Why The Old Roblox Style In Horror Games Needs To Stop... 

The title seems like a really crazy take, but I recommend watching the video before hating. I hope everyone enjoys this video :D

“I think a doors entity attacked us and the end guys”- lanky box 2023

I personally don't mind the use of the old style. I like how it gives you a false sense of security for anything scary that's coming up. It's definitely overused, but not bad. Edit: My replies are blowing up😭😭😭

Hi, so I'm the guy who made Nightlight and I just want to explain why I chose to make the monster the old Roblox character. I didn't make it to try to follow the current horror retro "trend," nor did I make it just so it'd appeal to more people. The reason I made the monster the way I did was to make it feel more like another player when you just saw him walking around before he'd become the monster. I know the way I made the idea was done poorly, but I did not make the monster the way I did purely just for appeal.

An artstyle that I really enjoy inside of roblox horror games has to be the Mimic, it might sound cliche because its really popular, but it went from a blocky experience with decent scares, to a game with cutscenes, good storyline, voice acting and, would you believe it.. A REALISTIC ARTSTYLE! The models they use inside the game are constantly being upgraded to fit each chapters style and ambience. I feel as though it pushes the creator to publish games that are fresh and different compared to games like the "experiences". The artstyle of old roblox is not bad, but just overused. I feel like Judy has pushed the limits of a blocky monster as well as small roblox games.

you should've included the sequel to a nostalgic hangout game called "a crossroad hangout game" It is 100X times creepier, sequel to the lore, Secret Badge (which isn't secret anymore), and is actually much better compared to most horror games out there.

faithless used this style because it is based of faith, which also uses a retro style.

2:10 unrelated but i like how lankybox is trying to ignore the obvious suicide that just occured in the game by saying "GUYS DID WE GET ATTACKED BY A DOORS ENTITY 😱😱😱"

I mean there's nothing wrong with using the old roblox style, you just need to make it authentic. Why are people adding models from 2020 in a game made with the style of old roblox?

yes the old style is overused but people are trying to switch it up from the regular type of horror game style but you need it to make sense like nightlight made a monster that didn't fit and weird strict that has non retro styled models in the game.

weird strict dad is the biggest offender imo

As someone who is currently making a game with the old art style, I don't think of it as "unique" or anything, It is just easier to make models that way, and I think that most devs also use that same concept so that its easier to produce.

I enjoy using 2014-2015 era roblox for some of my horror games, because I grew up playing during that era. However, I can see how oversaturated the classic roblox style has become in recent years.

I think the old Roblox art style works in Jim's computer because it's used to evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort during its daytime segments. The mechanics during the day also reinforce this aspect, only for them to be subverted during the nighttime segments. Nighttime in the game isn't only creepy because of the potential threat set up by the narrative, but because the sense of comfort established during the day segments is turned on its head by giving the player a different set of mechanics that don't correlate to what was previously established.

I feel like residence massacre did a solid job at using the old style of Roblox because everything is all plain and blocky but then you see the monster and it looks alien to the current environment you are in.

I love how grugchamp( the creatorr of Jim "s computer) literally havent created other game, i wish he one day publish other game, if he could change the genre horror for a year imagine what he could using other styles.

a lot of people seem to forget about party.exe when talking about classic styled horror games. its one of my favorites, and definetely one of the oldest, if not the oldest!

As someone who's making a game with this same classic style, I agree that it is becoming a little saturated. However, I like to think it has become its own genre and has the opportunity to grow into something much more than a copy and paste design.

All the new retro games were inspired by jims computer, and weird strict dad covered that poorly, also residence massacre, jims computer and faithless were the only ones who actually did the retro style right, i can tell because gasa4a was only half retro, multiple elements made it look like it wasnt

Well, some of the old styles can really fit in with the horror games, for example: Redisent Massacare though the layout and the movement is pretty old an all that. It seems to be the right fit with it, though the new style would be better. Most people honestly dont care about the style of it.

I think faithless follow this style because of its inspiration: faith the unholy trinity. Which in itself has a more atari style of art so they did the roblox equivalent of it being the old roblox style

Yeah, I've been feeling really burnt out on most roblox horror games. I liked certain ones like "A Stereotypical Obby" but you don't see a lot of really interesting games like that anymore. There was this one called Dozerdog's Endurance Obby that I thought was pretty cool. I don't think any of the new games are bad per say, I just think they really are just getting stale. Running from a monster can be scary the first time, but just about at the third time it becomes routine.

2:06 I don't think a doors entity got you lankybox...

I believe the old style is used so much simply because its easy to replicate. Other more modern styles require more effort. Im also not saying that every use of this style is lazy, but it oftentimes it is used because it saves time.

I am an involved member in the small community of the game "Nightlight." I even got a professional title in the game! (for some reason) I do agree with you as Beta is clearly inspired by the Residence Massacre monster. But I don't really think the game is "Old Roblox Styled", I feel like it's just because the dev does not really have the game-making experience to make a detailed game. The game surprisingly is not worked on by multiple people, it's a game made by only one person. And this one person seems relatively new at making Roblox games. If he could make a high end game, he definitely would. But it's way out of his reach specially for a solo dev. But because the standards are so high for horror games (The regular styled ones) I feel like we compare Nightlight to a game like DOORS where Nightlight just seems like it's "Old Styled". I think this is not just a thing with Nightlight but also something with other games where it's just a solo dev making a game for fun. But because it's a solo dev with not as much experience as an experienced one. And because usually the mainstream ones are the super high graphics ones, might be that we have higher standards for horror games. And games that are made by one person that's not very experienced compared to games made by a team of experienced devs makes them seem "Old Styled".

I think you just gotta use the old style in the right kind of way, if everyone knows what I mean. Like you can’t have too much happening, just look at horror games back then. They couldn’t really put too much either with the amount of tools they had back then.

i completely agree with you. but some games might not be using this style just because its popular, maybe they are just using it because it's way easier to make models n' stuff. that would be the reason i would use this style if i made a game.

2:38 That guy looks pretty handsome ngl Fr though, great video. I think the old style at least in horror got more popular because of Jim's computer rather than GASA 4am though? I think it's more to do with the fact that old roblox is seen as "better roblox" by some and in terms of Jim's computer, how it flips the game on its head in the night segments like you said. Overall, good video man!

NPCs are becoming smart is another good game that uses this old Roblox style

Personally, In our current project (Horror) we're using this art style to 'spice' things up, not because of any Trends, but I do understand your main point. Devs should use art styles to match their games, not just 'trendy art-styles' Respect for the video, well made, I do agree with you on a few of your points 👍👍

"I think a DOORS entity might've attacked us." (2:13) Nahh 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I agree with this video, as a game developer it’s honestly pretty important on which style you choose for your game as it affects the overall atmosphere and can be pretty impactful.

Lankybox reacts to Jim's suicide and blaming it on other horror characters 💀💀💀

Me personally I don't have a problem with these types of games, for example Jim's Computer, and The Roblox hangout (Forgot what it was called, but it did use this style) and the second game was the only one that used the style with a reason. My other thoughts such as Residence massacre, I don't really mind it, because it atleast adds a bit to the horror aspect since first off, you're in a cartoony setting with an extremley realistic monster, I guess they used the classic style to make the game a bit scarier or something. But for other games such as Weird strict dad, and Sus grandma (Or whatever it's called) And Other games which use the style, seem to just want money, or just want to get popular and get those premium payouts. But I could just be saying stuff random, and you can have completley no Idea what Im talking about with the number of grammatical errors.

This art style gives me a feeling of emptiness, like all of humanity was wiped out, I feel like a story about one player surviving an apocalypse during like the 2007 era and they’ve just been living on their own for years could work really well.

Nice use of exploration of the unfinished from Limbobbia at the end.

There were 3 “the experience” games but then some other creators just saw this as another spam game

Honorable mention is Stereotypical Obby, very nice game with this artstyle, it disguises itself as an obby but later on it becomes an horror game

I think that the old classic style gives such a nostalgic vibe and sense of comfort and security over simple block characters. It’s not bad, just overused. Besides, it is kinda overused more for horror genre. GASA4 did the old style, but with a fun seemingly memey game with an actual overarching lore. (The creator stixxal still posts some lore bits from other timelines about game characters) it has nothing scary, no blood no madman with a knife, it just shows how deep of an impact it can have just by removing someone from existence. (Cashier) I also always wondered why the players father figure slept in the bath and why nobody talks about it (I did see theories that the mom died and the dad was depressed or something) The horror style works in a way, it works best in games with simple concept and the games are fun to play, but I think they could try to make a game with this style not a horror game? Like the new game Need More Heat/Cold? (It’s kinda goofy) Just a thought :)

I feel like OneWhoFinds (creator of Nostalgic hangout game) is one of the creators that does it best when it comes to a retro styled horror game, the way his whole creative process is designed around roblox myth lore really helps the retro style work along with the visuals, audio design, and gameplay of his 2 games so far, the second game even has voice acting down really well

Nostalgic hangout game and crossroads game were honestly the best of the classic artstyle games, SOLELY because its tied into the story and also because it didnt just stick TO that artstyle

the farthest art style I remember as this is party.exe which was honestly really fun to play

As a developer the thing is, its a lot easier to use studs and things than to hire modellers and builders or if you don't have moeny use the toolbox for models which just leaves your game have a bunch of different designs making it ugly.

I've been making a horror game with that retro style, I started it after Jim's Computer got released, I didn't know it was going to be so overused. lol I simply adore the Old Roblox aesthetics and I'll keep up making games with that style, but I get your point.

This is my opinion, I love this type of Roblox horror. I just like it. It gives me creepy feelings.

i call these types of horror games "oldcore"

I wanna see more games in the nostalgic 2015-18 roblox style. A game I’m thinking of that captures this style well is Hotel

I think you should make a video on the "weird strict [insert something]" or "Need more [insert something]" games

Both the original and the "revamped" get a snack at 4 am are honestly games i enjoyed a lot, the revamped one being a noticeable improvement from the other. Mostly because i have a completionist mentality to get EVERYTHING in a game. And jim's computer is a game that you gotta go blindly to enjoy, Jim's computer catches you off guard, you're always like "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON" and slowly see that something is wrong, and the ending is a very unexpected and scary ending. Both games use the "classic" style very well, get a snack at 4am uses it to make it more visually appealing and to make the game more enjoyable overall. Jim's computer uses it as a disguise for what's about to come in order to hit you hard. The fact that this style is being overused in a wrong way is sad, because if you do it right, something VERY good can emerge from it.

Weird strict dad has it’s art style so that it feels nostalgic and digs into personal memories.I cannot imagine weird strict dad any other way being better.

Jim's computer is something called a physiological horror game where it messes with your mental stability and tries to make you feel uneasy.

I think the noob monster in Nightlight might be because the person that invites you that is a noob is the monster, the information backing this up is literally when your light is out or close to out he will transform into his monster form and hunt the player until they use a match or they eventually get jumpscared and downed.

Honestly the horror games now on roblox the monster is actually that scary it is just a normal roblox avatar with some crap put on to it

most people overuse and not implement the style right imo

Oh my god dude i love you so much for this video cause of the part style. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE KNEW THIS LMAO.

This might sound stupid but, what is the name of this little obby he showed for a while(or is it in retrostudio)?

i wish they would use more GORE. i want every horror game to be disgustingly horrifying

finally someone spoke up, atleast one person had to

the fact you used MKWii songs made me really happy

i just found out about your account today and i already think its awesome :) keep up the good work!!

Finally someone who pointed it out, horror games using old Roblox style is getting really repetitive I don’t play horror games but it’s getting annoying

Its a throwback to when Roblox was better & actually fun to build & talk with people in. When Roblox still powered imagination and wasnt a money fueled sponsorship pit.

What I find funny about this game is that a day or two after I started making my own game like this I found this but I did get a lot of inspiration of my game off Jim’s computer I don’t expect a lot of people to even play considering I don’t have much skill in making games but I do truly agree with you also honestly I never understood nightlight

IM GOING TO SUM UP WHAT IM SAYING: The devs probably like the style of the game, its classic roblox and can look nastolgic and cute in some way. They dont have loads of money, and they cant spend a lot on modelers. They use it as a trend to make more money and get popular so they dont waste it all for nothing. Longer version of Personal thoughts: Heres a good reason games probably use this art style, SOME of the games probably have a team of coders, that they think they have a good idea for the game but dont have the modelers to execute it, because you'd have to be paying their devs both for coding and modeling, which you know, costs quite a bit of money. They still want the game to look good but something thats more low budget, because most owners of games dont have a whole bunch of money stocked up (because most owners have to somehow earn enough money for a living and have enough to hire people for your game) They also want to profit out of this game so that all their work didnt go to waste. (Via having a popular game style) Im a modeler, effect and lighting maker plus animator. I know how much I am worth and how much doing stuff like this is worth, ive known other developers/designers be overworked, and underpaid, (one of the got 400 robux a month which was ridiculous) So yeah that is my take on what you are talking about. My personal take on games is that, it doesnt matter how it is designed, even as an artistic person, as long as the game is unique and does NOT include pay to win or gambling aspects, nothing that can help you progress the game faster. It just has to 1. Look decent or nice for the matter 2. Be a non buggy and unique game. 3. Give the players interest and have fun in the story. If you read this and thought"so it's just all about the momey huh" or something similar implying they are greedy. (I know you probably wont) Sure, we want money, we're not going put all of that work into a game and distributing money to all of the devs just to not earn revenue from it.

MEGA DISLIKED

the monster noob in nighlight is like that because its supposed to be beta transforming...

I randomly had an idea for my first Roblox game today which I planned having the characters be the “old Roblox style” since it’s simple I just like how it feels, but my irrational fear of getting hate has given me second thoughts lol. I just feel like the style has a comforting, nostalgic feel to it. Even so if I ever do make the game I’m still gonna use the style lol

Fun fact out of Residence Massacre, Faithless and Jim's Computer, Jim from Jim's Computer had it THE WORST between the three protagonists. Jim had a 0% chance to survive, Faithless Player has a 50/50 and Residence Massacre Player also has a 50/50. Your welcome. :)

I recommend playing the game residence massacre. In my opinion they used the old style horror roblox game genre really well.

What game are you playing during the outro?

Even though Jim's computer and Get a Snack at 4 a.m. aren't that old, I think they're nostalgic because they have the same art style and a good story. I had a lot of fun playing both of them, and I wish there was more. I wish I could brainwash myself just to play them again.

what game is that in the "why they still make this games" section where you're grabbing the painting?

I like these games thsr used the classic Roblox style i don't really care if the map is the same as long as it have a deferred gameplay not all of them are completely copy and paste

I feel like a nostalgic hangout game and jim’s computer probably do it the best in terms of using the classic style in horror games because they use it in a nice way, they resemble old roblox and then switch it up while still keeping the old roblox feel

What's the game at 7:15? Also I entirely agree! They're all just there to be like "woah, nobody's ever done this before, so epic gaming!!!!" when they are just getting overused, which I feel like I've seen happen before but idk when.

adding chspters is already a w for vids, take this sub

IKR at first it was unique and like revolutionary (for lack of a better word) but now it’s overused what if a big horror game comes out that has the same artstyle as bloody mary awakened and trapped where it’s not as polished but somehow still makes you feel uneasy because of how old everything looks, as if it’s scripts could fall apart any second

The key thing is, it depends on how you use it. Ex: A stereotypical obby uses the classic obby feel, however the minigames and sister game are both realistic. If you can pull it off, this can be good for the classic bait and switch.

"you can see this game is inspired by jims computer, like the day and night stuff" you heard it here first, jims computer is the only horror game to have a day and night cycle

What are your opinions on combat initiation because that uses this style

one roblox horror game artstyle i love (i only know this one doing it) is The Intruder by Builderme inspired by Mandela Catalogue and a bunch other things, its kinda like Everything Goes Here 1989, with the cameras of the first 2 levels and the icons of the VHS Tape levels being like real images and stuff is SO COOL TO ME, like i love it so much❤

To be honest,That's really true...I do agree on the things you we're saying and..yeah overused too..But It's still good if theres still some old styles to so the new players can see some old style of the game...I'm happy too that you've mentioned it ^^(sorry about my english TvT It's not my first language so im bad at it :) Btw You're really underrated I was watching you're vids for like 3 dayss and I almost finished all of them. You're not an cringe roblox youtuber ^^ im suprised You only got 19k sub i think you deserve more than that! by the way dont push you're self to much,You can take a break if you wanted to and that's all👍

in 6:04 i am thankful of your words to help me make a better old roblox style.

Personally, these are the only horror games I play other than FNAF. There's just this style that's so oddly nice about it. It's just the simplicity and stuff.

ive been thinking ab this for so longg but i never really thought about talking about it bc i was scared of getting jumped

2:09 was that a Door's entity that atacked them??? 😱😱😱😱

Are we going to ignore the cod zombies music in the background at 1:48?

I love all of the games being made in this style, sure they all share aspects but it give me and my friends fun games to play

scotomaphobia got an update, it has it's 3rd layer now!!!

What was the game you played at the end

This was a good video, but I think you could have better explained why one was good and one was bad

I love this new era of horror games after jimmis computer and snack at 4 am

whats the game you were playing for the most of the video

it is definitely popular but with all the games i’ve seen with this retro roblox style, they are always executed super well. you think because they’re a simple trend they won’t scare the sht out of you but they’re really good games ! i like them!

The nightlight creator has gone on record to say he made the monster look like that because he didn’t want to actually make Beta (I think that’s the character’s name) look unique. Since Beta becomes the monster, he kept the color palette and simplicity. It’s literally because he’s lazy, not to capitalize.

You and breadian are really good creators

Zombies theme played literally like 3 seconds after I thought “might play some zombies while watchin this”

It really sucks because roblox horror games can be really good sometime. Residence Massacre and Nightlight have actually scared me at times. I've played these both with my friends and its some of the best fun ive had on roblox in years but they really dont NEED that exact style and I would argue they could potentially be better if they had a different style. Like imagine if they made the Residence Massacre monster like the exact same just literally anything but a noob.

I know that is overused but it is nostalgic for old people and it is like good

I enjoy being not so secured in roblox horror with this art style I mean like it’s nostalgic to look at