The use of spooky settings like old cemeteries or abandoned asylums helps. Just the thought of being in such a place can be scary.
Many of the stories in it use psychological elements. They play with our deepest fears, like the fear of the unknown or the fear of being alone in a dangerous situation. The characters might be isolated and facing something they can't understand, which makes the reader feel their fear as well.
The supernatural theme creates fear because it defies the natural laws we know. Things like ghosts floating through walls are not normal in our world, so it scares us. For example, in a vampire story, the idea of a creature that drinks blood and can't die easily is very frightening.
Scary games stories create fear through the unknown. For example, in 'Silent Hill', the fog hides many threats. You don't know what's coming next. The characters are often in vulnerable situations, like the security guard in 'Five Nights at Freddy's' locked in a small office with no real means of defense. The grotesque and abnormal creatures also play a big part. The faceless Slender Man in his game is just one example of a very disturbing and fear - inducing entity.
They often use disturbing visuals. For example, in 'Another', the scenes of sudden deaths are very graphic, which shocks the viewers and makes them feel fear.
They often use elements like the unknown. For instance, a mysterious figure that is only glimpsed briefly. This makes the reader's imagination run wild, creating fear.
Scary nosleep stories create fear by playing on our primal fears. Fear of the dark, fear of being alone, and fear of the supernatural are common themes. They describe these fears in vivid detail, making the reader feel as if they are experiencing it themselves. For instance, a story about a child alone in a dark room with something lurking in the shadows taps into our basic fear of the unknown in a dark, solitary place.
They often use settings like old, decrepit castles or mansions. These places are associated with the unknown and decay, which immediately makes readers uneasy. For example, in 'Dracula', the Transylvanian castle is a spooky place full of secrets.
Backrooms scary stories use the element of being lost. When you don't know where you are or how to get out, it's terrifying. The dim lighting, strange sounds, and the feeling that the place is much larger and more complex than it seems all contribute to a sense of fear. The idea that you could be stuck there forever, slowly going mad as you wander, is a very frightening concept.
The use of the unknown. For example, a lot of the stories have a mysterious presence that is not fully explained. Just the idea of something being there but not being able to see it clearly makes it scary.
These stories create fear through atmosphere. For example, they often describe spooky settings like dark forests or old, empty buildings. The use of words to paint a picture of these places makes you feel uneasy.
They often use the unknown. Ghosts are often mysterious entities that we don't fully understand. For example, in 'The Turn of the Screw', the nature of the ghosts is left somewhat ambiguous, making it scarier. Also, the setting plays a big role. A spooky old mansion or a desolate graveyard, like in many traditional ghost stories, sets the mood. Darkness and isolation are also key factors. When a character is alone in a scary place and something unexplained starts to happen, it creates fear.