In another study which makes you scratch your head at who approves the funding for these projects, it has been determined, scientifically, which video game is the most frightening.

This survey was conducted by usability studio Verticle Slice [sic], and used physical indicators such as heart rate, sweat levels and body temperatures. The study included both core and casual gamers, and the games used were Alan Wake, Resident Evil 5, Dead Space 2 and Condemned.

If you’ve played these games, you should already know the winner is: Dead Space 2. The details of the report discuss the first terrifying half hour of Dead Space 2, “None of the players’ interest was stimulated during the cutscene that played at the start, at least not until Isaac witnesses his dead wife become a necromorph in a horrific fashion.

“At least four of the participants found this moment distressing, and were frightened further still when throttled by the orderly, only to have him gruesomely slaughtered by a grotesque creature.”

This callous orderly-slaughtering is followed by a petrifying piece of gameplay where you lumber through the dark underbelly of the ship like a drunkard, trying to avoid getting disemboweled by various horrific space monsters.

If you’re reading this article, you’ll be happy to know that “core gamers” were better equipped to handle the material than our less hardened counterparts.

All participants however exhibited classic physical responses to fear; increased heart rate, stunted breathing and a rise in skin temperature.

Games originally up for consideration but deemed not terrifying enough to frighten children with various machines attached to them included Left 4 Dead 2, Gears of War 2, Condemned 2, Fear 1 & 2, Dead Space 1, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Alone in the Dark and Mass Effect 2.

Source: Eurogamer