I love video games. They’ve been a constant in my life for years, and I enjoy trying out different genres, styles, and stories. If there’s one thing that can totally ruin the experience for me, it’s when a game unexpectedly throws in horror elements I wasn’t prepared for.

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I Know Games Aren’t Made Just for Me

Let’s be real—games these days try to reach a huge audience. It’s not possible (or realistic) to expect every game to perfectly match my tastes. Developers have to mix things up to keep gameplay exciting and reach more players. I respect that. I really do.

But I also think there’s room for games to be more transparent about certain content, especially when it comes to horror.

Horror by Surprise Isn’t My Thing

Some players thrive on tension, fear, and jump scares. I’m not one of them. I can handle action, suspense, and even some darker themes—but full-on horror vibes just aren’t for me, especially when they’re dropped into a game that wasn’t advertised as horror in the first place.

Take Modern Warfare II, for example. The “Alone” mission completely shifts the tone of the game. You’re left sneaking around, disarmed and crafting makeshift weapons like it’s suddenly a survival horror title. The intensity is real, but the vibe shift hit me hard—and not in a good way.

Or Final Fantasy XV. That game is mostly a fantasy road trip with your buddies, until Chapter 13, where you’re separated and stuck wandering shadowy halls while creepy creatures lurk around. There are even a few jump scares. It was such a drastic change in tone that it pulled me out of the experience.

And then there’s Hogwarts Legacy’s Haunted Hogsmeade quest. It’s DLC, so technically optional—but if you go in expecting more magical mischief, what you get instead is haunted mannequins and a sequence straight out of a horror game. I just wanted to cast spells, explore Hogwarts and fly around on a broomstick, not survive a haunted house.

It’s Hard to Prepare Without Spoiling Everything

The obvious advice is: “Just read or watch reviews before playing.” But here’s the thing—I don’t want to spoil the story or key surprises. I enjoy discovering things naturally. That makes it tricky, because I can’t always tell if a game will have that one horror-themed mission or uncomfortable twist buried deep in its runtime.

And when I do hit one of those segments unexpectedly, it tends to leave a bad taste in my mouth. It’s not a matter of being scared—it’s more that it kills my immersion and enjoyment, often making me want to put the game down altogether.

A Little Heads-Up Would Go a Long Way

It’s not in my position to ask developers to stop being creative or to limit themselves to one tone. But I do wish games would offer some kind of heads-up—maybe through content warnings or optional filters—so players like me can mentally prep (or skip) certain parts. Streaming services have figured this out. Games could too.

At the end of the day, I just want to enjoy games without being blindsided by horror elements that feel out of place or uninvited. Surprises in games can be amazing—but not when they make you dread picking up the controller again.

Have you ever been caught off guard by an unexpected horror scene? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments!