Save the Children: Youth Narratives and Historical Learning in Three Taiwanese Horror Video Games

Abstract

This article examines the process of historical learning in video gaming and broadens the scope of Taiwanese game culture through an in-depth analysis of three horror video games: "Detention" (2017), "pagui" (2019), and "Halflight" (2020). It offers a comparative study of these games, focusing on their shared ‘save the children’ theme, which reimagines Taiwan’s traumatic past through nightmarish settings tied to the February 28 Incident and the White Terror. Additionally, the article explores how youth narratives shape and mobilise players through interactive digital gameplay. By blending historical memory with horror aesthetics, these meticulously crafted games serve as immersive portals, allowing players to engage with Taiwan’s past in a deeply interactive and affective manner