The character design also plays a part. Characters with strange or abnormal appearances can be quite terrifying. In 'Yume Nikki', some of the creatures you encounter are very odd - looking and their presence is enough to make you feel uneasy. And the pacing of the story, slow build - up of tension before a big scare, is a common technique used in these visual novels.
The sound is crucial. Creaking doors, eerie whispers, and sudden loud noises in Japanese horror visual novels like 'Higurashi When They Cry' can make players jump and feel on edge. Also, the storylines usually involve mystery and the unknown. When the player doesn't know what's going to happen next or what's lurking in the shadows, it creates a great sense of horror.
They often use disturbing imagery. For example, in 'Corpse Party', the grotesque scenes of dead bodies and the dilapidated school environment immediately give a feeling of dread.
Through atmosphere. They often use dark and muted color palettes, along with eerie music and sound effects. For example, in 'Doki Doki Literature Club', the music changes to a more disturbing tone as the story gets darker.
They often use disturbing settings. For example, in many of these novels, abandoned places like old hospitals or haunted houses are used. The desolate and dilapidated nature of these settings immediately sets an uneasy mood.
They often use disturbing visuals. For example, grotesque character designs or spooky environments like haunted houses. Also, the storylines play a big role. Sudden plot twists, like a character turning out to be a monster, can be really scary. And the use of sound effects, like creaking doors or eerie music, adds to the horror.
Lottery horror novels often create horror by subverting expectations. You expect winning the lottery to be a good thing, but in these novels, it's the opposite. For example, the 'prize' could be something dreadful like a slow and painful death or being hunted.
Through setting. A common trope is the use of isolated locations like old mansions or haunted forests. For example, in many horror visual novels, the moment the characters enter an old, decrepit building, it immediately sets a spooky mood.
Characterization also plays a big role. By creating vulnerable characters, like innocent children or the mentally ill, the horror is intensified. The reader can easily empathize with them and feel their fear more acutely. In 'The Shining', the slow descent of the father into madness while his family is trapped with him in the hotel is a prime example.
They create horror by making the story seem real. Since it's like reading a transcript of actual footage, it blurs the line between fiction and reality. For example, in 'The Blair Witch Project' novel, the diary - like entries make you feel like you're right there with the characters in the spooky woods.
Satanic horror novels often create horror through the use of the unknown. They introduce satanic elements that are beyond human understanding, like dark rituals and unholy powers. For example, in 'Rosemary's Baby', the mystery around the satanic cult and what they plan for the baby is terrifying.
They often isolate the characters. For example, in 'The Shining', Jack is isolated in the hotel. This isolation makes the reader feel the character's vulnerability. Also, the use of psychological elements. In 'American Psycho', the main character's internal turmoil and his warped view of the world create horror. The sense of being trapped, like in 'Misery' where the writer is physically trapped by his captor, is a key factor.
Pulp creature horror novels often create horror through the description of the grotesque appearance of the creatures. For example, in 'The Call of Cthulhu', the description of Cthulhu with its tentacles and unearthly form makes the reader feel a sense of dread. Also, the unknown nature of these creatures adds to the horror. We don't fully understand their motives or capabilities.