Are you a Zombie Slayer or a Ghost Photographer?

Pick your weapon...

While I do enjoy the unique thrill of a survival horror game, I'm also a huge fan of knocking a Zombie's head off with a baseball bat. There's no denying that these styles are radically different from one another. Survival horrors, like Fatal Frame, are geared more towards scaring the gamer using atmosphere and disturbing imagery, while games like Left 4 Dead are more about the adrenaline rush of killing off the hoard of zombies that is charging your group. Most gamers usually have a preference but, personally, I find both styles of gameplay equally appealing. If you're new to both of these types of games, though, I suggest you consider your options carefully before deciding to go out and buy one.

Playing a survival horror game is a lot like watching a scary movie. Often times, your options for self defense are extremely limited. Gamers usually feel helpless and trapped, making the experience that much more terrifying. Rather than pitting you against dozens of enemies and having you fight your way out, the game is very random in it's battles and you usually find yourself up against one very strong and very frightening enemy. This usually leads to players freaking themselves through their own anxiety rather than because of anything the game has thrown at them. Now, if you've read this and are now thinking to yourself, "That's really lame... Why can't you just blow it's head off with a 12 gauge!?" chances are, you'd be more satisfied playing a first person zombie shooter.

Left 4 Dead 2 is, quite honestly, one of my favorite games of all time. If Fatal Frame is like watching a horror flick, then this game is like a post apocalyptic epic. Don't get me wrong, I love good scary atmosphere as much as the next gamer, but there's nothing quite so satisfying as scrapping through the remains of civilization  with a handgun, a melee weapon, and a defibrillator just in case somebody dies... This game, like most of its kind, is all about pitting you against a swarm of enemies. It's not about mood and there's no psychological thrill. This game is pure adrenaline and the amount of ammo you manage to hoard. 

What do you guys think? Zombies, ghosts, all/none of the above? Let me know!