to recreate the feelings of early horror gaming.
Q: Do tank controls make horror games more scary?
A: They can definitely make horror games more scary for a lot of players. The inherent clunkiness and vulnerability they bring to a game can amplify the sense of dread and terror in horror games.
Q: Are tank controls ever coming back?
A: While unlikely to become mainstream again, they’ll continue to appear in retro-inspired or indie horror titles that wish to give a sense of classic survival horror games.
Q: Why are tank controls often associated with older horror games?
A: Because the controls became popular in early 3D horror games and later evolved to modern controls, so its association with these types of games became well known.
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Clumsy Terror
Tank controls, despite their awkwardness and limitations, remain a powerful tool in the arsenal of horror game developers. They create a unique feeling of vulnerability and helplessness, a sense that you’re not entirely in control of your character, and that’s a feeling that horror thrives on. While modern controls have improved gameplay experience in many ways, the deliberate clumsiness of tank controls has a place in horror. They are a reminder that sometimes, the things that limit us are also the things that terrify us the most, and for many horror fans, best survival horror game experiences are closely linked with tank controls.
Further Reading
If you liked this deep dive into the mechanics of horror games and their specific designs, you may find interesting reading in these articles:
A Brief Look at The Evolution of Technology in Filmmaking and Gaming
The intersection of gaming technology and filmmaking has created the incredible cinematic experiences that we see today, both in video games and on the big screen. The early days of gaming saw the rise of 3D graphics and innovative control schemes like tank controls which were born from a need to adapt to new display technologies. Simultaneously, the film industry saw the rise of digital camera technology, and the use of computer-generated graphics, these technologies revolutionized visual effects in film and set the stage for the more cinematic, immersive experiences in modern games. AI has become essential to both fields, from the creation of realistic CGI characters, to the procedural generation of game worlds and smart AI companions. The rise of smartphones also cannot be ignored as it created a boom in the mobile gaming market and allowed for a new generation of content creators who shoot and edit videos on their phone. The rise of flycams has been a game changer in filmmaking, both for big productions and independent filmmakers, offering aerial shots previously inaccessible and ushering in a new era of dynamic cinematography. Flycam Review is here to provide you with in-depth reviews of the latest technological advancements in this area.
