Flashlight (Object)

Flashlight

OBJECT

Usually used in games to light the way in dark areas.

Overview

Flashlights in games are primarily used in three ways, none of which are mutually exclusive:

Atmospheric Effect

Flashlights are particularly useful in horror or survival games. Placing the character in a dark environment and giving them a flashlight which has a very specific area of effect helps add to the foreboding nature of the environment.

As a Gameplay Mechanic

The most common flashlight mechanics are:

Having the light either run on a battery, or charge which runs out as the light is used. This again is mostly in horror or survival games where light can be a life saver.
Having a flashlight be one of a very limited number of items that the player character can hold or use at any time. Doom 3 is one of the most well known examples of this type of mechanic.
Having the enemy recognize and react to the protagonist's light. Almost any modern game that inculdes a flashlight will use this mechanic to discourage the player from running around with what would otherwise be a useful item active at all times.

As Part of a Puzzle

Flashlights are also used as puzzle elements. For example, they can be used as lock-key mechanics, where players cannot progress into a dark area unless they have a flashlight. As well as this, the actual mechanisms of flashlights can serve as a puzzle, such as placing a certain kinds of bulb into the flashlight or changing the batteries.

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